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Gamesa Receives First Order For Its Largest Turbine

written by saurabh

Gamesa claimed a ‘milestone in its sales and product strategy’ as it landed the first order for its largest wind turbine model.

According to a press release issued by the company, an order for 18 units of G132-5.0 MW has been received from the renewable energy subsidiary of Sinohydro, one of China’s largest manufacturing groups. Gamesa shall be responsible for the supply, installation and commissioning of the turbines at Nangang wind complex in Tianjin.

“This contract marks an important strategic landmark for Gamesa: not only is it the maiden order from the 5-MW platform in Asia, it is the first signed order for the G132-5.0 MW”, explained Álvaro Bilbao, Gamesa’s CEO in China.

The turbines are expected to be supplied during Q4 2017 while the project is expected to be commissioned during Q1 2018.

Gamesa claims that the G132-5.0 MW is the most powerful onshore wind turbine model in the world. A single unit can generate enough electricity to meet the demand of 5,000 households for a year.

The company claims to be the leading non-Chinese wind turbine manufacturer in 2015. With a presence of 16 years in the Chinese market, Gamesa has supplied over 4,000 MW of wind turbines and had a share of 13% in MW sales in 2015.

In September this year, the company also announced that it installed the highest wind towers in Asia. The company installed 33 wind turbines of rated capacity 2.0-2.1 MW at 153 meter height in Thailand.

11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

1.1 GW Solar PPAs To Be Signed Soon In India

written by saurabh

One of India’s largest solar power tender will finally see fruition as power purchase agreements are expected to be signed soon.

According to media reports, project developers that secured rights to develop more than 1 GW of utility-scale solar power projects in the eastern state of Jharkhand are expected to sign power purchase agreements soon.

The state government of Jharkhand had announced results of the bidding in March this year, however, the PPA could not finalised and signed as per schedule due to differences between the utilities and project developers over tariff bids.

Tariff bids placed by successful project developers range between Rs 5.08/kWh (US¢7.5/kWh) and Rs 7.95/kWh (US¢12.0/kWh). These are significantly higher than the lowest bid by Fortum Group placed for a project in Rajasthan earlier this year. The 70 MW project was secured by Fortum at Rs 4.34/kWh (US¢6.4/kWh).

The 1.2 GW tender was offered in two categories – 200 MW for projects up to 25 MW capacity and 1 GW for 26 MW to 50 MW capacity.

According to reports, ReNew Solar Power was the largest winner and secured 522 MW capacity across the two categories in a tariff range of Rs 5.08/kWh (US¢7.5/kWh) and Rs 5.55/kWh (US¢8.2/kWh). Adani Green Energy secured 10 projects of 50 MW capacity each in a tariff range of Rs 5.45/kWh (US¢8.0/kWh)and Rs 6.05/kWh (US¢8.9/kWh).

Suzlon Energy, a well-known name in the wind energy market and having recently entered the solar power market, secured rights develop 325 MW through 8 projects. Essel Green Energy secured 300 MW capacity projects; ACME Solar Holdings 225 MW capacity; SunEdison 200 MW capacity; and Hero Solar Energy 175 MW.

11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

China’s Sany Plans 1 GW Renewable Energy Capacity In India

written by saurabh

Chinese industrial group Sany has announced plans to set up large-scale wind and solar power projects in India.

According to media reports, the group has signed a memorandum of understanding with the state government of Gujarat to set up 1 GW of wind and solar power capacity between 2017 and 2022. In addition to power projects the company shall also set up manufacturing facilities for wind energy equipment.

The total investment planned by Sany in the state’s clean energy and infrastructure development is $2 billion.

The group had announced similar plans last year following discussions with the Indian Prime Ministry Narendra Modi. At that time Sany had expressed plans to set up 2 GW renewable energy capacity in the states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh at a total investment of $3 billion.

Several Chinese companies have announced partnerships with Indian companies. In July 2015, Zhenfa New Energy Science and Technology signed an agreement with Rolta Power to set up 2 GW of solar power projects by 2020, with a total investment of $2.03 billion. JA Solar entered an agreement with Essel Group to set up 1 GW manufacturing facility for solar cells and modules, while Hareon Solar announced partnership with ReNew Power to invest in and supply solar modules.

11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

PPA Signed For 800 MW Dubai Solar Power Project At US¢2.99/kWh

written by saurabh

The iconic third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park moved another step closer to being a reality after a power purchase agreement was signed for the project.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) recently signed a power purchase agreement for the 800 MW project with Abu Dhabi-based Masdar Group.

In June, A Masdar Group–led consortium was confirmed as the winner of the 800 MW solar power tender that was floated by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) last year. The consortium includes Fotowatio Renewable Ventures and Gransolar Group.

