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Ignis Closes €335m Spanish Solar Financing

 

               Ignis has achieved a financial closing amounting to €335m for the development of solar projects in Spain. The loan will allow Ignis to finance projects up to 500MW of capacity, covering a relevant part of the debt necessary for the development of its strategy regarding the design, construction, promotion and operation of the solar assets. The transaction was led by Deutsche Bank, as sole underwriter, with the participation of Rabobank, ABN Amro and Triodos Bank.

               Ignis was advised by Cuatrecasas and the financial institutions by Clifford Chance. The renewable developments that Ignis will initiate between 2023 and 2024 possess the environmental permits necessary for their construction. These new solar plants will contribute to the socio-economic development of the areas where they are located, favouring new job opportunities in various municipalities, by means of hiring qualified personnel in both the construction and maintenance stages of the plants.  The solar plants, owned by Ignis, will also be fully operated and maintained by the company and add to a portfolio of around 5GW managed operating assets (owned and third-party). The company recently signed several power purchase agreements linked to the commissioning of new solar power plants in Spain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Unplash/APPA]

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Matrix Turns Sod On 200MWac US Solar Project

 

               Matrix Renewables and RPlus Energies has held a groundbreaking ceremony for Pleasant Valley Solar, their 200MWac/261MWdc solar project in Ada County, Idaho. Once the solar facility is operational, the project will be the largest solar facility in Idaho Power’s service territory and will deliver output into the same grid that supports Meta’s new data centre in Kuna, Idaho. The groundbreaking follows Matrix Renewables’ acquisition of a controlling interest in Pleasant Valley Solar from RPlus Energies earlier this summer. RPlus Energies, the original developer of the project, remains as minority interest owner in the scheme.

               Cindy Tindell, managing director and head of US for Matrix Renewables said: “This groundbreaking is the next big step toward making the Pleasant Valley Solar project a reality for the people and future of Idaho, supporting its transition to locally produced clean, green energy. RPlus Energies president and chief executive Luigi Resta added: “RPlus is proud to work with Meta and Idaho Power as long-term partners to help achieve their sustainability goals and manage the region’s transition to renewable energy. “We are equally proud to partner with Matrix Renewables, who share our deep respect and commitment to renewable power generation for Ada County and the surrounding community.” The project has selected Sundt Renewables to provide engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, Nextracker to provide racking, BODEC to provide high voltage electrical contracting services and ET Solar to provide the solar modules for Pleasant Valley Solar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Matrix Renewables]

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EDF Renewables Unveils UK Solar-Storage Scheme

 

               Plans for a new solar farm with battery storage in Buckinghamshire, England, have been unveiled by EDF Renewables UK and PS Renewables. Located between Buckingham and Aylesbury, Rosefield Solar Farm is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) because its generating capacity will be over 50MW. Details of early plans for the scheme will be published for consultation on Thursday 28 September 2023. The consultation will run for six weeks, with feedback from the community helping to shape the plans for Rosefield Solar Farm and identify potential benefits for the local area.

               EDF Renewables UK’s Director of Solar, Storage and Private Wire, Matthew Boulton said: “At EDF Renewables UK, we’re passionate about creating a future where clean energy powers our lives. “Rosefield Solar Farm would produce much-needed low-carbon electricity here in the UK, helping to power thousands of homes and businesses every year. “We are currently at a very early stage in developing our plans for Rosefield Solar Farm and look forward to hearing the views of the local community. “Consultation is a vital part of the design process, and we encourage everyone to get in touch, meet the team and share their views.” Matt Hazell, Co-Owner & Director at PS Renewables, added: “PS Renewables has supported the UK’s transition to net zero for more than a decade. “We look forward to working with the community to deliver a scheme that provides substantial benefits for the environment and local area to enjoy for generations to come.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credits: renews.biz [Image: EDF]

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Nexun Targets 206MW Polish Solar Pipeline

 

               Nexun has signed a co-development agreement with an unnamed Polish provider for a 206MW pipeline of 16 medium-sized solar projects. All of the developments have a land lease signed and 50% of the pipeline has environmental decisions and zoning in place. Nexun is a platform dedicated to greenfield PV projects established in January 2023. It is a Marguerite portfolio company invested through Marguerite 3, committing to invest up to €60m. This investment aligns with Marguerite’s strategy to invest in infrastructures that intrinsically contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation the company said.

