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Renewable Energy

Engie Has Grand Renewable Energy Plans For Asia-Pacific

written by saurabh

World’s largest independent power producer – Engie – has announced large-scale plans for expansion across various countries in Asia-Pacific.

Engie will look to implement power projects based on renewable energy technology as sustainability concerns related to coal-based power plants are expected to increase significantly over time. The company shall increase investment in geothermal, solar, wind and biomass-based power technologies, Engie Asia Pacific’s President and Chief Executive Officer Jan Flachet said recently.

Engie will start construction of a 100 MW geothermal power plant in Indonesia next year and plans to set up two more over the next few years. The company is also in talks with state-owned power utility PLN for setting up 200 MW solar power capacity. It also plans to set up biomass-based power projects using bamboo and palm oil as fuels.

In the remote islands of Philippines, Indonesia and Australia the company is looking to set up solar-hydrogen based storage systems as these may be cost-efficient to replace diesel generators.

Engie has an operational wind energy project in Mongolia and plans to set up a liquified natural gas terminal in Myanmar.

Apart from its push towards renewable energy technologies the company is also looking to divest stakes in fossil fuel-based assets. It plans to sell 70% stake in Australia’s Loy Yang B thermal power plant and 40% stake in PT Paiton Energy, Indonesia’s largest coal-based power generator.

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10/31/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Natcore Technology To Advise On 1 GW Solar Power Project In The Middle East

written by saurabh

A major solar power initiative seems to be in the works in the Middle East.

US-based Natcore Technology has announced that it has been appointed technology advisor by an Malta-based company for the development of 1 GW solar power projects across the Middle East. In addition of the power generation projects, Natcore shall also advise on the installation of solar modules and solar cells manufacturing facilities.

According to a press release issued by Natcore, the developer, DK Ener Group, shall set up 100 solar power projects of 10 MW capacity each across the region. The press release does not name the countries where these projects shall come up.

This project arose from Natcore’s “Best of Breed” consulting service through which it provides unbiased business, science and technical advice to potential new solar cell and solar panel manufacturers and to established solar manufacturers wishing to upgrade their facilities.

“This is the fourth project to come from our Best of Breed program,” Natcore President and CEO Chuck Provini said. “And it’s by far our largest.” The others are in Belize (10 MW), Vietnam (200 MW) and Australia (30 MW).

The Middle East has gained significant limelight in the global renewable energy sector over a very short period of time with regional and global project developers flocking to the attractive opportunities available. Countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait and Iran have made major strides in the development of renewable energy projects over the last few months.

10/31/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Scatec Solar To Build Mozambique’s First Utility-scale Solar Project

written by saurabh

Mozambique will soon see its first utility-scale solar power project commissioned by foreign investors.

Scatec Solar and Norfund will soon sign a power purchase agreement to set up 40 MW solar power project in Mozambique. The project will sell electricity to state owned utility Electricidade de Mozambique (EDM) through a 25-year power purchase agreement.

The project will come up at Mocuba in the Zambézia Province. When commissioned, the project will generate around 77,000 MWh electricity every year enough to meet power demand of around 175,000 households.

In addition to the power purchase agreement, a shareholder agreement will also be signed. Scatec Solar shall hold 52.5% stake in the project, Norfund 22.5%, and EDM will have 25% stake. Debt finance for the project shall be provided by the International Finance Corporation and the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund.

Construction on the project is expected to begin by Q1 2017.

In 2014, Scatec Solar and Norfund signed an agreement to set up 200 MW solar power capacity in least developed countries in Africa. As per the agreement, both entities shall be equity partners in the projects.

10/31/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Egypt Signs Solar PPAs For 125 MW Capacity

written by saurabh

Three companies have signed agreements for project development and sale of solar power with the Egyptian authorities.

According to media reports, Nubian, ARC and Irena have signed agreements with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) to develop solar power projects with cumulative capacity of 125 MW. Two of these projects will likely be the part of Aswan solar power park.

All three projects shall be developed under the first phase of feed-in tariff scheme wherein the tariffs have been set at US¢14.32/kWh. Nubian and ARC will set up projects of 50 MW each at Aswan while Irena, an Egyptian-Iraqi joint venture, will set up a 25 MW project in the West Nile region.

According to the requirements under phase I of the feed-in tariff scheme, project developers ought to bring in 85% of the project investment in foreign currency while the balance 15% shall be Egyptian Pounds.

A number of international project developers are working on a large-scale solar power park at Aswan. Companies that signed project developer agreements include Enel Green, EDF, Access Building Energy, and Building Energy Alliance. Companies that had signed the agreement earlier included TAQA Arabia, Cairo Solar, Orascom, Lekela Power (a joint venture between Mainstream Renewable Power and Actis).

