Category: News

               Hitachi Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with Sun Africa and its sister company, UGT Renewables to collaborate on utility-scale solar photovoltaic power generation projects. In the non-exclusive memorandum, both parties agree to collaborate at an early stage of prospective projects. They will jointly engage with local and international stakeholders, and provide optimised best-in-class and well-integrated solar power solutions that will enable developing nations to take significant steps toward broad and environmentally sustainable electrification. The partners are currently completing their first project together: a 370MW solar photovoltaic power plant across seven sites in Angola.

               They also have several utility-scale projects under negotiation, totalling more than 12GW in capacity, with various governments in Africa and Eurasia. “We are delighted to be working with Sun Africa and UGT Renewables to bring utility-scale emission-free energy projects to a growing number of countries in the world,” says Johan Soderstrom, Executive Vice President, Head of Regions, Europe, Middle East and Africa of Hitachi Energy. “The combination of their business model and our solutions help countries develop their economies, progress toward net zero, and provide their people with access to clean and reliable electricity.” Adam Cortese, CEO of Sun Africa and UGT Renewables, added: “Our first collaboration with Hitachi Energy in Angola was a huge success, both for ourselves and the Government of Angola on behalf of whom we developed the project. “We have developed a relationship of trust with Hitachi Energy and an efficient and effective way of working that benefits all the stakeholders with whom we work.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Pixabay]

               Solar will account for nearly two thirds of “high probability” additions to utility scale power generation capacity in the US over the next three years. The forecast is based on SUN DAY Campaign’s review of data released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  In the latest issue of FERC’s monthly Energy Infrastructure Update, “high probability” additions by solar between December 2022 and November 2025 will total 72,809MW. FERC foresees no solar capacity retirements during that time. Such growth would nearly double solar’s share of total available installed generating capacity, increasing it from 78,880MW to 151,690MW (excluding small-scale, distributed solar capacity). In addition, FERC expects wind generating capacity to grow by 16,955MW, with just 140MW of retirements. Hydropower is also expected to increase by 819MW with 46MW of retirements. While FERC projects 17,260MW of “high probability” additions by natural gas, that capacity would be almost entirely offset by 16,954MW of retirements. Similarly, an expected increase of 2200MW in new nuclear capacity would be completely negated by 2323MW in retirements. FERC foresees no new coal capacity over the next three years but does anticipate 17,385MW of retirements as well as a net decrease of 1677MW in oil generating capacity. Between “high probability” additions and retirements among all energy sources, FERC projects a net increase of 71,391MW in installed US generating capacity.

               In effect, new solar would account for the overall net increase in the nation’s total capacity while new wind capacity would roughly displace the net decreases in fossil fuel and nuclear capacity, said SUN Day Campaign. If FERC’s data become reality, by November 2025, solar and wind will have nearly equal shares of US electricity generating capacity, of 11.41% and 12.02% respectively. The combination of all renewables (including hydropower, biomass, and geothermal) will account for almost one third (32.54%) of US generating capacity, up from 27.19% today. Meanwhile, natural gas’ share will drop from 44.15% to 41.80% while coal will fall from 17.34% to 15.10% and nuclear from 8.14% to 7.69%. Contributions by oil and biomass would also fall. Beyond “high probability” additions, FERC also provides data on “all additions” for each energy source that may be in the three-year pipeline. Solar dominates with 201,637MW, followed by 67,950MW for wind, while hydropower accounts for another 12,400MW. By comparison, natural gas has only 33,547MW. “The combined generating capacity of solar and wind is now greater than either coal or nuclear power,” said SUN DAY Campaign executive director Ken Bossong.  “Moreover, if the current trajectory persists or accelerates, generating capacity by the mix of all renewables should overtake that of natural gas before 2030 and possibly much sooner.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Unsplash/Antonio Garcia]

               Lightsource BP has agreed the sale of a 247MW cluster of solar projects in Spain to independent renewable energy investor Plenium Partners and Bankinter Investment. The asset comprises five solar installations in Aragón and has been in operation since 2021. Plenium has closed the transaction together with Bankinter Investment, the investment banking subsidiary of Bankinter, the fourth largest Spanish bank by stock market value.  The value of the transaction has not been disclosed. Plenium and Bankinter have completed the purchase of the portfolio through various alternative-investment vehicles participated by Bankinter’s private banking and institutional clients.

               Kareen Boutonnat, CEO for EMEA and APAC at Lightsource BP, said: “Transactions like these demonstrate our strong credentials in delivering quality constructed and operational assets as a trusted partner, supporting the renewable ambitions of Plenium Partners and Bankinter Investment. “In Spain, Lightsource BP continues to move at pace to further progress our gigawatt-scale project development portfolio and the growth of solar required to deliver on national targets.” EY was appointed as financial advisor and Uría Menéndez as legal advisor by Lightsource BP for the deal. Gómez-Acebo & Pombo was appointed as Plenium and Bankinter’s legal advisor. Over the last four years Lightsource BP has grown its business in Spain, reaching over 130 team members last year with a development pipeline of over 4GW.

