CleanTech Report April 18th 2019 |
AFRICARenewables Investor Berkeley Hires JP Morgan To Review OptionsThe founders of renewables energy investor Berkeley Energy have hired U.S. investment bank JP Morgan to evaluate options, including a sale, for the company’s investment funds, which could be worth around $500 million, banking sources said. Acumen Closes $70 Million Impact Fund For Clean Energy In AfricaBloomberg Jacqueline Novogratz’s impact investing group closed an almost $70 million fund to back companies delivering affordable and renewable energy to mostly poor consumers in East Africa. Activists Push South Africa Pension Funds To Tally Climate CostsPension funds in South Africa have a legal obligation to account for the financial effects of climate change on their investments, according to two groups lobbying money managers to pay closer attention to the issue. |
ASIAChina’s $447 Million Solar Subsidy Could Yield 30 Gigawatts In 2019Information regarding the immediate future of China’s solar industry continues to be drip fed by the country’s government and experts believe that the current policy draft would amount to subsidies of RMB3 billion (US$447 million) which could support over 30 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity in 2019. Cheap Solar Panels Power Consumer Appliance Boom In North KoreaYears after they first appeared in North Korea, increasingly cheap and available solar panels are giving a boost to consumer consumption and industry as Pyongyang tries to limit the impact of tough international sanctions. ADB Committed $3 Billion In Sovereign Loans To India In 2018The report also noted that in India, ADB provided a USD 100-million loan to Ostro Kutch Wind, a renewable energy company owned by investment funds under the management of Actis Capital, for constructing and operating a 250-megawatt wind power project in Gujarat. |
AUSTRALIABomen Solar Farm Acquired By Spark Infrastructure, Inks PPA With Westpac Towards Its 100% Renewables GoalIn a major shift towards owning renewable energy generation assets, electricity network infrastructure owner Spark Infrastructure has fully acquired the 120 MW Bomen Solar Farm in NSW. The project has inked a power purchase agreement with Westpac, which marks a big step towards its goal of sourcing 100% renewable electricity by 2025.
Western Australia’s City of Vincent Installing Solar PowerCity of Vincent in WA is installing solar panels on four of its large buildings – and expects a rapid payback on its investment. The City of Vincent incorporates a number of Perth’s inner-city suburbs including North Perth, Leederville, Highgate and Mount Hawthorn; plus parts of East and West Perth, Perth City, Mount Lawley, Osborne Park and Coolbinia. It covers 11.3 square km and had a population of 33,693 at the time of the 2016 Census. Sunlight And Mirrors Still Seen As Part Of Australia’s Future Power MixAn Australian energy startup says it has found a solution to the problem that has dogged some thermal solar technology projects, removing instability in the process of storing the generated electricity. |
EUROPENew Research To Increase The Lifespan Of Solar PanelsThe tests being conducted by the Germany-based Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, in partnership with semiconductor company Du Point Electronics & Imaging, will help improve the development of next generation and resilient crystalline silicon solar panels. Siemens Gamesa Takes Over Nearly 1 Gigawatt Of Offshore Projects From GESiemens Gamesa Renewable Energy will likely supply approximately 1 gigawatt (GW) of offshore wind turbines for two French offshore wind farms being developed by Eolien Maritime France, taking over supply from GE Renewable Energy, which ceded an agreement that has been plagued by delays since 2012 Glennmont Bids ‘Au Revoir’ To 55 MW Of French SolarGlennmont Partners has completed the divestment of a portfolio of five carpark canopy photovoltaic projects in France, totalling 55MW. |
LATIN AMERICAConstruction One Step Closer For Peru’s Largest PV Project To DatePlans to build a PV plant dwarfing all others seen in Peru so far have made headway after the government green-lighted the launch of preparatory works. Utility Consortium To Accelerate Renewable Energy AdoptionFrench multinational utility company Engie has partnered with Tokyo Gas to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in Mexico. The two are investing in Heolios, a 50/50 joint-venture company to develop renewable energy projects in Mexico. Puerto Rico Goes 100% Renewable As Trump Administration Calls For More GasGovernor Rosselló has signed legislation moving the island to 100% renewable energy, while both the Trump Administration and the island’s utility push for a greater dependence on gas. |
MENAEgypt’s 1.5 GW Benban Solar Plant Begins Partial OperationsNorway-based Scatec Solar has grid connected and commenced commercial operations for 65 MW of its 400 MW Benban project in Egypt. Scatec Solar is the largest contributor to the 1.5 GW Benban site- the world’s largest solar park. Solar Pumps Sales Projected To Prosper At 11.7% CAGR Until 2027A new research report has estimated that the global solar pumps market will reach up from a value of $822 million in 2017 to a value beyond $2,000 million in the next decade. During the forecast period 2017-2027, the global market for solar pumps is projected to grow at a stellar CAGR of 11.7% Dubai Receives Platinum Rating In LEED For CitiesFirst city in the Arab world and MENA region to receive this accolade. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, said that Dubai’s rapid growth in various vital sectors has been guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. |
NORTH AMERICAIt’s Official: Chicago Will Go 100% RenewableThe City Council has approved Mayor Emanuel’s plan to transition the entire city’s electricity supply to renewable energy by 2035, which makes Chicago the largest U.S. city to set a 100% renewable energy commitment. ENGIE North America Announces Construction Of Jumbo Hill Wind Project In TexasENGIE North America Inc. today announced the start of construction of the Jumbo Hill Wind Project, located in Andrews County, Texas. With a total capacity of approximately 160 MW, Jumbo Hill is scheduled to be online by spring of 2020. Eolien Maritime France Selects Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy To Provide Wind Turbines For Two French Offshore Wind Energy ProjectsEolien Maritime France (EMF), a joint venture between EDF Renewables and Canadian energy infrastructure company Enbridge, is announcing that Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy will now supply turbines for two of its three offshore wind farms in French waters. |
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