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Renewable Energy

MidAmerican Energy Receives Go-Ahead For $3.6 Billion, 2 GW Iowa Wind XI Project

US Energy company MidAmerican Energy announced late August that it would proceed with its $3.6 billion investment into the 2 GW Wind XI project set to be developed in Iowa.

MidAmerican Energy announced that it had received the final order and approval from the Iowa Utilities Board on August 26 for Wind XI, which will use 1,000 wind turbines to reach a total planned capacity of 2 GW. Completion for the project is expected by the end of 2019, and upon completion will result in the largest economic development project in Iowa’s history, as well as being the largest wind project MidAmerican Energy has ever undertaken.

Specifically, Wind XI will be spread out across multiple sites in Iowa, being placed into service over a three year period starting in 2017 and ending in 2019.

“This is an exciting day for our customers, the state of Iowa and MidAmerican Energy,” said Bill Fehrman, president and CEO of MidAmerican Energy. “We thank the board for its support and for moving quickly to deliver this ruling.”

A project this size might in some cynical areas raise questions over the financial impact on taxpayers, but MidAmerican Energy has promised that Wind XI will be paying for the whole project itself, and will not be asking for an increase in customer utility rates or financial assistance from the state.

In addition, the Wind XI project will generate more than $1.2 billion in landowner easement and property tax payments over the next 40 years, while during construction the project will provide for thousands of jobs, and hundreds of jobs upon completion and throughout the life of the project.

“Wind energy helps us keep prices stable and more affordable for customers, provides jobs and economic benefits for communities and the state, and contributes to a cleaner environment for everyone,” Fehrman added.

MidAmerican Energy announced its commitment to the project back in April of this year, labeling the project a big step towards the company’s own goal of reaching 100% renewable energy for all its Iowa customers.

09/01/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

India Allocates Another 65 MW At Charanka Solar Power Park

written by saurabh

The series of project allocations by Solar Energy Corporation of India continue as the country developers several solar power parks simultaneously.

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) auctioned 65 MW solar PV power capacity in the Charanka solar power park, Gujarat. The projects were auction under the viability gap funding scheme wherein developers are required to submit the minimum capital cost support they will require to set up the projects.

Indian project developers ReNew Power Ventures and Mahindra Renewables secured 40 MW and 25 MW capacity, respectively. ReNew Power Ventures quoted a bid of Rs 7.01 million (US$104,700) per MW while Mahindra Renewables placed a bid of Rs 7.77 million (US$115,892) per MW. The developers shall be free to choose imported or Indian-made modules.

The bids placed by the ReNew Power and Mahindra Renewables are higher than the successful bids placed for projects at the same solar power park earlier this year. SECI had auctioned 200 MW capacity in June with all project developers required to use Indian-made modules. The bids at that time were between US$101,810 and US$116,455 per MW.

Government-owned entity Gujarat Industries Power Limited and Mahindra Renewables secured 40 MW capacity each in that auction while Orange Renewables secured a 40 MW project. All the projects will sign power purchase agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India for a period of 25 years at a fixed tariff of Rs 4.43/kWh.

08/31/2016 1 comment

Renewable Energy

Pakistan Gets Renewable Energy Investment Offers Worth $500 Million

written by saurabh

Pakistan continues to receive investment offers for renewable energy projects as the current demand-supply situation in the country makes it attractive for developers to set up new projects.

Project developers recently offered to set up 300 MW of renewable energy capacity across Pakistan. According to media reports, these offers would result in a cumulative investment of $500 million.

Zhenfa Pakistan New Energy Company has approached the government to acquire power generation license for its planned 100 MW solar power project. The company plans to set up the project in the Punjab province at an estimated investment of $122 million.

Three other companies have also revealed plans to set up wind energy projects in the neighbouring Sindh province. Western Energy Private Limited plans to set up 50 MW project worth $116 million, Trans Atlantic Energy plans to set up 48 MW capacity at $110 million investment while Siachen Energy Limited has proposed a 100 MW project.

Large number of wind energy projects are being planned in the Sindh province as it has vast wind energy sources as well as ample land availability. Recent media reports stated than 21 wind energy projects are currently at various developmental stages. These projects are likely to be commissioned by 2018 adding over 1 GW capacity of Pakistan power grid.

Pakistan has seen significant rise in renewable energy investment over the last few years. The investment has been mainly driven by Chinese companies due to close government-to-government relations between the two Asian countries. However, European countries have also announced plans to set up large-scale projects in the country where competition is still very low compared to emerging and developed markets.

