Month: September 2023

               Vattenfall has started construction on its Tutzpatz 79MW agrivoltaic project in north-east Germany. On a total area of 93 hectares, solar modules will be erected on different rack systems and combined with suitable forms of agricultural use.

               Vattenfall’s partner in the project is Power and Air Condition Solution Management (PASM), a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, which will buy the power production of the plant for 10 years via a corporate power purchase agreement. The plant will annually cover the demand of about 2500 Deutsche Telecom mobile phone stations. Tutzpatz agrivoltaic farm is built without state subsidies and is to be competed in 2024. Head of Vattenfall’s Solar Division Claus Wattendrup said: “With the construction of an agrivoltaic project on this scale, we are doing real pioneering work. We want to show that sustainable agriculture and energy production can complement each other perfectly. With the Tutzpatz project, we are now developing this young technology on a commercial scale.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Falck Renewables]

               Enfinity Global has acquired 546MW of solar assets under development from CS Energy in the US state of Colorado. This deal allows the company to make further progress in the implementation of its long-term business strategy in the US. The acquisition portfolio consists of three solar projects in Colorado, an attractive solar market mandating 100% renewable energy generation by 2050. The portfolio is expected to generate recurrent EBITDA of approximately $59m per year with investment grade counterparties.

               The sites are expected to start construction in the next two years. Enfinity Global is renewable energy independent power producer, with an existing global business of over 17GW that includes 7.3GW of energy storage assets and 1GW of operational sites. In the US, Enfinity Global operates a portfolio of 400MW and 28 solar power plants in the states of California, Idaho and North Carolina and owns 6GW of solar and storage projects under development in different states across the country. Chief executive Americas of Enfinity Global Ricardo Díaz said: “Our long-term ownership business model allows us to partner with relevant investors, stakeholders, and customers, aligning capabilities that create a zero-carbon future and benefit the communities in which we participate. “We will continue committed to develop additional projects in Colorado.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Enfinity Global]

               Israeli solar developer Teralight has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the sale of electricity from its 173MW Dunmore solar project in Canada. The 15-year agreement with an unnamed “Canadian energy infrastructure giant” covers 70% of the project’s total electricity, equating to 121MW of output.

               Teralight reserves the remaining 30% of the volume of electricity production for sale on the free market in Canada, where the price levels are expected to yield a higher return. Dunmore, which is nearing construction and expected to be commercially operational during the second quarter of 2025, is located in Alberta. According to Rani Lifshitz, CEO of Teralight, said: “Teralight continues to develop its activities in all sectors, and in this context, we are updating today on a significant memorandum of understanding for the sale of electricity from the Dunmore project that we own in Canada to an energy infrastructure giant.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Unplash/Science in HD]

               Lightsource BP has entered into a solar power purchase agreement (PPA) with Microsoft in Poland. The long-term PPA covers output from a 40MW solar project and also supports Microsoft’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy supply by 2025.

               Chief executive of Europe and APAC for Lightsource BP Kareen Boutonnat said: “Solar power has a huge role to play in Poland’s energy transition and in the two years since Lightsource BP began work in Poland, our team has built up a significant 2GW pipeline of solar opportunities. “This contract with Microsoft is a blueprint for Poland’s renewable future and support our goal to support the decarbonisation of Poland’s growing economy.” With one of the most carbon-intensive power grids in the EU, renewable energy in Poland is essential to cutting regional greenhouse gas emissions.

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Lightsource BP]

               Green Genius has obtained permits to build solar power plants in Lithuania and Latvia, totalling nearly 200MW of capacity. The company will install a 78MW solar power plant near Seduva, in Lithuania and a 121MW project in Latvia. The construction of both power plants is planned to start by mid-2024 for them to be operational in 2025. The solar power plant in Seduva will be built on 140 hectares of land and Green Genius will invest €70m in its construction. 

               The solar farm in Latvia, near the city of Jekabpils, will occupy an area of 153 hectares and Green Genius intends to invest €109m.  Head of solar business at Green Genius Simonas Sileikis said: “The markets in the Baltic countries have reached a certain new stage of maturity when new opportunities to develop large-scale projects arise alongside the development of usual smaller-scale solar parks. “Each of the large-scale projects will be of great importance in decentralising the energy sources and strengthening the energy independence of the entire region. “So far, Green Genius has been developing large-scale projects only in Western European countries, mainly Spain and Italy. “The opportunity to apply this experience and knowledge to the Baltic region seems extremely meaningful to me.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Green Genius]

               Ignis has achieved a financial closing amounting to €335m for the development of solar projects in Spain. The loan will allow Ignis to finance projects up to 500MW of capacity, covering a relevant part of the debt necessary for the development of its strategy regarding the design, construction, promotion and operation of the solar assets. The transaction was led by Deutsche Bank, as sole underwriter, with the participation of Rabobank, ABN Amro and Triodos Bank.

