Strategic Alliances

The RE100 Progress Insights Annual Report 2018, released at the end of last week, portrays the central role corporate policies can play in carbon mitigation efforts.

The seventh round of funding under the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development program takes to US$350 million the amount pumped into clean energy as part of state-run energy transition strategies in the developing world.

The Norwegian oil producer has already partnered with Scatec on large-scale PV projects in Brazil and Argentina. The transaction cost $82.4 million.

The money will be used, among other things, to finance the construction of a 50 MW solar plant in Benguela province, in the west of the country.

Africa Energy, a U.K. based consultancy has launched the African Energy Data Book, which it claims is the first attempt to track the continent’s electricity capacity in a single volume. PV Magazine attended the unveiling of the book.

Caterpillar-branded SunPower modules will be available in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East – but not yet the United States.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) yesterday unveiled details for Lebanon’s first Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF), the largest thus far in the bank’s Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region (SEMED). The GEFF program is set to address key issues of energy security, efficiency and sustainability for the Middle Eastern country.

Zinc battery specialist NantEnergy has acquired the U.S. energy systems and services business from Japanese electronics giant Sharp. The acquisition, according to NantEnergy, will provide the company with an important foothold in the U.S. market and allow it to provide “energy as a service” business models, using its Zinc-air battery, in multiple markets.

The Hong Kong-listed unit has asked where its parent will find the cash and shares to complete a $7bn deal to take ownership back in house and then list it on the Chinese A-share index.

Norwegian developer Scatec has upped its holding in three operational PV projects in South Africa. Each of the plants is operating under a 20-year PPA with utility Eskom. Scatec’s investments in the country are secured by guarantees from the World Bank Group.