CleanTech Report 2020.04.07

UK, Germany, Israel and Australia break records in green energy.
Green energy now provides more than one-third of the world’s power.
California’s aims for million solar batteries, while China plans world’s largest solar plant.
Three-quarters of new electricity generation capacity built in 2019 uses renewable energy.
France approves 1.7 gigawatt in wind and solar projects and 2.2 gigawatt solar park goes live in India.

CleanTech Report April 7th 2020

AFRICA

Ethiopia Signs $800M Geothermal Power Purchase Agreement

Economic Times

Ethiopia has signed a power purchase agreement worth $800 million with the developers of a 150 MW geothermal plant, the prime minister said on Thursday.

Scatec Solar Completes 258MW Upington Project In South Africa

Renewable Energy Magazine

The 86 MW facility, known as Dyason’s Klip 2, is expected to produce 217 GWh annually. We are proud to have achieved this major milestone” said Raymond Carlsen, CEO of Scatec Solar. Power supply is considered critical infrastructure, and we are pleased to be supporting South African power supply with renewable energy to another 40,000 households annually.

The Investment Case For Energy Transition In Africa

Modern Diplomacy

Falling technology costs have made renewable energy a cost-effective way to generate power in countries all over the world, which would drive further development and improved economy. Despite the tremendous efforts that have been deployed at national and regional levels, 580 million Africans still do not have access to modern sources of electricity. A strategic partnership between IRENA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is working to solve this challenge by unlocking the capital necessary to help Africa realise its full renewable energy and economic potentials.

 

ASIA

World Bank Agree To Assist $700M For Generating Renewable Energy In Pakistan

Technology Times

The additional financing will be utilized to complete the first phase of the Dasu Hydropower project. It will install 2,160 megawatts capacity along the Indus River. Stage two will double the installed capacity to 4,320 megawatts – making it the biggest hydropower plant in the Pakistan.

2.2GW Solar Park In India’s Rajasthan State Now Fully Operational

Clean Technica

One of India’s leading private renewable energy companies, Hero Future Energies, recently commissioned a 300 megawatt solar power project at Bhadla solar power park in Rajasthan. With this project, the solar park is now complete with installed capacity of 2,245 megawatts. Bhadla solar park is significant in many aspects. The solar park saw multiple record-low tariffs during some highly competitive auctions. Projects at the solar park were developed by multiple companies through public-private partnership.

World’s Largest Solar PV Module Factory Planned For China

Renew Economy

Chinese sustainable energy company GCL System Integration is planning to build what would be the world’s largest solar PV module factory, capable of producing 60GW of solar panels each year. Bloomberg News reported on March 29, citing “a filing to the Shenzhen stock exchange on March 27,” that GCL System Integration was planning to invest 18 billion yuan ($A4.1 billion) of its own funds and loans to construct a new solar panel manufacturing plant in the eastern Chinese Hefei province that will be able to produce 60GW of solar panels per year.

 

AUSTRALIA

West Australia Puts Community Batteries At Top Of New Energy Roadmap

Renew Economy

The West Australia Labor government has unveiled a new energy roadmap that puts community battery storage at the top of its proposals to embrace a wholesale switch to distributed energy sources such as rooftop solar panels, household and community batteries, electric vehicles and microgrids.

Northern Territory Goes Big On Battery Storage

PV Magazine

Batteries are emerging as powerful enablers of renewable energy as grids Australia wide become challenged by the high penetration of renewable energy. The Northern Territory is investing in battery storage large and small, to capture the overflow of its incredible renewable resource and redirect it for the benefit of consumers.

South Australia Is Now A Leader In Renewable Energy Tech

My Tech Decisions

The solar and wind farm built by Elon Musk in Australia is doing well and saving people money, reports Popular Mechanics. The farm powers South Australia, which is home to roughly 1.7 million people. Musk had the farm built after South Australia experienced a “near total blackout” after an intense storm consisting of 80,000 lightning strikes and two tornadoes in 2016; he partnered with an Australian billionaire and got the farm up and running.

