Month: March 2023

Posted on

Hitachi Energy and Petrofac secure landmark offshore wind agreement worth approximately 13 billion euros

Largest framework agreement in Hitachi Energy company history, enabling long-term capacity expansion to accelerate the energy transition.Complementary technologies and expertise support TenneT’s offshore wind capacity expansion in the German and Dutch sectors of the North Sea.

Zurich, Switzerland, March 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all, and Petrofac, a leading international service provider to the energy industry, have been selected by TenneT, the Dutch-German transmission system operator, to supply multiple offshore and onshore HVDC converter stations and associated infrastructure to accelerate the integration of bulk renewables into European power grids.

Hitachi Energy and Petrofac were awarded the multi-year framework agreement as part of TenneT’s ambitious offshore wind “2GW Program”1, based on high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology pioneered by Hitachi Energy.

The agreement includes an initial commitment to deploy six record-breaking renewable integration systems, five of which will connect offshore wind farms to the Dutch grid and the sixth to the German grid. Each of these connection systems has a capacity of 2 gigawatts (GW) and a voltage level of 525 kilovolts (kV) – a world-first for offshore wind.

This landmark framework agreement is the largest ever for Hitachi Energy. It confirms the opportunity to innovate how state-of-the-art technology can be deployed effectively and how new business models enable the scale needed for the green energy transition. The framework agreement approach allows Hitachi Energy and Petrofac to plan in advance and increase their workforce and manufacturing capacity timely as well as train people to have the skills needed in the industry while also capturing synergies between successive projects to meet the in-service dates.

Hitachi Energy will supply its HVDC Light® converter stations, which convert AC to DC power offshore and DC to AC onshore. Petrofac will undertake the engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) of the offshore platforms and elements of the onshore converter stations.

The first contract under the framework, for the Ijmuiden Ver Alpha project, was awarded with immediate effect. The second, Nederwiek 1, is expected to be awarded later in the year. The framework also includes projects Doordewind 1, Doordewind 2, Nederwiek 3 and LanWin5, expected to be awarded over a 2024-2026 timeframe.

“This innovative business model will set the course for the integration of a huge amount of offshore wind power and gives visibility of the future.  In fact, we are already hiring to expand our global delivery capacity and effectively fulfill these and other orders,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director at Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “We’re proud to be part of this journey and, along with our partner Petrofac, we are setting the benchmark for deploying offshore HVDC technology at scale and with speed.”

“Today’s announcement represents an exciting next step in Petrofac and Hitachi Energy’s collaboration. We have already secured key resource and the yard capacity required to expedite the first two projects in TenneT’s ground-breaking program,” said Sami Iskander, Petrofac’s Group Chief Executive. “By combining Petrofac’s industry-leading EPCI expertise and Hitachi Energy’s well proven technology, we look forward to supporting TenneT to connect larger, more effective wind farms to deliver affordable clean energy for millions of European homes.”

“TenneT has the technical know-how, scale, and geographical position to connect wind energy from the North Sea. This is one of the most important infrastructure projects of the century; the green transformation of the energy system is key for the decarbonisation of industry,” said Tim Meyerjürgens, COO of TenneT. “Together with our market partners, we are very proud to have achieved another important milestone. Together we secure decisive acceleration of the offshore grid development and set the course for the future European energy landscape.”

“The new long-term approach goes hand in hand with a fundamental change in values towards a strong partnership. This approach enables both sides with more flexibility, technological progress, and planning security,” said Marco Kuijpers, Director Large Projects Offshore of TenneT.  This benefits all parties and secures employment, growth, and the strengthening of supply chains. We can already see that our partners invest in extra resources and facilities.”

Hitachi Energy and Petrofac began working together in June 2022, to provide joint grid integration and associated infrastructure solutions to support TenneT’s 2GW Program.2

In the same year, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium agreed to install at least 65 gigawatts of offshore wind energy combined by 2030 announced with the inter-governmental Esbjerg Declaration.3 At 40 gigawatts, almost two-thirds of this capacity is accounted for by TenneT, with 20 gigawatts each in the German and Dutch North Sea sectors.