Egypt plans to set up 2 GW wind energy and 2.3 GW solar power capacity by 2022. It also plans to increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity market to 20% by the same year.

The Ministry of Electricity and Energy recently announced that it will reduced the feed-in tariffs for solar power projects as part of the phase II of the feed-in tariff program. Projects with size of 500 kW to 20 MW will now have feed-in tariffs of US¢7.8/kWh, down from US¢13.6/kWh while projects of size 20-50 MW will see feed-in tariffs fall from US¢14.0/kWh to US¢8.4/kWh. These tariffs will be applicable to the second phase solar power projects implementation.

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10/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Indian Renewable IPP Mytrah Energy Achieves 1 GW Installed Capacity

written by saurabh

Mytrah Energy has become one of the first renewable IPPs in India to have achieved 1 GW of installed capacity.

Mytrah Energy announced in a press release that it crossed operational capacity base of 1 GW following commencement of operations at Aspari wind energy project in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

“In just six years Mytrah has covered an extraordinary distance and today marks the significant milestone achievement of one gigawatt of wind energy capacity,” Ravi Kailas, Chairman, Mytrah Energy said.

The company is working aggressively to increase its installed capacity base. According to recent media reports, the company is looking to sell an equity stake to private equity funds with a target of raising around $300 million. A third of this funding will be used to retire mezzanine debt taken from IDFC Alternatives. The rest will be used for setting up solar and wind energy projects across the country.

The company has so far raised $825 million, which includes $175 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Mytrah Energy Limited has a portfolio of wind power generation assets across 15 projects and 8 states. The Company has more than 200 wind masts installed across multiple states in India, providing a pool of information from which to select its future projects. Mytrah Energy currently has an active development pipeline of about 3000 MW of wind and 500 MW of solar.

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10/26/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Turkey Plans 1 GW Solar Power Park

written by saurabh

Turkey is planning to set up one of the largest solar power projects in the world.

According to media reports, Turkish ministry of energy and natural resources is planning to launch a tender to set up 1 GW solar power park. The project will be set up at Konya, in central Anatolia.

The solar park is expected to cover 2,000 hectares of land and will generate 17 TWh electricity every year, enough to power 600,000 homes. The first phase of the project is expected to be commissioned in 2018 following which it shall sell electricity through a 15-year power purchase agreement.

Through this project the government is looking to boost the economy as well. The tender is expected to have clauses for use of locally-produced equipment and employment of Turkish personnel.

At present, the largest solar power project operational in Turkey has 18.5 MW capacity (to be increased to 22.5 MW). The project, developed by Tekno Ray Solar and Enerray, is also located in Anatolia region.

Turkey has set a target to acquire 30% of all its electricity needs from renewable energy sources by 2023. The Turkish government is also looking to promoting other renewable energy technologies, with targets to set up 34 GW worth of hydro power, 5 GW worth of solar power, 1 GW worth of geothermal power, and 1 GW worth of biomass-based power capacity, all by 2023.

10/26/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Construction Begins At 100 MW Kathu CSP Project In South Africa

written by saurabh

Construction has begun on yet another concentrated solar power project in South Africa under its famed, and now controversial, Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

A consortium led by ENGIE recently announced that construction work has begun at the Kathu 100 MW CSP project in the Northern Cape province, South Africa. The project will be developed jointly by SENER and ACCIONA which shall provide engineering, procurement and construction services for the project.

The 100 MW project will sell electricity to Eksom through a 20-year power purchase agreement once it is fully commissioned in H2 2018. The Kathu Solar Park project will employ Sener patented parabolic trough reflectors and a molten salt storage system with 4.5 hours thermal storage capacity.

The project was allotted to ENGIE (formerly GDF Suez) and its partners during the third round of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme (REIPPP) auctions, with an investment of more than €500 million.

This project will be located near KaXu Solar One, which was the first solar thermal power project in South Africa. Both these companies have considerable experience in the development of solar thermal power projects. For both Sener and Acciona, this will be their second solar thermal project to be developed in South Africa. They worked together earlier on the Bokpoort plant (Upington), which is also a turnkey project employing Sener trough and a molten salt storage system. Bokpoort plant is expected to be commissioned by end of this year.

10/26/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Gamesa Lands 130 MW Solar Power Order In India

written by saurabh

Gamesa has landed its largest-ever solar EPC contract with an Indian company.

