Spanish Utility Company Expands Renewables Capacity By 35%

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January 26, 2022

Utility Merger New Mexico — FILE - This Dec. 29, 2012 file photo shows the exterior of Spanish energy company Iberdrola in Madrid, Spain. New Mexico customers voiced concerns to state regulators over a proposed multi-billion-dollar merger of New Mexico's largest electric utility provider, Public Service Co., with a U.S. subsidiary of Spanish energy Iberdrola during a virtual hearing held Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, citing a sordid track record of reliability and customer service. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)

Spanish utility Iberdrola has reported that it has expanded its portfolio of renewable energy in Spain by 35% during the pandemic as the company seeks to accelerate the energy transition to mitigate climate change as well as to align operations with changing business models and regulations.

The utility announced that it has commissioned 2,000MW of new wind and solar energy capacity during the pandemic in Spain.

The expansion of the utility’s portfolio is a result of the €2.3 billion ($2.5 billion) in investments that Iberdrola has made since 2019, according to a statement.

Growing its clean energy capacity will also enable Iberdrola to meet increasing consumer demand for green services and affordable electricity.

Of the new capacity Iberdrola has added, 76% are solar energy projects including the 500MWdc Núñez de Balboa plant in Extremadura which will power 250,000 households, a 328MWdc in Ceclavin and 150MWdc plant in Arenales.

Iberdrola claims it has worked with local suppliers to boost the local economy and job creation in the areas its new renewable energy projects are located. For instance, the utility says it was supplied transformers for the projects by local firm FARAMAX in Extremadura and by ABB in Cordoba.

The commissioned projects are part of Iberdrola’s €150 billion ($169 billion) investment strategy which aims to expand the company’s renewables capacity by three times over the next decade.

The strategy will pave way for Iberdrola to invest €14.3 billion ($16.1 billion) to expand its portfolio in Spain through 2025.

The projects which Iberdrola is currently developing in Spain using the allocated budget include the Pizarro PV plant, which the company says will be the largest solar project in Europe.

The 590MW plant will provide electricity to 334,000 homes and avoid the emissions of 150,000 tonnes, according to a statement.

Today, Iberdrola has over 17,400MW of renewables capacity in Spain and plans to have 25,000MW by 2025.

Danish Engineering Firm Declines Participation In New Fossil Fuel Projects

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Angel Gimalo

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January 26, 2022

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Factory pipe polluting air, smoke from chimneys against sun, environmental problems, ecological theme, industry scene

As part of a move to align its operations with the growing need to address the climate crisis, engineering firm COWI announced that it will no longer participate in new tenders for fossil fuel projects.

The decision will enable the Danish multinational consulting and engineering firm to achieve its goal of generating 100% of revenue within the sustainability-related fields within the next three to five years.

Today, COWI is involved in more than 10,000 projects and, owing to investments in clean solutions, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 55% in 2020 compared to the 2019 level as the company seeks to achieve carbon-neutrality within its operations by 2050.

Commenting on the latest decision made by COWI to not to participate in new tenders within the fossil-fuel industry, COWI Group CEO Lars-Peter Søbye said: “This is one of the strongest statements in COWI history and with the decision not to take on any projects which are accommodating the exploration of fossil fuels from now on, we are accepting the role as one of the frontrunners worldwide within our line of business.”

Søbye, however, admitted that the direction taken by COWI will have an impact on some of its customers, employees, and business. Fossil fuel-related businesses made 5% of the company’s turnover in 2021 whilst 45% of the revenue made came from businesses that are not associated with the green transition, according to the CEO.

COWI says it will honour its current contracts that are within the fossil-fuel business but will maximise its investments and focus on accelerating the energy transition. The company will target areas including offshore wind and green hydrogen for growth opportunities and to beat the negative financial impact of withdrawing from fossil fuel projects.

The CEO added: “This is by far one of the boldest decisions we have made during my +30 years at COWI. But it’s the right thing to do, if we seriously want to tackle the climate crisis.

“Given the ‘EU Green Deal’ and the massive investments planned in the US, around 800 billion euros and around 1.75 trillion US dollars are allocated to investments in the green transition and sustainability. On top of this, pension funds will also invest billions in green energy and infrastructure.

