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EDP Renewables (EDPR), the renewable subsidiary of the Portuguese energy utility EDP, has completed the sale of a 10% stake in the 950 MW Moray East offshore wind project to China Three Gorges (CTG) for a total consideration of £35m (€39m). The transaction fits in the framework of an investment agreement signed between the two companies in 2015, which gives CTG the option to acquire up to 30% of the wind park. The facility is operated by the project company Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Limited (MOWEL), held by EDPR with a 33.3% stake, while the remainder is detained by Diamond Generating Europe (33.4%), Engie (23.3%) and CTG (10%). Diamond Generating Europe is an affiliate of the Japanese company Mitsubishi, which acquired its stake in March 2018. Located 22 km from the Scottish coastline, Moray East will feature 100 turbines rated 9.5 MW each and is slated for completion by 2022. The project was awarded a 15-year contract for difference (CfD) at a rate of £57.50/MWh by the British Department for Business, Energy, & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) in September 2017.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PSC) has joined Washington state’s regulator (Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission) in denying the proposed merger between the Canadian electricity transmission and distribution provider Hydro One and its US-based buyout target Avista Corporation.

The Colombian Ministry of Mines and Energy has deferred the country’s first long-term renewable energy auction to the end of February 2019. Initially expected for the beginning of January 2019, it was delayed following a consultation with potential participants in November 2018.

The United Kingdom Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has outlined new plans to support the development of small-scale renewable power generation activities via the implementation of a smart export guarantee (SEG). A consultation has been launched and is set to close on 5 March 2019.

The European Commission has cleared two Lithuanian support schemes for the power sector under EU State aid rules, saying that they are in line with the European Union’s environmental objectives without unduly distorting competition.

Libyan state-run oil and gas company National Oil Corporation (NOC) posted an average production of 1.107 mb/d in 2018 and total revenues of US$24.4bn, which is a 78% year-on-year increase and a five-year high. The country’s oil fields have gradually resumed production over the past year,…

German engineering company Siemens will provide four steam turbines (700 MW) for the fourth phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai (United Arab Emirates). The supply includes three 206 MW solar steam turbines for three parabolic trough units and another solar steam turbine with an output of 108.5 MW for one central tower unit.

Japanese power utility Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is considering building a new 1,000 MW offshore wind project off Choshi (Chiba Prefecture) in Japan, consisting of 200 wind turbines rated 5 MW each. The company could invest approximately JPY1,000bn (US$9.2bn) in the project. Construction could start as early as fiscal 2019 (April 2019-March 2020)..

American Electric Power’s subsidiary Southwestern Electric Power (SWEPCO) has issued a request for proposals (RfP) for wind projects totalling 1,200 MW across the United States. Interested parties have until 1 March 2019 to apply.