France reports record share of renewables for Q2 2018
According to French grid operator RTE, it is the first time since the 1960’s that renewables have reached a similar share in the country’s power mix. Solar, wind and bioenergies contributed by covering around 10% of national demand.
India: Uttar Pradesh cancels 1 GW projects due to high tariff
Citing high tariff of INR 3.48 ($0.050)/kWh as untenable, the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has cancelled the recent auction for the development of 1 GW grid-connected solar PV projects across the state.
Tages Helios obtains €425 million financing
The Italian fund will use the money to refinance its current PV plant portfolio consisting of 101 MW of facilities, and to finance further acquisitions planned by the end of this year.
Work never stops for big solar parks in Spain
The Balearic Islands have decided to fast-track a 42 MW solar project, which would raise the three island’s total installed generations by one third. Iberdrola has secured a PPA for its 391 MW Nuñez de Balboa projects. Moreover, several other PV projects have obtained approval from regional authorities.
Germany’s Brandenburg launches home storage incentive program
Starting from now, subsidies for up to 1,000 residential solar-plus-storage systems can be requested from the Investment Bank of Brandenburg.
EU commits €578 million for Iberian-EU energy market integration
Spain, Portugal, France and the European Commission have signed a deal to increase the capacity of the energy interconnection between the Iberian Peninsula and Europe. Currently, the interconnection capacity is 6,000 MW and, thus, far from the 15% goal set in 2015.
Neoen reaches 1 GW of solar assets in Australia as 100 MW project gets green light
Having finalized the financing agreement for the project, French renewable energy producer Neoen announced that full construction on Victoria’ Numurkah Solar Farm is ready to commence this week. It now has 1 GW of solar assets under its belt in Australia.
The weekend read: California’s solar and wind integration challenge
As a leader in the global energy transition, California is putting some of the highest levels of solar and wind on its grid in the world to date. And while the state’s grid operator has made some progress, the integration of these resources is currently limited not by physics, but by market rules and operational practices.
2017 saw UK switch away from coal, gas to renewables
While they remain the dominant source of energy supply, there was a shift away from fossil fuels to renewable energy in the U.K. last year. The country is “comfortably” on track to exceed its 30% renewables target, says the government.
Germany prevents China from joining 50Hertz
The Chinese state-owned State Grid Corporation of China has been attempting to acquire a 20% stake in German transmission system operator, 50Hertz for some time now. After the intervention of Germany’s Federal Government, however, this share will now go to domestic development bank, KfW.
