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China, Rusia sign contract for Tianwan nuclear projects

China and Russia has formalized their agreement for the construction of units 3 and 4 Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant. 

China, Rusia sign contract for Tianwan nuclear projects

China and Russia has formalized their agreement for the construction of units 3 and 4 Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant. 

Changjiang's Unit 2 now under construction

Construction of Unit 2 of Changjiang Nuclear Power plant is now ongoing. When completed, it could combine with Unit 1 to bring the plant's annual generation capacity to 9 Twe,  It will largely relieve the shortage of disposable energy in Hainan province and ensure the stabilization, safety and sustainability of the electric power supply in Hainan province. The unit is jointly funded constructed by China National Nuclear Corporation the and China Huaneng Group Company. Located in Tangxing village, Haiwei Town, Changjiang Lizu autonomous county, Hainan province,  Unit 1 was completed on April 25th, 2010 and plans to combine to the grid at the end of the year of 2014. On the other hand, Unit 2 is scheduled for commercial operation in 2015.

Vietnam plans electricity price hike

The Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam is developing plans to increase electricity price in 2011. This will be based in coal price and prices of other inputs. According to Mr. Tran Viet Ngai, Chairman of Vietnam Energy Association, electricity price in 2012 and 2013 has to increase to 7 to 8 cents per KW from 5.3 cents. "If electricity price and the profit rate of enterprises are too low, the power sector shall be at a loss, unable to borrow from foreign investment and no one shall invest in the power sector of Vietnam. The increase should be implemented from early 2011. In the coming dry season, if there is no electricity, damages and losses due to power shortage shall be even bigger", said Mr Ngai. According to Vietnam Electricity Corporation or EVN, the current electricity price of 5.3 cents per KW  is too low, and should be increased to 6.5 cents, which has been approved by the Government for 2011 to ensure profitability and attract investors. “In 2011, if we are not affected by natural disasters like this year, there will be more water for hydro-power reservoirs, and the 30 per cent increase in electricity price shall be sufficient to compensate for the electricity sector”, shared an official of the power sector. But Minister of Finance Vu Van Ninh said that while the price of electricity in 2011 will certainly be increased, the amount and time of increase should be calculated so as not to affect low-income people, and not distort the economy because of the subsidized price.

Third ring of Haiyang now welded in place

The third ring of the containment vessel shell of CPI Haiyang NPP Unit 1 was successfully put in place. It indicates that all six milestones of NI of Unit 1 this year have been achieved. About 39.6 meters in diameter, about 12 meters in height and nearly 600 tons in weight, the 3rd ring is the 4th assembly in CV. The welding of CV 3rd ring started on July 26 this year and main work was completed on November 20, lasting 118 days.  

Pingdingshan unit covers 1000MW mid-west China void

Unit 1 of Pingdingshan phase I has been commissioned to cover up for 1000MW void in mid-west China. The 2×1000MW unit recently passed the 168-hour test run. It is a key project of CPI and Henan province in the 11th Five-year Plan, and also the first project nationwide with single unit capacity of 1000MW that was approved to “replace small units with big ones”. The completion and commissioning of Unit 1 is of profound significance for enhancing safety and stability of 500kV grid in Henan Province, improving the hydro-thermal dispatching ability of central China grid, optimizing the asset mix of CPI Henan Branch, and helping CPI realize the Three-step strategic goal.  

Huaneng to acquire 50% of InterGen

China Huaneng Group will acquire a 50 percent stake in Intergen for US$1.2 billion.

Chinese power firms increase coal businesses

Major Chinese power companies are expanding their business in the coal industry.

India wants competitive tariff bidding for thermal projects

All thermal power projects and transmission systems will be awarded on competitive tariff bidding and trading in renewable energy certificate by 2011. This was announced by India's power sector regulator, according to the India Times.

NTPC adds 500 MW unit in Chhattisgarh

NTPC has added a 500 MW coal fired unit at Korba in Chhattisgarh.

