Month: October 2023

               BayWa’s renewables division has secured funding from the EU’s LIFE Programme to develop several agri-PV projects. The €6.5m will be invested in six sites in several EU markets to come online by 2027. Three projects will prove the benefits for using agri-PV to supplement fruit farming at scale (fruitvoltaics).

               The sites, part of EU LIFE ADAPT-PV, are located in France, Spain and the Netherlands. Three more projects in Germany, Spain, and Italy will examine ways to scale up agri-PV alongside arable crops like summer and winter wheat or soya within the EU LIFE LEAD-PV development. In the EU LIFE LEAD-PV scheme, BayWa r.e. wants to demonstrate how agri-PV can support farmers to reduce their CO2 emissions in land use. “With these six projects, across five countries, we’re pushing innovative Agri-PV applications into the marketplace,” said head of product management agri-PV at BayWa r.e Stephan Schindele. “Only if the farming, environment, and energy sectors work hand in hand, can we successfully adapt to climate change while also minimising carbon footprint in farming processes.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: BayWa r.e.]

               Octopus Energy’s generation arm has announced investments in two solar developers in Ireland and Portugal to create 250MW of new capacity. It will enable the companies to build over 100 new solar projects on rooftops and sites of businesses said the company, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and boosting energy security. In Ireland, it has taken a majority stake in Verde Energy Group, which installs energy efficiency solutions for a range of organisations, from local councils to large corporations. Verde will use the investment to develop over 50 solar projects across the country by 2027, totalling 100MW of new solar energy. In Portugal, Octopus has set up a joint venture with local entrepreneurs to drive the development of solar energy.

               The new company called SparkWave Energy will build over 50 solar sites by 2027, amounting to 150MW green energy. As part of these deals, Octopus will finance solar installations with zero upfront costs to the business customers which receive them it said. The companies will benefit from solar power installed at their premises and sold back to them at an affordable rate through fixed Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). “Verde and SparkWave are great partners to work with to scale this massive solar opportunity we’re seeing across many countries in Europe and beyond,” said Octopus energy generation chief executive Zoisa North-Bond. “Projects like these are making the Emerald Isle even greener and helping sunny Portugal capitalise on its amazing sunny weather. “We’re looking forward to scaling these ventures to bring cheaper, cleaner energy harnessing the power of the sun to even more businesses.”  Verde Energy Group chief executive Paul Martin said: “Having built this business over many years to be a leading renewables partner in the region, we knew that to capitalise on the opportunity, and support our existing and new clients, having the right partner was critical.

               “Octopus not only provides the funding, but most importantly complements our ethos of doing the right things in the right way. Our team are all so excited about the future and we look forward to supporting businesses in Ireland on their decarbonisation journey.” Co-founder of SparkWave Energy Diego Hernando Ortega added: “The solar energy sector is developing like never before in Portugal. Recent reforms have streamlined the market and combined with Portugal’s outstanding solar resources, there is significant potential to develop numerous solar projects. We’re thrilled to have Octopus’ backing as we roll out solar for organisations across the country.” These latest two investments have been made by the Sky fund which is managed by Octopus Energy Generation.

Credits: renews.biz [Image: MorgueFile]

               Harmony Energy Income Trust (HEIT) has energised a 99MW battery in Buckinghamshire, England. The 198 megawatt hour Bumpers grid battery adds to HEIT’s operational portfolio, which includes the 98MW/196MWh Pillswood battery in Yorkshire and the 49.5MW/99 MWh Little Raith battery in Scotland. Both Bumpers and Little Raith are two-hour duration batteries, using Tesla’s Megapack 2XL system.

