2019

Publicly-owned power company Eneco has explored the possibility of an IPO since early 2017 and now appears set to pass into new ownership.

The Chinese solar manufacturer has delivered its ultra-high efficiency Cheetah 72 modules for 575 MW of capacity that X-Elio is developing in multiple locations across Spain, in addition to roughly 375 MW for two projects in the Mexican cities of Veracruz and Navojoa.

To have any hope of restricting global heating to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius, the renewables success story which saw 108 GW of solar deployed last year needs to be cranked up to the next level – and fast.

The Shanghai-based project developer – which will soon relocate to the U.S. – says the profit margins are not high enough in those markets and has cancelled its project pipeline in the nations. The company has also changed its CEO after less than five months and is on a drive to reduce capital costs.

The political statements issued by the Conservatives, Labour, the Lib Dems and even the Green Party almost entirely ignore solar power amid a welter of vague ambitions ahead of the December vote. The increasingly obvious effects of climate change have clearly entered the consciousness of voters, though – the net zero commitment even got as high as page 55 of the Conservatives’ 62-page document.

The German solar company issued a statement over the weekend claiming it had been the victim of fraud perpetrated by its module importers and stating its intent to sue the offenders if the modules in question are found to have had their documents of origin deliberately altered.

The French energy group has injected an unspecified sum into KarmSolar, which has a 165 MW solar project portfolio in Egypt. The developer specializes in power purchase agreements and solar distribution contracts with large commercial, agricultural and industrial clients.

There was unanimous approval at a vote on the debt reorganization plan put before creditors in Hong Kong today and now it remains only for the scheme to be rubber-stamped in the territory – and in Bermuda – before the task of rebuilding the soon-to-be-state-owned business can begin.

Innoenergy’s recent conference in Berlin repeated the argument financing renewable energy projects in Africa remains a struggle, however it also showcased some hopeful case studies.

The German project developer’s pipeline consists of solar plants with land and grid-connection approval across Apulia and Basilicata. Some of the projects are planned in the province of Brindisi, which already hosts several solar parks which have stirred strong resistance from local authorities and civil associations.