Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. and the Desjardins Group Pension Plan have completed their acquisition of the 30.5-MW Sainte-Marguerite 1 hydropower plant from the Hydromega Group.

Located near Sept-Iles, Quebec, the run-of-river plant was originally commissioned in 1993 with one 8.5 MW turbine unit. Two additional units were installed in 2002, raising the project’s output capacity to its current level.

“The acquisition of the Sainte-Marguerite 1 facility provides us with both immediate contributions to cash flows and a quality hydro asset with a very high long-term value,” Innergex CEO Michel Letellier said. “Furthermore, we are very pleased to have developed a transaction structure that allows us to compete in acquiring renewable energy infrastructure assets at prevailing market prices, while leveraging the low capital cost and long-term horizon of a pension fund, as well as our expertise as an operator, to achieve an attractive after-tax internal rate of return for our shareholders.”

Energy generated by the plant is covered by two fixed-price, 25-year power purchase agreements with Hydro-Quebec: one for 8.5 MW maturing in 2018 that provices an annual increase in the selling price of 3% to 6%, and a second for 22 MW maturing in 2027 that provides for an annual increase in the selling price of 2%. Both agreements contain a renewable option for an additional 25-year term.

“The Desjardins Group Pension Plan is proud to partner with Innergex for an investment of this nature, here in Quebec,” Desjardins vice president Sylvain Gareau said. “Our portfolio of infrastructure assets is nearing the billion dollar mark and is growing rapidly. Over the last five years, we have become an important actor in this asset class in Canada.”

Innergex (TSE: INE) said it expects the plant to generate annualized revenues of about US$10.3 million, with an adjusted EBITDA of about $8.4 million.

New windfarms, strong winds and a good winter for hydropower plants sent renewable energy generation surging to 19.4% of all electricity from January to March.

One fifth of all electricity was generated in Britain by windfarms or other green technologies in the first three months of the year, according to new statistics released by the Department of Energy and Climate change (DECC).

New windfarms coming online, strong winds and a good winter for hydropower plants sent renewable energy generation surging to 19.4% of all electricity from January to March 2014, up from about 12% for the same period last year. The power produced was enough for about 15m homes during the quarter.

It was hailed as a breakthrough by the wind industry, which alone provided 12% of the overall power produced, and a rebuff to critics who have said that renewables would never account for such a large proportion of the energy mix.

However, the DECC data could stoke a new price row with energy suppliers because it shows gas prices to domestic customers rising in the first quarter with prices to businesses in decline at the same time.

The cost of gas to householders, including VAT, rose by 4.8% in real terms between the first quarter of 2013 and the same period of this year, while average gas prices to business customers, including the climate change levy, were 5.2% lower.

The statistics underline the significant strides being taken by the industry to meet a government drive to reduce Britain’s carbon emissions, although the scale of renewable energy subsidies remains controversial.

However, the data also shows that in 2013 only 5.2% of final energy consumption, including heat and transport, came from renewable sources – well short of the a target of 15% by 2020 set by EU directives.

The lobby group Renewable Energy Association (REA) said the UK was still lagging behind most other EU states and needed to do more, especially in the field of green heat and transport biofuels.

“Every percentage point increase in homegrown renewable energy makes us that much more energy secure. The progress in electricity is encouraging, but growth is not yet strong enough in renewable heat and transport to meet the government’s objectives,” said Nina Skorupska, chief executive of the REA.

But the UK continued to be highly reliant on coal for its power, according to the government statistics released on Thursday. About 37% of the UK’s electricity came from coal in the first three months of this year, down from a peak of 44% in the same period for 2012, but still a substantial amount.

While the UK’s own production of coal fell by 27% from January to March, owing mainly to controversial colliery closures, the amount of coal imported from Russia rose by 21%.

The picture on gas proved a surprise against the backdrop of ministerial plans to focus on it. Less electricity was generated in the UK from gas in the early part of this year than at any time in at least 16 years, the figures from the DECC showed, throwing into doubt the coalition’s vow for a new “dash for gas”.

Demand for gas fell by about 8%, and gas represented about 23% of electricity generation. Ministers from both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have made clear their backing for a big expansion of the UK’s gas-fired power generation in order to “keep the lights on”, as energy chiefs have warned of power shortages by the end of the decade because many of the UK’s current ageing nuclear reactors and coal-fired power stations must be taken out of service.

The DECC data reports the total amount of electricity generated by all forms of renewable power reached 18.1 terrawatt hours in the first three months of this year, up 43% on the same period last year.

Across the whole of 2013, the amount of electricity generated from renewable energy sources, including solar, hydro and biomass, was up by 30% on 2012. Offshore wind rose the most – by 52% – but solar was also up by 51%, while hydro generation fell by 11%, reflecting lower rainfall.

