News

Entergy, ITC Discontinue Pursuit of Transmission Spin/Merger

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2013-12-31 13:17

Entergy and ITC Holdings mutually agreed to end their pursuit of a spin/merger of Entergy's transmission business with ITC. The companies formally terminated the merger agreement and filed pleadings to withdraw the remaining transaction approval applications with Entergy's retail regulators, as well as the Missouri Public Service Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The companies originally announced the deal on Dec.

Siemens Awarded Largest Onshore Wind Power Order to Date

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2013-12-31 13:15

Siemens received an order from MidAmerican Energy for the supply of 448 wind turbines. With a total capacity of 1,050 MW, this represents not only the largest order for onshore wind turbines for Siemens, but also the largest single order for onshore wind power awarded globally to date. The wind turbines, each with a nominal rating of 2.3 MW and a rotor diameter of 108 meters, are to be installed in five different projects in Iowa. Siemens will also be responsible for service and maintenance of the wind turbines.

EDF Renewable Energy Closes MIPSA on Lancaster Solar Project and Commences Construction

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2013-12-31 13:14

EDF Renewable Energy closed on the membership interest purchase and sale agreement (MIPSA) and started construction on the 5.86-MW Lancaster Solar Project. EDF Renewable Energy and Urban Green Technologies (UGT) signed the MIPSA in October 2013. The power generated will be delivered to the Town of Billerica, Massachusetts under a long-term PPA. EDF Renewable Energy will develop, own and operate the solar project with commercial operation expected in spring, 2014. EDF Renewable Energy has also executed an EPC contract with M+W U.S.

UNS Energy Agrees to Be Acquired by Fortis Utility Group

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2013-12-17 13:29

UNS Energy approved a definitive merger agreement with Fortis, Canada’s largest investor-owned gas and electric distribution utility, that calls for Fortis to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of UNS Energy for $60.25 per share in cash. The $4.3 billion transaction, which includes the assumption of approximately $1.8 billion in debt, would provide additional capital and new resources for UNS Energy’s subsidiaries, including Tucson Electric Power (TEP) and UniSource Energy Services (UES).

Xcel Energy Starts Work on New Substation in Wisconsin

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2013-12-17 13:27

Xcel Energy began work on a new substation in the town of Brunswick, Wisconsin. The substation will tie into an existing transmission line. Xcel Energy received all state regulatory approvals in early November, and construction work began in late November. The substation is scheduled to be in service by April 2014 and is estimated to cost $4 million.

ETT Energizes Last of Seven CREZ Transmission Lines in West Texas

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2013-12-17 13:26

Electric Transmission Texas (ETT) energized the last of seven 345-kV transmission line projects associated with the Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) initiative in west Texas. The Edith Clarke to Cottonwood transmission line was energized to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid on Dec. 4.

RES Canada to Build Two 10- MW Solar Plants in Ontario

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2013-12-17 13:25

Renewable Energy Systems Canada (RES Canada) will construct two 10-MW solar PV facilities for Canadian Solar Solutions (Canadian Solar). The Mighty Solar and Taylor Kidd projects qualify for the province's FIT (feed-in-tariff) program and are scheduled for completion in 2014. The electricity from Mighty Solar and Taylor Kidd will be sold under the 20-year feed-in-tariff contract with the Ontario Power Authority.

KEMA-Powertest Adds New Test Cell to High Voltage Lab

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2013-12-17 13:24

KEMA-Powertest added a new test cell, number 9, at its High Voltage & High Power Test laboratory in Chalfont, Pennsylvania. Once completed, the new high power test cell will be the largest test cell in size & volume (34 ' x30 ' x26 ' H) and will provide a safer environment to test and certify the latest Power Utility equipment coming into the marketplace.

EDF Sells Stake in Spinning Spur II Wind Farm Project to UBS

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2013-12-17 13:24

EDF Renewable Energy (EDF) and UBS International Infrastructure Fund (UBS) signed a definitive agreement under which UBS will acquire a 50 percent equity interest from EDF in the 161-MW Spinning Spur II wind farm project, subject to completion of construction and customary conditions precedent. Spinning Spur II, located in Oldham County Texas, commenced construction in June 2013 with an expected commercial operation date on or about July 1, 2014. Spinning Spur II will utilize 87 General Electric wind turbines with a rated capacity of 1.85 MW each.