“First of all, we are telling our customers that nothing will change in the short term. We are fully committed to delivering on our promises and the agreements that we already have in place. Second, we fully acknowledge that the world still needs oil and gas, and we must therefore accept that our customers will ask other consultants to help them continue their fossil fuel projects. Third, we will spend most of our time talking about all the other sustainable solutions they need, as they too must accelerate their journey to become a green company.”

COWI is not the first company to announce its transition from fossil fuels as the call for climate action within the energy sector intensifies.

Big companies including bp, TotalEnergies, and Shell are also rebranding and establishing subsidiaries that focus on sustainable businesses thereby highlighting their new business directions.

bp established Lightsource bp which focuses on solar development, Total rebranded to TotalEnergies and is investing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure development and in green hydrogen production and Shell established Shell New Energies which is also investing in renewable energy projects.

Energy Services Company Completes Flare Gas To Power Project In The Middle East

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Angel Gimalo

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January 26, 2022

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Energy services company Aggreko has commissioned a 165MW flare gas to power project in Saqala Field, Garmain block, South East Kurdistan.

According to Aggreko, it’s the largest flare gas to power project in the Middle East to date, running on approximately 40 million square cubic feet (SCF) per day of associated petroleum gas (APG) from the Saqala Field.

In the project’s final site acceptance test (SAT), the 165MW modular power plant ran at full capacity for 72 hours, marking successful delivery.

Phil Burns, Managing Director for Aggreko Middle East, comments: “Kurdistan’s Regional Government has been forward-thinking in looking for ways to capture and convert gas that would otherwise be flared, to unlock production and power the local economy. We are extremely proud to have worked with the Ministries to deliver the Middle East’s largest flare gas to power project to date while upgrading the local infrastructure to the lasting benefit of the community and businesses it serves.”

According to Aggreko, the plant was built using 192MW of modular gas generators, can easily be scaled up or down in response to changing gas volumes and will save 840 tonnes of CO2 per day, cutting flaring by a third.

Aggreko project delivery also included a new 6km gathering pipeline to transport the APG to the power plant and upgraded 7km of 33 kV and 33km of 132 kV overhead cables to new high tensile low sage (HTLS) conductors in order for the local distribution grid to handle the new power plant’s full output.

The project will run for four years, with 80 local jobs created for the site’s delivery and ongoing operation.

Once Upon A Time – Jan. 26 – 1926 – John Logie Baird Gives First Public Demonstration Of Television In His Laboratory In London

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Angel Gimalo

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January 26, 2022

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1482 “Pentateuch” the Jewish Bible is 1st printed as a book in Bologna, Italy

1531 Lisbon hit by Earthquake; about 30,000 die

1564 The Council of Trent issued its conclusions in the Tridentinum, establishing a distinction between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism

1788 Captain Arthur Phillip and British colonists hoist the Union Flag at Sydney Cove, New South Wales, now celebrated as Australia Day. Referred to as Invasion Day by some First Nations people.

1996 Father L. Bridget and Sister Vridhi Ekka are sentenced to six months rigorous imprisonment for “forcibly converting” ninety-four Indians to Christianity in the Ambikapur, India, district, although they neither lured nor coerced anyone to become a Christian.

Historical Events Today

Today In Film & Tv

1926 John Logie Baird gives the first public demonstration of television in his laboratory in London

Today In Music

1790 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera “Cosi Fan Tutte” premieres at the Burgtheater in Vienna, Austria

Today In Sport

1871 The Rugby Football Union is formed at a meeting of 21 clubs at the Pall Mall Restaurant, London, England

Do You Know This Fact About Today? Did You Know?

1980 175,000 pay to hear Frank Sinatra sing in Rio de Janeiro

Would You Believe This Fact About Today? Would You Believe?

1972 Serbian air stewardess Vesna Vulovic survives 10,160m fall without parachute – world’s highest fall without a parachute

Biden Threatens Personal Sanctions Against Putin Over Ukraine

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Zoe Maven

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January 26, 2022

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The United States has warned Moscow of damaging sanctions, including measures personally targeting Vladimir Putin, if it moves ahead with an invasion of Ukraine.

