Author: Jane Briones

               Neoen has begun the construction of one of Portugal’s largest solar parks, with a capacity of 272MW. The park will comprise two contiguous solar farms, which are the 68MW Torre Bela Solar Farm, fully owned by Neoen, and the 204MW Rio Maior Solar Farm, owned in partnership with Aura Power. The facility is located at Herdade da Torre Bela, in the municipality of Azambuja, 70 km north of Lisbon and connected to the REN substation, in Rio Maior, via a 400 kV overhead line. Aldesa, one of the largest construction groups in Spain, has been given notice to proceed under an Engineering, Procurement and Construction turnkey contract. The commissioning of the solar park is scheduled for early 2024. Some 80% of the renewable energy produced will be purchased by the Portuguese State, under two 15-year power purchase agreements (PPA) awarded under the 2019 renewable capacity auction.

               The PPAs are expected to start in the course of 2025. The remaining energy and certificates of origin will be sold on the electricity market. The solar park will be built in plots with an average size of 20 hectares, separated by green corridors to improve connections between almost 200 hectares of biodiversity protection areas. Over 6000 cork oaks, a protected tree species in Portugal, will be maintained in these protected spaces. A tree and shrub curtain will shield the panels from view, so that the solar farms blend in with the surrounding landscape. Bernardo dos Santos, Managing Director of Neoen Portugal, said: “It gives us great satisfaction to see the Rio Maior and Torre Bela solar farms get off the drawing board: their construction will bring Portugal closer to its objective of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. “I would like to thank the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action and all public institutions for their support over the past years. “We would also like to thank the people and local government in the surrounding community who have championed the project and the benefits it will bring.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Neoen]

               Danish developer European Energy has acquired a majority stake in a company developing a 3600MW solar and PtX project in Australia. European Energy’s acquisition of Austrom, based in Queensland, will accelerate the 3.6GW Pacific Solar Hydrogen Project in the Gladstone region, the developer said. European Energy will be doing the development work as well as managing the grid process for the Pacific Solar Hydrogen Project portfolio. Austrom has already secured the rights to four renewable sites covering 6000 hectares in proximity to the Gladstone export hub. The Pacific Solar Hydrogen Project is estimated to be able to produce well over 100,000 tonnes of green hydrogen a year. “It is one of the biggest projects that we or anyone in the world for that matter have undertaken. “We do believe that it is feasible and realistic to realise this project in 2026 not least because of the willingness of the local authorities in Australia to see the possibilities of moving ahead on the green transition and become a key exporter of the fuel of tomorrow” said Thorvald Spanggaard, Executive Vice President at European Energy and Head of Project Development.

               Austrade and Trade and Investment, Queensland (TIQ) stated it was pleased to welcome a major international investment in renewable energy in Queensland. “Austrade welcomes European Energy’s investment in Austrom, as the company develops the Pacific Solar Hydrogen Project in Queensland.  “European Energy is a welcome new entrant into Queensland’s hydrogen future.  We wish the companies well as they work towards developing the Pacific Solar Hydrogen Project” said Acting CEO Trade and Investment Queensland, Richard Watson. Austrom is an Australian enterprise specialising in the procurement and development of large-scale renewable projects. In September 2022, Austrom and European Energy agreed that European Energy would acquire a majority stake in Austrom. European Energy said it will be accelerating the formal development and grid connection processes for the Pacific Solar Hydrogen Project portfolio in the coming months.

Credits: renews.biz [Image: European Energy]

               Solar developer Better Energy has landed a “three-digit million euro investment” from pension fund. The new funds will form part of Better Energy’s ambition to scale green energy production across their markets of Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Poland. After the transaction, ATP owns 15 % of Better Energy and will have a seat on the company’s board of directors. The investment cements the central role of solar power in the future energy mix in Europe. Better Energy is one of the fastest growing producers of solar energy in Northern Europe with a pipeline of more than 10GW of large scale solar parks that will supply companies, cities and countries with green energy that reduces carbon emissions, boosts biodiversity, and is cheaper than coal, oil and gas.

