Renewable energy company Low Carbon has announced the construction of three new large-scale UK solar farms. Located in Essex, Derbyshire and Buckinghamshire, the farms will be the first UK projects to receive funding using the business’s multi-bank financing facility from NatWest, Lloyds Bank, and AIB. Announced in September, the facility is targeting 1GW of solar capacity, as part of Low Carbon’s target to create 20GW of new renewable energy capacity by the end of the decade. The news follows Low Carbon’s recent announcement of four solar farms totalling 53.1MW entering construction in the Netherlands Construction at Fox Covert Solar Farm, Buckinghamshire, is due to commence imminently, with an intended capacity of 23.4MW. At its peak, the site will generate enough clean renewable electricity to power the equivalent of more than 7300 homes and provide electricity directly to the local distribution network. Work on the other two sites, at the Inkersall Road Solar Farm in Derbyshire and the St Clere’s Solar Farm in Essex, will begin in the early new year. They will have a capacity of 28.8MW and 23MW respectively.                  With a combined capacity of over 75MW, the three sites represent an important addition to Low Carbon’s growing project portfolio in the UK, Europe and North America. The design and build of all three projects will be delivered by Bouygues Energies & Services, a global leader in energy, digital and industrial transformation. Roy Bedlow, Chief Executive and Founder at Low Carbon, said: “Climate change is a shared global challenge, in which the energy sector plays a major part. Amidst soaring energy prices, the rapid creation of new renewable energy capacity is essential to many UK homes and businesses. We are therefore delighted to be announcing the first three of many UK-based projects financed with the help of NatWest, Lloyds Bank and AIB. “Only by accelerating the rollout of clean, affordable energy can we fully decarbonise and achieve our shared climate goals. Today’s announcement also marks an important step towards Low Carbon’s own strategic targets of net zero and 20GW of new renewable energy capacity by 2030.”       Credits: renews.biz [Image: Pixabay]

                 British solar tech innovator Naked Energy has secured a £1m investment from Nesta, the UK innovation agency for social good. The deal sees Naked Energy join the line-up of tech ventures supported by Nesta’s Impact Investment team that are driving innovation alongside social or environmental impact. Nesta’s funding will enable the developer to continue expanding its engineering and commercial teams and scale the production of its solar technology. The announcement follows the opening of Naked Energy’s Series B funding round, in which it is targeting at least £10m to meet the increased demand for green energy globally and accelerate the decarbonisation of heat. The deal comes as part of a funding round that has already seen investment from the likes of Barclays and ELM Companies, and during an exciting period for solar thermal. The International Energy Agency predicts solar thermal will be used in 30% of buildings globally by 2050, and Naked Energy’s Virtu technology is proving instrumental in this expansion.                Naked Energy’s VirtuPVT collector combines high efficiency solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal technology to generate both electricity and heat from a single collector. Christophe Williams, CEO and founder of Naked Energy, said: “At Naked Energy, we’re always looking for investors who share our long-term green vision, and Nesta is clearly aligned with our mission to deliver climate impact at scale. “We’re delighted to be supported by Nesta’s Impact Investment team. With Nesta’s help we’re looking forward to being able to increase the rate at which we decarbonise heat – an issue that we need to urgently address in order to reach net zero.” Alex Hook, Senior Investment Director at Nesta, says: “We are delighted to invest in Naked Energy, our first investment which is aligned to Nesta’s Sustainable Future goal to decarbonise UK households.”           redits: renews.biz [Image: Naked Energy]

