A groundbreaking project to harness the power of the River Mersey for clean energy generation has taken a significant step forward. The proposed Mersey Tidal project, led by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA), aims to construct a tidal barrage that could power hundreds of thousands of homes and create thousands of jobs. The project has garnered significant attention, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressing support for the initiative. Initial discussions have also been held with Great British Energy, the government’s new energy company, to explore potential collaborations and accelerate the project’s development. The LCRCA has recently completed a public consultation, which received over 2,500 responses. The feedback gathered from the consultation will be used to refine the project’s design and environmental impact assessment. Beyond its potential as a clean energy source, the Mersey Tidal project offers additional benefits. It could facilitate the creation of a new cycling and pedestrian route across the river, enhancing connectivity between Liverpool and Wirral. Additionally, the project could play a crucial role in mitigating the risks associated with climate change, such as coastal flooding. The LCRCA is actively working with key stakeholders, including marine users and government departments, to align the project with…
Nexif Ratch Energy has received a significant boost for its 500MW San Miguel Bay Wind Project in the Philippines. The Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded the project a Certificate of Energy Project of National Significance (CEPNS), accelerating its development and deployment. The CEPNS designation recognizes the project’s critical role in enhancing the country’s energy security and achieving renewable energy goals. By streamlining regulatory processes, the certification will expedite the project’s progress, enabling a faster timeline for construction and operation. “We are delighted to receive the CEPNS for the San Miguel Bay Wind Project,” said Cyril Dissescou, Chief Executive Officer of Nexif Ratch Energy. “This recognition underscores the project’s importance in meeting the Philippines’ growing energy demand and contributing to a sustainable energy future.” The San Miguel Bay Wind Project is one of several renewable energy initiatives undertaken by Nexif Ratch Energy in the Philippines. Earlier this year, the company’s 475MW Lucena Wind Power Project in Quezon Province was awarded the Green Lane Certificate by the Board of Investments. This designation further streamlines the project’s development process, allowing for efficient permit approvals and licensing. Nexif Ratch Energy remains committed to driving the growth of renewable energy in the Philippines and…
Construction has commenced on the Greener Grid Park, a significant infrastructure project aimed at enhancing the stability of the UK’s electricity grid. The project, led by Statkraft, will utilize innovative technology to support the integration of renewable energy sources. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan and Norwegian Ambassador Tore Hattrem, marked the start of construction on the site. The project will involve the installation of six large rotating stabilizers, which will replicate the function of traditional power plants in maintaining grid stability. By using these advanced technologies, the Greener Grid Park will help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to the UK’s net-zero emissions goals. The project is expected to deliver significant benefits, including a more reliable and affordable energy supply for households and businesses. “Wales’ electricity needs could treble by 2050, so it’s important that infrastructure like Statkraft’s Greener Grid Park in Swansea is in place to support the grid and ensure it can cope with the increasing demand in the most efficient and environmentally friendly way,” said First Minister Eluned Morgan. Energy Minister Michael Shanks added, “This is a huge milestone as work begins on the clean power grid stability scheme in…
Sizewell B Power Station, the UK’s largest nuclear power plant, has successfully returned to service following a major maintenance and upgrade program. The £75 million investment has enabled the plant to continue generating low-carbon electricity for the nation. During the outage, engineers carried out a comprehensive range of maintenance tasks, including refueling the reactor and replacing a turbine rotor system. Additionally, divers inspected the plant’s intake pipe to ensure its continued safe and efficient operation. Robert Gunn, the station director, said: “Our teams have performed an amazing job. They completed 15,000 separate pieces of work across 1,500 pieces of our plant.” “We even sent divers to our intake pipe, which draws in the water we use in our operations, for inspections,” added Mr Gunn.”Because of this work we now have a hugely improved picture of what is happening in our plant and reactor. We plan to extend the life of our plant, beyond 2035 to 2055, so understanding what is happening inside all of our systems is vital.” The return to service of Sizewell B is a significant milestone for the UK’s energy sector, as it contributes to the country’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and ensuring a reliable energy…
Oneka Technologies, a leading innovator in wave-powered desalination technology, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Asfalcom, a Chilean industrial company. This strategic partnership aims to deploy Oneka’s cutting-edge technology to provide a sustainable water supply for Asfalcom’s production facilities in Chile. By harnessing the power of ocean waves, Oneka’s technology offers a reliable and eco-friendly solution to water scarcity challenges. The deployment of this technology will significantly reduce Asfalcom’s reliance on traditional water sources, minimizing its environmental footprint. “We are excited with this entry into the New South Wales region and are eager to meet and exceed our client’s expectations,” said Barry Palmer, Chief Operating Officer of NACG and Regional President of MacKellar Group. “With the award complete, we now turn to the important task of a safe productive mobilization on site. This is a critical project for both our customer’s success in ramping up their mine production and our success as a mining and infrastructure contractor in the New South Wales region.” “Our Australian operations continue to build on its strengths and we are proud that this project aligns with our strategic objective of customer, commodity and geographic diversification. I would like to welcome this customer…
The Ivorian government has approved two significant energy projects that align with its goal of becoming a regional energy hub. These projects, a thermal power plant and a solar photovoltaic plant, will contribute to the country’s increasing energy demand and support its transition to cleaner energy sources. Thermal Power Plant Songon Energies, in partnership with the Ivorian government, will develop a 372 MW combined cycle thermal power plant in the Songon region. This project, expected to be operational within 36 months, will generate approximately 2,800 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually. Solar Power Plant JC MONT-FORT and its subsidiary, Katiola Solar Power, have secured a concession agreement to build a 50 MW solar photovoltaic power plant in the Katiola, Hambol region. This project is scheduled to be operational by 2026 and will contribute to reducing carbon emissions by approximately 4,750 tons per year. Both projects are crucial for Cote d’Ivoire’s energy security and sustainable development. They will help meet the country’s growing electricity demand, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and promote the adoption of renewable energy sources. By diversifying its energy mix and investing in clean energy technologies, Cote d’Ivoire is positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s energy transition.
