CleanTech Report 2020.02.11

AgBioEn turns soil on $2 billion renewable energy project in Victoria.
Alaska’s largest rural solar project set to break ground in Kotzebue.
Kenya kickstarts Africa’s first $145 million hybrid power plant.
EIB commits $1 billion to renewable projects across Europe.

CleanTech Report February 11th 2020

AFRICA

Google Ditches Plan To Invest In African Wind Farm

Tech Central

Vestas Wind Systems is shopping for a new buyer for its 12.5% stake in Africa’s largest wind farm after Google dropped plans to purchase it following project delays. The Danish turbine manufacturer blamed the Alphabet unit’s decision to pull out on “delays relating primarily to the transmission line” for the US$679-million Lake Turkana Wind Power project in Kenya. The 310MW farm’s high-voltage link to the grid, scheduled for completion in October 2016, was delayed by two years after contractors were changed.

AfDB Approves Close To $35M To Liberia For Renewable Energy

Enviro News

The African Development Fund (AfdB) has approved a $34.74 million grant and loan to boost renewable energy access and promote an attractive investment climate in Liberia.

Kenya Kickstarts Africa’s First $145M Hybrid Power Plant 

YEN

Kenya has begun a project to start the first hybrid power plant in Africa which would cost an estimated $145 million. The project was started as a result of the efforts of the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) the Meru County Government and global renewable energy developers, Windlab. When complete, the plant is expected to produce 80MW of power to serve over 200,000 households.

 

ASIA

Indian Railways Vijayawada Station Gets Highest Capacity Cover-Over-Platform Solar Plant

Financial Express

A high capacity building integrated photovoltaic solar plant of 65 kWp capacity COPs were installed at platforms 4, 5 of Vijayawada station, where platform covers are made of solar panels without utilizing any galvanized sheets.

44 Foreign Investment Projects Obtain Permission For Activity In Yazd

The Iran Project

Some 44 foreign investment projects in the fields of solar energy, health, steel, urban development, tourism, industry and industrial tools from 13 countries obtained permission to launch activities in Yazd province, said head of the provincial Economic Affairs and Finance Department.

Japan’s Nedo And Panasonic Achieve The World’s Highest Conversion Efficiency Of 16.09% For Largest-Area Perovskite Solar Cell Module

BioSpace

Panasonic Corporation has achieved the world’s highest energy conversion efficiency of 16.09% for a perovskite solar module (Aperture area 802 cm2: 30 cm long x 30 cm wide x 2 mm thick) by developing lightweight technology using a glass substrate and a large-area coating method based on inkjet printing.

 

AUSTRALIA

Shell Australia To Build 120MV Solar Farm In Queensland

Power Technology

Shell Energy Australia has announced plans to build and operate industrial-scale solar electricity farm near Wandoan in central Queensland. Called Project Gangarri, the 120MW solar farm will feature 400,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels.

AgBioEn Turns Soil On $2 Billion Renewable Energy Project In Katunga, Victoria

Global Travel Media

Mayor of Moira Shire Council, Libro Mustica welcomed AgBioEn Directors, local counsellor’s, media representatives together with local businesses yesterday morning to Kutunga in regional Victoria where AgBioEn commenced earthworks on its first renewable energy plant.

Neoen’s Massive Culcairn Solar And Battery Project Edges Closer To Construction

Renew Economy

French renewables developer Neoen is making headway on what promises to be one of Australia’s biggest solar projects yet, the 402MW (DC) Culcairn Solar Farm, proposed for the southeast Riverina region of New South Wales. Neon Australia late last month submitted its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the “state significant” project, for a period of exhibition that ends February 27.

 

EUROPE

EU Power Sector Emissions Drop As Coal Collapses Across Europe

ALJAZEERA

The European power sector emitted 12 percent less carbon dioxide in 2019 than during the prior year, suggesting the continent has sped up its shift away from fossil fuel energy sources. During the same period, the share of energy from renewables increased to almost 35 percent, according to a new report by two European climate think-tanks.

Morrison & Co Raises Initial €220M For New European Renewables Platform

Real Assets

Morrison & Co has received €220m worth of commitments for a newly launched European renewables platform. The manager said its New Zealand-based infrastructure investment firm Infratil owns a 40% stake in newly the Galileo Green Energy (GGE) platform with co-investors the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation, the New Zealand Superannuation Fund and the Morrison & Co Growth Infrastructure Fund, each of which has a 20% interest.