The DECC data reveals that the price of electricity for domestic customers was up by 5.9% in real terms quarter on quarter – the same figure as recorded for industrial electricity prices.

The ESB is to invest €7m in Dublin-based building energy management company Cylon Controls as part of its clean-tech and resource efficiency fund, Novusmodus.

Cylon Controls is one of the largest independent building control providers in Europe, with offices in Asia, the Middle East and the US. The company’s services have recently been selected for Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport, Google’s European head office in Dublin, and 20 Fenchurch Street (the Walkie Talkie building) in London.

In line with the ESB’s future strategy, the Novusmodus fund provides growth capital and management support to operating companies across the renewable energy and energy efficiency/resource efficiency sectors.

Cylon Controls is to use the funds to acquire US-based company American Auto-Matrix, which will provide the company with access to international markets.

“We are delighted with the investment from ESB Novusmodus and the support from Greencoat Capital, who have shown themselves more than capable of growing Irish technology companies. With their strategic council and financial support, we are very excited about the next chapter in Cylon’s development,” said Seán Giblin, CEO of Cylon Controls.

Likewise, ESB’s chief executive Pat O’Doherty believes Cylon Controls is a worthy recipient of the fund.

“Cylon is perfectly placed to take advantage of some significant structural trends, whereby occupiers of commercial buildings are becoming more and more sophisticated in the way they manage their considerable energy and resource requirements,” O’Doherty said.

“Ireland continues to produce world-class clean-tech companies, and we are excited to help take them to the global stage. Cylon has an exceptional management team, and we look forward to continuing to support them as they build on their international success.”

Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for gas and steam turbine operation and maintenance services with two Indonesian power producering companies, PT. Pembangkitan Jawa Bali (PJB) and PT. Indonesia Power (Indonesia Power), and with Mitsubishi Cooperation (MC).

Under the terms of the four-party MoU, signed at Indonesia Power’s head office in Jakarta, MHPS will collaborate with the companies to offer operation and maintenance (O&M) services for gas and steam turbines.

The MoU also marks further development of the MOUs signed individually by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with PJB-Service and Indonesia Power in 2008.

In addition to expanding the scope of services, the current MoU has been converted to a joint MoU by including Mitsubishi Corporation as a signatory.

The four firms will collaborate on various activities related to gas and steam turbines such as technical training, technology seminar, joint research program and field service, as part of the MoU.

Additionally, the four signatory companies are seeking to establish a joint venture for field service in future.

PJB and Indonesia Power, which became independent in 1995 from Indonesia’s state-owned power company PT. PLN (Persero), supplies electricity in Java and Bali areas.

MHPS aims to maintain and boost its relationship with PJB and Indonesia Power while further contributing to stable and effective power generation in Indonesia in future.

The African Development Bank Group’s board of directors has approved a US$22 million grant to help fund development of the 31.5-MW Jiji and 16.5-MW Mulembwe hydroelectric projects.

The investment is the largest made in the country’s infrastructure since the 1980s, according to the AfDB, and comes from the bank’s Fragile States Facility.

Burundi’s water and electric utility, Regie de Production et de Distribution d’Eau et d’Electricite (REGIDESO), invited expressions of interest from consultants to perform a social and environmental assessment for the projects earlier this month.

The Jiji and Mulembwe hydropower plants will more than double Burundi’s current hydroelectric capacity, increasing the national electrification rate of 5% to 8% by 2019.

The $270 million project is also being supported by a consortium of private donors, including the World Bank,European Investment Bank and European Union.

“AfDB was one of the first donors to get involved in the energy sector after the conflict in Burundi,” said Alex Rugamba, director of the bank’s Energy, Environment and Climate Change Department. “The production of additional electricity will help diversify the economy by stimulating the private sector and promoting job creation.”

Alstom’s chief executive says the French heavy engineering firm’s agreement to sell off most of its power generation business to U.S. rival General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) will save jobs and protect France’s national interests.

The $17 billion deal was agreed over the weekend after weeks of international negotiations that reached the highest levels of French politics. The government was worried that the GE takeover would cause layoffs and hand foreign owners too much influence over a major industrial player – especially one like Alstom, which makes power plant equipment and pioneered TGV high-speed trains.

Alstom CEO Patrick Kron said Monday on Europe-1 radio that the deal with GE “is a combination of Alstom’s qualities and GE’s economic strength.”

After the deal is completed, Kron will be left running the company’s train, tram and railway signaling business, which accounts for around a quarter of the group’s total sales and operating profit. GE will take over Alstom’s money-spinning gas turbine business, while the two companies keep equal stakes in the small renewable energy and power grid businesses.

The French state will also buy a stake in the new rump Alstom from construction giant Bouygues SA.

Kron and GE’s CEO Jeffrey Immelt will visit an Alstom plant on Tuesday to talk with workers about the deal, which still needs final approval by regulators and workers’ representatives. Immelt has come to France several times to meet with government officials since GE first made its takeover bid in April.

