Daily Energy News
Energy & Climate Markets
The 1.4 GW NordLink interconnector (Norway-Germany) is commissioned
14 Apr 2021
The German and Norwegian power transmission system operators (TSOs) TenneT and Statnett have fully commissioned the 1.4 GW NordLink interconnector between Germany and Norway. The €1.5-2bn interconnection project comprises a bipolar high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea interconnector, which will spread across 623 km between Wilster in Schleswig-Holstein (Germany) and Tonstad (Norway). The 525 kV line enables Germany to import hydropower surplus from Norway, while Norway will import German wind and solar surplus.
Sasol and Air Liquide seek to procure 900 MW of renewables in South Africa
14 Apr 2021
The South African integrated chemicals and energy group Sasol and the French industrial gas company Air Liquide have launched a Request for Proposal (RfP) process to jointly secure 900 MW of renewables capacity (500 MW for Sasol and 400 MW for Air Liquide) by 2030 in South Africa. The two companies seek to procure 600 MW in 2021, favouring wind and solar PV, of which 400 MW will be allocated to Air Liquide and 200 MW to Sasol. Individual projects should have a minimum size of 70 MW (around 200 GWh/year) and should be commissioned in 2023.
India receives first FSRU for 7.7 bcm/year Jaigarh LNG import project
14 Apr 2021
H-Energy has received the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) for its Jaigarh LNG regasification terminal in Maharashtra, which is the first
Infrastructure & Investments
Russia’s Gazprom approves feasibility study on Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline
14 Apr 2021
Gazprom has approved a feasibility study for an extension of the Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline, which will connect Russia to China via Mongolia. The gas pipeline project, named Soyuz Vostok, may have an export capacity of 50 bcm/year, i.e. 1.3 times higher than that of Power of Siberia (38 bcm/year). In January 2021, Gazprom created a special-purpose vehicle in Mongolia to carry out the study.
China starts building a 6.6 bcm/year gas pipeline to Xiong’an New Area
14 Apr 2021
China Oil & Gas Piping Network Corporation has started building its first natural gas pipeline bound for the Xiong’an New Area. The 6.6 bcm/year project, which has a total length of 414 km, starts in in north China’s Tianjin Municipality and stretches to neighbouring Hebei Province. The pipeline will require a total investment of CNY8.6bn (US$1.3bn).
Saudi Arabia’s 300 MW Jeddah solar power plant enters construction
14 Apr 2021
Larsen & Toubro has started building the 300 MW Jeddah solar power plant, 50 km south-east of Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia. The company was awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by Masdar, EDF Renewables and Nesma Company. In addition, Larsen & Toubro won an EPC order for the 1.5 GW Sudair solar PV project, developed by PIF and ACWA Power.
Pacific Hydro seeks approval for a 300 MW solar project in Chile
14 Apr 2021
Pacific Hydro Chile, a subsidiary of Australia-based Pacific Hydro, has submitted a 300 MW solar PV and storage project located in the Atacama region (northern Chile) to the Chilean Environment Assessment System (SEA). The US$260m Atacama Desert project is an at early stage of development. Pacific Hydro is an affiliate of China’s state-owned State Power Investment Corporation, through China Power International Development (CPID).
Policy & Regulatory
Russia considers transferring private gas transport infrastructures to Gazprom
13 Apr 2021
The Russian president has requested the government to consider the possibility of using a mechanism to allow the transfer of gas transport infrastructure created by independent gas producers to natural monopolies. Private producers would be compensated by a reduction in tariffs for gas transportation services. Russia seek to promote investments in the country. Gazprom controls the gas transport network (Unified Gas Supply System) with the world’s largest gas transportation system (175 000 km of trunk pipelines in Russia).
The Spanish Congress of Deputies approves law on climate change
13 Apr 2021
The Spanish Congress of Deputies, Spain’s lower house, has approved the Law on Climate Change and Energy Transition, which targets carbon neutrality by 2050. To reach this objective, intermediary targets are set, such as raising the share of renewables in the power mix to 74% by 2030. In addition, Spain is expected to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 23% in 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
Companies
EDF will sell its 1.3 GW West Burton-B CCGT power plant (UK)
13 Apr 2021
EDF has concluded a binding agreement with EIG to sell its 1,332 MW West Burton-B CCGT plant and related 49 MW battery in Nottinghamshire (United Kingdom). The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close in 2021. The power plant was commissioned in 2013.
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