Alstom Builds Gas Power Plant For TPG

Posted on October 31, 2010 by Emma

Tuas Power Generation (TPG) has awarded Alstom – a world leader in power generation, with the contract to build a brand new new gas-fired combined cycle power plant in Singapore – in a deal said to be worth $365 million.

Under the terms of the agreement, Alstom will be responsible for the engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) of the new 400MW (megawatt) gas-fired plant, and in addition will provide TPG with a six-year maintenance contract.

Alstom will also provide all of the associated equipment for the gas-fired plant – including a GT26 gas turbine, steam turbine and a heat recovery steam generator.

It is expected the new power plant will be completed in 2014 to significantly enhance TPG’s overall electricity generating efficiency of its plant.

UK Seizes Offshore Turbine Manufacturing Opportunities

Posted on October 31, 2010 by Emma

The UK is set to become the leading European country for offshore wind turbine manufacturing – after three major companies commit to building plants in the country.

Siemens AG (Germany), General Electric (Connecticut) and Gamesa Corporation S.A. (Spain) have each confirmed their plans to build turbine-manufacturing plants in the UK.

This news comes as the government also revealed that it is going to invest £60 million in developing the country’s ports that will help with the increased deployment of offshore wind projects.

Siemens is set to invest £80 million in the construction of a plant dedicated to the production of offshore wind turbines. General Electric (GE) is investing £100 million in building turbine manufacturing facility – with design, application and service-engineering resources. And Gamesa has confirmed it will invest €150 million by way of establishing its global headquarters for offshore wind in London, as well as building a turbine manufacturing plant by 2014.

Siemens New Turbine Shop

Posted on October 30, 2010 by Emma

After receiving government assurances on a £60 million port development project, Siemens is finalising plans to build a brand new factory in Britain for the new generation of offshore wind turbines.

Although the exact location is still to be decided, Siemens has put together a list of potential sites for the facility – which will employ 700 workers, from East and Northeast regions.

Once built, the factory will make the Siemens 6MW (megawatt) offshore turbine – which boasts almost twice the power generating capacity of its 3.6MW model, and will be capable of producing enough power for approximately 6000 homes.

Standing 150 meters high, Siemens new turbines will be bigger than any other on market.

Discussing this strategic move, Rene Umlauft, chief executive of Siemens Renewable Energy, said:

We will extend our market leadership with this new UK production plant for the next generation of offshore wind turbines”

Oil And Gas Grants

Posted on October 30, 2010 by Emma

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has awarded the next round of oil and gas exploration licences with the industry still keen to develop the UK’s North Sea resources.

In this 26th licensing round, a total of 144 licences have been granted for the extraction of oil and gas from UK waters – covering 268 blocks (just under the 303 blocks that were awarded in the previous round).

Charles Hendry, the UK’s Energy Minister remarked:

“It’s encouraging to see the healthy level of interest there is from industry to make the most of the UK’s still substantial resources of oil and gas…

… Whilst in the long-term, we want to decarbonise our energy system, we have moved swiftly to offer these licences as we must realise the optimum value from the UK’s energy resources and ensure secure energy supplies…

… We remain absolutely vigilant and determined to ensure that exploration in our waters is done safely and with minimal impact to the environment”

In addition, the DECC may well approve a further 99 blocks (made up of 45 licences) subject to further and more detailed assessments of the likely effects of oil and gas activities around certain protected nature conservation areas.

The department is expected to make its decision upon receiving the results of the environmental assessments.

Funding Is In The Post

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Emma

According to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) – funding worth £1.3 billion has been earmarked for the maintenance and modernisation of the UK’s Post Office network.

The funding will be made available over the next four years, and making the announcement, Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

“The Post Office network is a cornerstone of British life. Our £1.3 billion funding package will reverse the years of decline and secure its long term future. It will ensure that there is no new closure programme – but it will also allow the Post Office to invest, improve its offer and win new revenue streams. It will put the network on a stronger and more sustainable footing…

… The package averages out at over £330m a year – more than double the subsidy paid to the Post Office for the past two years. A large proportion of the last Government’s funding was spent on closing post offices. Our strategy is completely different – it addresses the underlying economics of the network, while maintaining its size and reach”

Responding to the news, Dave Smith, Executive Director, Post Office Ltd, stated:

“I am absolutely delighted that we have reached an agreement with the Government that allows us to modernise the Post Office ensuring we can continue to meet the changing needs of our customers and continue our commitment to communities across the UK”

This announcement comes a week after the government announced its Spending Review and is part of the debate in the House of Commons regarding the Government’s Postal Services Bill.