Industry urges policymakers to catch up with technology at COP24
The Global Solar Council has released a 15 point plan, which is largely policy focussed, alleging that the industry has down its homework to slash the costs of solar. Now its policies turn to even the playing field. In a similar effort, the World Future Council has announced that it will launch a new platform for policymakers and the industry to enable an ongoing dialogue.
EBRD urges Western Balkans to replace 18 GW of coal with renewables
The EBRD has released a brief urging Western Balkan countries to both replace their aging lignite coal generation capacity with renewables, and to rethink their 18 GW plans for new coal capacity. While the region offers favorable conditions for various types of renewable generation, it has been slow on the uptake to date.
Floating PV conquers two new countries
This time, the countries revealing their first floating PV plans are Albania and the Ivory Cost. In the first, a 12.9 MW plant is being proposed by local hydropower producer KESH, while in the second, the local government has secured funds for what it claims will be Africa’s first floating PV array.
EU confirms increased renewables ambition as an early Christmas present
Political bloc wants to source at least 32% of energy from renewable generation by 2030 and signed off on the more ambitious target as a statement of intent during the first week of the Katowice climate change conference.
Some 42% of the world’s coal generators run at a loss
Carbon Tracker has released a report claiming it is cheaper, in many markets, to construct new renewable generation assets instead of running legacy coal-fired power plants. Billions could be saved for customers, while profits in the two-digit billion-dollar range look set to be lost by the coal industry.
EBRD inks loan agreement for 100 MW in Kazakhstan
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Joachim Goldbeck Holding GmbH have joined forces for the construction of a 100 MW in the Karaganda region of Kazakhstan.
Poland’s wind, solar auction concludes with lowest price of $79.1/MWh
The auction’s final lowest price was higher than that of the two previous auctions of the same kind, which were held in 2017 and 2016, respectively. Overall, 8,169 TWh of power were sold for PLN 2.2 billion (US$579.8 million).
Poland’s second largest coal producer to deploy 70 MW of solar at mining site
Polish power company ZE PAK SA has an 8.5% share of the country’s electricity market. Total investment in the solar project is estimated at approximately PLN200 million ($52.5 million).
Wind the only winner in Poland mixed energy auction for projects over 1 MW
Unlike similar auctions in France and Germany recently, in which only PV projects were selected, in Poland all the contracted power went to wind. The exercise drew prices from $41.98/MWh to $57.73/MWh, for an average $52.19/MWh.
Czech Republic may exclude PV from future renewables auctions
Once a leading European PV market, the Czech Republic may resume development of large-scale renewables from 2021. Only wind, hydro and biomass projects, however, will be eligible, under a proposal from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Only rooftop solar, of up to 1 MW, would be backed by a ‘feed-in premium’ scheme.
