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roller compacted concrete (RCC) and rock, with the main dam reaching 145m in height, 475m in length, and holding a volume of approximately 2.7 million m3
. The artificial lake, covering an
area of 1.5km2, will boast an island reserved for botanical dives and walks.
Additionally, the company will embark on
the creation of ‘The Bow’ – an architectural structure that will extend the surface of the lake beyond the front of the main dam. It will be shaped like the prow of a ship suspended over the valley, and will house a luxury hotel, as well as a residential area and a large central atrium, with accommodation and hospitality facilities. The entire project is designed to accommodate the 2029 Asian Winter Games and aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 program for economic diversification. Pietro Salini, CEO of Webuild, expressed delight at being awarded the project, emphasizing the 2.8-kilometer-long freshwater lake’s importance in the Trojena masterplan. Salini stated, “The project is set to be an international engineering and construction marvel, and we believe our team has the global experience and expertise to deliver this exciting infrastructure project.” “The appointment of Webuild S.P.A is a significant milestone in our construction progress,” commented Philip Gullett, Executive Director – Region Head at Trojena. “We have already completed around three million cubic meters of excavation at the lake site, and we continue to excavate 90,000 cubic meters of rock per week. Importantly are implementing a sustainable approach by using all the rock excavated and reusing it for the lakebed lining and dam construction. This is crucial stage of the project’s overall development, and we are excited to see works get underway.”
Sweden DORE expands renewables portfolio with acquisition of five Swedish hydropower plants Downing Renewables & Infrastructure Trust PLC (DORE) has successfully acquired five hydropower plants situated in various locations across Sweden, marking another significant addition to its growing renewable energy portfolio.
With a collective expected annual average
production of approximately 9GWh, the strategic acquisition was valued at around £6.0 million ($6.7 million). Downing Hydro AB’s long-term debt facility facilitated the funding for the transaction, which concluded in December 2023. The acquired assets are positioned in Sweden’s SE2 and SE3 pricing regions, boasting substantial reservoir capacity that enhances water storage capabilities and overall production efficiency. One of the hydropower plants, situated in the SE3 pricing region, is located along the Säveån river in south-west Sweden. This addition
6 | March 2024 |
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introduces a new geographical area and river system to DORE’s diversified portfolio, further strengthening its presence in different water catchment areas. DORE’s hydropower portfolio now comprises
a total of 34 assets, with a projected annual average production of approximately 215GWh. In a bid to enhance operational capabilities, Downing Hydro AB has initiated a comprehensive roll-out of software and hardware upgrades across its hydropower plant portfolio. These upgrades enable the relevant plants to participate in the frequency containment markets, complementing their core electricity generation activities. As of the end of December 2023, hardware
installations have been completed at 20 plants, with the first pre-qualification submission to the Swedish Transmission Operator (SvK) already underway. The remaining sites are slated for pre-qualification submissions during the first quarter of 2024. The Company anticipates the approval process will be finalized by the first and second quarters of 2024, with the majority of facilities phased into the Frequency Containment Reserves (FCR) markets.
The Philippines
Southeast Asia’s first tidal energy plant unveiled Energies PH, Inc, through its affiliate, the San Bernardino Ocean Power Corporation, has announced plans for the construction of Southeast Asia’s inaugural tidal power generation plant. The project is set to be situated on the remote Capul Island of Northern Samar in the Philippines, strategically located along the robust marine currents of the San Bernardino Strait. The Inyanga Marine Energy Group has been awarded the contract for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction. The 1MW project is anticipated to commence operations by late 2025 and will use Inyanga’s HydroWing tidal stream technology. The HydroWing tidal stream turbines will be connected into Capul Island’s electrical network, addressing the energy needs of the currently off-grid locale, which relies on a 750kW diesel power plant. The first phase of the project involves the establishment of a 1MW tidal power plant, connected to a microgrid network alongside Solar PV and energy storage. This approach aims to provide a dependable, environmentally friendly, and cost-competitive alternative to conventional fossil-based power generation. Antonio Ver, the co-chairman and CEO of
Energies PH, expressed his vision for the project, stating: “As we embark on this pioneering tidal power plant for the Philippines, our vision is to replicate this in several off-grid sites all over the country to provide electricity in the hinterlands.” Ver emphasized the potential of the initiative to contribute to the creation of sustainable communities across the Philippines, enhancing
Japan
Commercial operations start at Ainumanai hydro plant The Hokkaido Electric Power Company (Hokuden) and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) have announced the commencement of commercial operations at the Ainumanai Power Plant, located in Yakumo-cho Futami-gun, Hokkaido, Japan. This marks the inaugural plant to go online under the hydroelectric power alliance serving Hokkaido’s Donan region. The Ainumanai Power Plant, managed by the
joint venture company Donan Hydroelectric LLC (Donan Hydro), which was established in November 2021, signifies a significant step towards renewable energy utilization in the region.
Donan Hydro will oversee the replacement of five existing plants owned by Hokuden, including the Nanae Power Plant, Isoyagawa Daiichi Power Plant, Isoyagawa Daini Power Plant, Ainumanai Power Plant, and Ono Power Plant. The venture will utilize Hokuden’s existing waterways and infrastructure, with plans to replace aging facilities as they are decommissioned. This initiative aligns with the broader goals of both MC and Hokuden to tap into Japan’s domestically produced energy resources. By harnessing the potential of hydropower from the Donan region’s abundant water resources, the alliance aims to contribute significantly to Japan’s journey towards carbon neutrality. The upcoming phases of the alliance project will see the remaining four plants in the region go online gradually, following the completion of their replacement work.
access to education, health services, and livelihood opportunities in remote areas. Richard Parkinson, CEO of Inyanga Marine
Energy Group, highlighted the predictability and reliability of tidal stream energy, describing it as the “most predictable and reliable form of renewable energy.” Parkinson further commended the HydroWing technology for being at the forefront of innovation and providing a cost-effective solution to harnessing the power of ocean tides. Jean-Christophe Allo, Commercial Manager at Inyanga, added excitement about the project, stating: “This exciting project will create a step change for the remote community on Capul. It will bring tidal energy to the region of Southeast Asia for the first time.” Allo emphasized the transformative impact of the project on the Capul community, mentioning the installation of an onshore storage facility to ensure a continuous 24/7 power supply, a significant improvement from the current 8 to 16 hours of energy per day with frequent blackouts. Looking ahead, San Bernardino Ocean Power Corporation has outlined plans for additional tidal power generation sites, with San Antonio Island in Northern Samar and Calintaan Island in Matnog, Sorsogon, earmarked for deployment.
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