India nuclear plant with French reactors gets clearance

India gave environmental clearance for a nuclear power plant to be built in collaboration with French firm Areva. Environment minister Jairam Ramesh said the go-ahead for the Jaitapur plant in Maharashtra state, which will use nuclear reactors supplied by Areva, was granted with 35 conditions and safeguards.

ADB injects 40 million in clean energy

ADB will inject up to $40 million in two new private equity funds that supports clean energy development.

Goldwind eyes 2 wind power firms

Goldwind is eyeing an 85 percent stake in Golden Concord Wind Power and a 25 percent stake in Golden Concord Xilinhot. These will be purchased from Golden Concord Wind Equipment Holdings. according to powertechnology.com. In addition, Goldwind intends to acquire a 15 percent stake in Golden Concord Jiangsu from Shanghai Guoneng Investment through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Goldwind Investment Holdings. The stake purchases will cost approximately US$29.9 million in total for Goldwind. Upon the completion of the transactions, Goldwind will hold a 100 percent stake in both Golden Concord Jiangsu and Golden Concord Xilinhot. Goldwind expects to obtain advanced technology for the design and production of wind turbine blades and to lower its production costs. Furthermore, Goldwind will inject US$82.4 million into a wholly-owned subsidiary, Jiangsu Goldwind Wind Equipment Manufacturing, for the research of 6MW wind turbine direct drive permanent magnets, an offshore wind turbine test site and engineering work on ocean wind power.

Bangladesh to lease power units from UK firm

Bangladesh will lease two gas-fired power plants from UK firm, Agbeko.

Rising sea level may inundate Indian nuclear plants

An anticipated rise in sea level is likely to affect the Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalapakkam.  It may also affect a plant under construction in Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, India.

New power plant to light up South Australia

South Australia will get a new $750 million gas-fired power station to meet its demand in peak summer.

Cameco to supply uranium to CGNPC

Cameco will supply 29 million pounds of uranium concentrate to CGNPC under a long-term agreement through 2025. China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Co., Ltd. or CGNPC, China's largest clean-energy enterprise, operates three nuclear power stations and has the largest number of nuclear power plants under construction in the world. CGNPC indicates it has about 17,000 megawatts of nuclear capacity under construction and expects to have over 50,000 MW on line by 2020. "This long-term supply agreement with China Guangdong Nuclear Power is a significant step for our company in the world's fastest growing uranium market," said Cameco CEO Jerry Grandey. "China Guangdong Nuclear Power has 14 nuclear power units currently under construction and is commencing preliminary work on another nine units. This deal leaves us well positioned to serve the company's growing uranium requirements." Reports from China indicate the country plans to increase its nuclear capacity from the current 11 gigawatts (GW) to at least 80 GW by 2020. A further increase to 120-160 GW or more is planned by 2030. "This agreement is further evidence that our plan to double uranium production by 2018 aligns well with China's remarkable nuclear reactor construction program," added Grandey.

China’s 10-month generation volume up 14.9%

China’s nationwide power generation volume rose 14.9 percent year-on-year to 3.422 billion kilowatt hours in the first 10 months. The growth rate was up 11.7 percentage points year-on-year. According to Capital Vue citing the National Development and Reform Commission website, in the first 10 months, thermal power generation rose 14.4 percent year-on-year, with the rate of growth up 12.6 percentage points from a year ago. Hydropower generation rose 16.2 percent year-on-year, with the rate of growth up 8.1 percentage points year-on-year. Power generation in October rose 5.9 percent year-on-year to 332.9 billion kilowatt hours. The growth rate was down by 11.2 percentage points year-on-year. Thermal power generation fell 0.6 percent while hydropower generation gained 43 percent year-on-year. In the first 10 months, power consumption nationwide totaled 3.485 trillion kilowatt hours, including 84.1 billion kilowatt hours used by primary industries, 2.593 trillion kilowatt hours by secondary industries, 376.8 billion kilowatt hours by tertiary industries and 431.1 billion kilowatt hours by rural and urban households. Power consumption in October totaled 340 billion kilowatt hours.