Power Sector News Roundup for December 16, 2024

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Global: Envision Energy secures largest battery storage order in South Africa Masdar inaugurates 500MW Zarafshan wind farm in Uzbekistan Vestas secures 1.1GW order for Inch Cape offshore wind project in Scotland Westinghouse and BWXT Canada partner on nuclear new-build projects globally NorthWestern acquires 10% stake in North Plains Connector HVDC project GE Hitachi advances BWRX-300 SMR to GDA Step 2 in the UK KEGOC secures KZT141 billion funding for West Kazakhstan project Hydrom and thyssenkrupp…

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EIB grants €225 million loan for Prologis solar energy project

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The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €225 million framework loan to Prologis to support its initiative to generate electricity from low-carbon sources.  The project involves installing rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems at Prologis logistics centers across Western and Central Europe, including Germany, Belgium, Italy, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Poland.  The initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy security, and enable surplus energy to be stored or sold to the…

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Hydrom and thyssenkrupp nucera collaborate on Oman’s green hydrogen expansion

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Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom) and thyssenkrupp nucera have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance Oman’s green hydrogen sector.  The partnership will focus on exploring localisation opportunities and establishing service hubs for water electrolysers to support hydrogen production. Hydrom, the national orchestrator of Oman’s green hydrogen strategy, has designated over 2,300 square kilometres for large-scale green hydrogen projects. The company aims to build an integrated hydrogen ecosystem through strategic collaborations and market analysis.

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KEGOC secures KZT141 billion funding for West Kazakhstan project

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Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Operating Company (KEGOC) has signed loan agreements with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan for a total of KZT141 billion. Of this, up to KZT32 billion is from the Development Bank of Kazakhstan. The funds will support the West Kazakhstan Electricity Interconnection Project, which includes constructing the 604.3 km, 500 kV Karabatan–Ulke transmission line along the Atyrau-Aktobe motorway, expanding the 500 kV Ulke substation,…

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GE Hitachi advances BWRX-300 SMR to GDA Step 2 in UK

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GE Vernova’s nuclear division, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), has reached a significant milestone with its BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) technology, advancing to Step 2 of the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) in the UK.   The GDA process began in January 2024 with an initial focus on establishing the scope and schedule for Step 2, which has now been completed.  The BWRX-300, a tenth-generation SMR design, builds on GEH’s extensive experience with boiling water reactors…

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NorthWestern acquires 10% stake in North Plains Connector HVDC project

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NorthWestern Energy has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Grid United’s North Plains Connector to acquire a 10% stake in the 3GW HVDC transmission line project.  The 420-mile (676 km) transmission line will link Bismarck, North Dakota, and Colstrip, Montana. Grid United will fund the development of the North Plains Connector, with NorthWestern Energy’s investment contingent on regulatory approvals.  The project, developed jointly with ALLETE, will also involve Avista, Portland General Electric, and…

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Westinghouse and BWXT Canada partner on nuclear new-build projects globally

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Westinghouse Electric Company and BWXT Canada have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on nuclear new-build projects in Canada and globally.  BWXT Canada will manufacture key components for Westinghouse’s AP1000 and AP300 reactors, including steam generators and reactor vessels. This partnership strengthens Westinghouse’s AP1000 and AP300 initiatives, leveraging BWXT Canada’s expertise in pressurised water reactor steam generators and nuclear fuel.  Westinghouse anticipates that each AP1000 unit built outside Canada will generate C$1 billion…

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Vestas secures 1.1GW order for Inch Cape offshore wind project in Scotland

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Vestas has received a firm and unconditional order for the 1.1GW Inch Cape offshore wind project in Scotland from Inch Cape Offshore, a joint venture between ESB and Red Rock Renewables.  The contract includes the supply, installation, and commissioning of 72 V236-15.0 MW wind turbines. The 150km² site in the North Sea, located 15km offshore Angus, will feature turbines installed on monopile and jacket foundations in water depths ranging from 34m to 64m. These turbines,…

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Masdar inaugurates 500MW Zarafshan wind farm in Uzbekistan

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Masdar, an Abu Dhabi-based future energy company, has inaugurated the 500MW Zarafshan wind farm in Uzbekistan, marking the largest wind facility in Central Asia.  The project was officially opened by Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, underscoring the country’s dedication to expanding its clean energy capacity and its partnership with the UAE in advancing renewable energy. Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi emphasized Uzbekistan’s role as a key hub for renewable energy, leveraging its historical legacy and…

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Envision Energy secures largest battery storage order in South Africa

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Envision Energy has secured a significant order to supply three battery energy storage systems (BESS) for South Africa’s Oasis 1 cluster of projects, with a total capacity of 257MW and 1,028 megawatt hours (MWh) of storage.  This order, the largest of its kind in South Africa, positions Envision Energy as the first supplier to secure a gigawatt-scale energy storage order in the region. The Oasis projects, part of South Africa’s first Battery Energy Storage Independent…