               Pacifico Energy Partners and Eiffel Investment Group have pooled their resources in a dedicated joint venture to accelerate the development of agrivoltaic projects in Italy. The joint venture is focused on the development of a portfolio of agrivoltaic projects in Italy, primarily in the Lazio region and totalling 300MW. Pacifico will contribute projects at mid-stage development and Eiffel will finance this phase to obtain the necessary permits and authorisations through bridge equity financing. Pacifico will then drive the development process until the projects are ready-to-build, at which point the joint-venture may sell the assets. Eiffel will invest up to €20m in the portfolio via Eiffel Transition Infrastructure, its new bridge equity fund launched earlier in November 2022 and dedicated to the financing of the development of renewable energy projects. Jannik Hoffmann, Chief Financial Officer at Pacifico, said: “The partnership with Eiffel allows Pacifico Energy Partners to focus on what we are best at – identifying the best projects and delivering them.                We are committed to making a sizable impact towards a clean energy future and are particularly delighted to broaden our cooperation with Eiffel, a financing party which we have already successfully worked with in past transactions.” Pierre-Antoine Machelon, Managing Director at Eiffel Investment Group, said: “We are very excited about this partnership with Pacifico Energy Partners. “This inaugural transaction for Eiffel Transition infrastructure will accelerate the deployment of additional renewable energy capacity by bringing much-needed equity in the early phase of the projects and leveraging Pacifico’s strong experience of PV development.”           Credits: renews.biz

                 Technip Energies has been selected by Infinite Green Energy to perform a front-end engineering design (FEED) for a 10MW green hydrogen project in Western Australia. The MEG-HP1 Early Production Facility, in Northam, will be powered by the Northam Solar Farm, located approximately 100 km east of Perth, to be acquired by Infinite Green Energy. The plan is to begin producing hydrogen in 2024. The Northam Solar Farm consists of 33,600 solar panels and is constructed over 25 hectares. It is already connected to the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) with additional land secured for potential expansion. The 10MW green hydrogen production facility will be located in close proximity to the solar farm and will produce up to 4.3 tonnes of the gas per day.                Hydrogen production offtake is focused on the heavy transport sector, targeting back-to-base logistics operators and local governments with in-depot refuelling. Gareth Philp, Australia Managing Director of Technip Energies, said: “We are proud to have been selected as an execution partner by Infinite Green Energy Ltd for the MEG-HP1 Early Production Facility project. “We are committed to leveraging our local footprint and our integration and design expertise to contribute to building the future of green hydrogen in Australia.” Stephen Gauld, CEO and founder of Green Infinite Energy, added: “This is an important milestone for Infinite Green Energy and we’re pleased to be partnering with Technip Energies on Front End Engineering and Design.  “Our MEG-HP1 Early Production facility at Northam is leading the transition to a net zero economy. “With first gas expected in 2024, Infinite Green Energy is on track to delivering some of the first commercial-scale green hydrogen in WA.”           Credits: renews.biz [Image: Technip Energies]

                 Statkraft has signed a second hybrid power purchase and battery optimisation agreement with Warrington Borough Council, covering a solar farm and battery storage site it owns in Gloucestershire. Cirencester Solar Farm, which is wholly owned by Warrington Borough Council, incorporates a 23MWp solar farm and a DC-coupled 10MW battery storage facility, and is the first large-scale DC-coupled solar and storage facility in the UK. The DC-coupled configuration at Cirencester is different to other sites, in that it involves connecting the solar panels and battery cells behind a shared inverter, which converts the electricity directly to AC for export to the grid. This avoids extra conversion stages, allowing batteries to be more efficiently charged from the solar panels, and means Statkraft can more effectively optimise the battery in a more integrated way with the clean, renewable electricity generated there. This new deal means Statkraft now optimises five co-located renewable energy and battery sites across the UK and Ireland on behalf of its customers, including the York hybrid site also owned by Warrington Borough Council, which was signed in June 2020.                This deal expands Statkraft’s leading optimisation capabilities covering co-located and hybrid sites, demonstrating its ability to cover all types of AC and DC-coupled configurations. Statkraft Head of UK Energy Storage, Markets, Nick Heyward said: “Having worked with Warrington Borough Council on optimising their first hybrid solar and battery site in York, we are delighted to be further expanding our relationship and managing this technically advanced project. “The DC-coupled nature of the site required us to adopt a different optimisation approach and involves expanding further the technical capabilities of ‘UNITY’, our trading optimisation platform, to deal with such co-located sites. “As grid-connection capacity becomes challenging to secure across the UK, we’re expecting to see the deployment of more co-located storage and renewables which need similar advanced optimisation approaches.”             Credits: renews.biz [Image: Pixabay]

