Patrick Jowett
South Korea launches 1 GW solar tender
South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) has kicked off a tender for 1 GW of solar and 1.8 GW of wind. The ceiling prices for solar contracts stands at KRW 157,307 ($113.69)/MWh.
PowerChina selects EPC contractor for 342 MW of solar in South Africa
Chinese civil engineering company PowerChina has signed an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with developer SolarAfrica Energy for a 342 MW solar plant, to be built in South Africa’s Northern Cape province.
Gas costs drive European electricity prices upward
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting says it recorded weekly average electricity prices in excess of €70 ($75.90)/MWh in all major European markets last week, except for the Nordic market, as gas prices reached their highest level so far this year.
Sri Lanka to install rooftop solar at religious sites
Buddhist temples, churches, mosques and Hindu temples across Sri Lanka are receiving 5 kW rooftop solar installations free of charge. The project, backed by a $17 million investment from the Indian government, is expected to add 25 MW of solar to the grid.
Construction begins on 20 MW solar plant in Namibia
Solarcentury Africa’s 20 MW merchant solar project in northeastern Namibia has reached financial close. Once complete, the project will sell all its power on the South African Power Pool.
EBRD, European Investment Bank fund 99 MW of solar in Croatia
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) are funding a 99 MW solar project in southwestern Croatia with a total investment of €62 million ($67.2 million). Construction will begin next year, and commissioning is set for 2026.
IRENA calls for greater gender inclusion in decentralized energy sector
The International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) latest report says that women’s roles in decentralized renewable energy are critical to achieving universal electricity access in underserved communities.
European Commission offers share of €4.8 billion fund to solar projects
The European Commission is offering 85 net-zero projects a share of €4.8 billion ($5.2 billion) in grants from the latest round of the EU Innovation Fund. Some of the projects will contribute to 3 GW of new solar manufacturing capacity.
Arriba Technologies launches solarized heating-cooling system
Arriba Technologies, a UK heating and cooling specialist, has developed a solar-integrated heating and cooling unit with a DC electrical system, all in a single package. It is installed at a 750 kW plant at Cambridge’s Rosie Hospital and won the Lighthouse Heat Pump Award at the European Heat Pump Association’s heat pump forum in September.
Better Energy inaugurates large-scale solar park in Sweden
Danish energy supplier Better Energy has completed its first large-scale solar project in Sweden, a 24 MW facility in the southern part of the country. It has secured 10-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with three Swedish companies for the energy.