               Under the Polish agreement, Nexun will apply for grid connection for the first 52MW in September 2023 and another circa 60MW in the last quarter of 2023. “Poland is an essential market for solar power in the EU, which is why this cooperation is a significant milestone in our solar development activities,” Said Nexun chief executive Josef Kastner. “Poland, still relying largely on coal for power generation, desperately needs to switch to renewable energies. “Our ambition is for Nexun to become one of Poland’s leading developers to transfer power production to sustainable energy.” On top of the co-development, similar contracts are in negotiations in elsewhere in Poland, plus Germany, and Spain. Nexun has also started developing several greenfield projects in France with its own team. “We are excited to have this first co-developer partnership in Poland,” said Nexun chief development officer Chloe Durieux . “Through strategic investments and partnerships, we are determined to drive the adoption of sustainable energy solutions and create a cleaner, more sustainable future for generations to come.” Nexun has grown to a team of 12 employees, with chief financial officer Benoit Petit and country manager for Germany Marco Wilhelm the latest team additions. “Our diverse team of more than 50% women is currently based in four countries. We expect the team to increase by four additional people by the end of 2023,” said Durieux. Nexun aims to establish a portfolio of over 2GW of developed and in-development projects within the next six years.

 

 

 

 

 

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Nexun]

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Teralight Inaugurates Israeli Floating PV Project

 

               Teralight, Synergy and the Hof HaCarmel Water Association have inaugurated Israel’s largest floating solar energy field (pictured), which will have the capacity to produce 31MW. The PV field floats above Kibbutz Maayan Zvi reservoirs, which provides water for agricultural use in the coastal region south of Haifa. Solar tracking systems (trackers) from the Israeli company Xfloat were integrated into the floating solar project.  The project was carried out as part of a policy led by the Carmel Coast Regional Council for the roofing of waterways and reservoirs. This was formulated in conjunction with the localities that own the land, the Carmel Coast Water Association, the relevant government ministries, the green bodies, ornithology and nature experts, the Haifa District Planning Bureau and the developers.

               As part of the implementation of the policy, the water reservoir in Moshav Bonim, fish ponds in Kibbutz Ma’agan Michael and various public institutions throughout the council were also built. Teralight chief executive Rani Lifshitz said: ‘We are happy to continue to establish Teralight as a leading company in Israel in the field of solar energy, also in a dual-use format, and to launch the largest floating project in the country. “There is no doubt that this is the greenest way to generate electricity – making the best use of the sun and an existing resource. “We thank Synergy, the Carmel Coast Regional Council, and Bank Leumi for their partnership along the way.” Yoed Ludar, chief executive of Hof Carmel Energie, added: “Today, we inaugurated Israel’s largest and most unique floating solar project. “The previous large project in HaBonim Reservoir was joined by two large solar rafts, one of which is based on groundbreaking Israeli technology by Xfloat company that also incorporates tracking of the movement of the sun in the water reservoir, using water to tilt the panels. “This is another step in covering all the water reservoirs for agriculture on the Carmel Coast and producing green electricity on a large scale for the consumption of all the households in the Carmel Coast settlements.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Teralight]

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PCRE, Google Ink Irish Solar Supply Deal

 

               Irish solar producer Power Capital Renewable Energy (PCRE) has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Google to provide clean electricity for its data centre and offices in Ireland. The 14-year supply arrangement covers part of the production from an 83MW solar farm under construction in County Wexford. PCRE will be responsible for providing Google with solar power production for a capacity of 58MW for the duration of the PPA. This deal will contribute to Google’s goal to match its operations with carbon-free energy on an hourly basis by adding new clean solar energy to the electricity grid.

              The project, which successfully secured project financing earlier this year from AIB and La Banque Postale, is due to complete in early 2024. Power Capital will invest about €54m to construct the site and will connect into a 110kV substation which Power Capital is building specifically for the plant to connect into the transmission system operated by Eirgrid. Co-chief executives and founders of Power Capital Renewable Energy Justin Brown and Peter Duff said: “We are very active in the corporate power purchase market and the opportunity to partner with Google on a transaction like this is very significant milestone for us. “Understanding the requirements and aligning the interests of both companies to achieve the desired outcome has resulted in a further 83MW of solar energy being connected to the grid, reducing Ireland’s carbon emissions, and helping reach the 2030 targets.” Data center energy senior lead at Google Ainhoa Anda added: “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time, but we feel that technology can be part of the solution. “That’s a central motivation behind our goal to operate on carbon-free energy every hour of every day by 2030. “We’re excited to collaborate with Power Capital Renewable Energy for our first long-term renewable energy deal in Ireland because deals like these take us one step closer to a carbon-free future by helping to add new clean energy sources to Ireland’s grid.”