 

EUROPE

Germany Exceeds 50% Renewable Energy Use Milestone

Eco Watch

Germany’s target for renewable energy sources to deliver 65% of its consumed electricity by 2030 seemed on track Wednesday, with 52% of electricity coming from renewables in 2020’s first quarter. Renewable energy advocates, however, warned the trend is imperiled by slowdowns in building new wind and solar plants.

UK Carbon Emissions Hit Lowest Level Since 1988

Industry Leaders Magazine

A Department for Business Energy and Industrial Research (BEIS) report says that the United Kingdom’s net emissions of carbon dioxide were provisionally estimated to be 351.5 million tonnes (Mt), 3.9 percent lower than 2018 (365.7 Mt). Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main greenhouse gas, accounting for 81 percent of total UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. 

France Approves 1.7GW Of Wind And Solar Power Projects

Economic Times

The French ecology minister has cleared nearly 300 wind and solar power projects with total installed capacity of about 1.7 gigawatts, saying she has also approved several project deadline extensions because of the coronavirus outbreak.

 

LATIN AMERICA

Brazil’s Oi Kicks Off Renewable Energy Project To Cut Costs By $77M Per Year

Economic Times

Brazil’s largest fixed-line carrier Oi SA has kicked off a renewable energy project that will cut its operating costs by 400 million reais ($77.09 million) per year, the company said on Tuesday.

Uruguay’s Unprecedented Shift To Clean Energy

Worlds Politics Review

In terms of progressive ideas, Uruguay has always punched above its weight. It introduced a free, universal public education system in 1878, 40 years before the United States. Eventually, Uruguay blossomed into one of the most robust social welfare states in Latin America, with the region’s lowest income inequality. It was the first country in the world to legalize recreational marijuana and the second in the region to legalize gay marriage, after Argentina.

Paraguay Floats Solar Potential Of Hydro

BN Americas

Studies are penciled in to begin in the near term in Paraguay into the potential of floating solar photovoltaic capacity. The initiative envisions the installation of a pilot project at state power company ANDE’s 200MW Acaray hydro plant. To support the planned work, ANDE looks to secure technical cooperation from IDB as part of a wider clean energy and efficiency program which would help the country meet Paris Agreement commitments.

 

MENA

Consortium Completes Financial Closure For $400M Oman Solar Power Plant

Arabian Business

A consortium consisting of Saudi-based Acwa Power, Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) and Alternative Energy Projects Company (AEPC) has achieved financial closure for the 500MW Ibri II solar project in Oman.

Israel Sets New All-Time Record In Using Renewable Energies

Jewish Press

Israel on Sunday again set an all-time new record in the production of renewable energy, the Israel Electrical Company stated. The peak was set at 1610 MW, accounting for 27% of the total production.

Abu Dhabi’s Shams Solar Plant Shapes UAE Clean Energy Transition

Construction Week Online

Operated by Abu Dhabi-based Shams Power Company, and owned by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), Total, and Abu Dhabi Pension Fund, the 100MW Shams plant – which is one of the world’s largest concentrated solar power plants spanning an area of 2.5km2 – is celebrating its seventh anniversary.

 

NORTH AMERICA

New Renewable Energy Capacity Hit Record Levels In 2019

The Guardian

Almost three-quarters of new electricity generation capacity built in 2019 uses renewable energy, representing an all-time record. New data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) shows solar, wind and other green technologies now provide more than one-third of the world’s power, marking another record.

Ontario Conservation Authorities Test Blockchain For Green Energy On Smart Grids

Coin Telegraph

Canadian conservation authorities and technology firm Insolar are conducting a test-bed blockchain project for renewable energy management. Within the scope of its Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP), on April 1 the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) announced a collaboration with blockchain specialist Insolar to leverage the technology for managing distributed energy resources (DERs).

California’s Next Renewable Energy Goal Is A Million Solar Batteries

CalMatters

California already generates more electricity from solar power than any other state. Though we still have a long way to go to reach our clean energy and zero-carbon goals, California continues to lead the way. Solar power remains a popular choice for lots of different types of energy consumers. But it is solar power coupled with battery storage, that represents a game changer for all of us. 

 
 

Dominate the CleanTech Industry by Creating Incredible Value