Serbia's Ministry of Energy Development and Environment Protection (MEDEP) has issued an open tender participation invitation to interested parties for the purpose od development of small hydropower plants in Serbia. A total of 317 locations will be covered, with investments totalling an estimated EUR 120-200 million. This is the first time the country's government has publicly invited interested parties to participate in the development of renewable energy resources.
The Crown Estate recently announced a decision to invest up to GBP 20 million in two wave or tidal stream power projects, as support for the organization's strategy to encourage growth of the emerging tidal and wave energy sector. With potential of tens of gigawatts of wave and tidal power generation potential in UK coastal waters, the only thing necessary is to obtain significant investments and developments to get things going.
Panama has decided to invite bidders to participate in the tender for a concession for the Chan II hydropower project. The concession was initially awarded to AES, but was cancelled in mid-2011, after the US company tried to modify the original route and coverage of the hydro works at the power plant site. The project was also challenged in 2007 by indigenous groups, which resulted in the suspension of construction activities in mid-2009.
The US Department of Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) are moving forward with the assessment of the proposed offshore wind project which is to demonstrate the floating wind turbines technology, off the coast of Maine, on the Outer Continental Shelf.
South Africa's Department of Energy has recently announced Acwa Power (Saudi Arabia) as the preferred bidder for the development of the 50 MW CSP project called Bokpoort. The project will be executed by a group of companies, including Acciona, Crowie, Sener and TSK – which are in charge of construction and operation start-up.
Scottish Government Ministers have given their approval for the Viking Energy wind farm on Shetland. The original project called for a total of 150 wind turbines to be built at the location. This was then reduced to 127, and then further reduced to 103 right before this approval. The final cut in the number of turbines was made in order to resolve the issue with the proximity of the turbines to the Scatsta airport. The removal of these 24 units from the plan has opened the door towards final approval for the project.
The French government has awarded the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind development concession to the Iberdrola EOLE-RES lead wind development consortium of companies. This was one of the most competitive concessions, with proposals featuring three different technologies for harnessing wind energy. As the supplier of wind turbines to the consortium, Areva will deliver 100 5 MW offshore units for this offshore wind farm.
Ormat Technologies has been awarded its first well head power plant in the Menengai geothermal field in Kenya, as part of the country's tender for geothermal development concessions. The project is to be executed on a build-operates-transfer (BOT) principle. The geothermal field is located about 180 km West of the country' capital of Nairobi.
The US Department of Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management have announced the progress of the department's renewable energy initiative, having successully passed an important environmental review. This means the offshore wind energy leases planned for waters near Maryland, Virgina, New Jersey and Delaware can now move forward.
The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change recently announced it has named the South West as the region to host the country's first Marine Energy Park. The South West Marine Energy Park will cover an area from Bristol to Cornwall, and will reach further out to the Isles of Scilly. The initiative will bring together various entities including the national and local government, Local Enterprise Partnerships, University of Plymouth and University of Exeter, but also the industry including the Wave Hub (South West RDA).