1 TenneT’s 2GW Program
2 Hitachi Energy and Petrofac to collaborate in growing offshore wind market
3 The Esbjerg Declaration

HVDC website:
https://www.hitachienergy.com/offering/product-and-system/hvdc

About Hitachi Energy Ltd.
Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of approximately $10 billion USD.
https://www.hitachienergy.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy
https://twitter.com/HitachiEnergy

About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society with data and technology. We will solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, under the business structure of Digital Systems & Services, Green Energy & Mobility, Connective Industries and Automotive Systems. Driven by green, digital, and innovation, we aim for growth through collaboration with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2021 (ended March 31, 2022) totaled 10,264.6 billion yen ($84,136 million USD), with 853 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 370,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

About Petrofac
Petrofac is a leading international service provider to the energy industry, with a diverse client portfolio including many of the world’s leading energy companies.

Petrofac designs, builds, manages and maintains oil, gas, refining, petrochemicals and renewable energy infrastructure. Our purpose is to enable our clients to meet the world’s evolving energy needs. Our four values – driven, agile, respectful and open – are at the heart of everything we do.

Petrofac’s core markets are in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the UK North Sea, where we have built a long and successful track record of safe, reliable and innovative execution, underpinned by a cost effective and local delivery model with a strong focus on in-country value. We operate in several other significant markets, including India, Southeast Asia and the United States. We have 8,000 employees based across 31 offices globally.

Petrofac is quoted on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: PFC). For additional information, please refer to the Petrofac website at www.petrofac.com

Media contacts:
Jocelyn Chang
Global Head of Public Relations & Content Strategy
Hitachi Energy
jocelyn.chang@hitachienergy.com

Sophie Reid
Group Head of Communications
Petrofac
sophie.reid@petrofac.com

Attachment

Jocelyn Chang
Hitachi Energy
jocelyn.chang@hitachienergy.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8798527

Posted on

Charges Against Civilian, Military Leaders of TPLF Dropped: Ministry of Justice

The charges against civilian and military leaders of TPLF are dropped, a statement issued by Ministry of Justice disclosed today.

In line with the peace agreement signed between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, it has been agreed that crimes related to the conflict should be dealt with in the framework of transitional justice by taking into account international experiences, the statement noted.

Therefore, it has been found necessary to drop the charges against the civilian and military leaders of TPLF accused of suspected crimes. Their cases would be dealt within the framework of transitional justice, it added.

Therefore, the criminal charges that were presented in this regard and were in the process legal proceedings have been dropped in accordance with Article 6 (3) of Proclamation 943/2008.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Posted on

Int’l Community Providing Support To Nation’s Effort of Lasting Peace: MFA

Following the Pretoria peace agreement, the international community is rendering support to the efforts of Ethiopia for ensuring sustainable peace, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Meles Alem said.

In a bi-weekly press briefing he gave to journalists today, Ambassador Meles Alem said Ethiopia is striving to consolidate peace and pursue strong economic diplomacy.

He explained that after the Pretoria peace agreement, the government has carried out various activities including restoration of basic services, delivering humanitarian supplies which would consolidate peace.

Accordingly, the international community expressed commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s effort to achieve complete peace.

“We need to strengthen relations with long term development partners. The relations with international organization are very good. They have demonstrated commitment to further strengthening the efforts of consolidating peace in the country,” he said.

He added that the efforts being underway in ensuring peace have attracted the flow of many tourists to the country and this would also create good opportunity to lure investments to the country.

Talking of the country’s bilateral relations with the Middle East, EU and USA, the ambassador said that ties are very good and efforts are also underway to further strengthen them.

In particular, the ambassador pointed out that the relations between Ethiopia and the Middle East are very strong and historical noting that they are among many countries which have been supporting Ethiopia’s reform programs; the two sides have enjoyed strong economic and political ties.

He also said Ethiopia-US relations are improving. As a result, he revealed that the Ethio-American Business Forum will be held next month.

With regard to relations with neighboring countries, Ethiopia’s foreign diplomacy gives priority to work together with them for peace, stability and shared prosperity. In this regard, the country is working in collaboration with its neighboring countries for mutual benefits.

In citizen diplomacy, the spokesperson said some 125 thousand citizens who were in dire condition have been repatriated from Saudi Arabia in one year, he said, noting that this number doesn’t include citizens repatriated from different African countries.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Posted on

Sensitization Workshop on Transitional Justice Underway

A sensitization workshop on transitional Justice Initiative, aimed at deliberating on the concept, practices, and stakeholders’ role, is underway in Addis Ababa, at Skylight Hotel.

The workshop has been co-organized by Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) and Institute for Security Studies (ISS) as part of the country’s efforts to reform and strengthen democratic institutes and lay the groundwork to sustain political stability and consolidate democracy.

