Power Sector News Roundup for December 24, 2024

By

Global: ERC approves NGCP transmission projects in Philippines LCCC signs three contracts under UK hydrogen round Iberdrola secures green loan for photovoltaic plant in Sicily EDF connects Flamanville 3 nuclear reactor to France’s power grid Orlen signs €244m deal with EIB for renewable energy grid expansion Hitachi Energy secures contracts for HVDC converter stations in Germany India: NTPC Green signs MoU with Bihar government for renewable energy RIL picks up 26% stake in Adani’s power…

|

Hitachi Energy secures contracts for HVDC converter stations in Germany

By

Hitachi Energy has won contracts worth over €2bn ($2.08bn) with Amprion, a German transmission system operator, to supply four converter stations for two high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) links, V48 and V49.  These links are integral to Germany’s clean energy transition, transporting power from the North Sea coast to the Ruhr Region, serving four million people. Hitachi Energy will provide and install two HVDC Light converter systems, each with a 2GW capacity and operating at 525kV.  The…

|

Orlen signs €244m deal with EIB for renewable energy grid expansion

By

Orlen has secured a second agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for nearly 1bn zlotys ($244m) to fund its strategic electricity distribution network programme.  The investment will enhance renewable energy connections, including the development of 1,000 new EV charging points and an expansion of grid capacity to integrate 1.4GW of clean energy, powering 900,000 households. The programme will enable Energa Operator, an Orlen Group company, to begin projects in 2025, constructing 830km of power…

|

EDF connects Flamanville 3 nuclear reactor to France’s power grid

By

EDF has integrated the Flamanville 3 nuclear reactor into France’s national power grid, marking the first expansion of the country’s nuclear network in 25 years.  The reactor was connected on 21 December 2024, producing 100MW of electricity. With a capacity of 1.6GW, Flamanville 3 is France’s largest nuclear reactor and one of the most powerful worldwide. The reactor, located in Normandy, joins similar reactors in China and Finland. The project experienced a 12-year delay, with…

|

Iberdrola secures green loan for photovoltaic plant in Sicily

By

Iberdrola has finalized a €100m ($103m) green loan agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB), guaranteed by SACE under the Archimede scheme, to construct a new photovoltaic plant in Sicily, Italy.  This marks the first collaboration between the EIB and Iberdrola backed by SACE. The plant, expected to be operational by 2025, will have a capacity of 242.78MWp, producing 400GWh annually—enough to meet the energy needs of approximately 154,000 households.  Located in the provinces of…

|

LCCC signs three contracts under UK hydrogen round

By

The Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) has signed three hydrogen production contracts under Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 (HAR1), part of the UK government’s Hydrogen Production Business Model.  These initial agreements include the Cromarty, Whitelee, and West Wales projects, with a combined capacity of 31.8 megawatts (MW). The Hydrogen Production Business Model offers long-term revenue support to hydrogen producers, reducing investment risks and fostering the hydrogen economy. It builds on the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme….

|

ERC approves NGCP transmission projects in Philippines

By

The Philippines Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved two transmission projects by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the private operator of the country’s transmission network. The projects include the PHP20.65 billion, 500 kV Balaoan–Laoag transmission line and the PHP2,585 million, 230 kV Capas substation in Luzon. The Balaoan–Laoag line, connecting La Union and Ilocos Norte, aims to strengthen the grid and integrate renewable energy sources in the Ilocos Region.  This line will…

|

Bangladesh owes Tripura Rs 20 billion in electricity dues

By

Bangladesh owes Tripura Rs 20 billion for electricity supplied under an agreement with the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited.  Tripura provides 60-70 MW of power, but the dues are increasing daily.  Chief Minister Manik Saha stated that no decision has been made on halting the supply yet, but payment must be cleared to avoid disruptions. Tripura began supplying power in 2016 from its ONGC Tripura Power Company’s 726 MW plant. Saha noted that machinery imports…

|

Chhattisgarh attracts Rs 151.84 billion investment for renewable energy

By

Chhattisgarh has secured investment proposals worth Rs 151.84 billion from top companies in sectors like semiconductors, electric vehicles (EV), and renewable energy. The highest proposal of Rs 115 billion comes from Renew Power Limited for pump storage and green hydrogen projects.  Other notable investments include Rs 16.5 billion from TWI Group for EV kit manufacturing, Rs 11.34 billion from Polymatech Electronics in semiconductors, and Rs 3 billion from Teleperformance for a BPO centre. The state…

|

Union minister reviews Lakshadweep’s power sector

By

Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal reviewed the power sector scenario for the Union Territory (UT) of Lakshadweep in Kavaratti.  Shri Praful Patel, Administrator of Lakshadweep, along with senior officials from the UT administration, Government of India (GoI), and Power Finance Corporation (PFC), attended the meeting. Key issues discussed included the status of power generation, the performance of the electricity department, demand-supply challenges, and the implementation of the PM…