News
Latest news and developments from across the world
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North America News
MISO cost-allocation plan to ease renewable transmission [free access]
July 14, 2010Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator’s (MISO) proposal outlining the region's transmission cost-allocation methodology is expected to create a new category for costs related to transmission projects built specifically to meet state or future federal renewable energy mandates.
USFS approves SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink project
July 14, 2010The Department of Agriculture’s US Forest Service (USFS) has issued a record-of-decision approving construction, operation and maintenance of a 19-mile (30.59 km) segment of the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line that passes through Cleveland National Forest (CNF).
AltaLink proposes Cassils-Ware Junction line
July 14, 2010AltaLink has proposed construction of a new 240 kV double-circuit transmission line connecting Cassils and Ware Junction in Alberta, Canada.
BPA considers revision of eastern route for high-voltage line
July 13, 2010Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is considering revising the eastern route of the proposed 70-mile (112.7 km), 500 kV transmission line connecting new substations in Castle Rock and Troutdale in Oregon.
Latin America News
Colombia-Panama interconnection expected by 2014
July 15, 2010The Colombia-Panama interconnection, being jointly developed by Colombia’s Interconexion Electrica (ISA) and Panama's ETESA, could be completed by 2014 if the two countries are able to resolve obstacles like regulatory discord.
Guatemala to introduce new bill supporting transmission expansion
July 15, 2010The Energy and Mines Committee of Guatemala's Congress will soon be issuing a ruling on a Bill which will make expansion of the transmission system and granting of right-of-way (RoW) a national urgency and public necessity.
Ibama approves 500 kV Araraquara-II substation
July 14, 2010Brazilian environmental regulator Ibama has issued an installation license for the 500 kV Araraquara-II substation that will integrate the power system to connect the 6.4 GW Madeira river hydro complex to the national grid.
Aneel signs contracts for eleven transmission lines
July 13, 2010Brazil's energy sector regulator, Aneel, has signed concession contracts for construction of the 11 power transmission lines and 8 power substations it auctioned in November 2009.
Asia-Pacific News
NGCP to link Visayas and Mindanao power grids
July 16, 2010The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the concessionaire of the Philippine’s transmission network since January 2009, is planning to implement a power transmission project to interlink the electric grids of the country’s two major islands - Visayas and Mindanao.
Vietnam begins construction of 220 kV transmission line; issues associated tender
July 14, 2010Vietnam’s National Power Transmission (NPT), a unit of Electricity of Vietnam Group (EVN) responsible for management of power grids across the country, has begun construction of the 220 kV Buon Kuop-Dak Nong transmission line.
India launches tender for insulator package for 400 kV line
July 13, 2010Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), the central transmission utility in India, has launched an international tender for an insulator package for two 400 kV double-circuit lines.
Thailand approves cross-border transmission project
July 13, 2010The Thai government has approved construction of a high-voltage cross-border transmission line to transfer power from the 1,878 MW Hongsa lignite-fired power plant in Laos into Thailand.
Europe News
ABB wins USD34 million equipment order in Italy
July 15, 2010ABB Limited, the Swiss-based technology major, has been awarded a USD34 million contract by Italy’s transmission system operator Terna SpA to provide high-voltage power equipment for a substation in Italy.
European Commission awards EUR100 million for Estlink2 [free access]
July 12, 2010The European Commission has given definitive approval to the proposal to extend EUR100 million for the construction of Estlink2, the second power cable link between Estonia and Finland.
Power link from mainland Italy to Sicily approved
July 12, 2010Italy’s Environment Ministry has approved Italian grid operator Terna S.p,A’s proposal to construct a high-voltage link connecting Italy’s mainland with Sicily.
ADB approves technical assistance fund for Georgia’s regional transmission project
July 12, 2010The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD1.20 million technical assistance fund to Georgia for the Regional Power Transmission Enhancement project, formerly known as the Transmission System Improvement project.
Middle East & Africa News
Armenia and Iran to launch three joint energy projects
July 14, 2010Armenia and Iran plan to soon launch three joint energy projects estimated to cost more than USD700 million.
Ethiopia issues general procurement notice for energy access project
July 13, 2010The Ethiopian government has received additional financing of USD180 million from the World Bank for the Energy Access Project which aims to increase access to electricity in the country by upgrading the existing transmission and distribution infrastructure, reducing environmental degradation, improving the supply and efficient use of energy, increasing the use of renewable energy technologies and helping in institutional and capacity building of key energy agencies.
Mozambique signs agreement with REN for CESUL project
July 13, 2010State-owned Mozambican electricity company Electricidade de Mocambique (EDM) and Portuguese energy supplier Redes Energeticas Nacionais (REN) have signed an agreement to build a new transmission grid network to provide electricity to consumers across southern Africa.
DEWA awards AED522 million worth power contracts
July 12, 2010Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has signed power deals worth AED522 million with various technology providers to expand and revamp many of its existing power generation and transmission facilities.