Canada

Pattern Energy Acquires a One-Third Interest in 270-MW K2 Wind Power Facility

Pattern Energy Group (Pattern Energy) closed the previously announced acquisition of a one-third interest in the 270-MW K2 Wind Power Facility in Ontario from Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern Development). Pattern Energy will hold a 33% equity interest in the facility, which is equally co-owned by Samsung Renewable Energy and Capital Power.

RET Capital Secures Over $200 Million in Financing for Four Solar Projects

Renewable Energy Trust Capital (RET Capital) closed on over $200 million in financing for four solar projects in the U.S. and Canada. The independent renewable finance platform closed a CAD $115 million non-recourse debt to support the acquisition of two solar facilities in Ontario, Canada.

FERC Approves a Construction Agreement for the Great Northern Project

Minnesota Power's Great Northern Transmission Line received another approval. FERC approved a facilities construction agreement required to build this 500-kV, 220-mile line that will run from the Canadian-U.S. border northwest of Roseau, Minn. to an expanded Blackberry electric substation east of Grand Rapids, Minn. The Great Northern Line, under development by Minnesota Power and the Manitoba Hydro subsidiary, has an anticipated in-service date of June 1, 2020.

Digest (Oct 2014)

Vattenfall awards Siemens Energy contract for wind turbines; Minnesota Power to build solar energy array at Minnesota National Guard Camp Ripley; Echelon agrees to sell grid operations to S&T AG; DTE Energy teams with Ford Motor Company to build Michigan’s largest solar array.

Canadian Solar Completes the Sale of Good Light Solar Power Plant to BluEarth

Canadian Solar Solutions completed the sale of Good Light, a 10-MW solar power plant located in the town of Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada, valued at over $60.3 million (USD) to a BluEarth Renewables subsidiary. This is the second of four planned solar projects being acquired by BluEarth from Canadian Solar, totaling 38.5 MW AC.

Construction Begins on Keeyask Generating Station

The Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership (KHLP) broke ground on the 695-MW Keeyask Generating Station in northern Manitoba. The project is a collaborative effort between Manitoba Hydro and four Manitoba First Nations - Tataskweyak Cree Nation, War Lake First Nation, York Factory First Nation, and Fox Lake Cree Nation - working together as the KHLP. Manitoba Hydro provides administration and management services for KHLP and will own at least 75 per cent of the equity of the partnership.

NextEra Energy Partners Completes Bluewater Wind Energy Center

NextEra Energy Partners’ Bluewater Wind Energy Center in Huron County, Ontario has begun commercial operation. The project is comprised of 37 turbines and capable of generating up to 60-MW of electricity. The Bluewater Wind Energy Center is owned by Bluewater Wind, LP, an indirect subsidiary of NextEra Energy Canada Partners Holdings.

ABB Awarded $400 Million Order for Maritime Link Power Project in Canada

ABB won an order worth approximately $400 million from NSP Maritime Link, a subsidiary of Emera, to supply a HVDC power transmission solution creating the first electricity link between the island of Newfoundland and the North American power grid. The order was booked in the second quarter of 2014. The Maritime Link Project is a 500-MW HVDC connection that will deploy ABB's HVDC Light Voltage Source Conversion (VSC) technology incorporating a full VSC bipolar configuration to further enhance system availability.

Canadian Solar and NCC Complete Diesel Hybrid PV Installation Serving First Nation Community

Canadian Solar completed the first diesel hybrid PV system in the remote microgrids in northern Ontario, Canada. The 152kW rooftop solar array on the Deer Lake First Nation Elementary School is the first project under the strategic partnership with NCC Development (NCC), a First Nation renewable energy management company. NCC uses renewable energy (RE) microgrid solutions to assist the energy needs of off-grid First Nations and remote communities.