Power Sector News Roundup for November 28, 2024

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Global WA completes second phase of Kwinana big battery project. Maxeon Solar to divest non-US assets, focus on US market expansion. Uniper signs PPA with Stegra for green hydrogen and steel production. Capital Power sells stake in two Canadian wind facilities to Axium. Alfanar signs SAR 20 billion contracts with SEC for energy projects. India NTPC REL declares commercial operation of 55 MW Shajapur solar unit. KEC International wins Rs 17.04 billion T&D orders from…

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Alfanar signs SAR 20 billion contracts with SEC for energy projects

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Alfanar Projects has entered into agreements exceeding SAR 20 billion with the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to advance Saudi Arabia’s energy sector.  Formalized during the Energy Localization Forum by the Ministry of Energy, these contracts underscore the nation’s commitment to sustainable energy infrastructure and self-reliance. A key initiative involves developing the Middle East and North Africa’s largest high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter station in partnership with China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Company.  This project…

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Capital Power sells stake in two Canadian wind facilities to Axium

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Capital Power has announced the sale of a 49% interest in two Canadian wind facilities to Axium Infrastructure for approximately $340 million.  The facilities include the 142 MW Quality Wind project in British Columbia and the 104 MW Port Dover and Nanticoke wind project in Ontario, with a combined capacity of 246 MW. The assets are fully contracted with investment-grade counterparties, featuring a weighted average remaining contract life of 11 years.  Capital Power will retain…

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Uniper signs PPA with Stegra for green hydrogen and steel production

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Uniper has entered into a six-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Stegra to supply 6 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity to Stegra’s plant in Boden, Northern Sweden, from 2027 to 2032.  The agreement will power Stegra’s green hydrogen, iron, and steel production facilities, supporting an initial annual production target of 2.5 million tonnes of green steel. The Boden plant, currently under construction, is Europe’s first greenfield steel mill since 1974. Stegra energy portfolio head Arne…

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Maxeon Solar to divest non-US assets, focus on US market expansion

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Singapore-based Maxeon Solar Technologies has announced plans to divest its non-US assets, concentrating exclusively on the US market to drive growth and profitability.  Maxeon will lease a facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for solar panel production, targeting a 2 GW capacity by early 2026. The divestment includes its sales, marketing, and manufacturing operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, which will be acquired by TCL Group, its majority shareholder. These operations…

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WA completes second phase of Kwinana big battery project

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The Western Australian (WA) government has completed the second phase of the Kwinana big battery project, marking a major milestone in the region’s energy transition.  This phase involved constructing an A$661 million ($428 million) battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 800 MWh and a 200 MW output capability, supported by 288 battery modules and 72 inverter units. Construction, which began in July 2023, created 200 jobs. The Kwinana BESS will provide power…

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West Bengal invests Rs 24.5 billion in thermal plant upgrades and renewables

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The West Bengal government is investing Rs 24.5 billion to modernize three thermal power plants, Power Minister Aroop Biswas announced.  The Sagardighi plant upgrade will cost Rs 16.1 billion, Bandel Rs 6.5 billion, and Kolaghat Rs 1.9 billion. Plans include adding two 800 MW super-critical units at Sagardighi (1,600 MW total), a 660 MW unit at Bakreswar, and another 660 MW unit at Santaldih. Renewable energy projects include a 12.5 MW solar unit in Purulia…

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India, ISA sign pact to implement solar projects in Indo-Pacific region

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India has signed a Project Implementation Agreement (PIA) with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to execute solar energy projects in Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles.  This initiative, aligned with the Quad Climate Working Group’s agenda, focuses on addressing energy challenges and supporting sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific region. The agreement, formalized on November 26, 2024, supports the Wilmington Declaration made during the Quad Leaders’ Summit, where Quad countries—India, the US, Japan, and Australia—pledged to foster…

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CEA recognizes surface hydrokinetic turbine technology

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The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has officially recognized Surface Hydrokinetic Turbine (SHKT) technology under the hydropower category to promote innovation and alternative methods for achieving net-zero emissions.   SHKT technology generates electricity by harnessing the kinetic energy of flowing water without the need for large structures such as dams or weirs. This distinguishes it from conventional hydropower systems, making it more suitable for areas with minimal grid access. With a generation cost of Rs 2-3 per…

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NCT recommends two ISTS projects in Madhya Pradesh for final approval

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The National Committee on Transmission (NCT) has recommended two interstate transmission system (ISTS) projects to the Ministry of Power (MoP) for final clearance under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mode. The first project involves the transmission system for evacuating power from renewable energy projects in the Rajgarh Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Madhya Pradesh, Phase III, with an estimated cost of Rs 10.79 billion. REC Power Distribution Company Limited (REC PDCL) has been appointed as…