Super-grids vs prosumer states: storage may decide the battle
Indra Overland, head of the Center for Energy Research at the Norwegian Institute for International Affairs, explains how the world’s future energy landscape may include pan-regional super-grids. However, prosumer states seeking energy independence could also be in the mix. According to Overland, the two developments will go hand in hand and the balance between them will be determined by the competitiveness of storage technologies.
Sale and repurchase deal – is GCL New Energy scrabbling for funds?
With a RMB21.4 billion chunk of its huge debt pile reportedly set to fall due for repayment in July, ownership of four PV projects with a total 80 MW capacity is due to transfer back and forth as the developer tries to sweat its solar assets.
First hybrid hydro-PV project announced in Russia
Russian module manufacturer Hevel will deploy 1.2 MW of solar at an hydropower facility operated by local energy provider Rushydro in the Amur region. The solar installation is intended to help the company better manage the power plant, while also reducing its operational costs.
Canadian Solar revises up estimates while giving PG&E update
The Ontario firm has revised figures for shipments, net revenue and gross margin after seeing better-than-expected trading in the final three months of 2018.
Italian oil group Eni enters Australian renewables market with 33.7 MW plant
Diversifying its gas-focused portfolio Down Under, the Italian business has acquired the Northern Territory’s largest solar project – the Katherine Solar Farm.
Indian state-owned utilities tender 45 MW of floating solar projects
Following power company NTPC’s 20 MW tender for Rajasthan and 15 MW procurement for Himachal Pradesh, Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited has invited bids to develop 10 MW of floating PV in Hisar. The deadline for bid submission is on March 1.
Croatian utility HEP issues call for utility-scale solar and other renewables
Interested developers of large-scale PV plants, with more than 2 MW capacity, have until the end of the year to send proposals. The expression of interest is for projects to be developed with the utility or to be sold to it.
Unsubsidized 175 MW solar project under development in Germany
EnBW is planning a big solar park in Weesow-Willmersdorf, in the northeastern region of Brandenburg. If built, the project would become Germany’s largest solar plant. The company says it has a pipeline of unsubsidized projects with a combined capacity of 800 MW.
Repsol or Iberdrola could be the new owner of Spanish developer X-Elio
U.S. fund KKR and Spanish group Gestamp have reportedly begun X-Elio’s sale process. Oil business Repsol and power company Iberdrola are said to be among the interested buyers circling the PV project developer.
Brazil preps auction for non-interconnected state of Roraima
The procurement is planned for May 16 and will award 15-year PPAs to projects based on conventional and renewable energy generation. Solar could help remove the state’s reliance on power generated by a company based in crisis-torn Venezuela.
