Scottish energy storage developer Intelligent Land Investments (ILI) Group has begun tendering a 50MW battery storage project. The Dyce project, located in Scotland, has a grid connection date of September 2025. The sales tender for the project will be open to expressions of interest until 28 April 2023 with non-binding offers by 12 May 2023.                   ILI Group has experience in identifying and selecting optimal locations for energy projects. The company secures planning consents, grid connections and land rights before selling fully packaged sites to developers. Mark Wilson, ILI Group CEO, said: “This new project offers a unique opportunity for the right developer in the battery storage sector, with a 50MW capacity and a connection date of September 2025. “Energy storage projects like Dyce are a crucial component of the energy transition and the drive towards a net-zero future.”           Credits: renews.biz

                 Developer Vena Energy, along with the Taiwanese President, is celebrating the commercial start-up of the island’s largest solar farm. The 272MW E2 solar farm will be capable of contributing up to 4% of Taiwan’s total solar energy output annually. President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan inaugurated the E2 solar farm, which is also Vena Energy’s largest operating project to date. E2 is built on reclaimed land spanning 226 hectares and features 680,000 solar photovoltaic panels. President Tsai Ing-wen said, “I am delighted to witness the inauguration and commercial operation of Taiwan’s largest solar photovoltaic project.                Vena Energy’s 272MW E2 Solar Project symbolises a new milestone in Taiwan’s green energy transformation as we strive towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050. “The aim of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is a shared global and national goal.” Nitin Apte, CEO of Vena Energy, added: “Taiwan is a key strategic market in the Asia-Pacific region, and Vena Energy is proud to share the responsibility and make our contribution to achieve the net zero carbon emissions target by 2050. “Since 2015, we have successfully commissioned and operated seven solar photovoltaic projects totalling 412MW, and we are delighted to see Taiwan steadily moving towards the transformation of its energy sector. “We look forward to working closely with industry partners, government agencies, academia, and the host communities in Taiwan to further develop renewable energy projects such as the E2 Solar Project and contribute positively to its energy transition.”           Credits: renews.biz [Image: Vena Energy]

                 European Energy has entered into an agreement with Lego, as well as medical products producer Novo Nordisk, to deliver e-methanol to reduce fossil fuels in the companies’ plastics production processes. The e-methanol will be produced at European Energy’s PtX facilities in Kassø, in Aabenraa, Denmark. The production of e-methanol will be based on renewable energy from wind and solar plants which is first used to produce green hydrogen via electrolysis, before further processing into e-methanol, which also requires biogenic CO2. The first batch is expected to be delivered in 2024. The agreement will enable the world’s largest toy company and the medical products producer to replace some fossil-based plastic in their production processes with lower-carbon alternatives in the future. With this move, Novo Nordisk has taken a step into the area of substituting fossil-based plastic with lower-carbon sources to be used in medical devices such as insulin pens.                Lego Group will explore the potential of using the e-methanol to make selected elements in its portfolio and expects to develop prototypes in the coming years with a view to commercialisation in the longer term. Both companies are looking to invest in technologies that support knowledge sharing and help accelerate progress across the industry. Nelleke van der Puil, Vice President of Materials at Lego Group, said: “We are proud to join forces with European Energy and Novo Nordisk to accelerate research and progress in the development of lower-carbon plastics. “As part of our commitment to building a sustainable future for children, we have committed to making our products from more sustainable materials. “The project will give us our third sustainable material we’ve developed alongside bio-PE and prototype bricks made from recycled PET. “This agreement is an exciting step towards our ambition.” CEO of European Energy, Knud Erik Andersen, said: “The use of plastic is an integrated part of the modern world, not only in our daily lives but also in industrial processes and equipment. “Novo Nordisk and the Lego Group are already leading the way into the future in various ways, and now even more by joining this cooperation. “This is relevant for all industries keen on transitioning away from fossil fuels.” Dorethe Nielsen, Vice President of Corporate Environmental Strategy at Novo Nordisk, said: “We wish to drive the decarbonisation of our business forward, and as a producer of plastic devices we wish to reduce the use of fossil plastics by engaging with suppliers in our value chain that can provide the necessary solutions such as e-methanol for plastic production.”             Credits: renews.biz [European Energy]

                    Teralight has launched a 250MW solar project in Israel. The Ta’anakh development will be located in the southern Jezreel Valley and is planned to be operational in 2024. The site was launched in cooperation with the Moshavim movement, with the participation of the Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman.                   The Ta’anakh project, which is initiated and promoted by Teralight company along with the economic company of the Moshavim movement, is considered a national infrastructure development. It is expected to “significantly contribute” to Israel’s green energy goals as well as boost the local economy. The Ta’anakh solar farm will represent 5.2% of Israel’s green energy capacity and 1.2% of its overall electricity capacity. The launch ceremony was attended by Teralight CEO Rani Lifshitz, company chairman Yonel Cohen and others from Israel’s grid operator and Israel Electric Company.           Credits: renews.biz [Image: Teralight]

                 Renewable Connections and European Energy UK have sold two ‘shovel-ready’ Scottish co-located solar and battery storage projects. The two sites, one at Strathruddie Farm and one at Montreathmont Moor, have an aggregate combined capacity of 121MWdc (67MWac). The buyer of the two projects was EVC Kilt, part of EVC Energy, a renewable energy development platform focused on developing and constructing solar PV and BESS projects in Greece and the UK with a current pipeline of 1.5GW. Both projects, which have been developed by Renewable Connections in partnership with European Energy UK, were consented in 2022. Michael Hughes, Director at Renewable Connections said: “Working closely with European Energy UK we have built an outstanding record of developing and achieving consent for our renewable energy projects.                “We deliver highly innovative developments and take a responsible, community-led approach to planning and design. As well achieving an outstanding record of project consents to date, it also means we deliver projects which appeal to investors such as EVC Energy and our existing co-development project partners. “Adam Spearey, Director at European Energy UK, added: “It is pleasing to see investor interest in these projects. The joint decision to sell them was in part driven by the unprecedented success Renewable Connections has achieved in consenting solar and storage projects over the last 12 months, with over 500MW of projects consented under our prosperous partnership to date.”           Credits: renews.biz [Image: Renewable Connections]

