Daily Energy News
Policy & Regulatory
The European Commission approves the Belgian Capacity Mechanism
30 Aug 2021
The European Commission has cleared Belgium’s capacity mechanism, aimed at ensuring electricity supply after a nuclear phase-out in 2025 (Belgium’s seven nuclear reactors (5.9 GW) accounted for 44% of power generation in 2020).
Bangladesh sets more ambitious GHG reduction target for 2030
30 Aug 2021
Bangladesh has updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), setting an unconditional greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target of 6.7%, leading to absolute emission levels of 382 MtCO2eq in 2030, i.e. -28 MtCO2eq compared with the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario by 2030. The country’s conditional reduction target is an additional 15% of the BAU scenario by 2030 (total reduction target of 21.85%, i.e.
The South African energy regulator approves a new nuclear program
27 Aug 2021
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has approved a long-term program to build new nuclear power units (South Africa). The country aims to procure 2,500 MW of new nuclear capacity to come online after 2030. The procurement process should be completed by 2024.
Companies
Germany rules that approval for Datteln-4 coal-fired plant was invalid
30 Aug 2021
The 10th Senate of the German Higher Administrative Court has ruled that the Datteln-4 coal-fired plant was built on the basis of an invalid development plan. The North-Rhine-Westphalia region had drew up new plans and issued a permit for the project after a legal injunction stopping the construction in the mid 2000s; environmental groups and residents then fought this permit in courts.
Tavanir launches a program to develop 3 GW of renewables projects in Iran
27 Aug 2021
The Iranian state-owned power utility Tavanir and the Iranian Fuel Conservation Company (IFCC), an affiliate of National Iran Oil Company, plans to install 3 GW of renewable power plant projects for agricultural wells across the country. The program is expected to save fuel and to support the Iranian power grid. Renewables account for 15% of Iran’s installed capacity, with 11.9 GW of hydro, 410 MW of solar and 300 MW of wind.
Infrastructure & Investments
The UAE starts up Barakah-2 nuclear project
30 Aug 2021
Nawah Energy has started up the second unit of the Barakah nuclear power plant located in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The unit received a 60-year operating licence in March 2021.
New Latvia-Estonia power transmission line (600 MW) commissioned
30 Aug 2021
The Estonian electricity system operator Elering and the Latvian system operator AST have formally launched the third Estonian-Latvian electricity connection. On Estonian territory, the third Estonian-Latvian connection comprises the Harku-Lihula-Sindi 330/110 kV line and the Kilingi-Nõmme-Riga 330 kV line section to the Estonian/Latvian border.
Greece’s HEDNO plans to upgrade grid to integrate 1.8 GW of renewables
30 Aug 2021
The Greek power distribution system operator, Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO), plans to facilitate the grid connection of almost 1.8 GW of new renewable power generation capacity thanks to capacity enhancements at some of its substations, including in Peloponnese and Epirus, Macedonia and Thrace.
AES Gener’s Alto Maipo hydropower project expected by end-2021 (Chile)
30 Aug 2021
AES Gener plans to commission the 530 MW Alto Maipo hydropower project in Chile in December 2021. The project will consist of two run-of-river hydropower plants, Alfalfal II and Las Lajas, that will be connected to the National Electric System. The complex has 100% of its tunnels build and is 98% completed.
NSW (Australia) gives first approval to a gas and green hydrogen plant
30 Aug 2021
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment of North South Wales (NSW) (Australia) has declared the Port Kembla power project a Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI).
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