North America
Amazon renewables drive
Amazon the America multinational technology company, most popular as an online retailer, has been in recent years driving to a more sustainable carbon footprint. In 2019 the enterprise-wide carbon footprint from direct and in-direct operational activities was 51.17 MMT CO2e according to the business’s website.
Motiva’s Port Arthur Refinery Reportedly Shuts Two CDUs After Pipeline Outage
Multiple reports on Monday afternoon indicated that the largest refinery in the United States has had to temporarily shut down two crude distillation units after a reported cybersecurity attack on the Colonial Pipeline cause an outage of operations.
Dos Bocas Refinery Woes Continue
The state-owned Pemex Dos Bocas refinery project in Mexico could see a dramatic cost increase from $8.9 billion to as much as $12.4 billion, according to recent statements from the company’s board of directors.
Phillips 66 Steps Towards Renewables in San Francisco
Phillips 66 of Houston, Texas recently announced that it had begun initial renewable diesel production at its San Francisco complex with a recently completed conversion of a diesel hydrotreater onsite. This unit is expected to reach 8,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel by the third quarter of this year.
FIDs set to soar
New analysis from Westwood Global Energy Group, the specialist energy market research & consultancy firm, reveals that Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) outside mainland China will grow by 57% in the next 18 months, compared to the 2019-20 period. The growth represents an additional 20.4GW of new c..
FIDs pushed back in US
Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) for LNG projects are feeling the pain as momentum gathers in the rush towards the Energy Transition. Efforts to limit the financing of fossil fuel infrastructure development received a lift from the Biden administrations broad climate executive order rolled out in ..
$700 Million Dollar Renewable Diesel Refinery Planned for Louisiana
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and Strategic Biofuels LLC CEO Paul Schubert recently announced that Strategic BioFuels subsidiary, Louisiana Green Fuels, will develop a renewable diesel facility at the Port of Columbia in Louisiana. The project is undergoing feasibility and financing tasks now and is working towards a final investment decision by the end of 2022.
chevron, toyota pursue strategic alliance on hydrogen
Chevron and Toyota announced a memorandum of understanding to explore a strategic alliance to catalyze and lead the development of commercially viable, large-scale businesses in hydrogen, with the goal to advance a functional, thriving global hydrogen economy.
Rosendin’s Renewable Energy Group Partners with Tokyo Gas America to Construct Largest Solar Power Project in Texas
In southeastern Texas surrounded by farmland, Rosendin’s Renewable Energy Group (REG) has begun building the largest solar power project in the state. The Aktina Renewable Power Project calls for the installation of 1.4 million solar modules across 4,000 acres in Wharton County, located outside the Houston Metro area.
Worley Wins FEED Contract for Rodeo Renewed Project
Worley of Australia recently announced that it had been awarded a front-end engineering services contract by Phillips 66 for its planned conversion of its long running San Francisco refinery in Rodeo, California into a renewable fuels facility.
Engie breaks into Peru
Siemens Gamesa has been selected by Engie to supply turbines at Peru’s largest windfarm. The 50-turbine, 260MW Punta Lomitas windfarm in the southern region of Ica will be Engie’s first venture into Peru, a project almost twice the size of the current largest windfarm, Enel Green Power’s 42-turbine..
Xcel Energy to build Minnesota’s largest solar project
Xcel Energy has proposed to build Minnesota’s largest solar energy project near the Sherco power plant in Becker, Minn. The 460-megawatt Sherco Solar project will provide carbon-free energy as Xcel Energy pursues its vision of delivering 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050. The project, representing an investment of about $575 million in clean energy infrastructure, will help drive the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by creating nearly 900 union construction jobs over the duration of the project.
First Ever Commercial Scale Alkylation Unit Starts Up in Utah
Honeywell announced on the 13th of April that that the commissioning and start-up procedures for the ISOALKY process unit at Chevron’s Salt Lake City refinery have been completed. This process unit is the first of its kind in the world on a commercial scale and is being touted as a major innovation in this type of technology.
US targets 30 by 30
The Biden Administration has revealed new offshore wind aims, with the Commerce, Energy and Interior departments establishing a target of 30GW of offshore wind capacity in the US by 2030. This is the latest step in its comprehensive effort toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The Department..
Hydrogen – data telling a story
The Global Energy Infrastructure (GEI) team held a webcast earlier in March which looked at trends in traditional and new energy markets which reveals major trends in global energy markets.
Ørsted commences construction of largest onshore project to date
Ørsted announces final investment decision on the combined wind and solar PV project Helena Energy Center in South Texas and integrates the US trading team into the Onshore business.
