China: 2018 installations could drop by more than a third
On Friday, three Chinese government ministries issued a joint “2018 Solar PV Power Generation Notice.” Its impact has been hotly debated since, with two key conclusions: the largest market segment – utility-scale PV – will take a pounding and not come close to last year’s record installation figure of just under 34 GW; and the expanding distributed generation market segment, which rose 360% from 2016 to 2017, will also be severely impacted by a 10 GW cap on new projects.
Dubai has 43.7 MW under net metering
Most of the capacity, around 27 MW, was deployed in the emirate over the past eight months.
Gas Natural Fenosa launches power-to-gas project as advocates of the technology call for policy clarity
The Spanish power provider developed the pilot project with the Institut de Recerca en Energia de Catalunya and German spin-off Ineratec. Meanwhile, the European Power to Gas Platform has issued a paper demanding more regulatory certainty for power-to-gas, and to include it as an alternative in the cost-benefit analysis for grid extensions.
The Weekend Read: Central Asia’s Green Horizons
Despite its huge potential in the region, solar PV has hitherto gained little traction in Central Asia. In Kazakhstan, two utility-scale PV projects have been realized, and a few are in the pipeline for Uzbekistan as it begins to attract international investors. But many challenges on the policy level have yet to be overcome.
Engie commissions 24 MW PV park in south west France
The project will produce nearly 32 million kWh per year, covering the annual electricity consumption of more than 13,000 people. The total amount invested in the park was €28.6 million.
France looks to hydrogen to become 100% renewables
The French Environment & Energy Management Agency (ADEME) will allocate €100 million next year to support the nation’s hydrogen industry. The French government believes hydrogen – for storage of renewable power – can become a pillar of its energy transition.
Scatec wants to double size of project pipeline
Chief executive of Norwegian developer tells markets his company will deliver on 1.5 GW promise by the end of the year – by including any projects it has broken ground on.
Study: Swiss energy transition creates jobs and energy independence
A team of scientists at Lausanne have calculated the costs and job impact of the 2050 Energy Strategy, in force since January. The results show the additional investment called for by the strategy is offset by savings on imported fuel and electricity.
South Africa to launch new 1.8 GW REIPPP round this year
After signing the 27 outstanding renewable PPAs assigned in previous rounds in April, the South African government believes the new procurement round may raise investment of more than $3.1 billion.
MW-sized solar parks proliferate in Sweden
Swedish power distributor Göteborg Energi is planning to deploy two PV plants totaling 6 MW while initiatives for solar parks above 1 MW are being implemented in several regions.
