Cloudberry Clean Energy, through its subsidiary Odin Energy, has signed a term-sheet agreement with Skovgaard Energy to acquire the 210MW solar and wind hybrid Nees Hede project in Denmark.  The site represents an important milestone as the first scheme from the development agreement with Skovgaard, Cloudberry said.  Cloudberry will acquire the development and grid rights and the land access to the Nees Hede project from Skovgaard through the Odin portfolio. Nees Hede is a climate park with a favourable ESG footprint and local acceptance, situated on the western part of Jutland in the attractive DK 1 price area, Cloudberry said.                 The project consists of 140MW of solar capacity proportionate to Cloudberry of already environmentally permitted capacity. All projects’ rights will be transferred into Odin with a corresponding land lease agreement of 30 years with an additional option of another 30 years. Furthermore,  Skovgaard and Cloudberry will continue the development project with an aim to reach a permit for wind production in combination to the permitted solar. If a final investment decision (FID) is taken for the scheme, the land for the wind site will be acquired by Nees Hede at a pre-determined price. The complete project is estimated to be approximately 210MW, with 168MW proportionate to Cloudberry which will be added to the backlog.                Cloudberry chief executive Anders Lenborg said: “We are very pleased to see the first project materialising from the development agreement with Skovgaard to further reinforce the Danish partnership and increase development activities in Denmark. “The project will be an important contribution to our DK1 portfolio and will yield increased diversification to the Cloudberry portfolio as well as executing on our overall development strategy.” The parties have agreed Cloudberry will pay a fee of €1.6m to transfer the project into Odin. The total enterprise value for the project is €8m, where the remaining enterprise value of €4.8m and €1.6m is payable upon a potential final investment decision (FID) and commercial operating date (COD) respectively. All numbers are proportionate to Cloudberry. The closing of the transaction is estimated in fourth quarter 2023 and is subject to agreement of final transaction documents, satisfactory due diligence and board approvals.           Credits: renews.biz [Image: Rawfilm/Unplash]

                   Proposals for a 30MW solar project in Deven have been approved by the planning inspector at East Devon District Council. The planning inspector agreed with the original recommendation of East Devon District Council’s planning officers (that approval should be granted for the proposals, finding that, “the overall benefits of the development would substantially outweigh the harms it would cause”. Simon Crowe, Director at Taiyo, said: “We are delighted to receive planning approval, and we extend our t gratitude to the planning inspector for understanding our case. “This approval will deliver a key solar and green infrastructure facility that will further the climate goals of East Devon and the wider region.  “Ford Oaks provides a vital opportunity to address East Devon’s sustainability and energy needs by providing a renewable energy source for 18,500 homes. “It will also significantly enhance the local area’s biodiversity and nature by delivering a remarkable 121% biodiversity net gain. “Working together with East Devon District Council and the local community, we are looking forward to bringing Ford Oaks scheme to life, achieving a key milestone in our commitment to supporting the UK’s net zero goals.” The Ford Oaks Solar & Green Infrastructure Facility is situated next to the A30 about four miles east of Exeter City Centre and close to Exeter Airport. The 29 hectares of solar arrays will be installed to permit extensive sheep grazing, allowing for energy production and agricultural use on the same land. In partnership with local landowners including Devon County Council, Ford Oaks is being delivered by Taiyo Power & Storage, a joint venture between Kajima and Low Carbon Alliance Limited.         Credits: renews.biz [Image:Unplash/Andres Siimon]

                 European Energy has secured authorisation to build a 90MW solar farm project in Puglia, Italy, through its subsidiary, Cerano Energreen. The project is located in the municipality of Cerano. “This project underscores our dedication to fostering collaborations with the local supply chain and rejuvenation programs in Italy. “To meet the EU’s 2030 targets, we need state-of-the-art plants like Cerano that not only replace fossil-based energy but also pave the way for a sustainable energy transition, said Alessandro Migliorini, Director and Country Manager Italy of European Energy.                A notable feature of the project is its commitment to reforestation. As a part of the initiative, a substantial area, spanning 35 hectares, will be allocated for reforestation. The scheme also encompasses various works to enhance the region’s infrastructure. The project’s solar modules will be installed on trackers. “We are aiming to develop renewable energy in all regions of Italy, and the country is a key market for us. “For the Cerano project, we are especially thrilled that we are using lands which cannot be used for agriculture and therefore have no alternative use. “Also, the location is ideal, very close to an industrial area,” said Thorvald Spanggaard, Executive Vice President and Head of Project Development in European Energy.         Credits: renews.biz [Image: European Energy]

