Greece turns to lignite
Greece’s electricity market operator LAGIE published this week the country’s latest renewable energy statistics concerning the first four months of 2015. According to LAGIE’s report, Greece installed 7 MW of new photovoltaics from January to April. Specifically, all new installations were added in January and February, while in March and April there was no installation activity at all.
Ambitious interconnection plans could transform Europe
Europe recently approves studies for energy infrastructure plans that could transform its energy market and boost renewable investments. Electricity interconnection plans specifically between U.K. and France, and Greece, Cyprus and Israel stand out.
PV plans abound, but Jordan can’t rest on its laurels
News of solar PV plans in Jordan is coming in fast and thick on the back of announcements last week that projects totaling 200 MW had been tendered at record low prices. The country appears to be gearing up for its day in the sun, but it can’t afford to rest on its laurels, with the fossil fuel industries still lobbying heavily.
Update: Jordan’s unveils successful bids under second tender
The successful bidders under Jordans second 200 MW PV tender round have been announced. Two from Saudi Arabia have generated hopes for a spillover of the uplifting solar mood to the nearby Arab state.
Jordan’s second PV tender leads to record low tariffs
Jordan’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has chosen the winners of its second tender round. Overall, four 50 MW PV plants have been selected at record low tariffs, serving to highlight increased efficiencies, falling equipment costs and grid parity advances in the PV industry.
France announces tenders for PV and battery storage systems
The announcement from France’s Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy of a tender calling for solar PV and battery installations in the French overseas territories adds to the storage technology craze of the previous days.
Turkey approves a further 302 MW in PV projects
After awarding 228 MW of PV projects in January, Turkey approved a further 302 MW last week, thus paving the way for the first utility-scale solar installations in the country. The key question now concerns the realization of the projects.
Italy links to Malta
Italy has linked to Malta via a new electricity interconnector inaugurated last week. The new 120 kilometer-long subsea line offers Malta an opportunity to boost its renewable energy and marks Europe’s latest step in fortifying the bloc’s Energy Union.
Jordan’s Science and Technology University tenders 5 MW of PV
Jordan’s University of Science and Technology is currently tendering the engineering, procurement and construction of a 5 MW solar PV plant on its premises in the city of Irbid. Apart from Jordan’s universities, where the installation of solar PV has emerged as a trend, the technology is also gaining ground among other educational and cultural insitutions, including schools and museums.
Major power blackout hits Turkey
News that Turkey’s economy grew more than expected in Q4 2014 coincided with a major power outage a couple of hours later, indicating the shaky underpinnings of the country’s future development.