Enel Colombia, a subsidiary of Enel Green Power, has announced the successful start of commercial operations at its 370MW Guayepo I and II solar PV project. Located in the northern department of Atlantic, this project solidifies Enel Colombia’s position as a leading renewable energy player in the country. With the addition of Guayepo I and II, Enel Colombia now boasts a total operational solar PV capacity of 700MW. This significant milestone underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions and its contribution to Colombia’s clean energy transition. The project, which comprises more than 820,000 solar panels, received a substantial boost from a US$300 million loan provided by the European Investment Bank. This funding supported both the development of the solar project and the expansion of Enel Colombia’s distribution network. Enel’s recent success in Colombia’s renewable energy auction, where it secured 1.2GW of solar PV capacity, further strengthens its position in the country’s burgeoning solar market. This achievement highlights the growing attractiveness of solar energy in Latin America, driven by declining costs and favorable regulatory frameworks.
Kärnfull Next, a Swedish clean energy company, and Samsung C&T, a global construction and engineering firm, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) power plants in Sweden. The partnership aims to accelerate the deployment of SMR technology and contribute to Sweden’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality. By combining Kärnfull Next’s expertise in SMR development and Samsung C&T’s global project execution capabilities, the two companies seek to establish multiple SMR campuses across Sweden. Kärnfull Next has been actively working on identifying suitable sites for SMR deployment and has already identified potential locations in Nyköping and Valdemarsvik. The company is focused on developing a robust and sustainable SMR ecosystem that includes technology selection, licensing, construction, and financing. Samsung C&T will bring its extensive experience in large-scale infrastructure projects to the partnership. The company will be involved in various aspects of the SMR project, including project financing, design, construction, and environmental impact assessments. “The Re:Firm South programme aims to establish SMR campuses, ie a minimum of two units and co-location capabilities, that provide reliable, clean electricity to the national grid and directly supply energy-intensive facilities such as AI data centres through direct or indirect…
Tokyo Gas is actively exploring opportunities to expand its renewable energy portfolio in Southeast Asia. The company is currently considering five to ten wind power projects in the region, particularly in Vietnam. The decision to invest in Southeast Asia aligns with Tokyo Gas’ broader strategy to accelerate its transition to renewable energy and reduce its carbon footprint. By tapping into the region’s abundant wind resources, the company aims to strengthen its position as a global energy player. The targeted wind power projects are expected to have a capacity of 50 to 100 megawatts each. Tokyo Gas plans to collaborate with local partners to identify suitable sites and secure necessary permits. The company aims to make final investment decisions on some of these projects as early as 2025. This initiative is part of Tokyo Gas’ broader goal of increasing its overseas earnings to ¥50 billion ($333 million) by 2030. The company has already made significant strides in the renewable energy sector, including the development of a large-scale solar power plant in the United States and investments in European wind power projects. “Wind power projects are efficient, because the per-project investment is high,” Takashi Nakao, head of its subsidiary in Singapore, Tokyo…
Ocean Winds has announced an extension to its long-term Operations & Maintenance (O&M) contract with Principle Power for the 25MW WindFloat Atlantic project. This decision reinforces the operational success of the world’s first semi-submersible floating wind farm. Since its installation in 2019, Principle Power has provided comprehensive O&M services, including Inspections, Maintenance, and Repair (IMR) activities, along with integrated engineering support. The company has also implemented remote monitoring and data analytics to optimize the project’s performance. The collaboration between Ocean Winds and Principle Power has resulted in exceptional performance, with WindFloat Atlantic exceeding initial power expectations and demonstrating remarkable resilience to extreme weather conditions, including 20-meter waves and 139 km/h wind gusts. Asset senior lead associate at Ocean Winds Daniel Ribeiro said: “At Ocean Winds, we are pleased to continue collaborating and extend our long-term contract with our partner Principle Power. “Together with the WindFloat Atlantic team, Principle Power helps us deliver a high-quality operational service that prioritises safety and allows us to consistently exceed the production expectations of this pioneering project each year, demonstrating the readiness of floating technology for the commercial-scale phase.” Vice-president of O&M at Principle Power Clara de Moura Santos said: “The extended contract further validates the…
