Renewable energy news – global & regional

Three Gorges Dam reaches maximum capacity for the first time ever

October 26th, 2010 | Posted in Hydro

One of the 700 MW Francis turbines installed at the Three Gorges power plant.

The largest hydropower plant in the world, the Three Gorges Dam, is experiencing a maximum capacity load for the first time ever in the project's history. The main phase of the project was completed in 2006, and features a total of 18.2 GW of installed capacity (26 700 MW hydroturbines). It spans the Yangtze River in the Hubei Province in China. Construction is still going on at the site, eventually bringing another six generators and increasing capacity to 22.5 GW, and ship locks to increase the river's shipping capacity.

Gamesa investing EUR 150 in UK operations

October 26th, 2010 | Posted in Wind

Blade factory in Cuenca, Spain. Soon a factory like this in the UK?

Gamesa announced plans to invest up to EUR 150 million, as part of the company's decision to establish its worldwide offshore business center in the United Kingdom. The company will open an R&D center for offshore wind technology, and build a turbine blade manufacturing plant. Furthermore, the company's logistics will rely on UK ports.

SolFocus and Vision Electro Mechanical building Saudi Arabia's largest CPV facility

October 26th, 2010 | Posted in Solar

SolFocus and Vision Electro Mechanical Company announced the two companies will jointly build the largest concetentrated PV (CPV) power facility in Saudi Arabia. The project is to be located in the Bahra region, and will produce about 300 MWh of clean energy annually. This is only the first in a series of Saudi solar power plants.

RES developing 150 MW biomass power plant in Port of Liverpool

October 26th, 2010 | Posted in Biomass

RES Group announced plans to develop a biomass power plant located on the grounds of the Port of Liverpool. The project represents an investment of about GBP 300 million, and will have up to 150 MW of installed capacity, depending on the conclusions of the initial feasibility study.

LDK Solar to supply polysilicon to BYD for two years

October 25th, 2010 | Posted in Solar

LDK Solar has signed an agreement with BYD Company under which LDK Solar is to supply solar polysilicon to BYD for two years. The supply order includes polysilicon, multicrystalline solar wafers, and other solar energy products. The deal is worth USD 300 million. The first shipments are to start in January 2011, and will be delivered on a monthly basis.

[source: LDK Solar]

Geothermal Development Company in USD 400 million of pledges for geothermal energy in Kenya

October 25th, 2010 | Posted in Geothermal

Kenyan geothermal energy company, Geothermal Development Company (GDC), announced it has about USD 400 million in pledges for geothermal energy development in Kenya. This represents about 40% of the amount needed by the company, to fulfill its 10-year plan, which should result in 2000 MW of steam production capacity.

SNM Global unveils 7 more wave energy technologies

October 25th, 2010 | Posted in Hydro

SNM Global Holdings, a holding and development company with investments in the renewable energy sector and biotech, announced seven new hydrokinetic energy technologies, part of its Small & Micro Hydro Technology Development Initiative.

IBC Solar breaks ground for 7 MW solar power plant in Germany

October 25th, 2010 | Posted in Solar

IBC Solar held a ground breaking ceremony at the site of the future 7 MWp solar power plant in the Nordvorpommern district, Germany, attended by the German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, among other dignitaries. The Grimmen PV solar park will feature more than 30,000 solar PV modules mounted on grounds which were previously used as a clay pit. The land has been leased to the project for a period of 25 years, until it regenerates itself, becoming suitable for agricultural use again.

enXco in O&M agreement for Linden wind farm in Washington

October 22nd, 2010 | Posted in Wind

enXco has entered into an operation and maintenance (O&M) agreement with Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) for Linden wind farm, located in the US state of Washington. The wind farm features 25 REpower MM92 wind turbines. Linden farm entered commercial operation in June 2010. enXco Service Corporation took part in the construction activities for this project. In addition to the O&M services, the company will also provide 24/7 remote monitoring of wind turbine performance from the company's control center near Chandler, Minnesota.

[source: enXco]

Siemens awarded maintenance contracts for HelWin1 and BorWin2 grid connections

October 22nd, 2010 | Posted in General Wind

Siemens has been awarded maintenance contracts for grid connections for two North Sea offshore wind energy projects – HelWin1 and BorWin2. The company has been awarded contracts to build the two grid connections earlier this year. The contracts were awarded by TenneT, a Dutch grid operator, formerly known as transpower. Siemens is to perform a service and maintenance of the connections for an initial period of five years.