The 800 MW phase III of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will be commissioned by 2020 and will add to the existing 13 MW and the under-development 200 MW of capacity. The phase III tender set a record for lowest-ever solar PV tariff globally at that time. The Masdar-led consortium beat the phase II winning bid of 5.84¢/kWh with a bid of 2.99¢/kWh.

A fourth phase of the solar power park was announced by DEWA recently, which will have an installed capacity of 1 GW.

Initially, the Authority received as many as 95 expressions of interest. Many prospective bidders are believed to have formed joint ventures for the subsequent rounds of bidding, with around 20 left in the fray at the end of last year. These included biggies like SunEdison, ACWA Power, JinkoSolar–RWE, REC Solar, and Engie.

11/30/2016 1 comment

Renewable Energy

India’s Adani Power Looking To Enter Bangladesh Solar Market

written by saurabh

One of India’s leading solar power project developers – Adani Power – is looking to enter the nascent solar power market of Bangladesh.

Adani Power’s Chief Executive Officer for renewable energy told media outlets that his company is keen to develop solar power projects in Bangladesh; the idea, however, is still in the conceptual stage. If Adani indeed decides to enter the Bangladesh market it shall have an early mover advantage as utility-scale solar market in the country is practically non-existent.

Adani Green Energy operates the largest solar power project in India. The company commissioned 648 MW solar power project few months back in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

Adani Enterprises, the parent company of Adani Green Energy, is looking to set up end-to-end solutions in the solar power market.

Adani Enterprises recently stated that it plans to begin the construction of phase one of the planned 2 GW solar equipment manufacturing factory this year. The first phase is expected to be operationalised by March 2017 and will have production capacity of 1.2 GW; a second phase is expected to be operational by June 2017 increasing the production capacity to 2 GW. The planned facility will produce polysilicon, wafers, solar cells and modules.

In-house manufacturing of solar power modules would enable the company to expand its solar power generation activities outside of India. Recently, the company announced plans to set up 1 GW solar power capacity in Australia where it operates a large coal mining project.

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11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Chinese Modules Continue To Dominate Indian Solar Power Market

written by saurabh

As Indian project developers continue to expand their installed capacity base, import of cheaper solar power modules continues to increase.

According to Mercom Capital, import of solar power modules in India increased sharply. Project developers imported solar modules worth US$763 million between April and August 2016, an increase of 53% from imports worth US$497 million during the same period last year.

Share of modules from China also increased sharply. Chinese modules accounted for 85% of the total modules imported in India, followed by Malaysia at distant 9%; modules from Taiwan, the US and Singapore accounted for 3% to 1% each.

In financial year 2014-15 (April 2014 to March 2015), India imported 161.5 million with 70% of them coming from China. During the preceding financial year, the share of Chinese modules in total imports was 65%.

Import of Chinese modules has increased sharply over the last few years as project developers continue to compete aggressively with each other for solar power projects.

The regulatory push from the government for solar power market has also helped domestic manufacturers increase their production and exports. Exports of Indian solar cells and modules increased from US$27.5 million to US$45.6 million.

Solar cell manufacturing capacity in India has increased from 1,216 MW in June 2014 to 1,468 MW in June 2016. Growth in the solar PV module manufacturing capacity has been much greater than that in the solar cell manufacturing sector. From an installed capacity base of 2,348 MW in June 2014, the module manufacturing capacity has increased by nearly three times to 6,848 MW. The capacity utilisation has also increased from 28% to around 74%.

11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

1.5 GW Solar Power Parks Approved In Maharashtra, India

written by saurabh

The Indian government has sanction three solar power parks, or ultra mega solar power projects, in the western state of Maharashtra.

Maharashtra state officials told Indian media outlets that approval for three solar power projects has been secured from the central government. Each of these projects will have installed capacity of 500 MW and shall be spread in different districts of the state.

The state government seems to have zeroed down on the specific sites for the projects. Each project will be spread over 2,500 acres of land. The projects are likely to be auctioned by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) as it has already done in states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, among others.

SECI currently lists 34 such solar power parks across the country that have received in-principle approval. The cumulative capacity of these solar power parks is 20 GW. The solar power park program is linked to the green energy corridors project that will see installation of dedicated transmission lines for large renewable energy projects. These transmission lines shall enable supply of electricity from states rich in renewable energy generation to other states.

In June, it was reported that Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is reportedly planning to implement a second phase of the solar parks program. Initially, the capacity addition planned through ultra mega solar power projects was 20 GW, the ministry is now considering to double that.

Maharashtra, through its state policy, plans to set up 7.5 GW of solar power capacity by 2020.

11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Chinese Companies Plan 1 GW Solar Power Park In Chernobyl

written by saurabh

Two Chinese companies are planning to revive the nuclear disaster site of Chernobyl by setting up a large solar power park.

