Author: Jane Briones

OX2 Sells 25MW Solar Project in Spain to Greening Group

OX2 has successfully sold a 25MW solar project in Spain to Greening Group, marking another significant milestone in the renewable energy sector. This transaction will be officially recorded in the third quarter of 2024.The sale encompasses project rights for five solar farms situated in Cáceres, within the Extremadura region. These solar arrays, boasting a total estimated capacity of 25MW, will be constructed by the Spanish developer Greening Group.

OX2 mentioned that this transaction will have a limited financial impact on its accounts, underscoring the strategic importance of the sale rather than immediate financial gain. This deal represents OX2’s second sale to Greening Group in the Spanish market. In late 2023, both parties had agreed on the sale of project rights for solar farms totaling 45MW in the Andalucia region.The continued partnership between OX2 and Greening Group highlights the growing momentum in Spain’s renewable energy sector and the collaborative efforts to boost solar power capacity across the region. #SolarEnergy #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #SpainSolar #GreenEnergy #SustainableFuture #OX2 #GreeningGroup #ExtremaduraSolar #EnergyTransition

Exciting Times for UK Renewables: AR6 Auction Now Open for Bids! 

The much-anticipated UK renewables Allocation Round 6 (AR6) auction is now live, and bids are officially being accepted from qualifying applicants! National Grid ESO has set the stage for renewable energy developers to submit their sealed bids up until 9 August 2024.

With a recent £300m top-up, the total prize purse has soared to an impressive £1.1bn, opening the door for more than 10GW of offshore wind capacity to join the race in Pot 3. This significant boost underscores the UK’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy landscape.

In Pot 1, onshore wind and solar power will go head-to-head with a total budget of £185m. It is anticipated that around 2GW-3GW of capacity will emerge victorious from this competitive auction, driving forward the nation’s green energy ambitions.

Mark your calendars! The winners of AR6 will be announced in early September. Stay tuned to see which projects will lead the charge in transforming the UK’s energy future. #UKRenewables #GreenEnergy #WindPower #SolarEnergy #AR6Auction #NationalGridESO #CleanEnergy #SustainableFuture #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy

Voltalia Joins Forces with ESB to Build Middleton House Solar Farm

ESB has announced that Voltalia will be the main engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for the development of Middleton House Solar Farm, located northeast of Lanesborough, Ireland. The construction phase of this multi-million euro project is set to kick off in September 2024. Once completed, the solar farm will generate 57MW of clean electricity, enough to power over 15,000 homes. Middleton House Solar Farm will connect to the electricity network via a new 5km cable route along a disused peat rail line, previously used from the late 1950s until a few years ago to transport peat to a carbon-intensive power station. Now, ESB’s solar team is transforming this infrastructure to connect clean energy to the national grid, utilizing the existing connection at the former Lough Ree Power Site.

ESB’s Net Zero by 2040 strategy includes a commitment to increase renewable generation more than fivefold to 5000MW, with solar playing a crucial role alongside offshore and onshore wind, battery, and green hydrogen projects. Middleton House Solar Farm is part of ESB’s extensive pipeline of utility-scale solar farms across the midlands, south, and southeast of Ireland. Eoin Naughton, Solar Development Manager at ESB, stated, “Lanesborough has a long and rich history of indigenous electricity generation. This announcement marks not just the commencement of Middleton House Solar Farm but the revitalization of the midlands as a strategic energy hub as part of Ireland’s clean energy future. Solar provides an excellent source of clean, low-cost energy that will help to reduce our dependency on imported fossil fuels and achieve energy independence. We now look forward to working with Voltalia to deliver Middleton House Solar Farm.” Sébastien Clerc, Chief Executive of Voltalia, added, “Voltalia is delighted to have been selected as the EPC service provider for the Middleton House project. After our first collaboration for the Timahoe North project, Voltalia is thrilled to see ESB’s trust confirmed with this additional contract. As a key partner, Voltalia will continue to support ESB’s ambition to reach its ESG objectives by 2040.”

