Emiliano Bellini
Italy to launch series of mixed wind-solar auctions totaling 4.8 GW
New auctions for wind and solar projects exceeding 1 MW in size will be part of a new incentive scheme for renewable energy for the period 2018-2020, which is now under review by local authorities. In the first auction, planned for November, around 500 MW of wind and solar projects over 1 MW are expected to be assigned. The incentive scheme will also support solar and renewables up to 1 MW through specific tenders.
EIB committed €1 billion to solar last year
The European Investment Bank (EIB) made its solar investments in 13 European Union countries, as well as in India, Mexico and Peru in 2017. The bank’s total investment volume for solar projects since 2002 amounts to around €6.3 billion.
Brazil plans RE auctions for isolated regions
The Brazilian government is planning to resort to renewable energies to meet power demand in the non-interconnected areas in the north of the country. Meanwhile, another Brazilian state, Santa Catarina, has decided to introduce the ICMS exemption for solar DG.
Libya resumes efforts to take advantage of its solar potential
Libya’s Misurata Free Zone is resorting to solar to increase its energy independence, with support being provided by U.S.-based energy consultancy, iQ Power.
Kazahkstan tenders 290 MW of solar
Overall, new auctions launched by the Kazakh government will allocate 1 GW of renewable energy generation capacity, including 620 MW of wind power plants.
Solar Ventures plans 1 GW of ‘grid-parity’ projects in Italy, Spain
The Italian solar plant operator has decided to re-enter the Italian PV market, as costs for large-scale solar are now under €1 million/MW and conditions for unsubsidized projects are improving. Overall, it plans to invest around €800 million in solar in the two southern European countries over the next five years.
Sweden allocates $60 million in solar rebates for 2018
The Swedish Energy Agency will initially allocate 200 million SEK (around US$24 million). Two further tranches of 200 million SEK and 100 million SEK, respectively, will be assigned in April and in the fall. The funds will be used to finance small rooftop PV projects under the country’s solar rebate scheme.
Turkey registers 522 MW of new unlicensed PV capacity in first two months of 2018
Overall, the country’s registered unlicensed solar capacity has reached 3.9 GW (AC), according to new data released by local grid operator, TEIAŞ. There are, however, differing views on how much has actually been completed and is operational.
Ground breaks on 25 MW solar plant in Dominican Republic
The project is part of the three large-scale solar plants that the Dominican government is planning to bring online in 2018.
Poland to tender 750 MW of solar projects up to 1 MW in 2018
The Polish government may also launch a mixed wind-solar auction for projects over 1 MW that, according to local analyst Piotr Pająk, would eventually conclude with a prevailing share of wind.
