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Avista to acquire 10% stake in 3 GW North Plains Connector transmission project

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Avista has signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding to take a 10% ownership stake in the North Plains Connector, a 3 GW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line by Grid United’s subsidiary.  This 420-mile line will connect the US eastern and western electric grids between Montana and North Dakota, enabling bi-directional power transport from various generation sources. The North Plains Connector, linking the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Western Interconnection, and Southwest Power Pool, will enhance…

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Swedish government rejects 13 offshore wind projects in Baltic Sea

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The Swedish government has denied 13 applications for offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea, south of the Sea of Åland, citing national defence interests.  The rejected projects include Arkona, Aurora, Baltic Offshore Beta, Cirrus, and others, as they posed potential conflicts with Sweden’s military operations. This decision affects various developers, including Hexicon’s joint venture Freja Offshore, which will halt its Cirrus and Dyning projects. Defence Minister Pål Jonson emphasized that in the current security…

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Westinghouse and Hyundai sign contract for reactors in Bulgaria

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A consortium of Westinghouse Electric Company and South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering & Construction has secured an engineering services contract with Bulgaria’s Kozloduy NPP-Newbuild.  This contract advances the project beyond the front-end engineering and design phase towards the construction of two AP1000 nuclear reactors at the Kozloduy site. The AP1000, a Generation III+ reactor known for its passive safety systems and modular design, will play a central role in Bulgaria’s energy diversification and security efforts.  The…

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FTC Solar to supply solar trackers for 1 GW Dunlieh Energy projects

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FTC Solar has signed a supply agreement with US-based Dunlieh Energy to provide solar tracker systems for over 1 GW of solar projects. The collaboration’s first project, the 500 MW Situla energy project in Banner County, Nebraska, will feature solar and battery storage and is expected to create over 225 local construction jobs, generating more than $1.4 million annually in nameplate capacity taxes. Tracker deliveries for the Situla project are set to begin in the…

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ACCIONA Energía acquires 300 MW of wind capacity in Texas

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ACCIONA Energía has acquired two wind farms in Texas, Green Pastures I and Green Pastures II, each with a capacity of 150 MW.  Located in Baylor and Knox Counties, these fully operational projects were acquired from private asset management firms for $202.5 million, boosting ACCIONA’s total installed capacity in the US. The two wind farms are integrated into the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid, which handles 90% of Texas’s electricity. Together, they will…

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Canada proposes 35% emissions cap on oil and gas sector by 2030

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The Canadian government has introduced draft regulations to cap oil and gas sector emissions 35% below 2019 levels by 2030, sparking backlash from industry leaders who argue it could lead to reduced production.  Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault emphasized the cap targets pollution, urging companies to use their record profits from 2022, which totalled C$66.6 billion, for decarbonization. The regulations propose a cap-and-trade system rewarding low-emission producers and imposing penalties on those failing to comply, with…

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UAE’s Nakheel and DEWA partner on 132 kV substation in Palm Jebel Ali

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Nakheel, a subsidiary of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has partnered with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) to develop two substations on Palm Jebel Ali, with an investment of AED 270 million.  DEWA will handle project management, including tendering, award, and construction.  These substations, each with a capacity of 132/11 kV, will provide a combined 400 MVA of electricity to meet the energy needs of Palm Jebel Ali, supporting areas like the fronds and…

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EDF Renewables signs 20-year energy storage PPA with APS for 250 MW Beehive BESS

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EDF Renewables has secured a 20-year Energy Storage Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Arizona Public Service (APS) for the Beehive Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Peoria, Arizona.  This 250 MW, four-hour duration stand-alone battery system, totalling 1,000 MWh, will start construction in 2025 and is set for commercial operation by 2026.  Beehive BESS, equipped with lithium-ion batteries, inverters, transformers, and a substation, will store renewable energy to meet peak demand, supporting APS’s capacity needs. …

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Emeren and Arpinge partner on 300MW battery storage portfolio in Italy

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US-based Emeren Group has entered a co-development agreement with Arpinge to establish a 300MW battery energy storage system (BESS) portfolio in southern Italy, bolstering Emeren’s presence in the Italian BESS market where it already has 1.37GW in its permitting pipeline.  This partnership with Arpinge, a permanent capital vehicle backed by Italian pension funds, aligns with Italy’s energy transition goals, focusing on enhancing grid stability and integrating renewables.  Emeren Group CEO Yumin Liu highlighted the collaboration…

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Westbridge sells 75% stake in Alberta’s Sunnynook solar project to METLEN

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Westbridge Renewable Energy has completed the sale of its 75% stake in the Sunnynook solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) project to METLEN Energy & Metals.  Located in Alberta’s Special Area No. 2, the 332 MWdc Sunnynook solar project includes a 200 MWh BESS and is approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission, currently progressing in the Alberta Electrical System Operator’s connection process.  The C$41.4 million ($29.7 million) transaction involved 3% of the purchase price…