                 A key amendment to the Energy Bill, made by the House of Lords, would give the energy regulator Ofgem a statutory duty to assist in the delivery of net zero. RenewableUK is welcoming this amendment as it would empower Ofgem to ramp up the “pace and scale” of investment in new grid infrastructure, enabling the roll-out of more wind, solar and tidal stream projects. The trade body’s head of public affairs, Nathan Bennett, said: “Reforming Ofgem’s mandate to consider net zero in every decision it takes is long overdue.               “We’re glad that the House of Lords has listened to calls from across the energy sector to make this vital change and hope that MPs will support it when the Energy Bill goes back to the Commons in the weeks ahead.” Some wind farms are waiting for more than 10 years to get a connection. “This reform would allow us to build a grid that’s fit for purpose for the 21st Century,” Bennett said.Refreshing Ofgem’s mandate so that it better enables the UK’s shift to clean energy is ultimately in the interest of billpayers, as renewable projects are a cheap source of new power, lowering energy bills as well as strengthening Britain’s energy security, he added.                 Credits: renews.biz [Image: Steph Gray]

                   The Greenvolt Group has secured the right to develop around 100MW in the first solar auction held by Germany this year. Through MaxSolar, it has won a total of 5% of the capacity put up for auction. Greenvolt chief executive João Manso Neto said: “In a highly competitive auction, Greenvolt, through its subsidiary in Germany, managed to win all the intended licences, further strengthening its pipeline of large-scale solar energy projects. “Germany is an extremely important market for us, both because of the reference that it already is in world terms in the renewables segment, and because of the ambitious goals defined for 2030.” The Bundesnetzagentur, Germany’s Federal Grid Agency, has gone ahead with this year’s first large-scale solar capacity auction, putting a total of around 1950MW up for bid.           Credits: renews.biz [Image: Greenvolt]

                   Renewable energy company Green Genius and Eiffel Transition Infrastructure, managed by Eiffel Investment Group, have set up a Joint Venture to develop and build a 500MW solar portfolio in Italy. Through this JV, Eiffel will initially invest up to €15m to support the development of the portfolio, with additional funding to be dedicated for supporting projects during the construction stage.                      Eiffel Investment Group and Green Genius, have been partnering up since 2019 on photovoltaic projects in Poland, Italy and Spain. Through this new transaction, Green Genius will bring 500MW of projects in Italy, mainly Puglia and Sardinia, to the permitting phase and Eiffel will finance this critical period to obtain the necessary permits and authorisations through equity financing. Green Genius will lead the development process until the projects are ready to be built. Construction is then planned to start by the end of 2023.             Credit: renews.biz [Image: Green Genius]

                 OX2 is designing industrial-scale solar power plants in Kauhajoki in the areas of South Ostrobothnia and Loimaa in Finland. When completed, the combined energy production of the parks will correspond to the annual electricity consumption of at most more than 100,000 households. One of the projects, Kauhajoki Aurinkonevat, has a capacity of about 500MW and is one of the largest solar power projects in Finland. Another project, Loimaa Keinusuo, is 60MW. The efficiency and production volumes of the projects will be specified as the planning progresses. “We design our projects in line with the high sustainability goals.                “Our goal is nature-positive projects that bring economic benefits to the areas and create jobs, especially during the construction and operation phases,” said Taru Rantaruoko, Project Manager of the schemes. The technical planning, environmental studies and permitting of the projects have been launched. If necessary, the projects will also be subject to an environmental impact assessment (EIA). The aim is to start the construction of both projects within the next 2-4 years.           Credits: renews.biz [Image: Unplash/Chelsea]

                   Masdar has further expanded its presence in the US  after closing the acquisition of a 50% in a combined solar and battery storage project from EDF Renewables North America. The Big Beau project (pictured), located in California, comprises a 128MW solar plant and a 40MW battery energy storage system. It is one of eight projects that Masdar and EDF Renewables have agreed to jointly partner in, with a combined capacity of 1.6GW. Chairman of Masdar, Sultan Al Jaber said: “Big Beau and the other projects that we are operating with EDF Renewables are already making an active contribution to US clean energy targets, highlighting the strength of the UAE-US relationship that the recent PACE announcement seeks to build on. “If we are to keep the objective of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees alive, we need to see countries coming together in concerted action – one of the key areas of focus for the upcoming COP28 in the UAE.                   “Partnerships between companies like Masdar and EDF Renewables are also vital in ensuring we hold back emissions, not progress.” President and chief executive of EDF Renewables North America Tristan Grimbert added: “EDF Renewables’ partnership with Masdar enjoys a successful history and today we celebrate another project to add to the growing portfolio. “Decarbonization of the energy sector will take the combined effort of developers, offtakers, and investors alike working in collaboration toward ambitious goals.  “We are grateful for our productive partnership with Masdar built on a foundation of progress.” Masdar and EDF Renewables North America agreed in 2020 to jointly partner in the 1.6GW portfolio. This includes three utility-scale wind projects in Nebraska and Texas totalling 815MW, and five solar projects in California totaling 689MW, two of which include battery energy storage systems representing 75MW. All of the projects are operational, and combined they are displacing more than 3 million tonnes of emissions per year.          Credits: renews.biz [Image: Masdar]