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08/31/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

India Issues 200 MW Solar Power Storage Tender

written by saurabh

India has issued its second solar power storage tender as it looks to expand its capabilities to efficiently absorb the rapidly increasing solar power capacity in the existing grid.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) issued tender to set up 200 MW solar power capacity along with storage facility. The power generation capacity shall come up in Karnataka’s Pavagada solar power park. Projects will be auctioned in the size of 50 MW each with each project having storage capacity of 2.5 MWh.

Pavagada solar power park is among around 25 solar power parks approved by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. The planned capacity of the solar power park is 5 GW which would make it among the largest power projects in India.

NTPC Limited has already auctioned 500 MW capacity for the solar park. The capacity was allocated to six developers who are free to choose Indian or imported solar power modules for their projects. Adani Power, Tata Power Renewable Energy and Fortum India secured 100 MW capacity each at tariff of Rs 4.79/kWh (US¢7.9/kWh).

More capacity is expected to be auctioned soon by NTPC Limited as well as SECI.

This new tender comes only days after SECI issued the first solar power storage tender of 100 MW capacity for the 1 GW Kadapa solar power park in Andhra Pradesh.

08/31/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Adani To Begin Production At 1.2 GW Solar Modules Factory By March 2017

written by saurabh

One of India’s leading industrial conglomerates – Adani Enterprises – is scheduled to being construction of its solar module manufacturing unit later this year.

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. Adani had last year signed an agreement with SunEdison to set up the largest solar module manufacturing facility in India. The two companies had agreed to invest $4 billion on the project.

Recent media reports has stated of a third phase for the production facility. The company will reportedly start polysilicon production upto 10,000 tonnes in the third phase.

Modules manufactured at the facility are likely to be absorbed in the company’s own projects and may be sold to other developers in the country and even sold to other markets. Adani Enterprises signed an agreement with the government of Rajasthan to set up 10 GW solar power park.

Last month, Adani Enterprises submitted an application with the Ministry of Environment and Forest for approval to set up 1 million tonne/year copper smelter. While the company did not specify the purpose of setting up the venture, media outlets quotes unnamed sources saying that the copper smelter would feed into the company’s solar module manufacturing units.

08/31/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Pakistan To Add 1 GW Wind Energy Capacity Over Next 2 Years

written by saurabh

Pakistan is expected to see a huge jump in wind energy installed capacity over the next two years as 21 projects are lined up for commissioning.

Government officials in Pakistan has told local media that almost two dozen wind energy projects are currently at various stages of development and 1,012 MW capacity is expected to be added to the grid by 2018.

All these projects are being developed in the eastern province of Sindh which shares international border with the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. These states have some of the largest installed wind energy capacities among all Indian states.

A number of foreign companies are planning these projects, including China Three Gorges Corporation, China Sunec Energy, and Tricon Boston Consulting Corporation. Nine projects with cumulative capacity of 479 MW have already achieved financial closure and are currently under construction. Six projects with 308 MW capacity are already operational.

The Sindh government has taken several measures to promote renewable energy sector. Last year, it approved allocation of 15,089 acres of land to set up 21 solar and wind energy projects, amounting to a total installed capacity of 1,880 MW. The government will also allocate an additional 6,622 acres land for 12 more renewable energy projects later.

Several European and Chinese companies have already invested in Pakistan’s renewable energy market. Foreign investors poured over $3 billion into the renewable energy sector in Pakistan over the last year.

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08/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

South Africa Likely To Achieve 5.6 GW Wind Energy Capacity By 2020

written by saurabh

According to the new report released by GlobalData, South Africa has immense potential for wind installations over the next four years.

The research and consulting firm GlobalData report states that more than 3 GW wind energy is expected to be installed by 2020 which will bring country’s cumulative wind capacity to 5.6 GW.

The report also states that majority of the capacity addition occurred in the last few years with 30 MW installed in 2013, 606 MW in 2014 and 483 MW in 2015. Until 2012 wind industry was almost non-existent with just 10 MW cumulative wind capacity installed.

According to GlobalData analyst Pavan Vyakaranam, South African wind energy market is still new even after large capacity additions in the past few years and has a huge potential for growth. He that country needs a system to determine wind speeds and other factors to plan installations, future developments and infrastructure in line with the available wind potential at different locations and sites.

GlobalData states that South Africa’s wind industry has the potential to push the country closer to reaching its climate targets. In 2015, South Africa submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Commitments (INDC) ahead of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) with an aim to limit the green-house gas emissions by striking balance between the much-needed development of power capacity and emissions arising from development.

Vyakaranam continues, “The energy sector is currently the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in South Africa, emitting close to 250 million tonnes (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent. With more capacity additions underway, wind power will account for reductions to greenhouse gas emissions in South Africa by an estimated 6.4 MT in 2020 and then 12.7 MT in 2025.”

