Aquila Capital to become “the largest operator of small-scale hydropower plants in Europe”
On Nov. 11, Germany-based Aquila Capital announced it has signed an agreement with four Norwegian utility companies -- Statkraft AS, Agder Energi, BKK and Skagerak Energi -- to acquire all shares of Smakraft AS, Norway's largest small-hydro company.
OEE 2015 builds on 2014 market study to commercialize MHK energy sectors
During the Ocean Energy Europe 2015 conference held in Dublin, Ireland, in late October, about 500 high-level delegates, which included European Union and Member States business leaders and energy ministers, were presented a draft of the “strategic roadmap” for developing the European marine hydrokinetics (MHK) energy sector.
MHK risk assessment tool set for demonstration in London this month
Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and consultancy firm Frazer-Nash, both based in the UK, will perform a live demonstration of their marine hydrokinetics (MHK) energy project risk assessment tool during the International Tidal Energy Summit pre-conference risk and reliability workshop in London on Nov. 23.
2,400-MW Batoka Gorge hydroelectric project could help alleviate ZRA power needs
As the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) of Zambia and Zimbabwe seeks to secure funding for the 2,400-MW Batoka Gorge hydroelectric facility, the region is experiencing rolling blackouts based on reduced inflow to existing hydroelectric generating facilities.
Incidents continue at Brazil’s Petrobras, with chairman’s resignation
Murilo Ferreira, chairman of Brazil-based energy conglomerate Petrobras (Petroleo Brasileiro SA), has stepped down effective Nov. 30.
U.S. House passes bill designed to streamline hydroelectric power licensing
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed bipartisan hydroelectric power regulatory improvement provisions as part of the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015, potentially helping to expedite the project approval process.
US$1.6 billion Northern Pass transmission line will deliver Canadian hydropower to the U.S.
The US$1.6 billion Northern Pass transmission line that could tap into 1,096 MW from Canada’s largest hydropower producer, HydroQuebec, was approved Dec. 7, by a 6-0 vote of New Hampshire’s Site Evaluation Committee [SEC].
Atlantis Resources' MeyGen tidal energy site on track for grid connection in 2016
Tidal energy developer Atlantis Resources remains on track to deliver power to the Scottish power grid from the MeyGen site in the coming year, according to an end-of-year statement issued by the company earlier this week.
Laminaria set to test MHK device in Scotland
The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has signed Flemish wave energy developer Laminaria to test its marine hydrokinetic (MHK) energy device at EMEC’s grid-connected wave test site at Billia Croo, off the west coast of Orkney, Scotland.
U.S. hydroelectric power sector could benefit from pair of incentive programs
Congress today announced details of a year-end tax deal that could provide a two-year extension on provisions for hydroelectric and marine hydrokinetic resources.