               The investment from ATP is a lever for Better Energy’s continued scaling across their active markets of Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Poland. Better Energy chief executive Rasmus Lildholdt Kjær said: “In 2020, we completed our transition from developer to renewable energy company. “We are on the first few pages in the next chapter in the green transition, where it’s all about rolling out and accelerating scalable renewable energy production. “The investment from ATP helps boost our momentum in all our markets, not least Poland where the need for cheap, green energy is almost insatiable.” Polish electricity generation is currently dominated by fossil fuels, with more than 70% of electricity being generated from coal. The positive environmental impact of additional renewable energy resources in Poland is therefore significantly higher than in many other countries, Better Energy said. The investment from ATP further strengthens Better Energy’s push to develop subsidy-free large scale solar parks in the country. Better Energy Poland already has Postomino 30MW and Polanow 30MW projects under operation.

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Better Energy ]

               UK developer Renewable Connections has secured planning permission for solar and battery project in Scotland.  Angus Council has given the go ahead for a solar farm, with battery storage, which will have a capacity of 42MW. Renewable Connections submitted the application to the Council earlier this year, following a community consultation. It is anticipated construction could commence in 2025. Montreathmont Solar Farm, is located 13 km to the east of Forfar and 6 km south of Brechin. The project was approved unanimously at Angus Council’s Development Standards Committee, on the 13 December 2022 following a recommendation for approval by Council officers.

               The addition of the battery storage facilities will enable the renewable energy produced by Montreathmont Solar Farm to be used at different times of day and climatic conditions, helping to balance supply and demand in the grid. John Lindsay, Development Manager for Scotland, at Renewable Connections said: “Locally this project will make a valuable contribution towards Angus Council’s Sustainable Energy & Climate Action Plan. “Throughout the development of this project we have engaged extensively with local people, the Council and statutory consultees. The feedback received has helped shape the final design of the project, which includes proposals to greatly enhance the biodiversity of the area, including the creation of new habitats via wildflower meadow planting, as well as the installation of bat and bird boxes, and other ecological enhancement measures.” The site originally received planning permission for a 42MW solar farm via another developer in November 2015. In late 2020, Renewable Connections reopened discussions with the landowner and the project was reappraised. The approved application includes flexibility as to whether a fixed or tracking solar panel mounting system is used in order to maximise the potential energy yield from the site and a commitment to provide a community benefit fund of up to £2000 per MW.

Credits: renews.biz

               Bluefield Renewable Developments has received planning permission for four new UK projects providing almost 200MW of solar capacity. The consented projects include two 49.9MW projects near Blyth and Bedlington, Northumberland on former coalfields – the first solar farms of this scale in the county; a 49.9MW farm near Witney, West Oxfordshire and a 45MW farm near Ludlow, in Shropshire. The solar farms will generate enough electricity to power over 54,000 homes whilst offsetting approximately 36,800 tonnes of CO2 per annum – an emissions saving equivalent to removing over 23,000 cars from the road. At each of the newly consented sites, over 95% of the land to be used for solar is not classified as ‘Best and Most Versatile Land’. Once constructed, Bluefield intends to graze sheep on the land, ensuring a dual use of both food and energy production. Large areas at all four sites will be designated specifically for biodiversity enhancement, benefitting from the inclusion of wildflower meadows, rich grasslands and at Tar Farm, Oxfordshire, a newly planted woodland. As part of the project at Brick House Farm, in Shropshire, Bluefield has committed to undertake a major new research project on alternative uses of land within solar farms for food production – sometimes known as ‘Agrivoltaics’.

               The outcome of this research would identify potential types of food production within and around solar farms to supplement sheep grazing and complement biodiversity management.  Significant community funds will also be provided for local projects in the vicinity of each solar farm, following positive engagement with parish councils and other local organisations. The Bluefield Group develops, builds and operates solar farms on behalf of the funds it advises, including the stock market-listed Bluefield Solar Income Fund (BSIF). It is envisaged that, over time, the new projects will bolster the fund’s existing portfolio of 107 solar farms in the UK, which currently have a capacity of 766MWp. Alan Connolly, Development Director with Bluefield Renewable Developments Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for the new solar farms. “The positive decision reached by each of the local council planning committees is a testament both to the hard work of the Bluefield team and to the significant engagement we have undertaken with the local communities to build support for the projects.” Jonathan Selwyn, Managing Director with Bluefield Renewable Developments Ltd, added: “These projects reflect our focus on carefully chosen well-designed sites that sit well in the landscape, enhance biodiversity and avoid impacting on food security.  “As the lowest cost, quickest to deploy and most popular of all energy sources, solar is already making an important contribution to addressing both the climate emergency and the cost-of-living crisis. We look forward to our projects generating significant new renewable energy capacity in support of the ambitious solar targets in the government’s Energy Security Strategy (2022).”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Bluefield]