               Ignis was advised by Cuatrecasas and the financial institutions by Clifford Chance. The renewable developments that Ignis will initiate between 2023 and 2024 possess the environmental permits necessary for their construction. These new solar plants will contribute to the socio-economic development of the areas where they are located, favouring new job opportunities in various municipalities, by means of hiring qualified personnel in both the construction and maintenance stages of the plants.  The solar plants, owned by Ignis, will also be fully operated and maintained by the company and add to a portfolio of around 5GW managed operating assets (owned and third-party). The company recently signed several power purchase agreements linked to the commissioning of new solar power plants in Spain.

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Unplash/APPA]

               Matrix Renewables and RPlus Energies has held a groundbreaking ceremony for Pleasant Valley Solar, their 200MWac/261MWdc solar project in Ada County, Idaho. Once the solar facility is operational, the project will be the largest solar facility in Idaho Power’s service territory and will deliver output into the same grid that supports Meta’s new data centre in Kuna, Idaho. The groundbreaking follows Matrix Renewables’ acquisition of a controlling interest in Pleasant Valley Solar from RPlus Energies earlier this summer. RPlus Energies, the original developer of the project, remains as minority interest owner in the scheme.

               Cindy Tindell, managing director and head of US for Matrix Renewables said: “This groundbreaking is the next big step toward making the Pleasant Valley Solar project a reality for the people and future of Idaho, supporting its transition to locally produced clean, green energy. RPlus Energies president and chief executive Luigi Resta added: “RPlus is proud to work with Meta and Idaho Power as long-term partners to help achieve their sustainability goals and manage the region’s transition to renewable energy. “We are equally proud to partner with Matrix Renewables, who share our deep respect and commitment to renewable power generation for Ada County and the surrounding community.” The project has selected Sundt Renewables to provide engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, Nextracker to provide racking, BODEC to provide high voltage electrical contracting services and ET Solar to provide the solar modules for Pleasant Valley Solar.

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Matrix Renewables]

               Nexun has signed a co-development agreement with an unnamed Polish provider for a 206MW pipeline of 16 medium-sized solar projects. All of the developments have a land lease signed and 50% of the pipeline has environmental decisions and zoning in place. Nexun is a platform dedicated to greenfield PV projects established in January 2023. It is a Marguerite portfolio company invested through Marguerite 3, committing to invest up to €60m. This investment aligns with Marguerite’s strategy to invest in infrastructures that intrinsically contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation the company said.

               Under the Polish agreement, Nexun will apply for grid connection for the first 52MW in September 2023 and another circa 60MW in the last quarter of 2023. “Poland is an essential market for solar power in the EU, which is why this cooperation is a significant milestone in our solar development activities,” Said Nexun chief executive Josef Kastner. “Poland, still relying largely on coal for power generation, desperately needs to switch to renewable energies. “Our ambition is for Nexun to become one of Poland’s leading developers to transfer power production to sustainable energy.” On top of the co-development, similar contracts are in negotiations in elsewhere in Poland, plus Germany, and Spain. Nexun has also started developing several greenfield projects in France with its own team. “We are excited to have this first co-developer partnership in Poland,” said Nexun chief development officer Chloe Durieux . “Through strategic investments and partnerships, we are determined to drive the adoption of sustainable energy solutions and create a cleaner, more sustainable future for generations to come.” Nexun has grown to a team of 12 employees, with chief financial officer Benoit Petit and country manager for Germany Marco Wilhelm the latest team additions. “Our diverse team of more than 50% women is currently based in four countries. We expect the team to increase by four additional people by the end of 2023,” said Durieux. Nexun aims to establish a portfolio of over 2GW of developed and in-development projects within the next six years.

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Nexun]

               Teralight, Synergy and the Hof HaCarmel Water Association have inaugurated Israel’s largest floating solar energy field (pictured), which will have the capacity to produce 31MW. The PV field floats above Kibbutz Maayan Zvi reservoirs, which provides water for agricultural use in the coastal region south of Haifa. Solar tracking systems (trackers) from the Israeli company Xfloat were integrated into the floating solar project.  The project was carried out as part of a policy led by the Carmel Coast Regional Council for the roofing of waterways and reservoirs. This was formulated in conjunction with the localities that own the land, the Carmel Coast Water Association, the relevant government ministries, the green bodies, ornithology and nature experts, the Haifa District Planning Bureau and the developers.

               As part of the implementation of the policy, the water reservoir in Moshav Bonim, fish ponds in Kibbutz Ma’agan Michael and various public institutions throughout the council were also built. Teralight chief executive Rani Lifshitz said: ‘We are happy to continue to establish Teralight as a leading company in Israel in the field of solar energy, also in a dual-use format, and to launch the largest floating project in the country. “There is no doubt that this is the greenest way to generate electricity – making the best use of the sun and an existing resource. “We thank Synergy, the Carmel Coast Regional Council, and Bank Leumi for their partnership along the way.” Yoed Ludar, chief executive of Hof Carmel Energie, added: “Today, we inaugurated Israel’s largest and most unique floating solar project. “The previous large project in HaBonim Reservoir was joined by two large solar rafts, one of which is based on groundbreaking Israeli technology by Xfloat company that also incorporates tracking of the movement of the sun in the water reservoir, using water to tilt the panels. “This is another step in covering all the water reservoirs for agriculture on the Carmel Coast and producing green electricity on a large scale for the consumption of all the households in the Carmel Coast settlements.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Teralight]