Portugal: Renewables are driving down electricity prices
In March alone, renewable energies covered 103.6% of the country’s total power consumption, a performance which was mainly driven by wind and hydropower. As a result, the average power price on the daily spot market dropped year-on-year, from €43.94/MWh to €39.75/MWh.
Hanwha Q Cells sees net loss in 2017, despite increased shipments
Korean module manufacturing giant, Hanwha Q Cells reported a net loss of US$9.2 million for the full year 2017, falling from a net income of $127.5 million in the previous year. The company cited a one-time loss associated with the discontinuation of wafer manufacturing as the main reason for the decline.
EBRD helps Morocco assess its renewable energy injection capacity
The international financial institution is assisting the grid operator of the Northern African country, ONEE, in evaluating the current capacity of its very high voltage (VH) and high voltage (HV) networks to absorb additional power from renewables.
Belgium: Flemish government to improve conditions for “direct lines” for renewables
Flanders’ Ministry of Energy intends to make it easier for renewable energy suppliers to sell power to a final customer through a direct connection. This is expected to encourage industrial customers and public entities to increase consumption from clean energy sources.
World Bank Group offers $18 million guarantee to PV projects in Namibia
World Bank Group has announced that, through its subsidiary Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), it will provide up to US$18 million in support of two 5 MW PV power plants to be constructed in Namibia.
Pakistan should turn to renewables for energy security – IRENA
With its growing population and rapidly increasing energy needs, Pakistan’s energy security is undermined by the overriding share of imported fossil fuels in its energy mix. But, by turning to its untapped, tremendous solar, wind and biomass potential, the South Asian country could spur social and economic development, while improving energy access, says IRENA.
Tonga launches tender for 6 MW of solar-plus-storage
Local power utility, TPL is seeking independent power producers for the deployment of 6 MW of solar PV capacity combined with storage. The selected project will be granted a 25-year PPA.
Apple claims to be 100% renewable-powered
Technology multinational, Apple Inc. has announced that its global operations are now 100% powered by clean energy. Additionally, another nine of Apple’s manufacturing partners have committed to powering their production with 100% clean energy, meaning a total of 23 suppliers have now made this commitment.
Lebanon issues tender for 300 MW of large-scale solar-plus-storage
Through the new tender, Lebanon’s Center for Energy Conservation (LCEC) intends to award the contracts for the construction of three 100 MW solar PV plants combined with large-scale battery systems.
Korea, Japan to retaliate over US solar tariffs
Korea is making good on an earlier promise, and now Japan has joined in. Both nations demand that the Trump Administration reverse the tariffs, or suffer an equivalent volume of retaliatory tariffs.