Tensions seemed to be rising with the White House saying the risk of a Russian invasion of Ukraine “remains imminent.”

Warning that such a move would prompt enormous consequences and even change the world, President Joe Biden said he would consider adding direct sanctions on Putin to a raft of measures being drawn up.

A senior US official laid out economic sanctions “with massive consequences” that go far beyond previous measures implemented in 2014 after Russia invaded Ukraine’s Crimea region.

New measures would include restrictions on exports of high-tech US equipment in the artificial intelligence, quantum computing and aerospace sectors, the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson echoed the threat, saying sanctions would be “heavier than anything we’ve ever done.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said he would talk by telephone with Putin on Friday, seeking “clarification” on Moscow’s intentions.

A day after Washington said it was putting 8,500 US troops on alert for possible deployment to bolster NATO forces in Europe, the Russian military announced it was conducting new drills involving 6,000 troops near Ukraine and within the Crimea region.

The defense ministry said The drills included firing exercises with fighter jets, bombers, anti-aircraft systems and ships from the Black Sea and Caspian fleets.

Washington also warned Russia ally Belarus that its authoritarian government would “face a swift and decisive response” if it helps Moscow invade Ukraine.

Sudanese Rally Against UN Bid To Resolve Post-Coup Crisis

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Zoe Maven

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January 26, 2022

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Thousands of Sudanese pro-military protesters rallied Wednesday against a UN bid to resolve a political crisis in the country three months after a coup, according to Local News reports.

The demonstrators gathered outside the Khartoum office of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan, or UNITAMS, which launched talks with Sudanese factions this month.

Banners could be seen which read, “Down, down UN”, and others that urged United Nations special representative Volker Perthes to “Go back home”.

On January 10, Perthes said the consultations aimed “to support the Sudanese to reach an agreement on a way out of the current crisis”. But he added that “the UN is not coming up with any project, draft or vision for a solution”.

Sudan has been rocked by a deadly crackdown against protests calling for civilian rule since an October 25 military coup led by general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The country’s latest military takeover derailed a power-sharing transition between the army and civilians that had been painstakingly negotiated after the 2019 ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir.

The ruling Sovereign Council formed by Burhan after the coup with himself as chairman, has welcomed the UN-led dialogue, as have the United States, Britain, neighbouring Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The Forces for Freedom and Change, Sudan’s main civilian bloc, has also said it would join consultations “to restore the democratic transition”.

In a Wednesday press conference, FFC leader Omar al-Degeir called on the international community to stand by “the Sudanese people to achieve its demands to reverse the coup.”

Sudan’s authorities have repeatedly denied using live ammunition against demonstrators, and insist scores of security personnel have been wounded during the protests.

NYSC Decries Dilapidated State of Orientation Camps

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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January 26, 2022

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The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has condemned the poor state of infrastructure and operating conditions at its orientation camps in the country.

Director-General of the Scheme, Major-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, raised the alarm at the 2022 NYSC Annual Management Conference, on Wednesday in Abuja to deliberate on the state of the operating environment.

The theme of the conference is ‘Repositioning the NYSC for Improved Healthcare delivery, Revenue Generation and Corps Employment for Reliance.”

He blamed the poor state of affairs in the camps on the failure of some critical stakeholders to discharge their statutory responsibilities, especially in the States.

According to him, “Despite the achievements, the Scheme still faces some challenges. These arise mainly from the non-discharge of the statutory responsibilities of some critical stakeholders.

Cuba Says Over 700 Charged Over Anti-Government Protests

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Zoe Maven

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January 26, 2022

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Cuban officials say more than 700 people who took part in anti-government protests last year have been charged with crimes including sedition, vandalism, theft and public disorder.

The public prosecutor’s office said 172 people had already been tried and convicted, without giving details. Families and activists have criticised the trials as unfair, and say the sentences are disproportionate.

Hundreds of people were arrested after the protests, the largest in decades.

Thousands demonstrated across the Communist-run island last July to voice anger over food and medicine shortages, price increases and the government’s handling of the pandemic.

The statement by the public prosecutor’s office is the first official confirmation of the trials. In total, 710 people faced charges, it said, with most of them being held in detention as they await the trials.

The accused include 55 people aged 16-18, as people in Cuba can be prosecuted as adults from the age of 16.

