Rio 2016: a step in the green direction?
The Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games has ended, but its message in favor of sustainable and green growth will hopefully remain for longer. However, just how much energy did Rio 2016 consume and what role did renewable power play?
Greece: new renewable energy law provides feed-in premiums and virtual net-metering
Greece’s solar PV market has been a roller coaster over the last decade. The new law, approved last week by Greece’s parliament, in support of renewable energies attempts to establish the country’s clean energy sector with some solid foundations.
France gets a step closer to solar roads
French energy minister Ségolène Royal has inaugurated a manufacturing plant that will produce the so-called “Wattway” paving, made of solar PV. One of its pilot projects will be a 1 kilometer solar road, built in the same region as where the plant is located.
Istanbul’s energy paradox: shortages but no embrace of PV
Turkey’s largest city, with a population about 14 million people, could face an acute electricity shortage, confirms the Turkish energy minister. However, paradoxically, Turkey’s energy ministry has not made plans for a solar rollout. Instead, it continues to rely on coal.
Will Iran turn to PV?
Eye-catching news regarding solar PV in Iran is coming thick and fast, which is piquing the interest of investors in the Iranian energy market. But how realistic is Irans anticipated solar PV renaissance?
UK: expect little other than zero subsidy solar
Following the UK’s referendum result to exit the European Union, news from the country emerges at a speed that is hard to monitor and last week the energy community discussed EDF’s call for a final decision regarding a new U.K. nuclear plant. Adding to the Brexit gloom and the anticipation of EDF’s decision this week is the certainty the U.K. solar industry can expect nothing other than a zero subsidy future.
How will solar financing be affected by the attempted coup in Turkey?
An attempted coup in Turkey on Friday night made headlines worldwide and has left the country in political turmoil. The news came at the worst time for the domestic solar industry, which had been enjoying its best year so far. Will the uncertain political climate in Turkey that remains after the attempted coup affect solar progress in the country?
EBRD injects funding into Turkey’s renewables
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is injecting USD110 million in new funds to Akbank, one of Turkey’s largest banks, to finance private companies investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Turkey, including solar PV projects.
UK: Brexit clean energy turmoil continues
The annual event of the U.K.’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for Renewable and Sustainable Energy (PRASEG) that took place this week in London depicted the turbulent phase the U.K. economy in general and the British clean energy sectors specifically have entered. Innovative business models are the first to suffer, the event suggested.
20 MW under construction in Senegal; 600 MW more in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020
Global private equity firm Denham Capital and African renewable energy investment company GreenWish announced a partnership to develop, build and finance a portfolio of 600 MW of renewable energy projects across sub-Saharan Africa by 2020.
