Month: October 2024

Mainstream Renewable Power Secures Financial Close for 50MW Ilikwa Solar Plant in South Africa 

Mainstream Renewable Power has officially reached financial close on its 50MW Ilikwa solar plant in South Africa, a game-changing development set to energize businesses with affordable, clean energy. The Ilikwa plant will supply multiple commercial and industrial customers through flexible, shorter-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) under an innovative new product called Renewable Energy Supply Agreements (RESAs). This breakthrough offers businesses more control by providing contracts between 5 and 10 years, allowing them to lock in sustainable energy solutions without long-term commitments.

Hein Reyneke, Mainstream’s General Manager for Africa, shared the company’s enthusiasm:
“We are excited to bring this new product to market, offering customers the opportunity to secure flexible, clean, and lower-cost electricity.”With a 12GW project portfolio, Mainstream is solidifying its leadership in South Africa’s renewable energy landscape. 180MW of new projects are also set to begin construction in 2025, giving even more businesses the chance to switch to sustainable power.Investec plays a vital role in the Ilikwa project, providing development, debt, and equity finance. Mainstream holds a 70% equity stake, with Investec taking a 30% share. The Ilikwa solar PV plant, located in Free State province, is already under construction and is expected to become operational by early 2026. This milestone marks Mainstream’s second successful private PPA-based solar plant within the past year, showcasing the company’s commitment to empowering businesses with clean energy solutions. #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #GreenEnergy #SouthAfrica #MainstreamRenewable #EnergyInnovation #SustainableBusiness #CleanEnergyFuture #FlexibleEnergy #SolarEnergySolutions #CommercialPPAs #IlikwaSolar #InvestecPartnership

Low Carbon Powers Up the UK’s Clean Energy Revolution with 133MW of Solar Projects 

Low Carbon has successfully brought to life four large-scale solar farms across the UK, adding an impressive 133MW of green energy to the nation’s power grid. This major milestone is a significant step forward in helping the UK meet its ambitious climate goals. Leading the charge is Low Carbon’s Layer Solar Farm in Essex, delivering 49.9MW of clean electricity through its cutting-edge infrastructure, complete with a newly constructed 132kV substation. This powerhouse project is set to energize the region, connecting sustainable energy directly to the grid.

The energisation doesn’t stop there! The other three solar assets—23MW Crouch, 25MW Maldon Wycke, and 35MW Links solar farms—are now online, collectively bolstering the UK’s decarbonisation strategy and paving the way for a greener future.  This latest achievement comes hot on the heels of a momentous summer for Low Carbon. In July, the company secured development consent for its 500MW Gate Burton Energy Park in Lincolnshire—one of the UK’s most significant solar projects to date. Adding to its success, Low Carbon recently won 180MW of new solar capacity in the government’s Contracts for Difference AR6 auction, further cementing its role as a key player in the renewable energy sector.  “Our dedicated team has made excellent progress in recent months, bringing our projects to fruition and delivering a major boost to the grid,” said Low Carbon CEO and founder, Roy Bedlow. “The UK just became the first G7 country to eliminate coal power, and we’re proud to contribute to this landmark achievement. With more projects coming online soon, we are committed to helping the government achieve its 2030 Clean Power Mission.”  Over the past year, Low Carbon’s operational assets have produced over 120GWh of renewable energy worldwide, a vital contribution to the fight against climate change. As the world pushes for a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, Low Carbon’s efforts are lighting the way. #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #NetZero #CleanEnergy #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Decarbonisation #GreenFuture #EnergyRevolution

Entergy Arkansas Powers Up with 100MW Walnut Bend Solar Plant, Boosting Clean Energy for the State

Entergy Arkansas has officially brought its newest solar power project, the 100MW Walnut Bend Solar Energy Center, online! Located in Lee County, Arkansas, the Walnut Bend facility is set to generate clean, renewable energy for thousands of homes and businesses, marking a significant step in the utility’s green energy journey.  The project was acquired from Invenergy, a leader in clean energy development, which spearheaded the design, engineering, and construction of the facility. Entergy Arkansas President and CEO Laura Landreaux highlighted the impact of this addition, noting, “Walnut Bend is a valuable part of our generation fleet, complementing our diverse energy mix that has powered Arkansas for over a century.”

