World:
¶ The Government of Gibraltar has signed its first power purchase agreement for the provision of renewable energy. The agreement, which is with Eco Wave Power, is for the provision of an initial 0.5 MW, with a possibility of expanding to 5 MW. [MercoPress]
¶ Clarke Energy has inaugurated the largest landfill gas-powered cogeneration plant in France. The 17.3-MW facility features 10 Jenbacher gas engines, from GE Distributed Power, to generate renewable electricity and heat for residents and businesses. [Business Wire]
¶ The National Grid, which operates Britain’s electricity system, this week said it wants businesses to switch off between 4pm and 8pm on winter weekdays over the next four years to help avoid blackouts. [Western Daily Press]
¶ Australia posted its biggest annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 24 years of records in 2013 as the carbon tax helped drive a large drop in pollution from the electricity sector. Emissions are reported to be down 0.8 per cent on the previous year. [Kiama Independent]
¶ Regen Powertech Ltd, one of India’s leading wind turbine manufacturing companies, is all ready to launch wind-solar hybrid systems, the company’s Managing Director, Madhusudan Khemka, has said. [The Hindu]
¶ Uruguay’s government said on Thursday that 84% of its energy last year came from renewable sources. The small South American country has been pushing for an energy diversification policy focused on developing wind and solar energy since 2008. [HispanicBusiness.com]
¶ China Wanxiang Holding announced the planned formation of a joint venture between its wholly-owned subsidiary, Puxing Energy, and NEC Corporation to pursue grid energy storage opportunities in the Chinese market. [Business Wire]
¶ The wind energy industry in the country would see an addition of around 3,000 MW of capacity during the year compared to 2,100 Mw last year, according to the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association. [Business Standard India]
¶ Germany’s government has decided to stop issuing credit guarantees for exports of equipment used for nuclear power generation because the risks to public safety are too great, according to the Economy Ministry. [Reuters]
US:
¶ EPA chief Gina McCarthy said on Thursday that newly proposed rules to slash carbon emissions from U.S. power plants will cut electricity bills after 2030 by forcing power plants to become more efficient. [MarineLink]
¶ The US DOE is spending $500,000 on a project to boost electric grid reliability in Hawaii. Hawaiian Electric will use the money to deploy technology capable of measuring instantaneous voltage, current and frequency at specific locations on the grid. [Associated Press]
¶ Nuclear power plants across the United States are building or expanding storage facilities to hold their spent fuel, radioactive waste that by now was supposed to have been on its way to a national dump. [Associated Press]
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