               EDF Renewables North America has entered into an agreement with Luminace, a Brookfield Renewable company, by which Luminace will acquire a 21.6MWdc portfolio of three community solar projects. The three Maine projects include Overlook Solar in Bristol, Tower Solar in Embden, and Green Mile Solar in Woolwich. EDF Renewables developed the projects and will continue to perform the role as EPC contractor throughout the construction phase. Luminace will be the long-term owner and operator of each project. The three projects are expected to generate 27,600MWh of low-carbon energy annually, enough to power approximately 8,400 homes in Maine.

               This is equivalent to avoiding over 19,560 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually which represents the greenhouse gas emissions from over 4,200 passenger vehicles driven over the course of one year. “Luminace is pleased to partner with EDF Renewables in expanding our nationwide community solar footprint with the addition of these 21.6MW Maine community solar projects,” said Brendon Quinlivan, Senior Vice-president, Distributed Generation. “This latest acquisition is an important step in our growth strategy across the US to bring clean energy solutions to our valued customers, as well as the evolving value propositions offered via Community Solar market expansion.” Peter Bay, Vice President of Project Development for EDF Renewables’ Distribution-Scale Power division said, “EDF Renewables is proud to bring additional clean renewable energy to Maine and contribute to the state’s economic growth.  We look forward to future opportunities with Luminace to further our 14-year history of projects in Maine.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Pixabay]

               Commerz Real has acquired a 50MW agrivoltaic project for its Klimavest impact fund. Located close to Berlin, the park is to commence operations in 2025. The seller and cooperation partner is Elysium Solar, a joint venture between EIC Partners from Zurich and LBD-Beratungsgesellschaft from Berlin. The two advisory firms specialise in the energy market. Elysium Solar develops and is involved in agrivoltaic projects together with partners in research and development. With the acquisition, Commerz Real said it making a large-scale agrivoltaic project in Germany accessible to private investors for the first time, with other projects set to follow. “Agrivoltaics is a key technology that combines agriculture and renewable energy production. By now there are attractive investment opportunities in Germany in this growing segment, which we are now tapping for our investors,” said Yves-Maurice Radwan, Head of Green Deal Infrastructure at Commerz Real. Agrivoltaics describes the simultaneous use of agricultural areas with photovoltaic plants: solar modules mounted on stilts capture the sunlight, while cereals, fruit or vegetables grow underneath or between the solar arrays. “Agrivoltaic projects offer advantages thanks to dual use of the same area and allow for a balancing of interests between nature conservation, agriculture and the energy sector,” said Dominique Candrian, co-leader of Elysium Solar. Advocates of the technology argue that especially in densely populated countries such as Germany new areas could be developed for renewable energy generation.

               The concept is flexible and can be amended in line with the concrete use and the local environmental conditions. Furthermore, the solar modules can help to shield harvests from weather phenomena such as hail and excessive solar radiation and can also improve the micro-climate on croplands. In the case of the project between Commerz Real and Elysium Solar the modules are arranged in rows and automatically track the sun’s path. It is possible to operate agricultural machinery in the paths between the rows. Suitable uses would be the cultivation of asparagus or berries by a regional agricultural operation, for instance. “With the cooperation we are assuming a forerunner role in Germany and bringing large-scale agrivoltaics to the capital market,” said Timo Werner, the fund manager for Klimavest at Commerz Real. “In this manner we are diversifying our portfolio and securing the opportunity for attractive returns for our investors while also making a significant contribution to climate change mitigation.” The park is the first project between the participating partners; it has already been agreed, however, that Elysium Solar will develop at least two further agrivoltaic parks of a similar size for Commerz Real.

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Sun Agri]

               Captured methane developer Infinis and waste management company FCC Environment are working in partnership to develop a new solar park on a former landfill site in England.  Due to energise in April 2023, the new solar park at Winterton, Lincolnshire, will generate circa 4300MWh of renewable energy each year – enough to power more than 1,300 homes. The Winterton solar energy park will occupy approximately 18 acres. It will be constructed in accordance with a methodology approved by the Environment Agency, which will protect the existing landfill structure. Chris Ellis, director of operations at FCC Environment said: “We are delighted to be working with Infinis to repurpose the Winterton landfill site and excited about the pipeline of similar projects on our sites which are currently progressing through the planning process.

