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

Global, News

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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Iberdrola explores sale of UK smart metering business to raise £1bn

Global, News

Spanish utility Iberdrola is considering the sale of its UK smart metering business, aiming to raise £1 billion ($1.27 billion), according to Reuters. The company is working with the Royal Bank of Canada as an adviser on the deal, though the sale process is in its early stages and no deal is guaranteed. The potential sale is part of Iberdrola’s larger £24 billion investment plan for its UK arm, ScottishPower, which includes a focus on…

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Nuclear industry “a model for the rest of economy”, UK energy secretary says

Global, News

At the Nuclear Industry Association’s annual conference, Nuclear 2024, UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband, praised the nuclear industry for offering “well-paid, highly skilled, unionised jobs” that benefit local communities.  He pointed to Hinkley Point C’s impact in Somerset, where its construction has contributed to a 25% increase in the number of young people in the region since 2011.  Miliband emphasized that the nuclear sector serves as a model for…

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UK seeks new investors for Sizewell C nuclear project

Global, News

The UK government is exploring new investor interest for the Sizewell C nuclear plant, as negotiations continue to secure funding for the project.  These discussions come at a crucial time, with the UK aiming to modernise its power infrastructure by 2030.  However, the project’s funding timeline has been delayed, with a final investment decision now expected no earlier than spring 2025, pushing back the initial target of a 2024 decision. Securing investors for Sizewell C…

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Tata Projects completes Barapukuria-Bogra transmission line in Bangladesh

Global, News

Tata Projects Ltd, in collaboration with the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), has completed the 112-km, 400-kV double-circuit Barapukuria-Bogra transmission line project, valued at $120 million.  The project, executed in just 14 months, involved the supply of approximately 2,700 km of ACCC® Dhaka-size conductor by Apar Industries, with installation supported by Zeck tensioners and porcelain insulators. The line is part of the larger Barapukuria-Bogra-Kaliakoir transmission project, aimed at strengthening the high-voltage transmission network in…

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Centrica and EDF extend operational life of UK nuclear power stations

Global, News

Centrica, in partnership with EDF, has announced the extension of the operational lives of its four advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear power stations.  Heysham 1 and Hartlepool will now operate until March 2027, while Heysham 2 and Torness will continue until March 2030.  These extensions will add 9TWh to Centrica’s electricity generation capacity between 2026 and 2030, supporting the UK’s baseload power generation. The decision follows a comprehensive review to ensure that the extended lifetimes do…

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EQT and GIC acquire majority stake in UK company Calisen

Global, News

EQT Active Core Infrastructure Fund and GIC have announced an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Calisen Group, a UK-based smart metering company, from Global Infrastructure Partners, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs Alternatives, and Mubadala Investment Company.  Equitix will retain a minority stake. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. Headquartered in Manchester, Calisen owns, installs, reads, and maintains smart meters, with an installed base of 16 million units. The company aims to expand its smart…

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Envision Energy partners with Samruk Energy to localize wind turbine production in Kazakhstan

Global, News

Global green technology leader Envision Energy has partnered with Samruk Energy and Kazakhstan Utility Systems to support Kazakhstan’s renewable energy transition by establishing local manufacturing facilities for wind turbines and energy storage systems.  The initiative will focus on producing smart wind turbines and energy storage systems locally, reducing transportation costs, minimizing environmental impact, and fostering energy independence.  Kazakhstan Utility Systems CEO Sabyrgali Idrisov highlighted the partnership’s role in advancing renewable energy development and localizing high-tech…

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Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, deepens crisis

Global, News

Russia has launched its 11th major assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since March 2024, leaving over a million people without power, according to officials.  The attacks targeted energy and fuel facilities, with Russia deploying 91 missiles and 97 drones.  The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed 12 strikes hit their targets, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned the offensive as a “despicable escalation,” citing the use of Cruise missiles with cluster munitions. The strikes have led to…

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First phase of UK-Germany energy link completed

Global, News

  The £2.4 billion NeuConnect project has completed the first 56 km of cabling, creating the first direct energy link between the UK and Germany.  This phase included both onshore and subsea cabling works in the UK. NeuConnect will link new converter stations in Kent, UK, and Wilhelmshaven, Germany, through a 725 km land and subsea cable system, forming an “invisible energy highway.”  With a capacity of 1.4 GW, it will power up to 1.5…