Dubai set to launch phase V of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
The Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (DEWA) has issued a tender to seek IPP advisory services for the fifth phase of the gargantuan solar plant. After launching the first four phases, which are set to reach a combined capacity of 1 GW, the emirate is now assessing how to reach the 5 GW target set for the project by 2030
France sees first-quarter PV additions almost treble
New grid-connected PV systems from January to March totaled 246 MW, to take the nation’s cumulative capacity to 8.3 GW
Gas Natural Fenosa breaks ground on 50 MW solar park
The project was awarded by the Spanish government in an auction held in July. Fenosa plans to finish work on the facility by the end of this year
CW Enerji to build 420 MW module factory in Turkey
The Turkish company, which has invested an initial $26.6 million in the manufacturing facility, hopes to raise its annual capacity to 1 GW
EDF Solar secures PPA for 7 MW project in central Spain
The solar facility will sell part of its power to a company near Toledo. Through a seven-year PPA, the buyer will cover around 40% of its energy needs
Shuangdeng Group wins Afghanistan’s tender for 40 MW hybrid solar project
The Chinese provider of storage and back-up power systems has been awarded the $59.7 million contract to build the facility, which will be located at an industrial area in the Nangarhar province. The tender had been issued in September 2017.
T Plus begins work on two solar facilities totaling 105 MW in Russia
The two solar plants, both located in the region of Orenburg, are scheduled for completion by early 2019.
Water-stressed countries should resort to solar, World Resources Institute says
Unlike traditional power generation, wind and solar require zero, or a mimimum amount of, water for the operations of their respective technologies. This may help most Middle Eastern and North African countries solve their chronich water supply issues, as well as several more African, Asian, American and European countries.
Spain’s oil giant Repsol turns to renewables
Repsol President Antonio Brufau has ratified the company’s commitment to fighting climate change, while acknowledging the high levels of competitiveness achieved by the renewable energy technologies. In Repsol’s view, however, gas is still considered one of the main pillars of the energy transition, said to ensure a safer power supply than intermittent renewables.
Angola plans to join Scaling Solar program
The Angolan government has invited representatives of the World Bank, which runs the program, to discuss ways of increasing the share of solar energy in the African country in the period up to 2022. Several sites for the construction of solar parks have already been identified.