Cutting-Edge Solar Technology

Walnut Bend Solar isn’t just any solar farm—it features bifacial solar panels and advanced sun-tracking technology. These bifacial panels capture sunlight on both sides, utilizing the reflected light from the ground to enhance efficiency. Paired with a tracking system that tilts the panels throughout the day to follow the sun, this setup maximizes energy output. This cutting-edge tech ensures that Walnut Bend delivers maximum energy production and contributes to keeping rates low for Entergy Arkansas customers. 

A Boost for the Local Economy

The Walnut Bend facility will generate an estimated $700,000 in annual property taxes for Lee County, providing a steady revenue stream to support the local community. Arkansas Senator Ron Caldwell expressed his support, saying, “I am pleased to welcome Walnut Bend Solar to my district.”

Building a Brighter Future

The Walnut Bend Solar Energy Center is the fourth solar facility Entergy Arkansas has brought online, joining Stuttgart Solar (81MW), Chicot Solar (100MW), and Searcy Solar (100MW). Combined, these four facilities generate a powerful 381MW of clean energy, driving the state closer to a sustainable, emission-free energy future. But Entergy Arkansas isn’t stopping there! Later this year, it plans to launch 430MW of additional solar capacity, including West Memphis (180MW) and Driver (250MW). By next year, two more massive projects—Flat Fork (200MW) and Forgeview (200MW)—will come online, pushing Entergy Arkansas’s solar capacity even higher. 

Powering Communities, Preserving the Environment

With a total investment exceeding $300 million and expected net customer benefits of over $170 million throughout the lifespan of these facilities, Entergy is not just generating power—it’s generating value for the entire community. Invenergy’s Chief Development Officer Mick Baird emphasized the significance of this project, stating, “Walnut Bend is another example of our commitment to building successful clean energy solutions and supporting Entergy’s growing solar portfolio.” As the utility brings more solar facilities online, Entergy Arkansas is setting the stage for a brighter, cleaner future for the Natural State, positioning itself as a leader in the renewable energy transition. #SolarPower #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy #Arkansas #EntergyArkansas #Invenergy #Sustainability #GreenTech #SolarInnovation #CleanPower #FutureOfEnergy #BifacialPanels #EnergyEfficiency #ClimateAction #CommunityInvestment #PoweringCommunities

Elawan Energy Partners with Google for 37MW Solar Power Project in Texas

Elawan Energy has just signed a groundbreaking power purchase agreement (PPA) with Google, securing the output from a 37MW solar project in Texas, USA. This exciting deal underscores Google’s ongoing commitment to powering its operations with 100% renewable energy, while also boosting Elawan’s presence in North America. Set to begin operations in 2026, the project is already in an advanced stage of development. The agreement was facilitated through the LevelTen Energy Accelerated Process (LEAP), a platform co-developed by Google and LevelTen Energy to streamline clean energy PPAs. This partnership ensures Google can access reliable, green energy quickly and efficiently—a significant step towards achieving its ambitious sustainability goals. 

For Elawan Energy, this deal marks yet another milestone in its North American expansion. Backed by its parent company Orix, Elawan currently operates 1.8GW of renewable energy projects worldwide, with a staggering 8GW pipeline under development. In the US, Elawan manages over 300MW across the ERCOT, SPP, and PJM regions, and its Houston office is driving local development efforts. This new Texas solar scheme not only strengthens Elawan’s footprint in the region but also aligns with its mission to accelerate the global energy transition. By teaming up with tech giants like Google, Elawan is proving that partnerships between energy innovators and global corporations can play a crucial role in advancing clean energy adoption. This isn’t just a win for Google and Elawan—it’s a win for the planet. With more corporations embracing renewable energy, the momentum is building for a sustainable, low-carbon future. #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #Google #TexasSolar #Sustainability #ElawanEnergy #EnergyTransition #GreenEnergy #TechMeetsSustainability #PowerPurchaseAgreement #ClimateAction #FutureOfEnergy

