Penonomé Wind Farm

Penonomé Wind Farm

This blog does not only cover sustainable projects in developed and developing countries. It also sees the developments in small countries which are making huge strides for a clean. Green environment. One such country is Panama.

Already a nation reling on hydropower, Panama decided to invest in wind energy for long-term use. Hence, the 270 MW Penonomé I and II wind projects was developed by Panama’s national power utility. Comprising 86 Goldwind 2.5 MW turbines and covering over 47,000 acres, the project, enabled by legislation in 2011, will help diversify energy production in a country that has traditionally relied on fossil fuels and hydro power, and cut CO2 emissions by nearly 450,000 tonnes annually. Due for completion in 2014, the US$134 million project is financed by leading banks and a syndicate of local, regional and international lenders. Further phases of the project are currently in progress.

Until the potential blessing of fusion power is realized, clean energy sources like this one will become increasingly critical world-wide.  With hydro becoming a politically charged subject in Panama, expect to see more wind and other projects like this one in the future.

Chaglla Hydroelectric Power Plant

Chaglla Hydroelectric Power Plant

“The Chaglla Hydroelectric Power Plant, set to be the second-tallest concrete-faced dam in the world and the third largest hydro project in Peru, benefits from such external expertise. At US$1.2 billion, the project is being built by Brazilian energy group Odebrecht Energia, aided by a US$150 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank. The facility features a 199 meter-high dam, a 466 hectare reservoir, a 1 kilometer-long diversion tunnel, and hydroelectric generation facilities. Its installed power of 406 MW enables it to provide approximately 13 percent of the country’s installed hydropower, reducing CO2 emissions by 467,000 tonnes annually” (KPMG).

The report also indicates that worldwide small-scale hydropower (less than 50 MW) accounts for 211,000 direct and indirect jobs and large-scale hydropower 1,519,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Edmonton Light Rail Transit

Edmonton Light Rail Transit

Rapid transit, which is built not only to help transform people’s lives but also is environment friendly, is now the focus on all countries, whether developing or developed. Canada is one country which is looking into light rail system as a solution. One such place they are going to implement this system is Edmonton, Canada’s second fastest growing city which is going to increase in its size by 50% in 2040.

The 21-kilometer line starts at a northeastern part of Edmonton and ends in its south end. “TransEd Partners, a consortium including global engineering and construction company Bechtel, has been selected by the City of Edmonton to finance, design, supply vehicles, build, operate, and maintain the first phase of the Edmonton Valley Line Light Rail Transit project” (Bechtel).

“The US$1.6 billion PPP-funded project will see a private sector contractor design, build, partially finance, supply light rail vehicles for, and operate and maintain the line. There will be up to US$355 million in capital funding from each of the government of Canada and the government of Alberta” (KPMG).

The train is expected to help 100,000 commuters.

(Image credit: Railforthevalley)