                 Glennmont Partners and SK D&D have signed a shareholders agreement to establish a joint venture to co-invest in solar projects in South Korea. The new agreement follows the previous MoU agreement from June this year, for co-investment in the solar projects, and builds on the “existing synergy between SK D&D and Glennmont to accelerate the deployment of capital in renewable energy by acquiring solar PV projects”. The signing ceremony was held at SK D&D headquarters (Pangyo ECO Hub) with Hae-zoong Kim, head of SK D&D Energy Solutions division, and Fabian D’Avola, Head of Investment Glennmont Asia Pacific, in attendance. In accordance with the agreement, the two companies will establish a joint venture as a financial platform, and as the first step, they plan to acquire, build and operate 80MW of solar PV projects, approximately valued at €115m. As part of the agreement, SK D&D will originate, operate and dispatch the electricity the portfolio.                Glennmont has managed assets of more than €3bn and will own the investment as part of its focus on the energy transition in Europe, Asia and USA. Francesco Cacciabue CFO and Founding Partner at Glennmont Partners, said: “This contract with SK D&D is a significant milestone for Glennmont to enter the Korean solar market. “We will continue to invest in the Asia Pacific with a concentration on the Korean renewable energy market as we look to broaden opportunities for investors to accelerate the energy transition and decarbonise their investment portfolios. “Simultaneously, SK D&D, a leading renewable energy company focused on solar PV, onshore wind and storage, is pursuing sustainable management practices that will allow it to benefit from expansion and integration of different green energy areas such as green electricity trading, hydrogen fuel cell, and offshore wind power.”           Credits: renews.biz [Image: Unsplash/APPA]

                   Black & Veatch has been awarded a lead role in the development of an initial 2GW of solar and battery storage by UK-based developer Amberside Energy. Black & Veatch will deliver technical advisory and support services for Amberside’s Solar & Storage Portfolio Framework Agreement. The framework covers standalone solar PV, standalone battery, and co-located solar PV and battery sites across Great Britain. As well as planning and design of solar and battery storage systems Black & Veatch will plan and design the electricity distribution and transmission assets; in addition to managing interfaces with National Grid and distribution network operators.                Black & Veatch’s role also encompasses creating independent energy production estimates for each site, with projects expected to range in capacity from 20MW to 100MW. “These projects add vital energy to the grid in challenging times. As both a developer and asset optimiser, Amberside Energy’s innovative and forward-thinking approach to this major solar and storage portfolio comes at a pivotal time,” said Black & Veatch Associate Vice-president & UK Director Robbie Gibson. Marc Scambler, CEO of Amberside Energy, stated: “We chose Black & Veatch because of their global experience, diligent approach and alignment with our drive for engineering excellence in everything we do. This portfolio is part of our suite of plans, all chosen to support the UK in achieving its decarbonisation targets.”             Credits: renews.biz [Image: Pixabay]

                   Ridge Clean Energy (RCE) has submitted a planning application for the hybrid renewable energy Six Oaks Renewable Energy Park project. The proposed 49.9MW solar farm with battery storage is situated about 1.4km southeast of Bottisham in East Cambridgeshire. The project would also include species-rich seed mix in between the rows of solar panels to encourage wildlife including bees and birds. Through an array of ecological enhancements, the site aims to deliver a net gain of 66% to local biodiversity. Existing hedgerows are to be enhanced with extra planted where necessary to provide additional screening and to benefit wildlife. The associated Six Oaks Community Benefit Fund is projected to provide £25,000 per year for the lifespan of the project (up to 40 years).                  In addition to the Community Benefit Fund, RCE will also provide up-front seed capital and development assistance for community projects, so people don’t have to wait until the completion of the build to start receiving benefits. “We develop each project with the scope to do so much more than generate power,” said Marjorie Glasgow, co-founder and CEO of RCE. “We believe that combining clean energy with the needs of communities is the most powerful way to tackle climate change and its impacts. “The Six Oaks Renewable Energy Park could help East Cambridgeshire adapt to the biggest challenges currently facing communities in the UK – climate change, energy security, and the rising cost of living,” Glasgow added. “The Ridge team have a proven track record in developing high-quality UK renewable energy projects whilst working alongside local communities to create enduring and sustainable local benefits.” Community Partnership Lead Daniela Jenkins added: “As a company we aim to develop a close partnership with local communities from the very start of a project. We have met with parish councillors, community groups and charities with the aim to encourage and support local communities on their path to net zero and we are working with a local group to improve biodiversity on the proposed site. “We are looking forward to supporting community projects and ideas, which could be EV charging, improving play parks or local cycle networks.”           Credits: renews.biz [Image: Pixabay]

