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Critical Energy Transition Minerals: A Path to Equitable and Sustainable Global Energy Future

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The global shift towards renewable energy presents an enormous opportunity, but it also introduces significant challenges, particularly when it comes to the sourcing of critical energy transition minerals (CETMs). These minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements (REEs), are essential components for the technologies driving the energy transition. With the demand for these minerals set to nearly triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the…

Key Power Sector News Roundup for September 25, 2024

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CEA releases report on Right-of-Way width for transmission lines The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has released a report on Right-of-Way (RoW) width calculations for transmission lines using monopole towers and HTLS conductors. The report compares configurations and highlights challenges like higher costs and limited manufacturing for monopole structures. It supplements the July 2020 guidelines and was compiled by a 13-member committee. CTUIL approves Rs 4 billion transmission projects to boost infrastructure CTUIL has approved seven…

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Origis Energy partners with TVA to expand solar + storage projects in Mississippi

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Origis Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) have signed a power purchase agreement to develop the Hope Solar + Storage project in Clay County, Mississippi. The project will feature a 200 MWac solar facility combined with 200 MW (800 MWh) of battery storage. The generated power will be sold to TVA to support the region’s growing population and economic development. The project is expected to become operational by the end of 2028, subject to…

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EDF abandons biomass conversion project at Cordemais plant, shifts focus to nuclear

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EDF, the French state energy company, has scrapped its biomass conversion project at the Cordemais thermal power plant, citing unmet “technical and economic conditions.” The project, launched in January 2022, aimed to replace coal with wood pellets for electricity generation but failed to fully achieve its goals. As a result, EDF plans to cease electricity production at the Cordemais plant by 2027. In a shift from biomass, EDF subsidiary Framatome is planning to build a…

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Ecuador faces widespread power cuts as drought impacts hydroelectric generation

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Ecuador’s government has implemented power cuts in half of the country’s provinces due to a severe drought that has drastically reduced hydroelectric power generation. The blackout affected 12 of the 24 provinces from 8am to 5pm on Sunday, 22 September, with extended power cuts scheduled nightly from 10pm to 6am until Thursday, 26 September. Nineteen areas have also been placed on red alert. This drought, the worst in 61 years, has led to a significant…

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RWE partners with Port of Setúbal to develop logistics hub for floating offshore wind energy in Portugal

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RWE is collaborating with the Port Authority of Setúbal in Portugal to develop a logistics hub for floating offshore wind energy. The partnership aims to explore the port’s potential to become an industrial hub for marshalling, assembly, and deployment of components such as floating substructures and mooring systems, crucial for floating wind projects. Given Portugal’s deep waters, high wind speeds, and 2,500km coastline, the government sees floating offshore wind as a key renewable energy source….

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TAURON acquires rights for 190.8 MW wind project in Poland from VSB Group

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TAURON Polska Energia’s subsidiary, TAURON Zielona Energia, has signed an agreement with German renewables developer VSB Group to acquire project rights for the 190.8 MW Miejska Górka wind project in Poland’s Greater Poland Voivodeship. The project will feature 53 wind turbines, supplied and installed by the Nordex Group, and is expected to be operational by early 2027. VSB Group will continue to oversee additional construction and planning work for the project. In June 2024, VSB…

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AMEA Power to invest in BESS and solar capacity in Egypt

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AMEA Power has announced plans to invest USD 800 million to develop Egypt’s largest solar photovoltaic (PV) plant and first utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS). The project, located in the Benban area of Aswan Governorate, will feature a 1,000 MW solar PV power plant alongside a 600 MWh BESS. Additionally, AMEA Power is constructing a 500 MW Abydos solar PV plant in Kom Ombo, Aswan Governorate, which will include a 300 MWh BESS. The…

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Vestas secures 134 MW wind turbine order from Invenergy in Japan

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Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas has won a 134 MW order from Invenergy for Japan’s Inaniwa Wind Energy Center in Iwate prefecture. This marks Vestas’ largest order in Japan to date. The company will supply and install 32 of its V117-4.2 MW turbines, along with a 20-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement. Deliveries are set to begin in the first half of 2027, with project commissioning expected in the first quarter of…

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Octopus Energy completes acquisition of UK renewables developer Exagen Group

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Octopus Energy Generation has fully acquired UK-based renewables and energy storage developer Exagen Group from its founder, Jeremy Littman. Exagen’s development pipeline includes over 2.4GW of solar and energy storage projects across England. This acquisition will accelerate the execution of these projects, furthering the UK’s renewable energy goals. Littman expressed pride in the progress made by Exagen, highlighting the company’s mission to fight climate change. Octopus had initially invested in Exagen with a 24% stake…