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Ofgem urges faster grid connections for renewables in UK

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The UK’s Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) has called on network operators to expedite the connection of renewables, clean power, and storage projects to the grid.  In response to a backlog of 722 GW of projects awaiting connection, Ofgem has set forth proposals to streamline the process, prioritising projects ready to operate within five years to help meet the UK’s 2030 energy goals. Ofgem’s reform plan focuses on optimal project placement and voltage…

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US BOEM releases final EIS for SouthCoast Wind Project

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The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has issued its final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the 2.4 GW SouthCoast Wind Project, which, if approved, could power approximately 800,000 homes.   The SouthCoast Wind proposal includes up to 147 turbines, five offshore substations, and eight export cables, with landfall options at Brayton Point or Falmouth, Massachusetts. The project’s lease area covers about 127,388 acres, located 26 nm south of Martha’s Vineyard. Public input during a…

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Nexans to sell AmerCable to Mattr for $280 million

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Nexans has agreed to sell AmerCable, its Arkansas-based subsidiary specializing in power, control, and instrumentation cables for harsh environments, to Mattr for an enterprise value of $280 million.  Known for its durable cables widely used in mining and oil and gas industries, AmerCable has been a key player in the power cable sector since 1922 and employs over 300 people. This sale aligns with Nexans’ strategy to focus on electrification, positioning itself as a ‘Pure…

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Energy Vault to build 57MW battery storage project in Texas

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Energy Vault has announced plans for a 57MW/114MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), named Cross Trails BESS, to be built in Scurry County, Texas.  Construction is scheduled to begin in Q1 2025, with commercial operations expected by mid-2025.  Energy Vault will build, own, and operate the project using its X-Vault integration platform, UL9540-certified B-VAULT product, and VaultOS energy management system, offering flexibility for both AC and DC-coupled configurations. The project aims to boost renewable energy…

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SPPC awards 7.2GW power project contracts under Saudi Vision 2030

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The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has awarded contracts for the development of 7.2GW of power projects to consortiums led by Saudi Electricity Company and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa).  The projects, essential to Saudi Arabia’s strategic energy mix plan, align with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, which targets a 50% contribution each from renewable energy and gas in domestic electricity production. Contracts were awarded for the Rumah I and II and…

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Entrion Wind secures US patent for FRP monopile technology

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Norwegian offshore wind firm Entrion Wind has obtained a US patent for its fully restrained platform (FRP) monopile, marking the first of six patent applications filed by the company.  The FRP monopile, designed for water depths up to 100m, is set for commercial launch in 2027 and promises improved economics over other foundation systems, featuring Entrion’s top mooring assembly (TMA) for enhanced stability and efficient installation. Entrion co-founder and VP Li Lee highlighted the monopile’s…

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ScottishPower signs £1bn deal with Siemens Gamesa for East Anglia 2 offshore wind farm

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ScottishPower Renewables has entered a £1 billion ($1.2 billion) agreement with Siemens Gamesa to supply 64 SG 14-236 DD turbines, each rated at 15MW, for the East Anglia 2 (EA2) offshore wind farm off England’s east coast. With a capacity close to 1GW, EA2 will generate enough energy to power nearly one million homes, supporting the UK’s mission to lead in clean energy. The turbines feature 236m rotor diameters, with 115m blades manufactured at Siemens…

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EnBW to install 100MW battery storage system in Marbach, Germany

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Energie Baden-Württemberg (EnBW) has announced plans to develop a 100MW/100MWh battery storage facility at its Marbach power plant site in Germany, for enhancing grid stability in southern Germany rather than direct household power supply. Construction is scheduled to start next year, with the facility expected to be operational by the end of 2025. The project will use cobalt-free lithium iron phosphate batteries and will share infrastructure resources with EnBW’s existing facilities, creating synergies, including the…

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ACCA report warns of inadequate climate preparedness among businesses

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The ACCA’s latest report, Weathering the Storm: Building Resilience Against Climate Disruptions, reveals that most businesses and organizations are ill-prepared for climate-related disasters, with outdated continuity plans that fail to account for the rising frequency of such events.  The report shows only 20% of surveyed organizations have identified climate risks across their operations, and just 17% regularly rehearse responses to major disruptions, while 25% lack any resilience-building mechanisms. ACCA Head of Sustainability, Emmeline Skelton, emphasizes…

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Oklo secures environmental permit for fission power plant in US

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Oklo, a fission power and nuclear fuel recycling company, has received an environmental compliance permit from the US Department of Energy (DOE) and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for its advanced fission power plant site. This permit enables Oklo to proceed with plans to launch the first commercial advanced fission plant in the United States. The permit approval follows a recently completed memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the DOE, initiating site characterization activities for the project….