Gamesa has announced that it received an order to set up two solar power projects in India from Atria Power with cumulative capacity of 130 MW. The projects, with capacities 90 MW and 40 MW, will be located in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

As per the terms of the contract, Gamesa shall be responsible for the design as well as construction of the projects. The company will install E1.37 MW inverters at the projects that are manufactured by Gamesa Electric. These will be ‘the most powerful inverters installed in India to date,’ Gamesa has claimed.

The projects are expected to be commissioned in March 2017.

“This contract marks a fresh milestone in our strategy in the solar power segment in India. Here at Gamesa we continue to strive to offer our customers unrivalled solutions, by leveraging our know-how developing and managing renewable energy projects and our competitive local supply chain”, explained Ramesh Kymal, Gamesa’s CEO in India.

Gamesa commissioned its first solar power project in India in November 2015. It had set up a 9 MW project for three textile companies in the state of Tamil Nadu intended for captive consumption. At the time of commissioning, the company had also announced plans to set up 100 MW solar power projects through its EPC services. With these orders from Atria Power, Gamesa has managed to meet its target.

10/26/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Tata Power Renewable Energy Signs 100 MW PPA In Indian Solar Power Park

written by saurabh

The Ananthapuram solar power park in India’s Andhra Pradesh state continues to progress at a healthy rate with power purchase agreement being signed for yet another project.

Tata Power Renewable Energy has reportedly signed a power purchase agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) Limited for a 100 MW solar PV project at Ananthapuram, Andhra Pradesh.

The project was allocated to as part of a competitive auction held by SECI in May 2016. A total capacity of 400 MW was allocated among four companies. The companies are free to use either imported modules or those manufactured/assembled in India.

All companies will sell electricity at Rs 4.43/kWh (US¢6.7/kWh) for a period of 25 years. The developers shall receive capital cost support as per their approved bids. Tata Power Renewable Energy secured the project at a bid of Rs 7,399,990 per MW (US$111,161 per MW). Other developers that won projects are Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (100 MW), Acme Solar (150 MW) and Azure Power (50 MW).

The Ananthapuram solar power park will have an installed capacity of 1 GW once fully commissioned. 250 MW capacity is already operational at the solar park – including 100 MW owned and operated by Tata Power Renewable Energy. With an additional 400 MW capacity auctioned in May this year, a balance 350 MW auction is pending.

10/26/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

GreenWish Plans 100 MW Solar Power Capacity In Nigeria

written by saurabh

A Paris-based investment company has announced plans to set up utility-scale solar power projects in Nigeria.

GreenWish Partners, an investment company working in the renewable energy sector in sub-Saharan Africa has announced that it will se tup two solar power projects of 50 MW capacity each in northern Nigeria. The total investment for the projects is expected to be around US$130-150 million. The projects are expected to be commissioned next year.

These projects will likely be GreenWish’s first foray into the utility-scale solar market in Nigeria. The company already operates off-grid solar power sites for banks and telecom towers.

GreenWish CEO Chief Executive Officer Charlotte Aubin-Kalaidjian stated that Nigeria is an apt place to develop solar power projects due to high resource availability, increasing power demand, over-dependence on fossil fuels and the governmental support for development of renewable energy resources.

A number of companies recently signed agreements with the Nigerian government to set up utility-scale solar power projects. Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading signed long-term agreements for more than 1,000 MW of solar power projects.

The development of solar power projects in Nigeria has full support and regulatory backing of the government. Last year, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission approved feed-in tariff regulations for renewable energy sourced electricity. As per the provisions of the regulations, electricity distribution companies will be required to source at least 50% of their total procurement from renewable energy sources. The Commission has also mandated that the balance 50% electricity would have to be sourced from Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company.

10/26/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

India’s Solar Modules Manufacturing Capacity Jumps 150% In 2 Years

written by saurabh

Following the sharp increase in the installed solar power target announced by the Indian government in 2014, solar cell and module manufacturing companies have significantly increased the production capacities.

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy recently released data for the companies active in solar cell and module production in the country, their installed capacity base and utilisation. As on 30 June 2016, India had 20 companies actively involved in solar cell production. As many as 94 companies are manufacturing solar PV modules in the country.

The 20 solar cell companies have a combined annual production capacity of 1,468 MW out of which 1,163 MW capacity (or more than 76%) was being utilised. Three companies – Jupiter Solar, Indosolar and Moser Baer Solar – represent 780 MW, or over 53%, of the total installed production capacity. Four companies – Lanco Solar, Mundra Solar PV (Adani Enterprises), Synergy Solar and Waaree Energies – are believed to be in the process of setting up their production capacities.

