15 May 2012
As Alstom Grid wins substation contract for Egypt’s biggest wind farm, Egypt moves closer to its 2020 renewable energy goal.
What happened
The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) awarded Alstom Grid a €12m (US$15.5m) contract to manufacture and deliver a Gas-Insulated Substation (GIS) to the new Gabal El-Zeit wind farm by 2013, reports Electric Energy Online.
The wind farm, Egypt’s largest onshore, is located on the Gulf of Suez and covers 625km2. The new GIS substation will be the first to transmit the farm-generated power to the electricity network. Alstom...
15 May 2012
Two Latin American utilities sign agreement with Ventyx … while Honduras hydropower plant receives partial credit guarantee … and Brazil receives over 52GW of new power projects.
Ventyx: Closes Multimillion Dollar Network Control Deals with Leading Utilities in Latin America
Ventyx reports that it has signed multimillion-dollar contracts with power utilities:
CDEC-SIC in Chile and
UTE in Uruguay.
Each utility will receive a complete control center solution. The Ventyx Network Manager™ SCADA/Energy Management System (EMS) solution will ensure the “secure, efficient and reliable management” of the electric networks.
Roberto Falco, Vice...
25 Apr 2012
World Bank loans Kenya Power US$47m ... while 500 communities in Ghana to receive power ... as AECOM wins excellence award for Africa electrical interconnection project ... but Kenya Power’s escalating rates despite profits!
Engineering News: Kenya Power receives $47m World Bank loan for distribution projects
John Muchira of Engineering News reports that the World Bank granted Kenya Power a US$47m loan to improve its power distribution network. The country will construct new 132KV substations and transmission lines to connect the substations in certain regions.
According to Kenya Power MD, Joseph Njoroge, the new projects form part of the government’s Kenya Electricity Expansion Project and...
20 Mar 2012
India lags behind on developing the technology to convert its abundant coal reserves into enough gas and oil to relieve the 300 million citizens living without power.
What happened
Reuters reported on India’s puzzling snail-paced development of coal gasification technology that could improve the country’s chronic electricity shortage.
Background
In his New York Times blog, Hari Kumar reports on the Census Report released early March 2012. The findings in the Census Report underpin the painful reality of the 300 million Indians who still live without power. In the mean time, India’s March 2012 deadline for providing electricity for the...
30 Apr 2012
Can Sub-Saharan Africa rely on off-grid renewable power?... The Emirates Solar Industry Association (ESIA) advances solar development…Botswana’s “critical” power infrastructure investment
Renewable Energy World: Rural Africa Looks Beyond the Grid
Piers Evans of Renewable Energy World discusses the different viewpoints on whether sub-Saharan Africa can rely on off-grid renewable power to meet its power needs. The article quotes from a number of reports and analysts to decipher the region’s off-grid potential. According to the article, the region is a “promising context for renewables” and could “dispense with polluting, grid-connected power plants...
01 Mar 2012
Brazil proposes five forest-friendly hydro dams … During the renewable “revolution” in Nicaragua … As Argentina faces unprecedented energy crisis … And Haiti signs contract to refurbish its principal hydro plant!
Engerati: Brazil’s environmentally-friendly hydroelectric dams
Denise Philip of Engerati writes about Brazil’s plans to build a series of five dams along the Tapajós River, in the Amazon basin. The Brazilian Government insists that they will preserve the Amazon forest throughout the project. During construction it will use platforms similar to those used for offshore oil drilling. This eliminates urbanization and land links with highways. Access to the dams will be by...
08 Mar 2012
Chinese lawmakers set goals for rapid solar growth ... While the EV market thrives with Chinese state support ... But Chinese wind market growth takes Siemens by surprise... Although solar PV modules makers play dirty games!
Engerati: Chinese EV Market Grows into Leading Player
Leslie Pietersen of Engerati writes that China’s electric vehicle (EV) sector is moving from research and development to industrialization. In 2011, the country produced 8,368 units and sales reached 8,159 units and there were significant gains in the EV market from 2010. With 243 EV charging stations and 1,328 EV charging poles installed in 2011, China became the country with the largest EV infrastructure worldwide.
The...
30 Apr 2012
The 2.8GW HidroAysen hydropower project will give Chile the power boost it needs.
What happened
Chile's Supreme Court approved the 2.8GW HidroAysen hydropower project, after it rejected seven appeals, reports Reuters. The US$3.5bn project consists of five hydroelectric dams on two rivers in Patagonia.
President Sebastián Piñera approved the project last year, but plans were put on hold as environmentalists protested its construction, concerned about a negative impact on the region’s ecosystem. The dams will generate over 18TWh per year – 33%...
08 May 2012
Off-grid renewable energy could be the answer to sub-Sahara Africa’s power poverty.
What happened
Sub-Saharan Africa can depend on off-grid renewable-generated electricity instead of grid-connected power plants, writes Renewable Energy World. According to the article, economic development, rich renewable sources, a decrease in photovoltaic prices, and an “improving business ecosystem” could kick-start off-grid renewable electricity, which could help solve the region’s long-standing power poverty.
Background ...
30 Apr 2012
Brazilian utility, Eletrobras, may help Mozambique realize plans for a 1,500MW hydroelectric dam project.
What happened
Brazilian utility, Eletrobras, plans to construct a 1,500MW hydroelectric dam and two transmission lines in northern Mozambique to the value of US$6bn, reports Bloomberg. Mozambique’s state-owned utility, Electricidade de Moçambique, will partner Eletrobras to build the two 1,500 km (932 m)“high-voltage” power lines. The Wall Street Journal reports that one of the transmission lines will export energy to South Africa. Jose da Costa,...
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