               “These projects play an important role in supporting the UK achieving its Net Zero ambition.” Director of development and construction at Infinis Andrew Leeding said: “The Government’s recent energy security strategy focuses on the need to increase UK renewable energy generation, while also seeking to decarbonise the UK electricity system by 2035. “Renewable energy development has never been more important. “Infinis and FCC Environment are working together to develop a pipeline of solar energy projects on FCC landfill sites UK-wide. “We’re delighted to be constructing Winterton Solar Park as our first of hopefully many projects together.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Infinis ]

                Renewable energy company Low Carbon has announced the construction of three new large-scale UK solar farms. Located in Essex, Derbyshire and Buckinghamshire, the farms will be the first UK projects to receive funding using the business’s multi-bank financing facility from NatWest, Lloyds Bank, and AIB. Announced in September, the facility is targeting 1GW of solar capacity, as part of Low Carbon’s target to create 20GW of new renewable energy capacity by the end of the decade. The news follows Low Carbon’s recent announcement of four solar farms totalling 53.1MW entering construction in the Netherlands Construction at Fox Covert Solar Farm, Buckinghamshire, is due to commence imminently, with an intended capacity of 23.4MW. At its peak, the site will generate enough clean renewable electricity to power the equivalent of more than 7300 homes and provide electricity directly to the local distribution network. Work on the other two sites, at the Inkersall Road Solar Farm in Derbyshire and the St Clere’s Solar Farm in Essex, will begin in the early new year. They will have a capacity of 28.8MW and 23MW respectively.

                 With a combined capacity of over 75MW, the three sites represent an important addition to Low Carbon’s growing project portfolio in the UK, Europe and North America. The design and build of all three projects will be delivered by Bouygues Energies & Services, a global leader in energy, digital and industrial transformation. Roy Bedlow, Chief Executive and Founder at Low Carbon, said: “Climate change is a shared global challenge, in which the energy sector plays a major part. Amidst soaring energy prices, the rapid creation of new renewable energy capacity is essential to many UK homes and businesses. We are therefore delighted to be announcing the first three of many UK-based projects financed with the help of NatWest, Lloyds Bank and AIB. “Only by accelerating the rollout of clean, affordable energy can we fully decarbonise and achieve our shared climate goals. Today’s announcement also marks an important step towards Low Carbon’s own strategic targets of net zero and 20GW of new renewable energy capacity by 2030.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Pixabay]

               British solar tech innovator Naked Energy has secured a £1m investment from Nesta, the UK innovation agency for social good. The deal sees Naked Energy join the line-up of tech ventures supported by Nesta’s Impact Investment team that are driving innovation alongside social or environmental impact. Nesta’s funding will enable the developer to continue expanding its engineering and commercial teams and scale the production of its solar technology. The announcement follows the opening of Naked Energy’s Series B funding round, in which it is targeting at least £10m to meet the increased demand for green energy globally and accelerate the decarbonisation of heat. The deal comes as part of a funding round that has already seen investment from the likes of Barclays and ELM Companies, and during an exciting period for solar thermal. The International Energy Agency predicts solar thermal will be used in 30% of buildings globally by 2050, and Naked Energy’s Virtu technology is proving instrumental in this expansion.

               Naked Energy’s VirtuPVT collector combines high efficiency solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal technology to generate both electricity and heat from a single collector. Christophe Williams, CEO and founder of Naked Energy, said: “At Naked Energy, we’re always looking for investors who share our long-term green vision, and Nesta is clearly aligned with our mission to deliver climate impact at scale. “We’re delighted to be supported by Nesta’s Impact Investment team. With Nesta’s help we’re looking forward to being able to increase the rate at which we decarbonise heat – an issue that we need to urgently address in order to reach net zero.” Alex Hook, Senior Investment Director at Nesta, says: “We are delighted to invest in Naked Energy, our first investment which is aligned to Nesta’s Sustainable Future goal to decarbonise UK households.”

redits: renews.biz [Image: Naked Energy]