The update came after a number of complaints by families and activists in recent weeks about the lack of transparency of the mass trials and the lengthy prison terms being given.

Justicia 11J, a human rights group, says penalties for dozens already sentenced have ranged from four to 30 years in jail, including for those accused of sedition, or the act of supporting rebellion against the authorities.

Unauthorised public gatherings are illegal in Cuba and protests are rare. The demonstrations were largely peaceful although some people targeted police vehicles and looted some state-owned shops.

Cuba blames US sanctions for the problems that sparked the protests, and previously alleged that the demonstrations had been financed and instigated by US-based groups.

Ousted Burkina Faso President Doing Well, Says Party Source

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Zoe Maven

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January 26, 2022

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Burkina Faso’s ousted President, Roch Marc Christian Kabore, “is physically well” and is being held by the army in a villa, a source in his party said on Wednesday.

The source who had earlier narrated the circumstances under which the president was forced to leave power could however not say anything about his state of mind but says “he has a doctor at his disposal.

The source from the People’s Movement for Progress told Newsmen that it was he who wrote the letter of resignation published by national television, but could not confirm under what conditions he wrote it.

Giving a time-line of events, the source continued that Kabore was not arrested in the first hours of the mutinous soldiers’ action. Rather his private residence was cordoned off by the mutineers, and it was necessary for his close guard to use strategy by exfiltrating him on board an unmarked vehicle to put him in a safe place.

She said It was later and under pressure from the mutineers, that his guards – notably gendarmes – had to leave him in their hands (of the coup plotters), and rally to them in the process.

According to her, the gendarmerie could only rally because the entire army was willing to remove the president from office.

Shortly before the announcement of the putsch and while Kaboré’s fate was unclear Monday after two days of mutiny in the barracks, the MPP denounced in a statement “an aborted assassination attempt” on the president.

Roch Marc Christian Kaboré was overthrown by the military led by a lieutenant colonel, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, president of a junta called the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) that has taken over the country plagued by jihadist violence.

Clinic introduces advanced prenatal screening for down syndrome, others

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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January 26, 2022

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EHA Clinics, a Nigeria-based integrated health care provider, has introduced an advanced screening for pregnant women.

The screening estimates the risk of a foetus with Down’s syndrome (T21), Edward’s syndrome (T18) and Patau’s syndrome(T13).

EHA Clinica disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday. The statement issued by Mary Yakubu, Chief of Staff of EHA Clinics, was made available to the Newsmen.

The advanced screening is known as the IONA® Care test, a non-invasive prenatal test service carried out on a small blood sample taken from the mother’s arm with no risk of miscarriage.

Yakubu said this is an ultrasound scan to measure the nuchal translucency, combined with a blood test.

“This is less accurate than NIPT, detecting about 85 per cent of babies with Down’s syndrome,’’ she said.

According to reports, that the nuchal translucency test measures the thickness of the nuchal fold, which is an area of tissue at the back of an unborn baby’s neck.

The statement noted that the IONA® test, however, has a higher detection rate than the combined test.

It said the IONA® test is also able to exclude false positives which occur when the test reports that the baby is at a high risk of having Down’s syndrome, but is actually unaffected.

Clarifying further, it maintained that the IONA® test is much better at ensuring the babies identified were truly high risk.

Accordingly, this allows the doctor to only refer the mother for the invasive test when it is highly likely that the baby is affected by trisomy (a chromosomal condition characterised by an additional chromosome).

“This means fewer pregnant women will undergo unnecessary invasive follow-up procedures such as amniocentesis (medical evaluation) or CVS which can be stressful, painful, and may carry a small risk of miscarriage.’’

Commenting on the introduction of the IONA® test, the statement noted that Dr. Anthonia Hananiya, Chief Medical Officer of EHA Clinics, said that the IONA® test provided a competitive high-quality offering.

She said this was due to the fast turnaround time, enabling some results to be turned around in as fast as eight to 10 days.

“We are also open to partnerships with leading healthcare service providers in the nation. This will address the growing demand for access to affordable, high-quality healthcare in the country,’’ Hananiya said.

The statement described EHA Clinics as a world-class integrated health care service provider that is focused on improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.