               The sites are operated through Autobidder, Tesla’s algorithmic trading platform, which has demonstrated a strong track record with HEIT, having been operated across its Pillswood, Broadditch and Farnham sites. The projects will provide balancing services to the GB electricity grid network whilst also enabling the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy. Max Slade, Director of the investment manager of HEIT, said: “We want to be at the forefront of a greener and more sustainable future, and the energisation of the Bumpers and Little Raith projects is another significant step in the right direction for achieving Net Zero and our full portfolio build out. “Like all our projects, these aren’t supported by taxpayer subsidy.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: HEIT]

               The UK National Infrastructure Commission has recommended adding low carbon, flexible technologies to the electricity system to ensure a highly renewable energy system remains reliable. Its Second National Infrastructure Assessment, a five-yearly review into the UK’s energy, transport and other key networks, also recommends creating a new strategic energy reserve to boost Great Britain’s economic security. To aid this, the commission calls for the speeding up the planning system for major projects, particularly energy transmission schemes.

               This should be accompanied with regularly updated National Policy Statements from government, strategic spatial planning, more effective sharing of environmental data and clearer community benefits in return for hosting key infrastructure. The Assessment also proposes significant additional electricity storage capacity and demand side response – tools to reduce or reschedule energy usage at times of peak demand – to increase the short term flexibility of the power grid. The Commission calculates 60GW of this capacity will be needed by 2035 (up from around 15GW today). The UK Government is expected to respond formally to the Assessment within 12 months.

Credits: renews.biz [Image: National Grid]

               A German bill to increase the expansion of solar photovoltaics is undergoing its first reading in the Bundestag. Dennis Rendschmidt, Managing Director of VDMA Power Systems, said: “The law is an important step towards further strengthening the expansion of photovoltaics in Germany. “For the resilience of the energy supply, it is now important that the perspective for a European PV supply chain is included in the EEG in order to ensure fair framework conditions. “To achieve this, a competitive level playing field must be created and the value of European production must be recognised.”

Credits: renews.biz 

               Lightsource BP and utility Conway Corp have completion of the 135MW Conway Solar at Happy project in White County, Arkansas. The solar farm will deliver home-grown, clean energy to Conway Corp under a PPA with Lightsource BP. Conway Solar is projected to generate enough clean energy to power 21,000 homes. Bret Carroll, chief executive officer at Conway Corp, said: “Work on this project began in 2019 and it is one of the most significant projects for Conway Corp since our incorporation in 1929. “I’m proud of the team that worked on this project and the way it fulfills key parts of our mission by providing reliable and environmentally sound electricity to our community. “I also appreciate our partnership with Lightsource BP, they have been great partners from the very beginning.”

               Lightsource BP developed, financed, constructed, and will operate the project, a US$125m private capital investment in new energy infrastructure for Arkansas. The Conway Solar project not only generates emissions-free energy for healthier air but has created an opportunity to advance pollinator conservation in the area. Working with the Arkansas Monarch Conservation Partnership, Lightsource BP and Conway Corp have established a five-acre native pollinator garden within the solar farm, featuring 46 varieties of Arkansas native plants. This garden is crucial in providing habitat and nectar for at-risk monarch butterflies and other pollinators that support our food supply. Emilie Wangerman, interim chief operating officer at Lightsource BP USA, said: “At Lightsource BP we believe that a solar farm can be so much more than an energy facility. “By sharing in this vision, our partners at Conway Corp are bringing a host of benefits to their community, from affordable energy to ecosystem health, economic development and beyond.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Lightsource BP]

               Solar developer Alight has doubled its company headcount with new hires. The company has hired 12 employees since August and now employs 75 staff across its offices and locations, up from 38 in March. The company now has 11 employees based in Spain, following the opening of its Madrid office in July to support the company’s European buildout.

               Notable recent hires include Marian Giner, Head of Engineering, who has worked in renewable energy for 15 years, most recently at OX2, César Torres, Vice-President for Investments, who joined from Nala Renewables and Johanna Hellberg, Business Development Manager, Battery Storage who joined from Northvolt. Giner said: “Alight caught my eye as a leading independent power producer, with a dynamic team, a clear business strategy and a great track record. “The importance of efficiently engineering solar projects is not only recognised – but a key to its success. “I’m excited to be a part of Alight’s journey, supporting large corporate customers on their transition to solar while ensuring engineering excellence of the highest quality.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Alight]

               Developer Low Carbon has begun energising a 22MW solar farm in Buckinghamshire in England.  The Fox Covert Solar Farm is the company’s first project to energise as part of a pipeline of solar and battery projects in excess of 3GW in the UK. The announcement follows the recent news Low Carbon secured contracts for 10 solar projects with a capacity of 350MW in the latest CfD allocation round. In the last year the company has raised close to £1bn in finance to support the wider development of its renewables projects.

