Energy

Sekoko Resources wants to extend its reach from exploration and development to supporting South Africa’s energy independence by harnessing the resources it can recover with emerging power generation technology. Jayne Alverca reports.

DTE Energy has announced the sites for three wind farms in Michigan’s Thumb, a $225 million investment towards the expansion of its renewable energy resources.

The Minden, Sigel and McKinley wind farms – which together will generate approximately 110 MW of electricity – will be sited on nearly 15,000 acres in Bloomfield, Sigel and McKinley townships in Huron County, and Minden and Delaware townships in Sanilac County.

As part of a $600 million investment, GE is planning to build the largest solar panel manufacturing plant in the United States, after a breakthrough in technology.

Yesterday, GE announced that its CdTe (cadmium telluride) thin film solar panel has achieved 12.8 percent efficiency, as measured by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)—the highest-ever reported efficiency for a thin film solar panel. A one-percent increase in panel efficiency equals around a 10 percent decrease in system cost.

Engineering and construction group Costain has snapped up 75 per cent of Aberdeen-based energy engineering consultancy ClerkMaxwell for £3.2 million.

ClerkMaxwell’s management team of five will share approximately 70 per cent of the money paid for the business they started less than three years ago.

Costain also has the option to acquire the remaining 25 per cent of ClerkMaxwell’s shares.

The African nation of Botswana is a shining example of how a country can use its natural resources wisely to reverse its fortunes, as Alan Swaby learns.

UK-based oil and gas services provider Petrofac has won a contract worth over $240 million (£149 million) from Shell Iraq to develop facilities in the Majnoon Field.

Under the terms of the contract, Petrofac is providing engineering, procurement, fabrication and construction management services for the development of a new early production system, consisting of two trains each with capacity for 50,000 barrels of oil per day, as well as the upgrading of existing brownfield facilities.

Weir Oil & Gas today announced a $65 million expansion of its Weir SPM manufacturing and service facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

The investment is part of the company's strategy to keep up with growing industry demand for drilling and hydraulic fracturing following a rise in the numbers of horizontal rigs supported by oil and liquid rich shale in North America.

German based photovoltaic systems and components supplier MAGE SOLAR has formally completed the transfer from limited liability company (GmbH) to stock corporation (AG). Shares will be owned 100 percent by its parent company MAGE Industries Holding AG.

"Restructuring as a stock corporation is the logical step to continue the growth strategy of MAGE SOLAR and its eight national and international subsidiaries," confirms Dr. Markus Feil, CEO of MAGE SOLAR AG.

The Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) has applied for a permit to construct a final repository and encapsulation facility for spent nuclear fuel.

SKB is applying for permission to build the encapsulation facility in Oskarshamn municipality and the final repository at Forsmark in Östhammar municipality.

A service provider in the oil and gas sector, Century Energy Services Limited has carved a niche for its brand through quality service provision to the big players. Group CEO Ken Etete gives an insight into the business terrain during 2010, and the company’s plans for 2011.