Alstom SA’s board approved GE’s offer on Saturday, after GE promised to create jobs and improved its offer, and the government withdrew its long-held opposition. Germany’s Siemens and Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries had presented a rival combined offer but failed to win over Alstom’s board.

For GE, the deal is part of its new focus on building and servicing industrial equipment such as aircraft engines, power-plant turbines and oil and gas drilling equipment. The U.S. company sold its remaining interest in NBC Universal last year as part of the shift.

 The international race to take over France’s engineering company Alstom SA entered its final stretch on Friday, with Siemens and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries responding to General Electric Co.’s (NYSE: GE) sweetened bid by raising their own combined offer.

Alstom is due to decide by Monday what offer to accept, after the French government had solicited improved bids for the company, which builds turbines for power stations and pioneered the high-speed TGV trains, later exported around the world. The government is concerned over a loss of jobs and sensitive energy technology from France.

Siemens of Germany and Mitsubishi of Japan said in a statement Friday they were raising their joint cash offer by 1.2 billion euros ($1.63 billion) to 8.2 billion euros, which increases their overall valuation of Alstom’s energy business by 400 million euros to 14.6 billion euros.

Siemens hopes to acquire Alstom’s gas business entirely, while Mitsubishi would take a 10 percent stake in Alstom under their proposal.

GE, meantime, has since April bid 12.35 billion ($17 billion) to buy Alstom’s power business. On Thursday it added new guarantees on jobs and decision-making by offering to set up the new energy business as three joint ventures, while leaving the cash value unchanged.

Alstom CEO Patrick Kron had earlier made clear his preference for the GE tie-up, which he himself had a role in negotiating. Siemens and Mitsubishi emerged as rival bidders after the French government sought a better deal for Alstom.

NEW YORK CITY — A123 Systems LLC, the battery maker bought by Wanxiang Group Corp. after it sought bankruptcy protection in 2012, purchased technology from Leyden Energy Inc. that the Chinese parent may use to make electric cars.

Siemens has been awarded a contract by SPV-Rafako to supply a turbine island for the Jaworzno III steam power plant in Poland.

Under the €208m contract, Siemens will engineer and deliver the turbine island comprising a model SST5-6000 steam turbine, a model SGen-3000W generator, a SCon-7000 condenser, the condensate and feedwater system and the high-voltage components.

Siemens will also provide technical consulting for the installation and commissioning of the supplied components and systems.

In a consortium with Mostostal Warszawa, SPV-Rafako, which is a 100% affiliate of Rafako, will install the plant for Tauron Polska Energia.

Siemens Energy Sector Energy Solutions CEO Rainer Hauenschild said, “This order for the supply of the turbine island for the Jaworzno lll power plant marks a significant milestone for Siemens in Poland.”

The SST5-6000 steam turbine will allow the plant to provide an installed electrical capacity of 910MW while the maximum net capacity is specified as 843.5MW, with a net efficiency of approximately 45.9%.

Rafako member of the management board Krzysztof Burek said, “For us, cooperation with Siemens for Jaworzno 910MW project is one of the most important factors for a successful execution of the project. We are looking forward to our smooth and efficient collaboration.”

With ultra-supercritical steam parameters, the Jaworzno lll coal-fired power plant is expected to be one of the most efficient steam power plants in Europe.

Slated to be commissioned in April 2019, the new plant will result in reduction of CO2 emissions by around 25% and will replace older units currently installed by Tauron.

Independent energy provider Tenaska has closed $450m in commercial financing for the 150MW AC Tenaska Imperial Solar Energy Center West project near El Centro, California, US.

Scheduled to commence construction in 2014 and commercial operation in 2016, the photovoltaic solar electric generating plant is Tenaska’s second utility-scale project in the region.

Located on approximately 1,100 acres of previously disturbed land in Imperial County, the project is the second solar project in Southern California’s Imperial Valley developed, owned and managed by Tenaska.

Tenaska vice-president and treasurer David Kirkwood said Tenaska is leveraging its experience developing natural gas-fueled power plants for solar electric generation.

“Tenaska Imperial Solar Energy Center West’s oversubscription and successful financing demonstrate the strength of the project,” Kirkwood said.

Tenaska president of development, Greg Kelly, said the project is moving forward as planned.

“Achieving financial closing for our second utility-scale solar project represents a significant milestone for Tenaska,” Kelly said.

The Tenaska Imperial West will provide clean, renewable energy to San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E), as part of a 25-year power purchase agreement signed, through SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink transmission line.

Tenaska also selected First Solar as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for Tenaska Imperial West.

A majority of interest in the project is owned by an affiliate of Tenaska is the majority owner of Tenaska Imperial West while minority interest is held by an affiliate of Silver Ridge Power.