Botswana cancels 100 MW PV tender, plans new procurement exercise for June
The canceled tender was seeking investors for the construction of two 50 MW PV plants, as part of a joint venture with local utility BPC. The new tender will focus on independent power producers.
Sonnen launches fixed-price solar and storage plan in Victoria, Australia
Households in the Australian state of Victoria can now sign up for sonnenFlat, an energy plan that offers a guaranteed annual energy allowance including solar, storage and grid energy usage for a fixed fee.
Solar the key to progress on global access to electricity
A tracking report from five major international agencies finds the world is lagging behind sustainable development goals for 2030. While more effort is needed to reach some of the world’s poorest populations, though, notable progress has been made in reducing the electrification deficit, thanks to off-grid solar and minigrids.
Hungarian oil and gas provider MOL enters the hydrogen business
The fossil fuel company will partner with Slovakia’s InoBat to develop hydrogen-related projects in central and eastern Europe. Sourcing and supply of hydrogen will be the main focus of the cooperation.
Lebanon’s Tufail region may host planned 500 MW solar plant
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is seeking consultants for a feasibility study for the project. The plant would be constructed on land owned by the Banque du Liban.
EDF-led consortium wins Moroccan tender for 800 MW CSP-PV project with price of $0.070/kWh
The grouping, which includes UAE-based Masdar and Moroccan independent power producer Green of Africa, is planning to begin construction this year. The project is among those realized by the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy, as part of the Noor Solar Plan to develop a minimum 2 GW of capacity by next year.
Russia’s largest PV plant comes online
The 75 MW project was built by Russian developer Solar Systems LLC in Novokuybyshevsk, in the Samara oblast. The facility was mostly financed by Russian state-owned lender PJSC Sberbank.
First corporate PPA for large scale solar signed in France
Voltalia has secured a 25-year power purchase agreement from French retailer Boulanger for power generated by a 5 MW project. The off-taker has also committed to buying electricity from new wind and solar plants to be operated by the French developer.
Belgium: Flemish government grants feed-in premium of €0.078 to megawatt-scale floating project
The electricity produced by the floating array will power the Cable Park aquatic park, with surplus power injected into the grid. The project is part of a series of floating plants the Flemish government has been supporting since October.
20MW floating-ground mount PV project gets 25-year PPA in Malawi
The plant is being developed by German company Droege Energy as an unsolicited IPP project. The electricity produced by the floating array will be bought by local utility Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi Limited (ESCOM).
