Electric power: The week in 10 stories

ARGENTINA

Publicly-owned coal mining company Yacimientos Carboníferos Río Turbio (YCRT) has shown an interest in reviving the US$650mn thermoelectric Rio Turbio project, which was returned to the state in 2018 after several delays and turmoil relating to former tender winner Isolux.

BRAZIL

Power generator AES Tietê signed a contract with Renova Energia to buy its 1.1GW Alto Sertão III wind power complex in Bahia state, in addition to another 1.1GW in other wind projects under development.

Federal energy planning company EPE announced that it has registered 1,581 projects totalling 51,204MW for the country's A-4 power tender for new generation projects, which is due to take place on June 28.

COLOMBIA

Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) and Emgesa were the biggest winners at Colombia's latest auction for firm energy obligations, according to grid operator and wholesale power market operator XM.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

President Danilo Medina attended the start of operations of the first phase of the Agua Clara Wind Park, which will contribute 50MW to the SENI grid.

GUATEMALA

Power distributor EEGSA expects to launch bidding in 2020 to secure 120MW for four years that would substitute the contract with the San José coal-fired plant that expires that year, according to EEGSA general manager Jorge Alonso.

JAMAICA

Jamaica's government will open a previously announced IPO for 100% of Wigton Windfarm on April 17, a process that will run through May 1.

MEXICO

French energy developer Engie and Tokyo Gas have announced that they will create a 50-50 joint venture called Heolios EnTG, which will develop and operate six renewable energy projects stemming from long-term power auctions in Mexico.

PUERTO RICO

Governor Ricardo Rosselló Nevares signed the public energy policy law, which calls for the elimination of 20% of fossil fuels for power generation by 2022, then 40% by 2025, 60% by 2040 and 100% by 2050.

Spanish company SDV Energía e Infraestructura and Mexican firm Sademex Ingeniería y Construcción won the tender for a 30MVa substation in Sonora state with a bid of US$5.26mn.