Wind energy capacity addition will be driven by South Africa’s landmark Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). Last year, the Minister of Energy, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, announced that she would approach the National Energy Regulator (NERSA) to make arrangements to offer an additional 6.3 GW in future auctions.

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08/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Engie, Solairedirect To Develop 400 MW Solar Power Projects In Chile

written by saurabh

Engie Energia Chile and Solairedirect, subsidiaries of French utility Engie, have announced plans to jointly develop 400 MW of solar power in Chile.

The two companies have agreed to work on photovoltaic (PV) projects in the northern and central parts of Chile for a period of one year. Both the companies will own the project equally, however, Engie Energia has an option to acquire 100% of the project.

Engie Energia Chile holds a fossil-fuel dominated generation portfolio across Chile supplying power mainly to industrial and mining companies’ located in Chile’s Great North.

Solairedirect already has presence in Chile’s solar market and inaugurated its first solar park in Andacallo in December 2013. Company also recently won a 23 MW PV project at a tender in Mexico, offering a price of $48/MWh.

Recently at country’s biggest power auction, both these companies had jointly submitted a bid to offer services for 83 MWp Capricornio PV project, however, it was not selected in the tender. In the auction, SunEdison set a new record-low solar bid at 2.91¢/kWh ($29.1/MWh).

Engie, through its various subsidiaries, operates two solar power projects in Chile and in process of building a third one with an aggregate capacity of 55.3 MW.

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08/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Another Indian Airport Goes Solar

written by saurabh

Another major international airport in India has installed solar power panels to reduce carbon footprint of its operations.

According to media reports, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has installed solar power panels on the cargo complex of the Chennai airport. The solar power system is believed to have installed capacity of 5 MW and will generate enough electricity to meet 80% of the cargo terminal’s power demand.

The solar power system is expected to significantly reduce the electricity bill of the cargo terminal which currently procures electricity from the state utility at every high price.

Following the expansion of the Chennai airport large rooftop area has become available for solar power systems. The airport also has surplus 4,000 acre of land available for utility-scale solar power project. If fully utilised, the area can host 800 MW solar power project based on crystalline modules.

The AAI plans to set up similar solar power projects at airports across the country. The Indian minister for civil aviation recently announced that as many as 143 airports around the country will install a total of 148 MW of solar capacity over the next few months. According to AAI, solar projects of 5.4 MW cumulative capacity are already operational at 16 airports.

This 5.4 MW capacity does not include the 12 MW land-based solar power project operational at the Kochi airport. The airport commissioned the project last year and switched its operations completely to solar power.

08/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

India To Begin Construction Of 5 GW Solar Power Park Soon

written by saurabh

Construction on one of India’s largest, if not the largest, solar power park is expected to being soon.

The Minister for Energy in the southern state of Karnataka recently told media outlets that construction on a proposed 5 GW solar power park will begin soon. The Pavagada solar power park is among the more than two dozen solar power parks with cumulative capacity of almost 20 GW approved by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.

The Pavagada solar power park is still in its very initial stages of development. While a total capacity of 5 GW has been proposed, plans for only 2 GW have been shared in the public so far. India’s largest power generation company NTPC Limited and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) will jointly auction and allocate the 2 GW capacity in the project size of 50 MW each.

Five power distribution utilities in the southern state of Karnataka recently signed an agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to acquire 1 GW of solar power from a solar power park currently under development. The utilities will purchase electricity from SECI at Rs 4.50/kWh (US¢6.7/kWh) for a period of 25 years.

Recently, NTPC auctioned 500 MW capacity for the solar park. The capacity was allocated to six developers who are free to choose Indian or imported solar power modules for their projects. Adani Power, Tata Power Renewable Energy and Fortum India secured 100 MW capacity each at tariff of Rs 4.79/kWh (US¢7.9/kWh).

NTPC will also hold 100 MW auction wherein developers will be mandated to use only Indian-made solar PV modules. Apart from that NTPC has been designated to auction an additional 1 GW capacity. Power generated from this capacity will be bundled with power generated from NTPC’s own thermal power projects.

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) will also auction 400 MW capacity for the solar power park. This capacity will be allocated under the Viability Gap Funding scheme wherein developers will bid for capital cost support needed and sell power at a fixed tariff of Rs Rs 4.43/kWh (US¢6.6/kWh).

08/28/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

India Plans $220 Million Payment Security Fund For Solar Project Developers

written by saurabh

India has announced measures to provide financial support to solar power project developers even as the sector continues to see increasing competition in terms of tariff bids.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) recently announced that it will set up Payment Security Fund for project developers who commissioned projects under the viability gap funding (VGF) schemes of the National Solar Mission. Under the VGF schemes, project developers do not bid for tariffs but for the lowest capital cost support required for setting up the projects.

