Thursday, August 18, 2016

Mainstream Renewable’s activities in Chile & Africa

Mainstream Renewable Power's international expansion plans received a major boost today as it emerged as one of the biggest winner in Chile's latest clean energy auction, securing contracts to build almost 1GW of new wind power capacity.

The company has been awarded seven 20-year contracts totalling 986MW of capacity that are expected to mobilise $1.65bn of new wind energy investment.

The deals formed the centrepiece of the largest and most competitive clean energy auction in Chile's history, with the tender process seven times oversubscribed as 84 companies submitted 85,000GWh of bids for just over 12,000GWh of available power.

The company said the round marks the first time Mainstream has participated independently in a Chilean bid and all projects are 100 per cent owned by the Ireland-based developer.

The move further cements Mainstream's presence in the Chilean market, where it has led the development of over 2GW of wind and solar capacity since 2009. In addition, the company is poised to complete 300MW of new wind projects next year through a joint venture with Actis after securing contracts in last year's auction.

Mainstream's chief executive, Eddie O'Connor, welcomed the latest contract wins. "Today's win underpins Mainstream's standing as the leading independent renewable energy company in high-growth emerging energy markets," he said. "We had the industry foresight to take early positions in Chile and South Africa and we are rolling out similar plans across Africa, Central America and Asia. We look forward to developing these projects to the highest standard to deliver competitive priced energy into the Chilean system from 2021."

He added that he would be meeting with the CEOs of the main wind turbine manufacturers in the coming months to discuss the next generation of turbines required for the projects.

He also argued the latest auction provided further evidence of the growing cost competitiveness of renewable energy around the world. "Around the world, renewable energy is winning on price and on delivery," he said. "We continue to find innovative ways to fund our projects as we add to our exciting emerging markets project pipeline - just like the recently announced $117.5m equity funding for our African platform, which included investors such as the IFC and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund."

  • Above is from: 

http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2468225/mainstream-renewable-power-wins-big-in-chilean-energy-auction

Wednesday’s Boone County Board meeting

  See the update on several of the votes.

NEWS ALERT-Posted this am by Boone County Board member Cathy Ward on FACEBOOK. Thank you Cathy Ward for keeping us all informed!

"BOONE COUNTY BOARD HIGHLIGHTS - No decisions yet on the use of Public Safety Sales Tax money, no decision on Fees for Not-for-Profit groups - more to come soon on both important issues - but the board did vote to put stop signs on Caledonia Road at the Dawson Lake Road intersection. More than 250 people living in that area had asked the roads committee for six months to reduce the speed or put up stop signs to slow down traffic on what many consider a speedway. The board also approved putting an anti-corruption referendum on the November ballot and a resolution for term limits. Much debate on several issues. Love to see so many, many people coming to our meetings to see politics in action. What amazes me is that some board members seem to believe that once they are elected, their opinions must be right because they were elected. Amazing. What I don't like from some is arrogance, rudeness and total disdain for the people who elected us - and I'm so glad so many people now see this. Just heard a great statement. 'Those who elected us are our employers. Those we serve are our customers.' All should remember that."

 

Image result for cathy ward + boone county

UPDATE:·

HOW BOONE COUNTY BOARD VOTED - Several of you fb friends and lots of Boone County friends asked about the vote last week. Double checked with Boone County Clerk Mary Steuer today.

Board members : Chair Bob Walberg, and members Sherry Giesecke , Karl Johnson, and Brad Stark voted no on a stop sign on Dawson Lake and Caledonia Road.

250 people from the area had signed petitions asking us to help slow down motorists for months. .

Those voting yes were Jeff Carlisle, Denny Ellingson, Ken Freeman, Ray Larson, Cory Lind, Jessica Muellner and me.

When asked by dozens to put an anti-corruption referendum on the ballot, Board chair Bob Walberg, Karl Johnson, Cory Lind and Brad Stark voted no. Interesting.

Those voting yes were Jeff Carlisle, Denny Ellingson, Ken Freeman, Sherry Giesecke, Ray Larson, Jessica Muellner and me.

Board member Sherry Branson was absent.

Lots of challenging issues coming up. I'll keep you posted.

Cathy Ward