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Lightsource BP ]

               Welsh ministers have given the go ahead for a 32MW solar project near Abergavenny, Wales. Renewable Connection submitted a formal application to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) for Penpergwm Solar Farm in late 2021. The application was formally accepted on 7 February 2022, following extensive engagement, consultation and design improvements. Hearings with the Planning Inspectorate took place in August 2022, following which a final report, including a recommendation, was prepared by a Welsh Planning Inspector and sent to ministers for consideration. Welsh ministers approved the application on 17 January 2023. Construction of the solar farm is anticipated to begin in 2024. Renewable Connections has also received consent for a further project, Tregonning Solar Farm in Cornwall. The two latest consents bring Renewable Connections approved project portfolio to well over half a gigawatt. John Leith, Development Director at Renewable Connections, said: “We are exceptionally pleased with this outcome, and very proud of our development team and the way it managed the iterative design process, ultimately achieving the right decision. Penpergwm Solar Farm will significantly support the Welsh Government’s decarbonisation and climate resilience targets.

               Leith said the solar farm will also “operate in synergy” with the existing agricultural business, enabling sheep grazing to continue within the proposed development area, while allowing the farming enterprise to remain financially viable. In addition to biodiversity improvements at the site, the project also has a community benefit fund that will support local good causes and initiatives. The solar farm’s facility, approximately 4km south-east of Abergavenny, was identified following an extensive site selection process across the region. Biodiversity measures proposed for the development include the planting of new and reinforcement of existing hedgerows to promote species diversity and green corridors. Bat and bird boxes will also be installed along with the creation of bee banks, badger gates, dormice nests, reptile hibernacula and invertebrate hotels. Existing footpaths will be improved and new safeguarded routes for 40 years will be created alongside the planting of a community orchard and extensive wildflower meadows.

Credits: renews.biz[Image: Renewable Connections]

               Cubico Sustainable Investments has entered into an agreement with ZEG Energias Renováveis (ZEG) to acquire a 1GW solar project under development in Brazil. The transaction comprises a large solar complex, called Project Sobral, located in the municipalities of Sobral and Santana do Acaraú in the state of Ceará. Cubico and ZEG will co-develop Project Sobral, including the negotiation of supply contracts and offtake agreements with third parties. Francisco Moya, Country Head of Brazil and Rest of Latam at Cubico, said: “This important acquisition consolidates our presence in Latin America and marks the start of our new renewables platform in Brazil after recent strategic divestments in the country. “It’s also our first investment in solar assets in Brazil and we will be actively looking to grow the portfolio through the acquisition and development of other PV and onshore wind projects.” The conclusion of the deal remains subject to the fulfilment of conditions agreed within the scope of the acquisition, which include, but are not limited to, approval by the Administrative Council for Economic Defense.

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Cubico]

               Renewable Connections has had its plan to build the 50MW Tregonning solar farm in England approved. Cornwall Council’s Strategic Planning Committee received the plan for the 49.9MW project in January 2022, following a community consultation.  The solar farm, based near Quintrell Downs, Cornwall, was approved by elected members on 16 January following a recommendation for approval by council officers. The project will displace over 1.1m tonnes of CO2 over its lifespan. In addition, the implementation of a Green Infrastructure Plan will significantly enhance environment and wildlife, including a significant biodiversity net gain of 80.25% for habitat units and 42.34% in hedgerow units.

               The scheme will cover 89 hectares of land and construction of the solar farm will involve the installation of photovoltaic panels, which convert sunlight directly into renewable electricity. The company anticipates that construction could commence in 2024.  John Leith, Development Director at Renewable Connections said: “Tregonning Solar Farm will make a valuable contribution towards Cornwall and the UK’s ambitious climate change targets.  “We are very proud of the site and the use of exceptional design to integrate significant ecological enhancements, renewable generation, and agricultural productivity. The feedback from council officers, statutory consultees and local people throughout the submission process, and the support of the landowner, have been invaluable.  He added: “We are very pleased that further to the environmental and biodiversity benefits of the proposal, the land will remain in agricultural use with a grazing license existing on the site for sheep in panel areas.  There will also be cereal cropping on approximately 25 hectares of the site, enabling the continued production of food, and support for ground nesting birds such as skylarks.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Renewable Connections ]

               EDP Renewables (EDPR) has connected its first international hybrid plant to the grid, combining wind and solar energy production on a single site. The Mina de Orgueirel solar farm was opened next to the Mosteiro wind park in Sabugal municipality, Portugal, with a direct connection to the substation, taking advantage of the electrical infrastructure already in place and creating a hybrid electricity production complex.  This is the first park of its kind on the Iberian Peninsula to combine the two different technologies, further contributing to decarbonisation and increasing the presence of renewable energy on the grid. The solar plant provides an installed capacity of 8.4MW with over 17,000 bifacial solar panels capable of capturing solar irradiance on both sides, maximising energy production.