On the road to net zero
The Global Wind Energy Council has released the 16th edition of its <i>Global Wind Report 2021</i>.
Brownsville loses some lustre
The Port of Brownsville in Texas has lost one of its three LNG export projects with the withdrawal of Annova LNG.
We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service announce another large-scale renewable energy project
We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), subsidiaries of WEC Energy Group, are advancing plans for a new 325-megawatt (MW) solar and battery storage project. The Darien Solar Energy Center is the company's second proposed large-scale solar and battery project announced this year.
Annova LNG has chosen to cease development for its project in Brownsville, Texas
Annova LNG of Texas announced on March 22nd that it has immediately discontinued the development of its LNG export facility project in Brownsville, Texas. The company had been working towards a 6.5 million tons per annum facility in the Port of Brownsville.
Inter Pipeline’s Heartland Petrochemical Complex Charges Ahead
The Heartland Petrochemical Complex under construction near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta appears to be continuing towards its planned startup in 2022. Project operator Inter Pipeline recently rejected what it called a hostile takeover bid from Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP of Toronto.
Canadian Solar completes 61MWp solar portfolio sale in Japan and deepens partnership with Canadian Solar
Canadian Solar Inc. announced today that it has completed the sale of two operational projects totaling 61 MWp to Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund for JPY 30.6 billion (approximately US$283 million). To finance the acquisition of the 53 MWp Oita Hiji-machi and 8 MWp Miyagi Ogawara projects, CSIF recently completed an international public offering and raised over JPY 18 billion (US$166 million) on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Canadian Solar participated in this transaction and continues to own approximately 15% of CSIF. Additionally, CSIF issued over JPY 19 billion (US$175 million) of long-term debt to maintain its capital structure. These transactions affirmed CSIF as one of the largest listed infrastructure funds in Japan with over JPY 80 billion (US$740 million) of operational solar assets under management.
Calcasieu Pass LNG Ahead of Schedule in Louisiana
Venture Global LNG CEO Michael Sabel stated in early March that the 7th and 8th of a planned 18 liquefaction trains for its upcoming Calcasieu Pass LNG export terminal in Louisiana are to be installed during the next few weeks. The 5th and 6th trains were installed just recently at the $4.5 billion site.
What technology is shaping the solar markets?
The Global Energy Infrastructure solar database is dominated by two types of technology: Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Photovoltaic (PV).
Longroad Energy acquires Arizona solar and storage portfolio
Longroad Energy Holdings (Longroad), a US-based renewable energy developer, owner, and operator, announced today the signing of the acquisition of Sun Streams 2, 4, and 5, which total approximately 900 MWdc in total solar capacity plus the potential for 1-2 GWh of battery storage. Longroad also closed the acquisition of Sun Streams 2. The closing of Sun Streams 4 and 5 is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The projects were purchased from First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR). Longroad will also power its Sun Streams portfolio with First Solar’s responsibly-produced solar technology and has exe-cuted purchase agreements for 900 MWdc of Series 6 modules, of which 700 MWdc represent new bookings for First Solar.
Texas Freeze Could Bolster a Growing Recovery with New Demand
A historic arctic freeze that quickly spread over the state of Texas has caused short-term ceases in production for several refineries.
Are all oil and gas majors onboard with the energy transition?
In recent months we have seen an interesting trend, it has become clear that the oil and gas majors have started to present themselves as Integrated Energy Company’s (IECs) rather than International Oil Company’s (IOCs).
Agreement Between Maire Tecnimont Group and Essential Energy USA Corp for a new renewable diesel biorefinery in South America
Maire Tecnimont S.p.A., through its subsidiary NextChem and Essential Energy USA Corp. today have executed a Front-End Engineering Design contract as well as a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a new biorefinery in South America for the production of Renewable Diesel. Essential Energy USA Corp is one of the leading biofuels producers in South America.
ExxonMobil Plans to Complete its Gulf Coast Growth Ventures Project by Year’s End
ExxonMobil recently reduced its capex figures for this year, but despite an expected reduction down to $16 billion to $19 billion it is pushing some projects forward. The company’s venture with SABIC for a large ethane cracker and its derivate units are now anticipated for a 2021 startup, rather than the previous expectations for 2022.
Two Total and Borealis led Petrochemical Ventures in Texas Expected for Startup in 2021 and 2022
Two planned petrochemical units led by a Total and OMV-owned Borealis joint venture have updated their expected start times in Texas.