Ethiopia like many countries in Africa, Latin America and other continents has been experiencing political trajectory of post-conflict societies, it was indicated.

Following the 2018 political transition in Ethiopia, deliberations on the need for transitional justice measures have resurfaced, it was learned.

The government has also acknowledged the need to prioritize transitional justice and attempts have also been made to establish transitional Justice Framework.

To this effect, the establishment of the Ethiopian Reconciliation and the Ethiopian National Dialogue commissions were mentioned as cases in point.

Taking lessons from these and building upon the provisions under Article 10 (3) in the Pretoria Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities, the Ministry of Justice has recently put out a draft policy document for a complementary transitional justice initiative.

The one-day workshop has brought relevant stakeholders from federal and regional states to enhance their engagements in the transitional justice initiative, from inception to implementation.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Posted on

President Sahle-Work Holds Discussion with World Anti-Doping Agency President Bonka

President Sahle-Work Zewde has received a delegation led by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Witold Bonka today, according to the Office of the President.

The discussion centered on the conditions under which Ethiopia and the World Anti-Doping Agency can work closely in anti-doping control and investigation, and how the organization can provide technical support, it was learned.

During the discussion, Sahle-Work said that Ethiopia has a long history in athletics and is known in the world since athlete Abebe Bikila won marathon in Rome.

She finally thanked the World Anti-Doping Agency for its technical support in anti-doping control.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Posted on

Media Personnel Visit Nation’s First Free Trade Zone

Local media personnel drawn from various media institutions have visited the Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone, Ethiopia’s first free trade zone.

The aim of the visit organized by Ministry of Government Communication Service is to show to the personnel the activities at the country’s first trade zone since its inauguration in August, 2021.

The Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone, which includes an industrial park and a dry port, would improve trade activities, create job opportunities, enhance transfer of knowledge, and reduce logistics cost.

The free trade zone is expected to contribute toward facilitating the implementation of trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The government is working to attract more investors to the strategic free trade zone with the objective of facilitating logistics and import-export trade and boost the economy of the country.

The fact that Dire Dawa City is an industrial village, possessing dry port, railway, land and air transport makes it an ideal center for a free trade zone.

The Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone, Ethiopia’s first free trade zone, covers an area of 4,000 hectares and includes the Dire Dawa Industrial Park and a dry port.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Posted on

Ethiopia Shifts To Wheat Exporter From Being Wheat Recipient Through Relentlessly Production: Minister of Agri.

Ethiopia has become wheat exporter, shifting from being wheat recipient through its relentless efforts of wheat production., Minister of Agriculture, Girma Amente said.

A chapter of history —where Ethiopia used to import 17 million quintals of wheat every year, earmarking more than 700 million USD to meet its citizens’ basic bread consumption, has been closed.

Following the reform process, wheat cultivation, Green Legacy Initiative and recently, ye Lemat Tirufat programs are among the initiatives that have registered successful results, according to the minister.

During an exclusive interview with ENA, minister Girma Amente said wheat cultivation has become a great success that has moved Ethiopia to a new height.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s determination and success in wheat development has transformed Ethiopia from being a wheat recipient to a foreign market supplier, the minister added.

Recall that Ethiopia, which is the birthplace of wheat diversity, was not able to achieve wheat self-sufficiency and imported wheat for centuries, adding that this chapter is now closed.

The minister described the determination Prime Minister Abiy demonstrated in wheat development as a turning point in the history of Ethiopia.

During the 11th Ordinary session of the House of Peoples’ Representatives, the premier responded to questions raised to him by members of the parliament on six month performance report on Tuesday, saying that wheat was produced more than planned during the dry and summer season.

The prime minister added that wheat production exceeded domestic consumption and it was for the first time that Ethiopia exported its products to the foreign market.

“We have produced more wheat than we thought. There is no wheat problem in Ethiopia. There is enough production. We have cultivated more than 1 million hectares this summer,” he noted.

The agriculture minister further stated that the success recorded in wheat cultivation in the past years of reforms demonstrated the collaboration, determination and commitment of the leadership as well as research institutes and producers.

He pointed out that when Ethiopia has won international recognition in wheat during the last years of reform, the role of farmers was crucial.

It was possible to export wheat production beyond domestic consumption to the foreign market because of the farmers who had never seen wheat beyond consumption and aid recipient, were able to work hard.

Since then we have witnessed that the farmers have the desire and motivation to produce more and use the new technologies provided by the government, Girma said.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency