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UK Approves Hinkley Point C Construction—with Caveats

September 16, 2016

The $ 23.8 billion Hinkley Point C nuclear project has received the UK government’s green light, but the country wants to ensure that project’s ownership cannot change without government agreement.

After a “comprehensive review” of the project and a revised agreement with French power generator EDF, the UK Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial (DBEI) Strategy on September 15 confirmed plans to build the nation’s first new nuclear power plant in decades in Somerset, southwest England.

EDF will build the plant with a $ 7.94 billion investment from Chinese state nuclear firm China General Nuclear.

EDF made a final investment decision to proceed with construction of two EPR units (after a lengthy review process and several postponements) on July 28. But in an abrupt turn, just as contracts between EDF and the UK government were to be signed on July 29, the government signaled that it would carefully reconsider an agreement reached with EDF on key commercial terms reached in October 2013.…

Western Region Power Grid: Coming Soon?

September 12, 2016

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Panelists debating the pros and cons of a regionalized western power grid seemed to agree that the development of such a system is inevitable, but they disagreed on how fast the evolution should occur.

The panel discussion took place during the California Independent System Operator (ISO) Stakeholder Symposium held on September 7 in Sacramento. At one point, the moderator of the session, John Danner, senior fellow at the University of California, Berkley, Hass School of Business, suggested that the dialogue had progressed beyond the question of whether or why a regional approach might be beneficial, to a debate about how and when it should be implemented (Figure 1).

1. Western collaboration. Participating in the panel discussion exploring a western grid were (from left to right) John Danner, Anne George, Jan Smutny-Jones, Marc Joseph, and Rob Lapsley. Source: California ISO

“It’s certainly true that the physics suggest operating a bigger grid is better,” said Marc Joseph, attorney with Adams, Broadwell, Joseph, and Cardozo, “but .…

Enbridge, Spectra to Merge, Create Energy Infrastructure Giant

September 10, 2016

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A merger proposed between Canadian firm Enbridge and Houston-based Spectra Energy Corp. could create the largest energy infrastructure company in North America.

The companies announced on September 6 that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine in a stock-for-stock merger transaction that has an enterprise value of $ 127 billion. The transaction was reportedly approved by both companies’ boards of directors and could close in the first quarter of 2017, if shareholders and regulators approve it.

If completed, Enbridge shareholders would hold 57% and Spectra shareholders would own 43% of the combined company, which is to be called “Enbridge Inc.” It would be headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, though Houston would remain the company’s gas pipelines business unit center.

The merger would bring together the companies’ myriad energy infrastructure assets in North America, including liquids and gas pipelines, U.S. and Canadian midstream businesses, a regulated utility portfolio, and several renewable projects.

“Enbridge has been assessing opportunities to extend and diversify our sources of growth,” Enbridge President and CEO Al Monaco told investors in a webcast on Sept.…

Duke Energy Renewables Acquires Solar Projects in Georgia

September 8, 2016

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Duke Energy Renewables, part of Duke Energy’s Commercial Portfolio, announced on September 7 that it will add six Georgia solar projects to the 2.8-GW renewable energy portfolio the company owns and operates.

The projects are relatively small in terms of capacity—averaging about 1 MW DC each (769 kW AC)—but they are the first Duke Energy has acquired in Georgia, giving it projects in 14 states (Figure 1). SolAmerica Energy developed the sites, located in the southern and central part of the state, under an engineering, procurement, and construction agreement with REC Solar, a Duke Energy affiliate.

1. Duke Energy Renewables U.S. portfolio map. Courtesy: Duke Energy

“In acquiring these solar sites, we add Georgia to our growing U.S. renewables footprint,” said Rob Caldwell, president, Duke Energy Renewables and Distributed Energy Technology. “SolAmerica and REC Solar have completed quality projects that will deliver clean energy to Georgia Power’s customers for years to come.”

The projects—constructed with panels manufactured by Yingli—are part of the Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative.…

Lloyd’s Register on Current Nuclear Power Challenges

September 6, 2016

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POWER Editor Gail Reitenbach interviewed King Lee of Lloyd’s Register on June 29 at the World Nuclear Exhibition in Le Bourget, France. The firm is a “non-profit distributing charity with a public benefit mandate,” which means that it is independent from shareholders, and profits are distributed to a variety of educational and other charities. Its nuclear group has provided independent, expert technical advice on safety and risk management for more than 60 years, beginning with the UK’s Calder Hall reactors in the 1950s. The UK vote to exit the European Union (EU), known as “Brexit,” had taken place the previous week. Questions and answers have been edited for length and style.

GR: What effect do you think Brexit, if it actually goes through, will have on UK nuclear plans and the European power sector generally?

KL: I think it’s too early to say whether Brexit will happen, and if it does happen, what form it will take, because the details will have to be worked out between the UK and EU countries.…