Full planning permission has been granted by Longford County Council, and the project was successful in the RESS 2 auction in June 2022. Throughout the development of this project, ESB has committed to working closely with the local communities surrounding the site to ensure successful delivery. Once the Middleton House Solar Farm is operational, a community benefit fund will be available to distribute grants to organizations in the local area. The fund aims to support the wider economic, environmental, social, and cultural well-being of the local community. #CleanEnergy #SolarPower #SustainableFuture #RenewableEnergy #EnergyIndependence #NetZero2040 #IrelandGreenEnergy #ESB #Voltalia #CommunityBenefit

European Energy Secures €33.3M from mBank to Power Two New Solar Farms in Poland 

European Energy is set to expand its renewable footprint in Poland with the construction of two new solar farms, thanks to a €33.3 million financing deal secured with mBank. These projects, located in the regions of Pomerania and West Pomerania, will add a significant 70MW of clean energy capacity to the grid, contributing to Poland’s growing renewable energy landscape.

The Łobez PV Farm, with a capacity of 16MW, and the larger Dębnica Kaszubska PV Farm, boasting 54.2MW, have already entered the construction phase. Both projects are slated for completion by the fourth quarter of 2024, marking a major milestone in European Energy’s commitment to sustainable energy development. Olga Sypula, European Energy’s Country Manager for Poland, expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership: “Having an agreement with mBank allows us to secure these two new solar farms in Poland and will play a crucial role in the renewable energy buildout in Poland.” Upon completion of these projects, European Energy will reach an impressive 200MW of operating renewable energy capacity in Poland, reinforcing its leadership in the country’s transition to green energy. This investment not only underscores European Energy’s dedication to expanding its solar portfolio but also highlights the growing momentum behind Poland’s renewable energy ambitions. #EuropeanEnergy #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #Poland #GreenGrowth #SustainableFuture #CleanEnergy #SolarFarms #EnergyTransition #EcoInnovation

Ameresco Sunel Energy Kicks Off Construction of Lightsource BP’s 560MW Enipeas Solar Project in Greece

Ameresco Sunel Energy has embarked on the ambitious construction of Lightsource BP’s 560MW Enipeas solar project in Greece. This significant venture, co-funded by the European Union through the “NextGenerationEU” fund, spans the regions of Larissa and Fthiotida and is slated for completion within 18 to 24 months.The Enipeas project is divided into two major clusters: Skopia, a 400MW southern cluster, and Kalithea, a 160MW northern cluster. Nearly 970,000 photovoltaic modules will be installed across these clusters. Once operational, the project is expected to generate 0.90TWh of electricity annually, supplying power to approximately 225,000 households and reducing CO2 emissions by 379kt per year.

Ameresco Sunel Energy, a joint venture between solar leader Ameresco and EPC specialist Sunel Group, is at the helm of this groundbreaking project.Lightsource BP, which began operations in the UK in 2010, has grown to develop over 9.5GW of solar projects across 19 markets. Natalia Paraskevopoulou, Lightsource BP’s Head of Country for Greece, expressed her enthusiasm for the project: “The 560MWp Enipeas project contributes substantially to creating a more sustainable future for Greece. It will provide affordable, secure, and cleaner energy, supporting the country’s decarbonisation goals and energy independence. We are excited to partner with Ameresco Sunel Energy SA on Enipeas, one of the largest clean energy projects of its kind in Europe.”

She added, “Additionally, the Enipeas project will boost the local economy. The presence of workers and contractors will drive demand for housing, groceries, and other local services, generating additional income for local businesses and entrepreneurs.”Ameresco Sunel Energy has already engaged several local contractors and service providers, including a local civil contractor, community liaison officer, security guards, environmental subcontractors, water supply services, aggregates, and concrete suppliers, as well as a welfare cleaner. The company has also rented accommodations in Skopia village for project personnel and provided tractors to the communities of Skopia and Kallithea.The team plans to further boost local employment by hiring additional workers, security guards, and subcontractors for various construction and infrastructure-related jobs. George Sakellaris, CEO at Ameresco, noted, “Our efforts align with Lightsource BP’s commitment to delivering clean, secure energy while utilizing local talent as much as possible.”This monumental project not only marks a significant step towards a sustainable energy future for Greece but also underscores the powerful impact of collaborative efforts in the renewable energy sector.

#RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #Greece #EnipeasProject #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #LocalEconomy #AmerescoSunelEnergy #LightsourceBP #NextGenerationEU #GreenEnergy #Decarbonisation #EnergyIndependence

Masdar and Endesa Forge Landmark 2.5GW Solar Energy Partnership in Spain

Masdar has inked a significant agreement with Endesa, a subsidiary of Enel, to jointly own 2,500MW of renewable energy assets in Spain, pending regulatory approvals and other conditions. This landmark deal positions Masdar as a key player in one of Spain’s largest renewable energy transactions.

Under the agreement, Masdar will invest €817 million to acquire a 49.99% stake in the projects, bringing the total enterprise value to €1.7 billion. The portfolio includes 48 operational solar plants with a combined capacity of 2GW. In addition, Masdar and Endesa plan to integrate a 0.5GW battery energy storage system (BESS) into these projects, enhancing their efficiency and reliability.

This partnership strengthens Masdar’s reputation as a trusted global energy partner for governments, investors, developers, and communities. It also underscores Masdar’s commitment to accelerating the energy transition in Spain and Europe, supporting Spain’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) and the EU’s net zero by 2050 targets.

Beyond the acquisition, Masdar and Endesa have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore further collaboration on renewable energy projects in Spain. This alliance aims to foster innovation and development in the renewable energy sector.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman of Masdar, remarked, “Building on Masdar’s global expertise and pioneering approach to renewable energy innovation and development, this partnership underscores our commitment to unlocking clean energy capacity in Spain, Europe, and around the world. Supporting the global mandate enshrined in COP28’s UAE Consensus, we aim to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, enabling a just, orderly, and equitable energy transition. Masdar is accelerating its ambitious growth plans as we target 100GW of renewable energy capacity by the end of the decade.”

Flavio Cattaneo, Chief Executive of Enel Group, added, “We are pleased that Enel, through its subsidiary Endesa, has started this partnership with a major player such as Masdar. Looking ahead, we hope to carry out similar transactions in other geographies.”

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the journey toward a sustainable future, showcasing the combined efforts of Masdar and Endesa to drive the renewable energy agenda forward.

#RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #Masdar #Endesa #Spain #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #EnergyTransition #BatteryStorage #NetZero #COP28 #GreenFuture

UK Greenlights 1350MW Solar Projects in a Major Renewable Energy Push

In a significant move for renewable energy in the UK, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has awarded planning permission for a trio of solar projects, totaling 1350MW, across England. This landmark decision sees Development Consent Order permits issued for PS Renewables and Tribus Clean Energy’s 500MW Sunnica, Windel Energy and Canadian Solar’s 350MW Mallard Pass, and Low Carbon’s 500MW Gate Burton.

A New Era for Solar Energy

Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK, expressed his enthusiasm for the approval, especially noting the swift action taken by the new Secretary of State in his first week in office following the UK general election. “This is just the kind of clear leadership that will increase investor confidence and show that Britain is serious about tackling the climate emergency with the urgency that is needed,” Hewett remarked.

Overcoming Delays

The decision on Sunnica had faced several delays, initially scheduled for last September but postponed multiple times by former Conservative Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho, who also delayed decisions on Mallard Pass. The prompt action by the new government is a welcome change, according to Pinsent Masons partner Gareth Phillips, who highlighted the importance of clearing the backlog of infrastructure planning applications.

Investor Confidence Restored

Mike Rutgers, Managing Director of UK Development at Low Carbon, emphasized the importance of timely decision-making for the success of clean energy infrastructure. “After months of political indecision on key projects, this provides a clear signal to investors and the supply chain that the government is serious about giving priority to energy projects in the planning system,” he said.

Pinsent Masons partner Richard Griffiths added, “These decisions send a clear signal of intent to the market that the UK is open to investment for major new renewables projects. The solar industry has been awaiting these decisions for quite a while. Now they have arrived, they will have a bearing on the projects that follow.”

A Bright Future Ahead

This decisive move by the UK government marks a new chapter for the solar energy sector, showcasing a commitment to tackling climate change and encouraging substantial investment in renewable energy projects. With these approvals, the UK is poised to make significant strides towards a greener, more sustainable future.

Stay tuned as these projects progress and continue to shape the renewable energy landscape in the UK.

#RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #UKGreenEnergy #ClimateAction #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #SolarProjects #UKGovernment #EnergyTransition

Credit: [Image: Unsplash/Andres Siimon]