Solar cell manufacturing capacity in India has increased from 1,216 MW in June 2014 to 1,468 MW in June 2016. Capacity utilisation in June 2014 was a measly 20% which has increased to 76.5% in June 2016.

Capacity utilisation in solar module manufacturers is also high at around 74%. A total of 94 companies have a cumulative installed production capacity of 6,848 MW solar PV modules per year, of this 4,308 MW capacity is being utilised. Vikram Solar (500 MW), Waaree Energies (500 MW) and Tata Power Solar Systems (300 MW) are the three largest manufacturers of solar PV modules in India representing 23% of the installed capacity; all three also reported 100% utilisation of their production capacity.

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%.

The Indian government is looking to further enhance the domestic solar cell and manufacturing sector. The government is planning financial support package of $3.1 billion to solar power equipment manufacturing sector. The support, possibly in the form capital cost support, could be offered on per MW basis.

10/26/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

India Receives $30 Million Fees For 500 MW SunEdison Project

written by saurabh

One of the largest solar power projects to be developed by a single company seems to be on-track for timely commissioning.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has received payment of $30 million as fees for the development of a 500 MW project. The project was secured by SunEdison India through competitive auction.

SunEdison had secured the project at a record-breaking tariff of ₹4.63 per kWh (US¢7.12/kWh) beating several leading project developers, including Trina Solar, SkyPower, ACME Solar, Aditya Birla, Azure Power, Welspun Energy, ReNew Power, and Suzlon Energy.

There were significant concerns about the various projects secured by SunEdison India through competitive auctions after SunEdison filed for bankruptcy.

Greenko Energy Holdings had acquired operational and under-development assets from SunEdison. Greenko took control of 500 MW operational assets and 900 MW of assets under development. The acquisition also includes 425 MW of solar assets that SunEdison India sold to Terraform Global last year.

Greenko Energy Holdings reportedly payed around Rs 670 crore (US$100 million) cash to SunEdison and also issued fresh bank guarantees worth Rs 200-250 crore (US$30-37.5 million) for the outstanding debt for these projects.

10/26/2016 0 comment

Articles Renewable Energy

Invenergy Announces 700 MW Wind & Solar Project For Long Island

written by Joshua Hill

Clean energy developer and owner Invenergy has announced it will develop a 700 MW wind and solar project for Long Island, the largest ever renewable energy project proposed for the region.

Invenergy, which owns, develops, builds, and operates clean energy operations in Europe and North America, announced on Monday the 700 MW Clean Energy Link project for Long Island, which will consist of four new wind farms and two new solar farms located within the 12-state PJM regional power market, and intended solely for Long Island.

Upon completion, Clean Energy Link will triple Long Island’s renewable energy portfolio, and move Nassau and Suffolk from 3% in 2015 to 10% upon completion in 2020.

Clean Energy Link, however, will not be built in Long Island, but rather in multiple states around the country, making use of rural areas where land is both less expensive and more readily available, and delivered to Long Island by way of a new buried HVDC transmission line, terminating at a net-zero converter station on Long Island itself.

“Long Island has never had an opportunity like the Clean Energy Link,” said Marcia Bystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “In a single stroke, the Clean Energy Link will more than triple the green energy supply to Long Island. It’s a big step forward for Long Island and means we can stop talking about meeting the Governor’s 50 by 30 and begin actually achieving it.”

“Long Island is determined to protect our environment, and Governor Cuomo’s 50 by 30 mandate is the vehicle that ensures innovative methods for securing renewable energy is a part of the equation,” added Assemblyman Steve Englebright. “Long Islanders have long sought clean energy via wind and solar projects, but the proposal by Invenergy allows us to make a significant step forward without sacrificing open space as a consequence.”

10/25/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Masdar Group To Set Up 200 MW Solar Power Project In Jordan

written by saurabh

Jordan continues to attract significant foreign investment into its renewable energy sector.

Abu Dhabi-based Masdar Group has 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.

Masdar and Jordan’s energy ministry had signed an agreement to develop the project in January 2016 during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. Jordan’s National Electric Power Company has now signed the power purchase agreement with the project developer.

Once commissioned, the project will generate enough electricity to meet the demand of around 11,000 households and offset around 360,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.

In January 2016, it was also reported that Masdar had joined hands with ABB for the development of solar power projects in Jordan. Substations, required to link power plants to the power grid, and inverters supplied by ABB are already operational at various solar power projects in Jordan.

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. The country has already conducted a number of auctions to allocate solar and wind energy projects and is planning to conduct more in the near future.

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10/25/2016 0 comment

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