Transmission assets are a core part of power infrastructure.
These infrastructures are becoming increasingly important given spiraling energy consumption, the widening gap between generation facilities and consumers, and the arrival of renewable power sources within the energy mix.
For many years Abengoa has been profiting from concessions of large power transmission systems, and this particular line of business is becoming increasingly important within the company.
The following projects have entered into operation this year:
Brazil:
Peru:
Highlight projects for the year included the following:
The most important milestone in 2011 for Abengoa’s transmission line concessions division was the alliance forged with Cemig (Compañía de Energía de Minas Gerais) through its subsidiary company Taesa (Transmisora Alianza de Energía S.A.), in which each company now holds a 50 % stake in the STE, ATE, ATE II and ATE III concessions, all located in Brazil. In addition to generating considerable value, the agreement strengthens Abengoa’s position in the Brazilian market and will help to drive growth in the region. The assets covered by the arrangement span a total of 2,518 km and have been operating for five years on average. Of this grand total, Abengoa will continue to manage 2,138 km through a joint venture with Cemig, thus enabling it to continue expanding its power line business in Brazil and other Latin American countries.
Abengoa secured the corresponding contract from ANEEL (Brazilian National Electrical Energy Agency) and the assets were gradually entered into service between 2004 and 2008. Abengoa was awarded a contract to operate a new power transmission line in Brazil, specifically the 230 kV C3 Itacaíunas – Carajás line in the state of Pará in the north of the country. The line, which runs parallel to another line in the same region managed by the company ATE III Transmissora de Energía, will meet industrial power demands in Carajás.
In Peru, Abengoa successfully secured a contract for the ATN 2 Las Bambas-Cotaruse transmission line. The agreement extends the company’s network of concessions in the country by a further 130 km for 18 years.
In 2011, Abengoa continued to showcase and consolidate its international leadership in the solar power sector, climbing to 443 MW in operation, 1,060 MW under construction and 150 in pre-construction or advanced development.
The main milestones in 2011 were as follows:
Shams-1 (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
On a final note, Abengoa continues to be involved in the Desertec Industrial Initiative, which seeks to promote a stable framework for developing renewable energies in desert areas of North Africa and the Middle East for local consumption and exports to Europe.
Abengoa currently has five projects under concession. The desalination plants in Skikda (Algeria) and Chennai (India), both with a treatment capacity of 100,000 m3/day and in operation and under maintenance since the end of 2009 and middle of 2010, respectively, are continuing to match expected performance output. The company has been able to use the experience gained from these two projects under concession to improve its R&D&I programs and its other plants under development.
August witnessed partial acceptance of the component units for the Honaine desalination plant, boasting a capacity of 200,000 m³/day and awarded by the public company Algerian Energy Company (AEC). This marks a major milestone in the project, as it demonstrates the plant’s capacity to generate the committed volume of water in terms of both quantity and quality. In addition, the company initiated the process leading to final acceptance of the entire plant and commencement of the operation and maintenance phase, both scheduled for mid-2012.
In Spain, the Bajo Almanzora desalination plant in Almeria was unveiled at the start of September. The facility has a treatment design capacity of 60,000 m3/day. It is the third plant that the company currently operates in Spain, alongside Almeria (50,000 m3/day) and Cartagena (65,000 m3/day).
In Africa, Abengoa has signed a contract with the public water utility Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to construct a 60,000 m3/day capacity seawater desalination plant in Nungua. The facility will be constructed under a DBOO(T) contract (Design, Build, Own, Operate and maintenance for 25 years, plus possible Transfer). The proposed desalination plant marks a major step forward on the path to improving hydro installations for the supply of drinking water in Ghana, a country experiencing sharp growth in population. The capital city, Accra, which has a population of roughly three million, is finding it difficult to cope with the demand of surrounding towns and villages. The new facility will help to supply water to nearby towns and cities such as Teshie Nungua and Tema. The project has been welcomed by both the Ghanaian authorities and the local population seeing as though it is the first desalination plant in the country and in West Africa as a whole. It has also attracted considerable attention from investors, particularly from the Japanese investment firm Sojitz, with whom Abengoa signed a shareholders’ agreement at the end of September to formalize its equity stake in the venture.
Signing of the collaboration agreement with Dalian authorities (China)
In June, Abengoa signed an agreement with the local Dalian authorities for the joint development on Changxing Island (China) of a desalination program to supply water to the local industries and urban hubs envisaged in the development plan for Dalian Changxing Island (DCI). The project will bring a total capacity of 800,000 m3/day to the area for the coming 10 years. Also Abengoa has reached an agreement with the company Hitachi to develop phase one of the project.
Abengoa completed the design and construction in July of the Donna facility in Hidalgo County (Texas). The contract for the plant, with can treat up to 7,500 m3/day, was awarded by the state’s largest water supply utility, North Alamo Water Supply, and has been completed within budget and several months ahead of schedule. The operation and maintenance of the plant, which was formalized through a separate agreement, got under way in December.
In April, the company sponsored the Global Water Awards gala dinner, organized by Global Water Intelligence, a leading analyst of the international water market. Many big names attended the event, including the former Secretary-General of the UN, Kofi Annan, who handed out the awards to the winning companies, projects and technologies for the year.
Abengoa sponsored the Global Water Awards in Berlin
Abengoa participated in the IDA World Congress 2011 in Perth (Australia). The biannual congress, which took place in September, was organized by the International Desalination Association, an internationally recognized body within the desalination sector. Under the motto “Sustainable solutions for a thirsty planet”, the event brought together over 900 delegates from 60 countries to discuss technical concerns and share knowledge and experience.
Abengoa at the IDA World Congress 2011 held in September in Perth (Australia)
Cogeneration technologies generate electricity and high-temperature heat in tandem for use in industrial processes; an energy-efficient solution being spearheaded by Abengoa.
Heat and electricity are generated from biomass, natural gas or industrial waste for subsequent use in industrial processes, with the surplus sold to the grid.
Abengoa currently has various cogeneration plants:
Procesos Ecológicos Vilches cogeneration plant
Abengoa also manages a number of other concessions:
The following major milestones were reached in 2011:
Concecutex Outside view of the Centro Cultural Mexiquense de Oriente cultural centre (Mexico)
TL concession, Carhuamayo, Paragsha, Conococha, Huallanca, Cajamarca, Cerro Corona, Carhuaquero 220 kV TL Conococha – Kiman Ayllu L4 Norte – Arrival at the Cajamarca Norte substation, Peru
Bajo Almanzora desalination plant (Almeria)
Signing of the water purchase agreement for the future Nungua desalination plant (Ghana)