Is Russia's power grid crumbling?
As much as 80 percent of the hydroelectric power plants and more than 60 percent of the thermal energy facilities are in need of maintenance, Russia's Gazeta.ru reports.
In August, two water ducts collapsed at the Sayano-Shushenskaya power station in Siberia, flooding a turbine hall. A fuel tank also ruptured, sending oil into the Yenisei River. Three hydroelectric units were destroyed and seven others were damaged.
Auditors at KPMG said Russia needed at least $500 billion to repair the electric grid, though independent analysts said that sum is not enough.
Yekaterina Tripoten, an analyst at independent financial consulting company Sovlink, said it was unlikely private investments could raise the funds needed to repair and modernize Russia's dilapidated electricity infrastructure.
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Ermineskin First Nation soon to become major electricity generator
RED DEER - The switch will soon be flipped on a solar energy project that will generate tens of thousands of dollars for Ermineskin First Nation, while energizing economic development.
Built on six acres, the one-megawatt generator and its 3,500 solar panels will produce power to be sold into the province’s electrical grid, providing annual revenues for the band of $80,000 to $150,000, depending on energy demand and pricing.
The project cost $2.7 million, including connection costs and background studies, said Sam Minde, chief executive officer of the band-owned Neyaskweyahk Group of Companies Inc.
It was paid for with grants…