News

Latest news and developments from across the world

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North America News         Latin America News         Asia-Pacific News

Europe News                       Middle East & Africa News

North America News

CAISO to explore market reforms for grid-scale storage growth 

April 30, 2021
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) on April 28, 2021 launched an initiative to explore market reforms in anticipation of a surge of grid-scale energy storage on its system in the next few years.

Biden Administration commences 100-day plan to support cybersecurity of electric grid 

April 29, 2021
The Biden Administration has recently kick-started a 100-day plan aimed at protecting the electric grid against cyber-attacks.

US announces funding of USD8 billion for power grid improvement [free access]

April 28, 2021
The Biden Administration has recently announced that USD8.25 billion in funding will be provided to modernise the nation’s grid, owing to its ambitious clean energy and climate targets.

FirstEnergy’s ATSI seeks Ohio regulatory approval for 138 kV project 

April 27, 2021
FirstEnergy’s American Transmission Systems, Inc., (ATSI) recently filed an application for a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need (CECPN) for the USD23 million, 138 kV Lincoln Park–Riverbend Transmission Line Project, with the Ohio Power Siting Board.

Latin America News

Spanish Elecnor wins contract for Tucano wind farm BOP and power lines in Brazil 

April 29, 2021
Spanish Elecnor has been awarded a EUR44 million contract, for the construction of the 322 MW Tucano wind farm in the Bahía region, from Brazilian company AES Brasil.

Panama’s ETESA launches tender for developing EIS for Fourth Line project 

April 28, 2021
Panama’s state-owned electricity transmission company, Empresa de Transmision Electrica (ETESA), has launched a tender for the development of the environmental impact study (EIS) for the Fourth Line project, which will pass through three ecological reserves. The offers for the contract are due on June 16, 2021.

Ecuadorian CELEC EP to invest USD340 million in El Oro transmission projects 

April 26, 2021
Recently, Ecuador's state-owned power company, La Empresa Pública Estratégica Corporación Eléctrica del Ecuador (CELEC EP), and state-run energy company Corporacion Nacional de Electricidad (CNEL EP)–El Oro Unit, announced plans to develop new power transmission and distribution projects worth USD340 million in the El Oro province.

Emgesa launches Colombia's first battery energy storage system 

April 21, 2021
Colombian power generator Emgesa has initiated operation of the country's first battery energy storage system (BESS) in central Cundinamarca department, valued at USD5.7 million.

Asia-Pacific News

Pakistan extends commercial operationalisation of Matiari–Lahore line 

April 29, 2021
The commercial operation date for the ±660 kV high voltage direct current (HVDC) Matiari─Lahore transmission line project has been extended from March 2021 to September 2021.

Pacific Energy to build 42 MW BESS in Western Australia 

April 29, 2021
Contract Power Australia, a subsidiary of Pacific Energy, has recently signed a contract with Fortescue Metals Group’s subsidiary Pilbara Energy (Generation) Pty Limited for building Western Australia’s largest network-integrated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

Indian state utility awards orders worth INR470 million to Salasar Techno 

April 27, 2021
Indian state transmission company, Rajasthan Rajya Vidhyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (RRVPNL), has recently awarded orders worth INR470 million to Salasar Techno Engineering Limited —an India-based multi-conglomerate in the engineering and infrastructure industry.

Vietnam’s CPMB energises 500 kV lines 

April 26, 2021
Central Project Management Board (CPMB), a unit of state-owned Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), has recently energised two double-circuit, 500 kV transmission lines connecting the Nghi Son 2 Thermal Power Plant (Thanh Hoa) with circuit 1 and 2 of 500 kV Nho Quan─Ha Tinh line.

Europe News

2 GW Bay of Biscay interconnection between Spain and France moves forward 

April 30, 2021
The Spanish power transmission system operator (TSO) Red Electrica de Espana (REE) has presented the preliminary project study and the environmental impact study (EIS) of the new power interconnection between Spain and France through the Bay of Biscay.

Finland’s Fingrid awards clean-air switchgear order to Siemens Energy 

April 27, 2021
Germany’s Siemens Energy AG has won a contract to deliver clean-air switchgear equipment to Finnish transmission system operator (TSO) Fingrid.

Finnish and Swedish TSOs join hands for 380-km Aurora Line 

April 27, 2021
Finland’s transmission system operator (TSO) Fingrid and Sweden’s TSO Svenska Kraftnät are working together to design the 380-km-long Aurora Line—a new electricity transmission link from Messaure in Northern Sweden to Pyhänselkä to the southeast of Oulu in Finland.

Hitachi ABB Power Grids to deliver power STATCOMs for Germany’s energy transition 

April 20, 2021
Hitachi ABB Power Grids has won two orders for static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) system power quality solutions from German transmission system operator (TSO) Amprion.

Middle East & Africa News

Elsewedy Electric, Hitachi ABB, ABB Egypt to set up control centre in Delta region 

April 27, 2021
Egyptian Elsewedy Electric’s subsidiary, Elsewedy Electric for Trading & Distribution, has signed a partnership contract with Hitachi ABB Power Grids and ABB Egypt for establishing a new transmission control centre in the Delta region, valued at EGP870 million. Of the total share, Elsewedy’s share is set at EGP439 million.

Saudi’s SEC receives lowest bid from Indian L&T for STATCOM contract 

April 26, 2021
Recently, Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has received the lowest bid of SAR116 million from India-based Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the installation of a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) at the 9097 switching station. A total of six bidders had submitted proposals for the same.

EIB, EU extend financial support for 225 kV Guinea–Mali link [free access]

April 26, 2021
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Union (EU) will provide financial assistance worth EUR330 million for the development of the 225/30 kV Projetd’ Interconnexion Électrique Guinée Mali (PIEGM) or the Guinea–Mali Electric Interconnection Project, which will evacuate power from both countries’ hydropower plants (HPPs) and provide millions of people in West Africa with access to clean and affordable energy.

Local Capital Lights bags SAR69 million 132 kV connection contract from Saudi’s SEC 

April 21, 2021
Recently, Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has awarded Saudi-based Capital Lights a SAR69.6 million contract to connect the NEMAR substation 8375 with the country’s 132 kV network.