Portugal: New energy minister announces first RE auction for Q2 2019
In addition to unveiling Portugal’s first renewables auction, State Secretary for Energy João Galamba has said he will fight speculation in the large-scale solar business, and introduce both longer timeframes for project construction and stronger penalties.
Allianz acquires 46 MW subsidy-free project in Portugal
Allianz Capital Partners, on behalf of German insurance company Allianz, has acquired a 46 MW solar PV project in Portugal.
EDP invests in off-grid solar, storage
The Portuguese utility expands its renewable energy business – traditionally dominated by wind – with a new storage station in Romania and the acquisition of a start-up, which offers off-grid home solar solutions in Bangladesh.
Renault deploys smart EV charging on island grid
The car manufacturer is deploying its second island project this year. Smart EV charging – and second-life EV batteries for stationary storage – are expected to help increase self-consumption, reduce carbon footprints and improve energy independence. The news comes amid a rising uptake of EVs in Europe.
Portugal: A further 1.7 GW of PV projects under review
Portugal’s Directorate General for Energy and Geology is reviewing another big bunch of “unsubsidized” solar schemes.
Another 145.5 MW of utility-scale solar gets green light in Portugal
Including the latest three projects, the country’s total approved large-scale solar capacity has surpassed 1 GW. The developer is Escalabis Solar and total investment is expected to reach €81 million.
When the wind doesn’t blow don’t worry, the sun shines
The heatwave across Western Europe saw wind power 20% lower than usual while solar irradiance was 20% above average, according to Vaisala, a provider of measurement systems and equipment for meteorology. If this balancing effect is confirmed by further analysis, the technologies may ensure future energy supply by providing a diversified, ‘climate-resilient’ portfolio.
Spain’s Holaluz to sell power generated at 46 MW solar park in Portugal
The solar plant was commissioned last week in Ourique, southern Portugal. The project was developed by UK-based renewable energy company Welink and Chinese engineering services provider China Triumph International Engineering (CTIEC).
EDP adopts blockchain to measure consumption of prosumers in Brazil
The blockchain technology, which was developed by Austrian company, Riddle&Code, is intended to help the Portuguese power provider measure the electricity consumption of each user who owns and operates a solar array installed under net metering.
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.
