News
Latest news and developments from across the world
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North America News
US administration fast-tracks wind farm projects off the Atlantic coast
February 2, 2012The US federal administration has granted fast-track approval to four wind farm projects located off the Atlantic coast.
BLM to present results of sage grouse HEA of Gateway West line in February
February 2, 2012The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has scheduled two informational public meetings in February 2012 to discuss the results of the sage grouse habitat equivalency analysis (HEA) conducted for the Gateway West Transmission Line Project.
Strathcona County and RETA appeal against AUC’s Heartland Transmission Line approval
January 31, 2012Strathcona County and the Responsible Electricity Transmission for Albertans (RETA) group have filed an appeal with the Alberta Court of Appeals against the Alberta Utilities Commission’s (AUC) November 2011 decision to approve the Heartland Transmission Line project.
Public information session held for Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse line
January 31, 2012Local state representatives organised a public information session for the proposed Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse transmission line project included in the CapX2020 project proposed by 11 utilities.
Latin America News
Corpoelec launches grid monitoring system plan in Venezuela
February 2, 2012Venezuelan federal power utility Corporacion Electrica Nacional (Corpoelec) has launched a plan to monitor use of the grid in the country and increase collection efficiency.
Itaipu integrates sixth transformer at the right bank substation
February 2, 2012Itaipú Binacional, operator of the Itaipú hydro power project, has integrated the 470 MVA transformer, dubbed T5, at the substation on the right bank in Hernandarias.
Transnet commissions Fatima substation in Santiago, Chile
February 2, 2012Chile’s power transmission firm Transnet, a subsidiary of local energy group Compania General de Electricidad (CGE), has commissioned the Fatima substation in the southern part of Santiago's metropolitan region.
Power sector in Peru attracts USD1.94 billion investments in 2011
January 31, 2012The Energy and Mines Ministry of Peru has reported that the country power sector received USD1.94 billion in investment during 2011.
Asia-Pacific News
China to build 1,100 kV HVDC transmission line in Xinjiang
February 3, 2012The Chinese transmission system operator (TSO) State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) plans to build a +/- 1,100 kV high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line from a coal field in Northern Xinjiang to the Southwestern metropolis of Chengdu.
Philippines grid operator allocates PHP14.3 billion for investments in 2012
February 3, 2012The state owned transmission system operator National Grid Corporation of Philippines (NGCP) has allocated PHP14.3 billion capital expenditure investment for 2012 in order to improve and maintain the country’s power transmission highway.
Sterlite Grid places construction orders for Bhopal Dhule Transmission Project
February 2, 2012India transmission company Sterlite Grid Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sterlite Technologies, has placed engineering, supply and construction orders with KEC International Limited and Simplex Infrastructure Limited for the 765 kV Bhopal Dhule Transmission Project.
Philippines grid operator to build additional power line in Cagayan Valley
January 31, 2012Private concessionaire of Philippines transmission network National Grid Corporation of Philippines (NGCP) has decided to install a second 230 kV power line to complement the existing transmission line, which serves Cagayan and Isabela.
Europe News
Lithuania plans to integrate with Nordic electricity market
February 2, 2012Lithuanian electricity transmission network operator Litgrid has announced plans to enter the Scandinavian electricity market.
Russian utility upgrades power line
February 1, 2012Russian electricity utility Magadanenergo has initiated a project to upgrade the 110 kV power line between Kedroviy-Omchak, which is situated in the Susumanskiy and Tenkinskiy districts of Kolyma in North Eastern Russia.
Serbian transmission operator to construct 400 kV substation
January 31, 2012Serbian TSO Elektromreza Srbije plans to commence the construction of a new 400/110 kV substation in the southern town of Vranje at a cost of USD24.9 million in early 2012.
Undersea cable proposed to connect Europe and Asia
January 25, 2012An energy bridge to connect the continents of Europe and Asia by laying an undersea cable connecting the power grids of Cyprus, Greece and Israel is being proposed.
Middle East & Africa News
ABB secures substation contracts from SEC in Saudi Arabia
February 2, 2012Leading power and automation group ABB Limited has secured orders from Saudi Arabian electricity utility Saudi Electric Company (SEC) for development of new substations and the upgrade of existing ones.
Nigerian BPE invites bids from Manitoba Hydro and PGCIL for sale of TCN
February 2, 2012The Nigerian Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has requested Canadian Manitoba Hydro and Indian transmission system operator (TSO) Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) to submit bids for the sale and management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
Saudi government signs electricity contracts worth SAR700 million
January 29, 2012The Saudi Arabian government-owned Saudi Industrial Property Authority (MODON), the agency responsible for developing and supervising industrial lands in the Kingdom, has signed contracts worth SAR700 million for the construction of electricity transmission substations, and overhead and underground power lines for five industrial cities in the country.
Nigerian power privatisation invokes Indian interest
January 27, 2012Around 15 Indian companies, including power majors such as Tata Power, Adani Power and GMR Group have shown interest in participating in the Nigerian government’s plan to privatise certain power projects of the state owned National Electric Power Authority (NEPA).