IKEA to Acquire 46 MW Wind Power Farm in Canada

Mainstream Renewable Power has closed a deal to sell its 46-MW Oldman 2 Wind Farm, located in Alberta Canada, to IKEA. Mainstream has commenced construction of the project at a cost of approximately CAD$90m and it is expected to be operational in the autumn of 2014 at which point IKEA will purchase the plant. As part of the deal Mainstream will continue to operate and maintain the wind farm on behalf of IKEA for its lifespan.

Washington Gas Energy Systems Signs Contract to Build Solar Array for Tuscon Electric Power

Washington Gas Energy Systems signed a contract with Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to build, own and operate a one-MW Cogenra Solar array that will provide renewable energy to the utility in Tucson, Arizona. The installation, awarded through a previous TEP RFP process, will consist of ground-mounted Cogenra T14 systems and will be constructed at Solar Zone within the University of Arizona’s Science & Technology Park (UA Tech Park). The facility will be owned and operated by Washington Gas Energy Systems under a 20-year PPA with TEP.

5th Utility Customer Experience Management Conference

This leading marcus evans conference will bring together leading customer service experts within the utilities industry to share best practices and innovative strategies for mastering the interaction between the utility and the consumer in order to maximize the overall customer experience. By attending, delegates will be enabled to integrate digital platforms and e-channels to provide a more satisfying customer experience.

Siemens Awarded Major Order for Two Wind Power Plants in the German North Sea

Siemens received an order for two German offshore wind power plants to supply 97 wind turbines, each with a rating of six MW and a rotor diameter of 154 meters, to the Danish energy provider DONG Energy. The Gode Wind 1 (252 MW) and Gode Wind 2 (330 MW) wind power plants will be erected off the North Sea island of Juist. This will mark the first time that Siemens will be supplying its new six-MW wind turbines for offshore in Germany. Siemens will also service the wind turbines for a period of five years.

PG&E, MidAmerican Transmission, Citizens Energy to Develop 70-mile Electric Transmission Line

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), MidAmerican Transmission and Citizens Energy were chosen by the California Independent System Operator (ISO) to develop, own and operate a new transmission line in the Central Valley region of California. The 230- kV line will span about 70 miles across Fresno, Madera and Kings counties, running from the Gates to Gregg substations, which are owned and operated by PG&E.

27th Annual Exnet Power and Gas M&A Symposium

For over 25 years, the SNL Exnet Power and Gas M&A Symposium has been the go-to event in the power M&A space. CEOs, major investment bankers, leading attorneys and top regulators will be on hand to examine how changes in the power value chain are affecting growth. This year kicks off Jan. 27 with a special pre-conference workshop, hosted by ScottMadden, Inc. The core program then begins on the 28th.

ProEnergy Appoints Athanasia and Kingsley as New Executives

ProEnergy named Charlie Athanasia as its COO and Craig Kingsley as its v.p. of turbine services. Prior to joining ProEnergy, Athanasia served as v.p. of Alstom’s thermal services business in North America. Kingsley has over twenty years of experience in the heavy industrial turbine market, including positions at Dresser-Rand, Turbine Generator Maintenance, Leading Edge Turbine Technologies, Sulzer (Hickham Industries) and General Electric.

Apex CoVantage to Install Meters for AEP Ohio

AEP Ohio, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, named Apex CoVantage as its installation partner for the upcoming, system-wide AMR deployment. In this role, Apex will provide upgrades to electric meters throughout the utility's service territory. Leveraging ProField, Apex's proprietary ERP system for mobile workforce optimization, AEP Ohio will gain full control and visibility over operations. AMR meters are being introduced to the AEP Ohio service territory in an effort to increase reading percentages and enhance data security.