construction

Jacobs Engineering Group was selected as a preferred bidder by EDF Energy to support its proposed new 3,200-MW nuclear power generation plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset, United Kingdom. Under the terms of the contract, Jacobs is to provide project management for the building and civil work on the main construction site including the marine works.

SunEdison signed agreements to construct and install three new utility-scale solar power plants in southern Utah with a total capacity of 262 MW. PacifiCorp will purchase the electricity through three 20-year PPA according to its obligation under the federal Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act. The three solar power plants are located in Iron County in southern Utah, and include the 63-MW Granite Mountain Solar West plant, the 100-MW Granite Mountain Solar East plant and the 99-MW Iron Springs Solar plant.

FERC issued an order approving construction of Constitution Pipeline’s proposed pipeline to increase natural gas supply to New York and New England markets, subject to certain conditions that will ensure the protection of natural resources. FERC on Dec. 2, 2014 issued its certificate of public convenience and necessity for the 124-mile Constitution Pipeline.

AWS Truepower was hired to act as independent engineer to support the financing and construction of the Ventika I & Ventika II wind projects in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The Ventika Wind Project consists of two 126-MW wind projects, for a total capacity of 252 MW, making it the largest wind project in Mexico at the time of financing. The total investment for the projects is $650 million, secured by co-developers CEMEX and Fisterra Energy.

Iberdrola S.A. was awarded a contract for the construction and operation of the 300 MW Baja California III combined-cycle power plant in Mexico. Work on the $270 million plant and associated facilities will begin in April 2014 with commercial operation planned for August 2016. Iberdrola won the bid through an international tender process which also included a 25-year PPA with the Mexican Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). CFE also will supply the natural gas to fuel the new plant's two GE turbines.

First Solar began construction on Phase I of the Barilla Solar Project in Pecos County, Texas. The 22 MW is expected to begin commercial operation in mid-2014. First Solar will build, commission and operate the power plant, and offer the output to customers, including municipal utilities, electric cooperatives, and larger commercial and industrial users.