                  D E Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), in partnership with Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) and SOLV Energy, recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the San Juan 1 project. San Juan 1 is a 200MWac solar and 400MWh storage facility located in Farmington, New Mexico.                 The event was attended by local stakeholders as well as leadership from the three companies, the United States Department of Energy, the Navajo Nation, San Juan County, the Cities of Kirtland and Farmington, and the state of New Mexico. Thomas de Swardt, chief commercial officer of DESRI, said: “We are thrilled to achieve this milestone on the San Juan 1 project. “In the face of numerous headwinds facing the industry over the last two years, we deeply appreciate the hard work, creativity, and persistence of our partners to successfully bring this project into construction.” The San Juan 1 project has 20-year PPAs with PNM and is currently being constructed by SOLV Energy. The facility is expected to begin commercial operations toward the end of the year 2024.           Credits: renews.biz [Image: DESRI]

                 RES has launched informal consultation on early plans for a solar and storage project of up to 600MW near to West Burton Power Station and in Sturton-le-Steeple, Nottinghamshire. The land under consideration is adjacent to the recently decommissioned West Burton Power Station, and RES has an agreement in place to utilise 600MW of surplus grid capacity. The project is at an early stage, but it is thought the land could support up to 400MW of solar energy generation and 200MW of battery storage.                If progressed, the plans could be capable of producing enough renewable electricity each year to power around half of the homes in Nottinghamshire. The early informal consultation will run for six weeks from Monday 23 October until Monday 4 December 2023. RES project manager Will Bridges said: “Our plans are at an early stage, with ongoing technical work taking place to fully understand the suitability of the site. “We want to involve the local community from the outset and are undertaking this early informal consultation to introduce the plans and invite early feedback. “This renewable energy project, alongside other proposals, embraces the historic role that the area has played in powering the UK. “We believe there is an opportunity to build on this legacy and ensure that Nottinghamshire continues to play an important role in the UK’s future energy generation. “We’d encourage local residents to provide their feedback on our early plans by attending one of our in-person events or visiting the project website.” The development would represent a £224m investment during construction, creating 400 jobs over the 24-month build programme. RES is also keen to develop a community benefits package tailored to the needs and priorities of the local community, including RES’ unique Local Electricity Discount Scheme. Due to the amount of renewable energy that could be generated, it is anticipated that Steeple Renewables Project will be considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project requiring a Development Consent Order. Formal, statutory consultation is planned for 2024.           Credits: renews.biz [Image: RES]

                 Neoen and Alight have signalled the start of construction of the 100MWp Hultsfred solar farm in Sweden. The pair have provided notice to proceed to a consortium of Bouygues Energies & Services and Solkompaniet under an EPC turnkey contract. Hultsfred said the largest solar project to reach construction stage in Sweden, Neoen said. Commissioning is scheduled for 2025.  Jointly developed and owned by Neoen (majority shareholder) and Alight, Hultsfred solar farm will be connected to the E.ON local grid distribution system, in Hultsfred, Småland, south-east Sweden.                The farm will be built using low-carbon photovoltaic panels installed around the runway of Hultsfred airport (pictured). It is expected to generate enough electricity to cover the consumption of over 18,000 Swedish homes. The project is underpinned by a long-term PPA signed end of 2022 with H&M Group, under which the solar farm will provide the Swedish fashion chain with 95% of the renewable energy and guarantees of origin produced. The agreement will play an important role in H&M Group’s goal to only source renewable electricity by 2030 at the latest. Laetitia Prot, head of business development for Neoen Sweden, said: “I would like to congratulate our development partner Alight, and our contractors Bouygues Energies & Services and Solkompaniet for this great achievement.                “Hultsfred solar farm will be our third Swedish asset after Storbränkullen wind farm and Storen Power Reserve battery: our three-pronged, long-term approach is an ideal response to Sweden’s need for a secure supply of competitive, local, renewable energy, as it transitions to a net-zero carbon economy by 2045.” Harald Överholm, chief executive of Alight, added: “It is exciting to move the Hultsfred solar farm into the construction phase, made possible by our fantastic collaboration with Neoen, E.ON, H&M Group, Bouygues and Solkompaniet. “As the largest solar project in Sweden to date, it is not only in line with Alight’s mission to add more green megawatts to the grid, but it is a remarkable step forward for the country as a whole, as it accelerates the transition to a more sustainable future.”           Credits: renews.biz [Image: Neoen]

                 BayWa’s renewables division has secured funding from the EU’s LIFE Programme to develop several agri-PV projects. The €6.5m will be invested in six sites in several EU markets to come online by 2027. Three projects will prove the benefits for using agri-PV to supplement fruit farming at scale (fruitvoltaics).                The sites, part of EU LIFE ADAPT-PV, are located in France, Spain and the Netherlands. Three more projects in Germany, Spain, and Italy will examine ways to scale up agri-PV alongside arable crops like summer and winter wheat or soya within the EU LIFE LEAD-PV development. In the EU LIFE LEAD-PV scheme, BayWa r.e. wants to demonstrate how agri-PV can support farmers to reduce their CO2 emissions in land use. “With these six projects, across five countries, we’re pushing innovative Agri-PV applications into the marketplace,” said head of product management agri-PV at BayWa r.e Stephan Schindele. “Only if the farming, environment, and energy sectors work hand in hand, can we successfully adapt to climate change while also minimising carbon footprint in farming processes.”             Credits: renews.biz [Image: BayWa r.e.]