 

 

 

 

 

Credits: renews.biz [Image:PCRE]

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Windel Seeks Views On 350MWdc UK Solar, Storage Project

 

               Windel Energy is running a first stage of consultation for Fosse Green Energy, a new 350MWdc solar and energy storage park in Lincolnshire, England. The solar and energy storage park is anticipated to have an export capacity of 240MWac peak alternating current, and could provide enough clean energy to power in the region of 110,000 homes. The proposed site is located to the north and south of the A46, known as Fosse Way, and will be made up of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery energy storage areas. The solar park will be connected by underground cable to the grid via a substation, which National Grid is in the process of exploring locations for.

               There will be two stages of consultation to gather feedback from stakeholders, helping to shape plans for Fosse Green Energy. The first stage of consultation is running from 11 September to 20 October 2023. Gary Toomey, managing director at Windel Energy said: “We are committed to involving the local community and in consulting widely on our plans in a responsible way. “We’ve already considered and listened to feedback received earlier this year and have decided to not use overhead lines and pylons for the connection into the national grid. “The feedback we receive at this stage of public consultation is very important and will help to further influence design of the project, with it used to better understand aspects which should be prioritised as Fosse Green Energy is developed. “We are particularly looking for suggestions of community schemes or projects that we could be a part of and on our plans to deliver biodiversity net gain.” The solar and energy storage park is being proposed by Fosse Green Energy Limited, Windel Energy and Recurrent Energy JV. A project website has further details and can be found at www.fossegreenenergy.co.uk. 

 

 

 

 

 

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Pixabay]

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SSE Submits Plans For Irish Solar Site

 

               SSE Renewables is to submit a planning application for a proposed 21MW solar farm project to be co-located adjacent to its existing 27MW Richfield Wind Farm in Ireland’s “Sunny South East”. The paperwork, which is being submitted to Wexford County Council, proposes the development of an array on a 44-hectare site in the townlands of Hooks and Yoletown in south Wexford. The proposed solar site is near the existing 18 turbine Richfield Wind Farm which has been in operation since 2006. Submission of a planning application follows a period of local public consultation on the project, which took place earlier this year. The proposed hybrid co-located development solar farm alongside the existing wind farm could increase the typical annual renewable energy output from Richfield by around 25%, enough to power an additional 4500 Irish homes annually. 

               In addition to increasing the renewable energy output from Richfield, a combined wind and solar asset at the site would be more productive and resilient, because it will be capable of contributing power to Ireland’s grid at times when the sun shines but when the wind does not blow said the developer. This could further support efforts to meet Ireland’s target of generating 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The proposed solar plant will have a hybrid grid connection with Richfield Wind Farm. The development of the project will be subject to changes in Ireland’s current grid connection consenting regime to allow for “hybrid” technology grid connections to facilitate co-location of wind and solar generation sources. Delivery of the project is also subject to securing an economic route to market ahead of a final investment decision expected around early 2026.

               Should the project secure all its consents and progress to delivery, SSE Renewables will plant 15% of the site area with native woodland species as per its own Biodiversity Net Gain targets and also in line with requirements set out in the Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028.  Senior project manager at SSE Renewables Garry Brides said: “The submission of this exciting project for planning permission comes at a time when Ireland is looking to secure more renewable energy. “This project is a perfect example of how we can expand the renewables output for Ireland by leveraging existing wind farm assets for the development of adjacent solar farm projects such as this. “If co-located projects like Richfield Solar are to help deliver Ireland’s climate goals, industry will require more certainty as to how the regulatory framework will be evolved to support these developments. “At present, we lack the necessary policy to underpin these kinds of hybrid technology grid connections. “We stand ready to work closely with key government and regulatory stakeholders to remove any remaining barriers to the delivery of hybrid connections, and so support the delivery of important solar and battery technology projects co-located at wind farm sites.”