SECI plans to set have a corpus of Rs 1,500 crore (US$220 million) in the Payment Security Fund. The corpus shall be used by the agency to cover against possible defaults in payment by power utilities and other buyers of solar power.

The first VGF scheme – phase II batch I – with 750 MW capacity has already been completed. Additional capacity under the scheme was announced when the current government came to power in May 2014. Phase II batch III and phase II batch IV plans capacity addition of 2 GW and 5 GW, respectively. Power generated from projects under these two batches will be sold at a fixed rate of Rs 4.43/kWh (US¢6.6/kWh) for a period of 25 years. The Indian government has approved funding support of Rs 7,150 crore (US$1.1 billion) for these 7 GW projects.

In addition to these schemes funding shall also be provided to projects that come up along the international border of India and Pakistan to enhance security and monitoring capabilities of the Border Security Force of India.

At any given point the fund shall have enough corpus to cover three months’ payment for all the VGF schemes.

08/28/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Upto 19% Rate Of Return Expected From Indonesia’s New Solar Feed-in Tariffs, Says BNEF

written by saurabh

Indonesia may soon become a budding solar power market as feed-in tariffs recently announced by the government are expected to yield very attractive returns for developers.

According to an analysis by the Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), solar power projects in Java and Sumatra may yield rate of return up to 18.8% the capital cost of setting up solar power projects in these areas will be lower compared to that in other regions of Indonesia.

Indonesia recently announced feed-in tariffs for solar PV power projects in the range of US¢14.5/kWh and US¢25.0/kWh. The tariff vary from region to region. Java and Sumatra have been assigned the lowest tariff of less than US¢20.0/kWh but the levellised cost of energy is even lower at around US¢8.8/kWh.

Projects selected for implementation will sell electricity through 20-year power purchase agreements. Java has been allocated a total capacity of 150 MW with project size capped at 20 MW. Projects will less than 10 MW capacity will have to be commissioned within 12 months while larger projects will get 24 months.

Over the last few months the government has taken several measures to promote investment in the renewable energy sector, including the implementation of a single-window approval system. The planned incentives would play a critical role in Indonesia’s endeavor to boost the share of renewable energy sources in the total energy mix to 19% by 2019 and to 25% by 2025, up from its current share of renewable energy sources of between 5% and 6%.

08/27/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Solar Energy Corp Of India Issues 100 MW Solar Energy Storage Tender

written by saurabh

The Solar Energy Corporation of India has issued among the first tenders for solar power projects with storage capacity.

A tender for 100 MW storage capacity for a large solar power park has been issued by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). The storage will be part of the 1 GW Kadapa solar power park approved under the central government’s plan to setup around 25 GW of ultra mega solar power projects across the country.

Last month, media outlets had reported that SECI will auction an additional 200 MW storage capacity linked with large-scale solar power park in Karnataka. Theses auctions are part of an overall strategy to seamlessly integrate renewable energy projects into the existing power grid.

Earlier this year, Indian newspapers also reported that the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy was considering to launch a National Mission on Energy Storage. No details of the said mission are currently available, however.

International companies are already planning to bid for the impending tenders. Chinese battery maker BYD and Canada-based project developer SkyPower Global entered an agreement to bid for solar power projects in India soon after the news of 100 MW storage tender for Andhra Pradesh solar power park was reported.

08/27/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Scatec Solar Wins 100 MW Solar Power Project In Nigeria

written by saurabh

Norwegian independent solar power provider, Scatec Solar, has signed an agreement with Canadian renewable energy group CDIL and Nigerian consulting company BPS for developing a 100 MW solar power plant project in Nigeria.

The 100 MW Nova Scotia Power plant will be built in Nigerian state of Jigawa. Scatec Solar will develop, build, own and operate the solar plant for which 25 year long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) has been signed with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET). The plant is expected to reach financial close by 2017 and start commercial operations 12 months later.

Last month, NBET signed the first power purchase agreements with solar power project developers. The NBET signed 12 PPAs with projects of 975 MW cumulative capacity. The developers shall sell power from these projects at US¢11.5/kWh for a period of 20 years.

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.

Scatec Solar is a renowned solar power developer with portfolio of 404 MW of commissioned solar projects with majority of this capacity located in Africa. Company also has presence in Czech Republic, South Africa, Honduras, Jordan and the US.

The company is looking to develop a several large-scale solar power projects across Africa. It signed an agreement to set up 250 MW capacity in Egypt. It is also working on the largest solar power project in west Africa – 33 MW project in Mali.

08/27/2016 0 comment

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