                 Octopus Energy’s generation arm has announced investments in two solar developers in Ireland and Portugal to create 250MW of new capacity. It will enable the companies to build over 100 new solar projects on rooftops and sites of businesses said the company, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and boosting energy security. In Ireland, it has taken a majority stake in Verde Energy Group, which installs energy efficiency solutions for a range of organisations, from local councils to large corporations. Verde will use the investment to develop over 50 solar projects across the country by 2027, totalling 100MW of new solar energy. In Portugal, Octopus has set up a joint venture with local entrepreneurs to drive the development of solar energy.                The new company called SparkWave Energy will build over 50 solar sites by 2027, amounting to 150MW green energy. As part of these deals, Octopus will finance solar installations with zero upfront costs to the business customers which receive them it said. The companies will benefit from solar power installed at their premises and sold back to them at an affordable rate through fixed Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). “Verde and SparkWave are great partners to work with to scale this massive solar opportunity we’re seeing across many countries in Europe and beyond,” said Octopus energy generation chief executive Zoisa North-Bond. “Projects like these are making the Emerald Isle even greener and helping sunny Portugal capitalise on its amazing sunny weather. “We’re looking forward to scaling these ventures to bring cheaper, cleaner energy harnessing the power of the sun to even more businesses.”  Verde Energy Group chief executive Paul Martin said: “Having built this business over many years to be a leading renewables partner in the region, we knew that to capitalise on the opportunity, and support our existing and new clients, having the right partner was critical.                “Octopus not only provides the funding, but most importantly complements our ethos of doing the right things in the right way. Our team are all so excited about the future and we look forward to supporting businesses in Ireland on their decarbonisation journey.” Co-founder of SparkWave Energy Diego Hernando Ortega added: “The solar energy sector is developing like never before in Portugal. Recent reforms have streamlined the market and combined with Portugal’s outstanding solar resources, there is significant potential to develop numerous solar projects. We’re thrilled to have Octopus’ backing as we roll out solar for organisations across the country.” These latest two investments have been made by the Sky fund which is managed by Octopus Energy Generation.             Credits: renews.biz [Image: MorgueFile]

                 Harmony Energy Income Trust (HEIT) has energised a 99MW battery in Buckinghamshire, England. The 198 megawatt hour Bumpers grid battery adds to HEIT’s operational portfolio, which includes the 98MW/196MWh Pillswood battery in Yorkshire and the 49.5MW/99 MWh Little Raith battery in Scotland. Both Bumpers and Little Raith are two-hour duration batteries, using Tesla’s Megapack 2XL system.                The sites are operated through Autobidder, Tesla’s algorithmic trading platform, which has demonstrated a strong track record with HEIT, having been operated across its Pillswood, Broadditch and Farnham sites. The projects will provide balancing services to the GB electricity grid network whilst also enabling the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy. Max Slade, Director of the investment manager of HEIT, said: “We want to be at the forefront of a greener and more sustainable future, and the energisation of the Bumpers and Little Raith projects is another significant step in the right direction for achieving Net Zero and our full portfolio build out. “Like all our projects, these aren’t supported by taxpayer subsidy.”           Credits: renews.biz [Image: HEIT]

                 The UK National Infrastructure Commission has recommended adding low carbon, flexible technologies to the electricity system to ensure a highly renewable energy system remains reliable. Its Second National Infrastructure Assessment, a five-yearly review into the UK’s energy, transport and other key networks, also recommends creating a new strategic energy reserve to boost Great Britain’s economic security. To aid this, the commission calls for the speeding up the planning system for major projects, particularly energy transmission schemes.                This should be accompanied with regularly updated National Policy Statements from government, strategic spatial planning, more effective sharing of environmental data and clearer community benefits in return for hosting key infrastructure. The Assessment also proposes significant additional electricity storage capacity and demand side response – tools to reduce or reschedule energy usage at times of peak demand – to increase the short term flexibility of the power grid. The Commission calculates 60GW of this capacity will be needed by 2035 (up from around 15GW today). The UK Government is expected to respond formally to the Assessment within 12 months.             Credits: renews.biz [Image: National Grid]