According to media reports, two Chinese companies – GCL System Integration Technology (GCL-SI), a subsidiary of the GCL Group and China National Complete Engineering Corp (CCEC) – have announced plans to set up 1 GW solar power capacity at Chernobyl, Ukraine.

Construction of the project shall be responsibility of China National Complete Engineering Corp while GCL System Integration Technology shall supply the solar power equipment and be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the project.

While there will be obvious safety and health concerns regarding installation of the solar power park, there are also certain advantages related to the proposed project. Ukraine’s minister of environment and mineral resources stated that the area receives ample amount of solar radiation and existing transmission lines are also available for use. Additionally, the land is understandably cheaper.

“There will be remarkable social benefits and economic ones as we try to renovate the once damaged area with green and renewable energy. We have been dedicated to providing integrated solar services and will take diverse approaches this year to drive penetration and achieve global presence. The Chernobyl project is also one of our key steps to approach abroad,” said Shu Hua, the chairman of GCL-SI.

The exact location of the solar power park is yet to be announced but the Ukrainian authorities have allowed development activities in Chernobyl indicating that the radiation levels are under control.

The Chernobyl event remain the deadliest nuclear power plant disaster in human history. The World Health Organisation estimated that around 4,000 people have been killed due to radiation effects since the reactor meltdown at Chernobyl nuclear power plant in April 1986.

Image by vectoropenstock.com for Cleantechies

11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Demonetisation Hits One Of India’s Largest Solar Power Tenders

written by saurabh

It seems that the state of Tamil Nadu will have wait a bit longer to have the adequate solar power capacity operational to achieve the renewable purchase obligation.

Demonetisation drive implemented by the Indian government on 8 November has crushed the hopes of the state utility for an bumper solar power auction. State-owned power utility Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) had issued a tender for setting up 500 MW of solar PV power projects last month.

According to media reports, the utility has received only 20 bids with cumulative capacity of 116 MW. The reason for such poor showing is the inability of project developer to acquire land. Several developers reported that they were unable to pay cash to acquire land after currency notes of denomination Rs 500 and Rs 1000 were declared illegal for transactions starting 9 November 2016.

This auction for critical for TANGEDCO to increase the installed solar power capacity to a level which is closer to what it needs to meet the solar power purchase obligation.

Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) had approached the commission to let it auction this capacity as it would not be in a possible to meet the assigned target to acquire 5% of electricity from solar power projects for financial year 2017-18.

According to government estimates, an installed capacity base of 2.5 GW will be required to meet the 5% solar RPO target in 2017-18. TANGEDCO, however, expects that only 1.6 GW solar power capacity would be operational by that time, thus leaving a shortfall of 900 MW.

A tariff bid ceiling of Rs 5.10/kWh has been set for the purpose of competitive auction. TANGEDCO expects that the winning bids would be much lower, possibly closer to the national record low of Rs 4.35/kWh (US¢6.50/kWh).

11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Acciona Commissions 246 MW Solar Power Project In Chile

written by saurabh

Acciona has claimed to have commissioned the largest solar power in South America.

Acciona Energia announced that it commissioned a 246 MW solar power project in the Atacama region of Chile. The El Romero solar power project was successfully linked to the Central Interconnected System following 13 months of construction.

The project is spread across 280 hectares and consists of 776,000 modules. The project required a total investment of $343 million. Around 500 GWh electricity generated from the project every year would be enough to power 250,000 homes in Chile and offset around 485,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission every year.

Acciona Energia Chile general manager José Ignacio Escobar said: “We completed the project in record time. We are committed to the objective of achieving a clean and sustainable energy mix in Chile, and the best way to demonstrate this is to complete the projects we undertake to the technical quality standards required and in the shortest possible timescale.”

Acciona secured rights to develop a 183 MW wind energy project in the recent renewable energy auction in Chile.

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11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Jordan Issues 300 MW Solar, Wind Energy Tender

written by saurabh

Jordan has finally announced the long-awaited third renewable energy tender as it prepares to expand its clean energy infrastructure further.

The Middle East Solar Industry Association recently announced that Jordan issued tenders for 200 MW solar power and 100 MW wind energy capacity. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources had announced in September that a tender of 400-700 MW capacity would be issued.

Apart from the tender, plans have also been announced for setting up 60 MW solar power projects for on-site consumption. These may likely to targeted at commercial and industrial consumers.