                 Swiss renewables developer Terra Sola has signed an MoU with H2 Industries to support its development of green hydrogen projects across Africa. The agreement supports Terra Sola’s development of large-scale integrated solar energy projects for selected countries across Africa integrated with H2 Industries’ liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) technology. These projects could enable the storage and release of electrical power for export, use as a local industrial feedstock, or for grid stabilisation and/or off-grid power availability. The multimillion US dollar cooperation is aimed at accelerating the transition of local industries to renewable energy, driving electrification, and boosting socio-economic development in these selected countries.                Terra Sola brings together financial, technological, and development partners to establish large-scale PV power plants, primarily in the Middle East, as well as Africa, where there is high demand for energy. Terra Sola, through its Algeria based development arm Terra Sola PV Production Algérie, is active in more than 17 African countries with a combined project pipeline of more than 10GW of installed solar capacity, combined with various socio-economic benefits for their host countries, like education and job-creation programmes and the localisation of industrial production and knowledge transfer. H2 Industries’ LOHC technology can convert power from renewable energy into hydrogen, store and transport it in LOHC and then release it for power generation, via fuel cells, in any location or for direct use in industry and/or mobility sectors, on-grid, or off-grid.             Credits: renews.biz Image: Enel]

                 Atlas Renewable Energy has commenced commercial operations at a 300MW solar plant in Mexico. La Pimienta, now fully operational, is located in the state of Campeche and is the second largest operational solar plant in Mexico, stated Atlas. The plant will supply energy to CFE under a 15-year contract to support the power needs of the Yucatan peninsula. La Pimienta is composed of more than a million solar panels, which are spread across 651 hectares. La Pimienta represents the first large-scale solar renewable energy investment in Campeche, with the participation of the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB), National Bank of Public Works and Services (Banobras), MUFG Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Société Générale. “We are very proud that our largest project to date is now fully operational. This project is very special for us, as we are able to supply clean energy to the Yucatan Peninsula and avoid the emission of more than 1.7 million tons of CO2. “In addition, we are able to promote unique social and environmental programs that will contribute to the well-being of the surrounding communities and the preservation of the local ecosystem,” said Camilo Serrano, General Manager for Atlas Renewable Energy in México.                The construction of La Pimienta created over 1000 jobs where the local workforce was prioritised. Atlas’ flagship programme, “We are all part of the same energy”, trained 355 local women in technical skills and hired 165 of them, raising female representation from a traditional 2% to 15% during the construction of these types of projects. Atlas also implemented Project Carmen; a programme in partnership with the local health authorities focused on bringing accessible healthcare to the nearby communities through the construction, rehabilitation and equipment of two health centres. The company also supported the community with the installation of dry bathrooms and wood-saving stoves for over 40 families. Taking care of the environment and protecting the local ecosystem was also a main focus, stated Atlas. The company implemented a biodiversity programme to preserve the local flora and fauna and enhanced a natural corridor within the plant, to improve the habitat of local species. The company is also reinserting local flora that was rescued during the construction phase of the plant, and it will execute a 450-hectare reforestation programme, expecting to plant close to 100,000 specimens.           Credits: renews.biz [Image: Atlas Renewable Energy