Daily Energy News
Policy & Regulatory
Canada unveils a US$795m renewable investment program
4 Jun 2021
The Canadian government plans to invest CAD964m (US$795m) over four years to support smart renewable energy and grid modernization projects. The Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program aims to lower emissions by investing in clean energy technologies, like wind, solar, energy storage, hydro, geothermal and tidal, and in grid modernisation (micro-grids, virtual power plants, and hardware/software to enable grid services).
North Macedonia will invest in several renewable power projects
4 Jun 2021
North Macedonia has unveiled an €8.2bn investment plan for the 2021-2027 period, including €3.1bn for the energy sector. The government has completed negotiations with the German wind developer wpd to build a 400 MW wind plant worth €500m that would receive no incentives. In addition, North Macedonia intends to build a 300-350 MW solar PV project in Štip and a 100 MW solar plant in Oslomej.
South Africa awards 540 MW of solar project to Scatec
4 Jun 2021
The South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has awarded three solar projects (Kenhardt 1-3) totalling 540 MW to Scatec under the technology agnostic Risk Mitigation Power Procurement Programme (RMIPPP). Located in the Northern Cape province, the projects, which would require a US$1bn investment, include a 225 MW/1,140 MWh battery storage. Financial close is expected in 2021 and grid connection by the end of 2022.
India advances adoption of E20 fuel from 2025 to 2023
4 Jun 2021
The Indian government has brought forward the adoption of E20 fuel, which is a blend of 20% ethanol with gasoline (petrol), for vehicular use from 2025 to 2023. The authorities aim to reduce the country’s dependence on oil imports, as India imported more than a fifth of its oil product consumption in 2020.
New South Wales (Australia) starts ROI process for 8 GW of renewable projects
4 Jun 2021
The government of New South Wales in Australia has opened the registrations of interest (ROI) process for the 8 GW New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The call is open to interested infrastructure projects, including wind, solar and energy storage until 16 July 2021.
The US halts oil development in the Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
3 Jun 2021
The US Department of the Interior has suspended all activities related to the implementation of the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program in the Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The administration will undertake a comprehensive environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to determine whether the leases in the ANWR should be reaffirmed, voided, or subject to additional mitigation measures.
Uzbekistan selects Masdar to build a 457 MW solar project in Sherabad
3 Jun 2021
Uzbekistan has selected Masdar to build a 457 MW solar plant in the Sherabad district in a tender for a 200 MW solar PV project launched in February 2020 (bidders were allowed to submit offers beyond the 200 MW target, to fully use the 600 ha of land available and optimise their bids). Masdar submitted the lowest bid with a bid of US$18/MWh. The solar PV plant will be capable of producing 1 TWh/year. The tender for a solar plant of at least 200 MW, along with a new substation and a 52 km transmission line attracted bids from Jinko Power and China Power, Acwa Power, and Total.
Companies
US gas producer Southwestern acquires rivals Indigo
4 Jun 2021
The US gas producer Southwestern Energy Company (SWN) has entered into a merger agreement with Indigo Natural Resources, under the terms of which it will acquire Indigo Natural Resources for US$2.7bn. The transaction, which is subject to conditions, should close in the fourth quarter of 2021. The new entity should produce 4 Bcf/d (41.2 bcm/year) with assets in Appalachia and Haynesville.
Infrastructure & Investments
The United States approves the Gulf Run gas pipeline project
4 Jun 2021
The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has authorised Enable Midstream Partners (EMPA) to develop the Gulf Run gas pipeline project in Louisiana (United States). The 1.7 bcf/d (17.5 bcm/year) gas pipeline is expected to transport natural gas from the Haynesville, Marcellus, Utica and Barnett shales and the Mid-Continent region, to the U.S. Gulf Coast. Commissioning is expected for 2024. The US$540m pipeline should be operational in late 2022. The project is backed by a 20-year commitment for 1.1 Bcf/d (11.3 bcm/year) from the Golden Pass LNG export terminal.
Iberdrola plans a 238 MW floating wind project in Gran Canaria (Spain)
4 Jun 2021
The Spanish energy group Iberdrola is seeking approval from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO) to build a 238 MW floating wind project named San Borondón off the southeast coast of the Gran Canaria Island (Spain). The Canary Island targets 310 MW of offshore wind capacity by 2025, as set out in the Canary Islands 2015-2025 Strategic Energy Plan (EECan25).
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