In the sands of North Africa, the Desertec Foundation’s vision for a future where the worlds deserts supply clean and sustainable energy to the whole of humankind is beginning to take shape
Renewables
Alstom win Zambia hydropower bid
Alstom, the global transport infrastructure, power generation and transmission firm, has won a US$26.25 million contract to provide turbines and generators for the 120MW Itezhi-Tezhi hydroelectric project in Zambia
The bid for the power plant to be built on the Kafue River in central Zambia was awarded by Sinohydro Corporation Limited, the Chinese engineering company.
Work on the $250 million project was finally launched by former Zambian president Rupiah Banda in September 2011 after several years of delay, with construction expected to be completed by 2015.
Vestas sign Kenyan wind turbine deal
Wind turbine manufacturer, Vestas, has signed a US$756mn agreement to supply equipment to Lake Turkana Wind Power Limited (LTWP) in northern Kenya
ABB in South African solar deal
High-efficiency CSP plants will boost renewables and help diversify energy mix
Gold nanodots boost solar cell efficiency
A layer of gold nanodots on the surface of indium-tin oxide (ITO) coated glass may improve the efficiency of organic photovoltaic cells.