EIB Commits $1 Billion To Renewable Projects Across Europe

Power Engineering

Meeting in Luxembourg, the Board of the EIB agreed to support EUR 4.9 billion ($5.4bn) of financing. This included EUR 1.7 billion ($1.9bn) of new support for corporate innovation, industrial energy efficiency and business investment through direct financing and credit lines with local financial partners.

 

LATIN AMERICA

Canadian Solar Secures 225.2 Million Brazilian Reais Financing For Lavras Project In Brazil

PRNewswire

Canadian Solar Inc., one of the world’s largest solar power companies, today announced it has secured 225.2 million Brazilian reais (US$ 55 million) non-recourse project financing from Banco do Nordeste do Brasil S.A. (BNB) for its Lavras solar power projects. Since the beginning of 2019, Canadian Solar has secured BRL 1,007 million (US$ 247 million) solar project financing with BNB.

Ibereolica Seeks Approval For 500MW Project In Chile

PV Tech

Spanish renewables company Ibereolica Renovables has submitted an environmental impact declaration for its 500MW Antofogasta Project in Chile. The company wants permission to construct and operate two identical 250MWac plants, a 33/220kV substation and 220kV aerial transmission line in the Antofagasta region to the country’s north.

Atlas Renewable Energy To Develop 137MW Solar Complex In Brazil

Renewables Now

Atlas Renewable Energy will develop a 137-MW solar photovoltaic (PV) complex in the Brazilian state of Bahia, the local government announced last week. Consisting of the Centrais Fotovoltaicas Juazeiro Solar V, VI, VII and VIII, the complex is planned to be built in Juazeiro municipality at a total cost of about BRL 508 million (USD 117.5m/EUR 107.4m).

 

MENA

Arava Region Of Israel About To Be 100% Solar Powered

JPost

Here’s some great climate crisis news just in time for Tu Bishvat, the Jewish people’s environmental holiday: The Arava region – from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea – is about to be powered 100% during the day by the sun. Yes, that includes Eilat, all the hotels, factories, homes, businesses, kibbutzim and air conditioning – 100%! And by 2025, the sun will power all nighttime electricity needs as well.

SGRF’s Rakiza Fund To Invest In Renewables In Oman

ZAWYA

Oman – Rakiza, an infrastructure-focused fund set up by the State General Reserve Fund (SGRF) the largest sovereign wealth fund of the Sultanate of Oman is keenly eyeing opportunities to invest in the countrys burgeoning renewable energy space.

Saudi Wind Farm Wins International Award

Arab News

A wind farm in the Kingdom’s northwest has won an international award for its low production costs. The project, which generates electric power from wind energy in Dumat Al-Jandal, won the 2019 Middle East and Africa Power Deal of the Year award, one of the annual Project Finance International Awards.

 

NORTH AMERICA

Boston University Is Building The City’s Largest Carbon-Neutral, Fossil Fuel-Free Building

Fast Company

The city of Boston has a goal to be carbon neutral by 2050, but Boston University, which occupies 135 acres of the city, aims to be carbon neutral by 2040. It’s not because the school is competitive, explains Dennis Carlberg, associate vice president for university sustainability at BU, but because if BU doesn’t accomplish that first, there’s no way the city will hit its goal in time.

Alaska’s Largest Rural Solar Project Set To Break Ground In Kotzebue

Alaska Public Media

The high costs of diesel fuel to power energy grids has led a lot of rural utilities to offset with more renewable energy. The city of Kotzebue has used wind power for decades to supplement its fuel use, and is now about to break ground on a brand new solar project. Martin Shroyer is the general manager for Kotzebue Electric Association (KEA), the city’s local electric utility. He says renewable energy is nothing new in Kotzebue.

PUC Approves $100 Million Solar Project On Pine Ridge Reservation

Rapid City Journal

South Dakota has issued its first permit for a large-scale solar facility — a $100 million project on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The Public Utilities Commission approved a construction permit for the Lookout Solar Project during a meeting Monday in Pierre, according to a news release from the commission. The facility, owned by a German company, will be able to generate up to 110 megawatts of electricity.

 
 

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