 

 

 

 

 

Credits: renews.biz [Image: SSE Renewables]

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Bute Proposes Rural Welsh Renewables Network

 

               Green GEN Cymru, part of the Bute Energy Group, is announcing Green GEN Vyrnwy Frankton, a renewable energy network in Wales which will connect clean, green energy to the National Grid and help rural communities decarbonise heat, power and transport.  The project will link Bute Energy’s proposed 165MW Llyn Lort Energy Park and a number of other sites in the early assessment and feasibility stage, to the National Grid at a point near Lower Frankton in Shropshire. The Welsh and UK governments have set clear targets for more renewable energy, helping to combat climate change. In Mid Wales the existing electricity network does not have the capacity to connect new renewables to homes and businesses, Green GEN Cymru said. Green GEN Vyrnwy Frankton has been launched to meet this need, with an aim to contribute to a more resilient and reliable network for the region. It could reduce pressure on the existing electricity grid, supporting green businesses and enabling green heating, and the roll out of electric vehicles across rural Wales, according to the company.

               The project could also allow direct connection of community projects and support energy resilience. It has the potential to support technologies like 5G that could help farmers, schools and businesses to be at the cutting edge of technology while being based in a rural area. It will tackle both the energy crisis and the climate crisis, and empower rural communities through investment, jobs and skills, enabling communities across Wales to live modern electric lives, supporting the Welsh government’s target for electricity to be 100% renewable by 2035. Llyn Lort Energy Park, near Llanerfyl in Powys, is currently being consulted on by Bute Energy. It could generate up to 165MW of clean, green energy, enough to power 144,000 homes per year. The Green GEN Vyrnwy Frankton proposal is for a new 132kV overhead line, supported on 27-metre tall steel lattice pylons. While similar to previous National Grid plans in the area, the proposed pylons are significantly shorter and less bulky, and any visual effects will be significantly reduced as a result, the developer said. The plan also includes a substation near the Llyn Lort Energy Park.  The proposed route for the connection was selected based on a range of factors including potential effects on landscape, the environment and communities. Green GEN Cymru is focused on causing the least disturbance to those who live, work and enjoy recreation close to the proposals and is committed to protecting the surrounding environment.  A public consultation will run from Wednesday 6 September to Wednesday 18 October. This includes a series of webinars and public events in the local area to provide more information and give people an opportunity to have their say.  

 

 

 

 

 

Credits: renews.biz [ Image: Bute Energy]

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Solar Takes Top Spot With 2GW Haul

 

               Solar projects totalling just under 2GW have secured CfDs in the latest Allocation Round, the most of any technology. Around 400MW is to be delivered in 2025-2026, 150MW in 2026-2027 and 1.4GW in 2027-2028, according to the results. The strike price for all projects is £47 per megawatt-hour. The largest successful scheme is being developed by Enso in England. The name of the 57MW project has not been disclosed. Fifteen projects of around 50MW were also backed in the round. Lightsource’s Hulam scheme will be delivered in 2027-2028 with CfD backing while JBM won support for a number of schemes including the 50MW Ashorne and Stoneshollow. Low Carbon has been offered contracts for ten solar projects with a capacity of more than 350MWp. Chief investment officer at Low Carbon, Steve Mack said: “Together these projects, coupled with more than 300MWp we secured in last year’s auction, will play an important role in supporting the rollout of solar energy across the UK and provide investment certainty in the solar supply chain as we look to make further progress on reaching net zero.

               “They will also make a material contribution to the UK’s energy security and cut bills for consumers, while creating further momentum for our own ambition of delivering 20GW of new renewable energy capacity by 2030.” RWE secured four solar and two solar co-located with battery storage renewable energy projects. Katja Wünschel, chief executive for onshore wind and solar Europe & Australia at RWE Renewables, said the auction would “drive forward an ambitious solar portfolio, beginning with the construction of our first solar project in the UK, as one of the country’s leading solar energy partners”. She added: “It’s an important success for the teams supporting those technologies, especially those behind our rapidly expanding new solar business in the UK. “The expansion of renewable energies must be swift and decisive if we’re to achieve the government’s net zero targets and RWE is playing its part by targeting the rapid deployment of an exciting pipeline of new onshore and solar projects.”

               Chris Hewett, chief executive of Solar Energy UK, added: “We are pleased that so many solar projects have been successful in AR5, particularly as solar has only recently been able to participate. “This shows how resilient solar has become to economic shocks. It remains the cheapest way to generate power in the UK. “That said, we need to be roughly doubling the pace of solar installations to meet the Government’s capacity target of 70GW by 2035. “CfDs are far from the only route to market for utility-scale solar. Some developers will prefer to sell on a merchant basis or seek a long term power purchase agreement. “The AR5 results are therefore not a cap on deployment of solar farms and we are seeing record high rooftop solar installation in 2023.”

 

 

 

 

 

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Lightsource]