Sonnedix Expands Italian Presence with Acquisition of 80MW Solar Plant in Sicily

Global solar power leader Sonnedix has taken a major step in expanding its Italian portfolio by acquiring an 80MW solar plant in Sicily from Blunova. This acquisition follows the purchase of three additional sites from Blunova in southern Italy, signaling Sonnedix’s ongoing commitment to growing its presence in the region.But Sonnedix isn’t stopping there. The company has set its sights on six more solar plants, with agreements expected to close by mid-2025. When finalized, these deals will boost Sonnedix’s total operating capacity in Italy to nearly 800MW.  Together, these 10 projects, totaling 250MW, are contracted under Italy’s Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (GSE) FER 1 auction round. This provides Sonnedix’s customers with stable, long-term electricity prices for the next 20 years—offering both energy security and affordability.

Sonnedix’s CEO Axel Thiemann celebrated this latest milestone, stating, “Today’s announcement is a major achievement in our growth strategy for Italy. By acquiring these plants, we’re on track to double our operating capacity, while delivering clean, affordable, and reliable energy to Italian consumers.” With deep expertise in the Italian market, Sonnedix is well-positioned to optimize and expand its renewable energy projects. The company’s proven track record and strong local partnerships make it the ideal owner of these assets. Sonnedix’s head of growth for Italy, Giuseppe Maronna, emphasized the importance of these acquisitions, noting, “The acquisition of these 10 plants is key to our growth strategy in Italy, providing customers with fixed, long-term prices for renewable energy.” He also highlighted the company’s ongoing partnership with Carlo Maresca Group, which will play a pivotal role in accelerating Italy’s energy transition. With Italy’s renewable energy sector gaining momentum, Sonnedix is at the forefront, driving forward the country’s move towards a sustainable energy future. #SolarPower #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #ItalySolar #EnergyTransition #SicilySolar #Sonnedix #Blunova #Sustainability #SolarGrowth #GreenEnergy #ItalianRenewables #EnergyForTheFuture #ClimateAction

Doral Selects IHI Corporation for Operations & Maintenance of Mammoth Solar Project in Indiana

In a significant move for the US solar sector, Doral Renewables has chosen Japan’s IHI Corporation to handle operations and maintenance (O&M) services for several key solar farms in Indiana. The Mammoth South, Mammoth Central 1, and Mammoth Central 2 solar projects will all benefit from the expertise of IHI Power Services Corporation (IPSC), a subsidiary of IHI Corporation. This partnership builds on Doral’s initial decision to bring IPSC on board for asset management of both the Great Bend Solar and Mammoth North Solar projects. Combined, all phases of the Mammoth Solar Project are expected to deliver an impressive 1.3GW of clean energy—solidifying it as one of the largest solar undertakings in the US. 

With full construction of the remaining three phases scheduled for the first quarter of 2025, the Mammoth North phase is already set to become operational in the coming weeks. Spanning Starke and Pulaski Counties, the Mammoth Solar project will generate millions in tax revenue and create hundreds of jobs in the local community. This project is a win for both the economy and the environment. What sets Mammoth Solar apart is its innovative approach to agrivoltaics, integrating solar energy with livestock grazing and crop cultivation. This dual-use strategy enables farmers to continue their operations, optimising land use and driving additional revenue while contributing to the nation’s growing clean energy needs.  IPSC president and CEO John Keller expressed pride in the continued partnership with Doral, stating, “Doral’s continued trust in IPSC to support their growing number of solar projects showcases the dedication to high-quality service that IPSC provides.” He added that this collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to supporting local communities and expanding the renewable energy sector. With Doral developing over 13GW of solar and storage projects across the US and locking in $2.5 billion in long-term power purchase agreements, the company is poised to play a pivotal role in the country’s energy transition. #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #GreenEnergy #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #IndianaSolar #Agrivoltaics #DoralRenewables #IPSC #IHICorporation #MammothSolar #EnergyTransition #SolarJobs #ClimateAction