Daily Energy News
Policy & Regulatory
The United States officially re-enters the Paris agreement
23 Feb 2021The United States has officially re-entered the Paris agreement on climate change, after having officially withdrawn in November 2020. The Paris agreement was signed by nearly 200 countries in December 2015, in an attempt to cut global GHG emissions and to keep global temperature increases "well below" 2°C. The United States, which committed in November 2014 to reduce net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 26%-28% below 2005 levels by 2025, formally ratified the agreement in September 2016.
Read moreJapan’s JICA funds power sector reform in Egypt
23 Feb 2021The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has awarded a JPY25bn (US$240m) Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan to Egypt to reform its power sector. The project, which is also supported by the AfDB (US$270m) and the AFD (US$90m), aims to enhance sustainability and stability in the power sector through supporting policy reforms such as promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy for green growth.
Read moreFrance launches tender for 700 MW of solar PV capacity
22 Feb 2021The French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has launched its 10th tender for the construction of 700 MW of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects exceeding 500 kW in size. The country aims at allocating 450 MW for ground-mounted PV projects exceeding 5 MW size, 180 MW for PV projects ranging between 500 kW and 5 MW, and 70 MW for projects ranging from 500 kW to 10 MW, which are to be built on parking shades.
Read moreCroatia will auction 400 MW of renewable capacity in 2021
22 Feb 2021The Croatian energy market operator HROTE (Hrvatski Operator Tržišta Energije) will hold a second auction for 400 MW wind and solar capacity in 2021. Only fully approved projects should be authorised to compete.
Read moreCompanies
Shell divests from shale oil assets in Alberta (Canada)
23 Feb 2021Shell has signed agreement with Crescent Point to sell its Duvernay shale light oil position in Alberta (Canada) for a total consideration of US$707m, including US$550m in cash and 50m shares in Crescent Point Energy (valued at US$157m). The transaction includes the transfer of approximately 450,000 net acres (182,000 hectares) in the Fox Creek (Kaybob) and Rocky Mountain House (Willesden Green) areas, along with related infrastructure, currently producing around 30 kboe/d from more than 270 wells. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, should close in April 2021.
Read moreInfrastructure & Investments
Kenya will complete 2 GW power interconnector with Ethiopia in June 2021
23 Feb 2021Kenya plans to complete a power interconnection with Ethiopia in June 2021. The Ethiopia-Kenya interconnection line, which should cost KES50.6bn (US$460m) consists of a 1,045 km, 500kV high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line with 2,000 MW converter substations at both ends of the line. The new transmission line is part of a project, which seeks to integrate power systems of Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda under the Eastern African Power Pool (EAPP) Master Plan.
Read moreA Chinese company starts building a 2.5 Mt/year refinery in Congo
23 Feb 2021The Chinese company Beijing Fortune Dingheng Investment has started building the 2.5 Mt/year (50,000 bbl/d) Atlantique Pétrochimie refinery in Fouta, near Pointe-Noire in Congo. The project, which requires a US$600m investment, could by expanded by an additional 2.5 Mt/year at a later stage. The new refinery will produce high-quality gasoline and diesel, products for domestic use such as liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene and fuel oil, as well as products used as raw materials for the petrochemical industry such as propylene, propane, hydrogen naphtha and sulfuric acid.
Read moreThe 1 GW Adriatic Link power transmission line goes ahead in Italy
23 Feb 2021The Italian power transmission system operator (TSO) Terna has started the participatory design of the Adriatic Link, the new 1,000 MW undersea power line that will connect Abruzzo and Le Marche. The new 285 km long interconnection will consist of an undersea cable, two buried overland cables, and two converter substations located nearby the existing Cepagatti (Abruzzo) and Fano (Le Marche) electrical substations. Terna will invest over €1bn in the project, which is expected to improve the power exchange capacity between the Centre-South and the Centre-North of the country.
Read moreThe 448 MW Calvados offshore wind project enters construction (France)
23 Feb 2021The consortium between EDF Renewables, Enbridge and wpd has started building the 448 MW Courseulles-sur-Mer offshore wind project in Calvados (France). In addition, the consortium has confirmed an order of 64 SWT-7.0-154 offshore wind turbines and 15-year service and maintenance agreement to Siemens Gamesa. The project, which is expected to cost around €2bn, holds a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) granted by the French government in June 2018. Commissioning is scheduled in 2024.
Read moreThe 257 MW Calmon wind project (Brazil) receives environmental permit
23 Feb 2021The Santa Catarina Environmental Institute (IMA) has awarded an environmental permit to the 257 MW Calmon wind project developed by Eólicas de Calmon in southern Brazil. The project comprises 11 wind parks located in Calmon, Caçador, Timbó Grande and Porto União and will includes 95 wind turbines rated 2.7 MW each. The project is estimated to cost BRL1bn (US$180m) and should be completed within 34 months (commissioning in late 2023 or early 2024).
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