               The wind park has eight turbines and a total installed capacity of 11MW, including a more powerful machine installed as part of an over-equipment project. The hybrid project is capable of producing up to 39.5GWh per year, enough to provide over 30,000 people with renewable energy. The hybrid complex will also help prevent the emission of approximately 18,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. “The commissioning of EDPR’s first hybrid wind/solar park is a reflection of our pioneering and innovative spirit as well as a deepening of our commitment to energy transition within our core business regions,” said Duarte Bello, EDPR executive director for Europe and Latin America. “By taking this hybrid approach we will be able to increase the amount of electricity produced in the region as well as minimising the impact of new undertakings in renewables by maximising use of the pre-existing infrastructure. We intend to carry on investing in the hybridisation of parks held in our portfolio, both in Portugal as well as in other regions with strong development potential.”

Credits: renews.biz[Image: EDPR]

               Orsted has taken a final investment decision to build the 471MW AC Mockingbird solar centre in Texas. Construction is set to start this month and the project is expected to be completed in 2024. Covering an area of 4900 acres, Mockingbird will be able to generate enough renewable energy to power more than 80,000 homes annually, making it the largest solar PV project in Orsted’s portfolio to date. In addition, almost 1000 acres of land adjacent to Mockingbird solar centre will be donated to The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to protect native prairie in north-east Texas. David Hardy, CEO of Region Americas at Orsted, said: “Adding almost half a gigawatt to our portfolio, the decision to build Mockingbird represents an important milestone for our onshore business and for our expansion in solar PV. “We look forward to building Mockingbird and for this project to start producing clean energy at a large scale. Mockingbird will achieve this while doing so in a way that prioritises conservation and our deep commitment to the communities we serve.”

Credits: renews.biz[Image: Pixabay]

               European partners Alantra and Solarig have launched a 1900MW solar platform composed of more than 50 projects in Italy and Spain. Key investors in the new platform are Swiss infrastructure asset manager Reichmuth and French outfit Amundi Energy Transition. Two thirds of the portfolio is located in Italy, with the remainder in Spain. The plants will reach Ready-to-Build (RTB) status within the next 18 months and be fully operational by the end of 2025, said the partners. An investment vehicle has been established to acquire the portfolio’s plants for a value of €1.7bn, of which €700m will be equity and the remaining €1bn debt. The vehicle will be named N-Sun Energy and has been created as an investment platform that is environmentally sustainable and compliant with the ESG criteria set out in the EU Taxonomy Regulation. Alantra is raising the capital for N-Sun Energy and has partnered with Reichmuth and Amundi as integral strategic co-investors, who have committed up to €265m. The investment vehicle will acquire the plants as soon as they reach the RTB status and has completed the procurement of the first eight plants totalling 330MW. Alantra Solar, the partnership between Alantra and Solarig, integrated in Alantra Asset Management, will deliver asset management services to the investment vehicle and ensure its financing capacity while implementing a distribution strategy that balances power purchase agreements (PPAs) and market sales.

               Solarig will oversee the development of the plants to ensure they reach operational status and bring its capabilities as an O&M contractor. Solarig has international experience and “strong local and execution capabilities with a deep presence in Italy and Spain and 15 other countries”. Once completed, the portfolio will generate more than €180m in revenues a year. Jacobo Llanza, CEO of Alantra Asset Management, said: “Renewable energy is driving strong demand from investors across the globe, who are looking for experienced partners who can guide their contribution to transforming our energy models. “The partnership with an industrial partner like Solarig, backed by investors of the calibre of Reichmuth and Amundi, offers a strong response to this need. “We aim to replicate this successful model in future portfolios.” Amundi Energy Transition CEO Matthieu Poisson said the transaction represents a “unique opportunity” to invest in one of Europe’s largest solar development platforms. Poisson said: “We are delighted to partner with Solarig, Alantra, and Reichmuth on this investment, which aligns with our current strategy of acquiring late-stage development projects and enhances our portfolio with significant diversification into solar and continues to position Amundi Energy Transition as a leading investor in renewable energy and the decarbonisation of European power grids.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Unsplash/Zbynek Burival]

               BP has begun construction of a 107MW solar project in Ohio, US. The oil and gas major’s 50:50 joint-venture partner Lightsource BP developed the Arche Solar project on behalf of BP and is managing construction. McCarthy Building Companies’ renewable energy and storage team was selected as the main contractor for the project, which will include installation of ultra-low carbon solar panels and smart solar trackers from US-based manufacturers First Solar and Nextracker, respectively. The project is part of BP’s plans to develop 20GW of net renewable generating capacity by 2025 and 50GW by 2030. 

               The Arche Solar project in Fulton County is expected to create around 200 US jobs across the supply chain during construction and provide more than $30m in revenue to benefit local schools and other public services over the life of the project. BP has secured a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Meta for the project. BP America chairman and president Dave Lawler said: “This agreement shows how companies can create jobs, invest in the US economy, and at the same time support net zero ambitions and help the world reduce carbon emissions. “It’s another example of bp partnering to accelerate change and becoming an integrated energy company – one that can help corporations, countries and cities decarbonise.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: BP]