In May 2015, Jordan allocated 200 MW of solar PV power projects in the second round auction, after a total of 33 companies had submitted technical proposals to set up power projects. However, only 24 of them eventually submitted financial bids. Four developers submitting the lowest bids were selected to develop 50 MW of capacity each. The lowest tariff bid was submitted by a Greek company, SUNRISE Photovoltaic Systems, which placed a bid of just US¢6.13 per kWh. Saudi Oger, Fotowatio Solar Renewable Ventures, and Hareon Solar also secured a 50 MW project each.

In February 2015, the government auctioned 200 MW of solar and wind energy capacity. It was the first ever renewable energy auction in Jordan.

Last month, the Masdar Group announced plans to set up a 200 MW solar power project in Jordan. The project shall be the largest solar power project in Jordan. The project development will be overseen by Masdar subsidiary Baynouna Solar Energy Company.

Jordan has set a target of installing 600 MW of solar PV capacity and 1,200 MW of wind energy capacity by 2020 to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels. To reach the 2020 renewable energy target and further enhance the clean energy infrastructure, the country has established the Jordan Renewable Energy and Efficiency Fund which is financed by the government as well as international donors like the French Development Agency and the World Bank.

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11/28/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Indian Railways Plans 5 GW Solar Power In Partnership With UNDP

written by saurabh

The Indian Railways has announced new grand plans to enhance its renewable energy production.

According to media reports, the Indian Railways is planning to set up around 5 GW solar power capacity across the country in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The capacity addition will be a mix of rooftop and ground-mounted projects.

The Indian Railways has managed to identify the solar power resource in two states so far – Gujarat and Rajasthan – where 25 MW of rooftop and 50 MW of ground-mounted capacity is to be commissioned in the first phase of the programme. In the second phase 60 MW rooftop and 660 MW ground-mounted capacity will be installed in nine other states. During the third phase, 400 MW rooftop and 3,800 MW ground-mounted capacity in rest of the country.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Railways issued a tender to set up 50 MW rooftop solar power capacity. Another 100 MW tender is expected to he floated soon.

The Indian Railways has already announced a plan to set up 1 GW of solar power capacity over the next few years and is currently working on a plan to implement this capacity. The large-scale solar PV projects are likely to come up on the vast area of unused land available with the Railways. This capacity will be set up with support from the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy through financial assistance from the National Clean Energy Fund.

Last year, the Indian Railways also announced plans to issue green bonds to potentially raise funds to fuel its renewable energy expansion.

11/28/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Chile Plans 1 GW Solar Power Park

written by saurabh

Chilean officials announced yet another major development in the country’s renewable energy market at COP22 Marrakech climate change summit earlier this month.

According to media reports, Chilean officials announced plans to set up a solar power park of up to 1 GW capacity in the Atacama region. Officials stated that the proposed solar power park will use the favourable conditions of the Atacama region where land as well as solar radiation resource is aplenty.

The solar power park shall primarily service the mining industry also located in the Atacama region. A number of projects are already operational or under construction in the region. However, there were concerns about the economic viability of these projects as demand from the mining companies declined amidst reduced demand for mineral commodities.

In absence of adequate transmission capacity the project developers were also unable to sell electricity to residential and other consumers at population centres. As a result, several project developers were forced to feed electricity into the grid for free.

Earlier this year, Chile achieved 1 GW of installed solar power capacity with several major project developers, including Acciona, Enel Green Power, Pattern Energy, EDF and Marubeni, and SunPower, which are working on large-scale solar power projects.

The Chilean Congress also approved the Electricity Transmission Act which will establish a new interconnected transmission network shall be established alongside a new independent operator. he new law is expected to help in better distribution of electricity generated from renewable energy projects that currently remain concentrated in the Atacama desert.

The proposed solar power park is expected to require investment of around $4 billion. The government hopes to see a sustained drop in solar power prices. In August, Solarpack secured rights to develop a solar power project at a tariff of US¢2.91/kWh which remains one of the lowest tariff bids for a solar power project globally.

11/28/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Enel Starts Construction Of 160 MW Solar Power Project

written by saurabh

A subsidiary of Enel Green Power has launched construction of Peru’s largest solar power project.

Enel Green Power recently announced that its subsidiary, Enel Green Power Peru, has initiated construction of a 160 MW solar PV project. The project is part of several renewable energy projects that the company had secured early this year.

Enel Green Power Peru secured rights to develop 180 MW of solar power, 126 MW of wind energy and 20 MW of hydro power projects. The company signed 20-year contracts to supply a specified volume of electricity generated from these projects.

The project is expected to be operation in 2018 and will generate around 440 GWh of electricity every year, enough to power 351,000 households in Peru.

When commissioned, this project will be one of the largest solar power projects in South America. Earlier this year, Enel Green Power announced that it commissioned a 160 MW solar power project in Chile – the largest in the continent at that time. Enel, however, is also working on a 254 MW solar power project in Brazil.

11/28/2016 0 comment

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