Renewables deals dwarfed by oil and gas at UK-Africa Investment Summit
The scale of fossil fuel deals signed between African governments and U.K. oil and gas interests reportedly amounted to more than 11 times the volume of renewable energy commitments as Britain scrambles for post-Brexit financial opportunities.
Zimbabwe set for real solar growth
The government has decided to implement a proper independent power producer development plan for large scale PV, with the help of the World Bank.
Integrated energy system could see 110 GW of electrolyzers in Germany and Netherlands
A report from Dutch grid operator TenneT and gas business Gasunie suggests the companies should jointly develop infrastructure after 2030. With hydrogen and synthetic methane in demand, electricity and gas will become increasingly inter-linked. Only seamless integration of the two networks would enable the EU to achieve its net-zero-carbon 2050 plan.
Israel launches 300 MW solar-plus-storage tender
The government wants a 300 MW solar plant linked to large scale storage in the Negev desert. Construction is planned for late 2021 and completion in 2023.
Engie sells controlling stake in 813 MW Indian solar portfolio
This transaction is part of Engie’s develop, build, share and operate strategy which involves selling part of its stake in renewables assets while carrying out operations and maintenance.
Galp to buy ACS solar assets for €2.2 billion – enough to rebuild Real Madrid
Portuguese gas company Galp Energía says it will become “the largest solar energy company in the Iberian peninsula”. The agreement includes operating PV plants with an installed generation capacity of 900 MW plus a further 2.9 GW under development.
Deal reached to keep Energyra module production in the Netherlands
The Dutch PV manufacturer plans to start production this year after a last-minute rescue package arrived as the company’s equipment was being auctioned off.
Navajo Nation land could host 2.2 GW pumped hydro storage station
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has accepted Daybreak Energy’s application to develop a 2,230 MW pumped-hydro facility on the banks of Lake Powell in Utah.
Qatar’s 800 MW tender draws world record solar power price of $0.01567/kWh
Utility Kahramaa has revealed the winning consortium initially offered $0.01745/kWh with the price then reduced based on financial market indices.
Solving seasonal storage with aluminum cycling
Scientists at Switzerland’s University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil have demonstrated an aluminum conversion process which could be valuable for long-term renewable energy storage. Simulations suggest that by employing the process, a new multi-family building in Switzerland could meet all its energy demand from a 7-11 kWp solar system.