               Fox Covert has the capacity to generate enough renewable energy to power more than 7000 homes and is also the first to benefit from Low Carbon’s partnership with LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) Education, an initiative that aims to inspire and educate children and young people about food, farming and the countryside. “We are delighted to see Fox Covert Solar Farm come online, which represents a landmark moment in our journey to becoming a global IPP,” said Low Carbon founder and chief executive Roy Bedlow “We are developing renewable energy at scale in the UK and the Fox Covert project will make an important contribution to tackling climate change and enhancing our energy security.” Landowner of Fox Covert Solar Farm Jo Nicholson added: “As farmers, we’ve got to bring life back into the farms through regenerative farming, people now understand the need for renewable energy. Having solar on our site, gives us a chance to rest the land and diversify into other farming.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Low Carbon]

               Cubico Sustainable Investments has put nine new solar projects into operation in Colombia through its joint venture with Celsia this year. The developments, totalling 200MW, comprise San Felipe, Melgar, Yuma, Dulima and Flandes in Tolima; and Buga 1, Palmira 1, Palmira 3, and La Victoria 1-2 in Valle del Cauca. This takes Cubico and Celsia’s operational solar platform in Colombia to 300MW, making it one of the largest in the Latin American country. Through the same joint venture the companies have a further 200MW in construction and late stage development, which will become operational during 2024 and 2025, and a further project pipeline of over 500MW.

               In addition, Cubico and Celsia’s solar portfolio is complemented by the significant Caoba transmission and distribution (T&D) platform, with assets in the Tolima, Valle and Caribbean regions. “We continue to support Colombia’s energy transition by consistently bringing even more clean power to the grid,” said country manager for Colombia at Cubico Camilo Toro Gómez. “This is especially relevant during the current El Niño dry season, where alternative power to the hydro generation base is much needed by the country. “We are very proud to be one of the key players and market leaders for renewable investment in Colombia, as well as in the T&D business where we directly contribute to the country’s energy infrastructure needs.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Cubico]

                Ilmatar’s first Swedish solar farm has become fully permitted and now stands ready to be built. The 55MWp site will be constructed on two locations covering approximately 54 hectares of land in Knihult, Småland, southern Sweden. In addition to solar panels, a 20MW battery to balance the power and allow optimal use of renewable energy is planned to be installed at both sites. Ilmatar aims to start building the project during spring 2024 and grid connection is planned for early 2025.

               “More renewable energy is needed to accelerate green transition,” said Ilmatar Solar AB managing director Christian Gustafsson. “Solar energy has immense potential in Sweden. Knihult’s solar farm will be our first, but by no means last. “I look forward to start building it and then connecting the farm to the grid.” The land where Knihult’s solar farm will be built was previously used for peat extraction and will be restored to wetland before solar panels are installed. Due to its previous use, the land area would not be suitable for food production. With a solar farm on it, the land will be used to provide Southern Sweden the much-needed renewable energy said Ilmatar.

               Ilmatar started operations in Sweden in the beginning of 2022 and said the Knihult project  is the latest indication of the company’s rapid growth in Sweden. Since starting operations there, Ilmatar has leased enough land to generate 4.2 terawatt hours of solar power per year it stated. This meets the electricity demand of approximately 210,000 houses.  “I am excited to see Ilmatar’s growth in Sweden,” said the power producer’s chief executive Juha-Pekka Weckström. “We have said that we are strongly committed to starting renewable energy production in Sweden, and Knihult is a great concrete step forward in our journey. “In general, we have succeeded well in finding and leasing suitable land for solar energy production, especially taking into consideration the challenging grid situation.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Ilmatar]