Patrick Jowett
UK-led project explores PV module production in Africa, Asia, Indo-Pacific
Universities and businesses from the United Kingdom, Africa, Asia, and the Indo-Pacific are assessing the potential to set up sustainable PV module manufacturing hubs across the Global South.
MW Storage, Fluence partner on Germany’s largest storage project
Storage specialist Fluence says its new battery-based energy storage project in Germany will be one of the largest in continental Europe, with a capacity of 100 MW/200 MWh.
Jordan launches online platform for residential solar subsidies
An online platform taking inquiries into a subsidy program for residential solar heaters and PV systems has gone live in Jordan. The program will cover more than 30% of installation costs and aims to benefit around 7,000 targeted households.
Philippines gives green light to 65 MW of solar
The Philippines Board of Investments (BOI) has granted a green lane certificate to a 65 MW ground-mount solar power plant, set to become operational in September 2026.
Corporate PPAs hit record high in 2023, says BloombergNEF
BloombergNEF says in a new report that corporations publicly announced 46 GW of solar and wind power purchase agreements (PPAs) in 2023, up 12% year on year. It says the increase was driven by a surge of activity in Europe.
European consortium aims to deploy 150 MW of offshore PV in North Sea
Dutch offshore solar company Oceans of Energy is leading a project to scale up offshore solar blocks. Backed by 15 European partners, it is expected that the 150 MW building blocks will set a new standard in offshore energy and allow the construction of gigawatt-scale offshore solar farms.
AirTrunk, ib vogt sign virtual PPA for 29.9 MW of solar in Malaysia
Data center specialist AirTrunk has signed a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) under which it will procure energy from a 29.99 MW solar farm that ib vogt is now developing. Construction on the project is set to begin later this year.
Sekisui Chemical to open solar module factory in Slovakia
Denisa Sakova, Slovakia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of Economy, has signed an agreement with Japanese plastics manufacturer Sekisui Chemical, which is developing flexible photovoltaic panels. Sakova says the aim is to explore the possibility of producing the panels in Slovakia.
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.
