USA and Canada

SunPower Corp expects to start construction on the 25-megawatt McHenry Solar Farm in Modesto, California before the end of the year, according to an announcement made today.

The solar photovoltaic power project received unanimous approval by the Stanislaus County planning commission on September 15, 2011. During construction, it is expected to create up to 144 construction jobs and inject approximately $18.7 million into the local economy.

Canadian engineering, construction and infrastructure group SNC-Lavalin has acquired Interfleet Technology, an international rail technology consultancy group headquartered in Derby, United Kingdom.

Interfleet specializes in rolling stock, railway systems and strategic railway management.

Valero Energy Corporation has announced the completion of its acquisition of the Meraux refinery in Louisiana from Murphy Oil USA Inc, for $325 million.

In addition to the refinery, the purchase price includes an adjacent product terminal, a 20 percent equity interest in the Collins Product Pipeline and T&M terminal, and a 3.2 percent interest in the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP).

Inventories valued separately at approximately $260 million were also purchased.

North Atlantic Potash Inc., the Canadian subsidiary of JSC Acron, today completed the sale of eight of its potash permitted areas to Yancoal Canada Resources Co. Ltd. of China for CAD$110 million.

This sale relates to North Atlantic Potash's potash permit holdings located north of Regina, and allows the company to focus on key areas of interest within its remaining potash permits in Saskatchewan.

US battery manufacturer EnerSys announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to launch a joint venture in Germany to produce large format lithium-ion battery cells.

EnerSys will have a majority interest in the joint venture in cooperation with GAIA Akkumulatorenwerke GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lithium Technology Corporation (LTC).

US-based high-tech component manufacturer Atmel is to acquire ADD Semiconductor, a privately held company based in Zaragoza, Spain that develops power line communication solutions.

Atmel Corporation is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, capacitive touch solutions, advanced logic, mixed-signal, non-volatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components.

Tronox Incorporated and Exxaro Resources Limited today announced a definitive agreement under which Tronox will acquire Exxaro's mineral sands operations in exchange for a 38.5 per cent equity stake in Tronox.

Exxaro is a South African-based resources group with a variety of interests, including iron ore and coal. Its mineral sands operations produce the key titanium bearing ore feedstock used in the production of titanium dioxide pigment - an inorganic white pigment used in paint, coatings, plastics, paper and many other everyday products.

Chevron Energy Solutions and the Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Albany are today celebrating completion of the Department of the Navy's first landfill gas cogeneration plant.

The southwest Georgia plant produces 1.9 megawatts of renewable electric power and steam by burning landfill gas collected from a nearby landfill. Chevron Energy Solutions also completed industrial lighting retrofits in 82 buildings and expanded the existing energy management control system.

Ireland’s Kerry Group has confirmed agreement to acquire the global flavours business of the US-based multinational Cargill.

Kerry, a Dublin-based ingredients, flavours and consumer foods group, will acquire Cargill Flavor Systems for around $230 million (approximately €171 million).

The deal comes following Kerry’s announcement in July that it was in exclusive discussions to acquire the Cargill unit.

General Dynamics is set to acquire Metro Machine Corp, a US surface-ship repair company that supports the US Navy fleet in Norfolk, Virginia.

The transaction is subject to normal regulatory approvals and is expected to close in November. The value of the cash transaction has not been disclosed, however.

Metro Machine Corp. is a privately held company employing approximately 400 people. It has been conducting US Navy ship repair and conversions since 1972.