Patrick Jowett
Ireland’s ESB opens 75 MW/150 MWh battery plant
ESB has opened a 75 MW/150 MWh battery plant, touted as the largest of its kind in commercial operation in Ireland. Eamon Ryan, the country’s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, has said that the site will be a core part of Ireland’s renewable energy transition.
End of load shedding ‘finally within reach,’ says South African president
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the country has overcome the worst of its power shortages due to tax incentives, investment, the expansion of rooftop solar capacity, and the construction of new transmission lines, despite additional recent power cuts by utility Eskom.
Powin, Galp to install 5 MW/20 MWh of battery storage in Portugal
Galp, a Portuguese energy company, has announced plans to build a 5 MW/20 MWh battery storage system in Portugal, in collaboration with Powin. The system at one of Galp’s solar plants will enable it to adjust its PV production profile and meet its energy requirements. This project marks Powin’s first venture in Europe.
RWE to build solar farm in Greece, battery storage in Netherlands
RWE and PPC have announced the final investment decision for the construction of a 450 MWp solar plant in Greece through their joint venture, Meton Energy S.A. RWE has also shared the details of a 35 MW/41 MWh battery storage project – its first utility-scale storage facility in the Netherlands.
DNV validates Solcast’s satellite irradiance data as bankable
Energy consultancy DNV has published a data validation and methodology review of solar irradiance data provider Solcast, a company it acquired early last year. The review found that the forecasting specialist’s figures are “at or above industry standards.”
Veolia to roll out 300 MW of solar on landfills in France
Veolia plans to develop more than 40 solar projects on restored landfill sites in France amid dire shortage of suitable land for renewables development. The company expects the first plants to be operational by 2027.
Solarcentury Africa gets green light for 60 MW of merchant PV in Namibia
Solarcentury Africa and SolNam have secured a generation licence from Namibia’s Electricity Control Board (ECB) to build a 60 MWp solar project in the southern part of the country.
Philippines proposes register for PV system installers
The Philippines’ Department of Energy (DOE) is moving ahead with plans to require solar system installers to officially register with it. The DOE says that only registered installers will be recommended to government entities seeking PV installation services.
Zambian utility launches EPC tender for 7.5 MW of solar
State-owned power utility Zesco has kicked off the first stage of an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) tender for a 7.5 MW solar plant in Lusaka province, Zambia. The deadline for expressions of interest is Feb. 16, 2024.
Kosovo reveals shortlisted bidders for 100 MW solar tender
Kosovo has shortlisted six bidders in its first solar auction. The bidder chosen to construct the 100 MW plant will secure a lease for up to 30 years, backed by a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Kostt, the national market operator.
