Patrick Jowett
Africa needs regional strategy for PV manufacturing
A new policy paper from the African Policy Research Institute (APRI) recommends that Africa adopt a regionalized PV strategy to successfully integrate into the global solar value chain. It warns that without a coordinated approach, individual countries are unlikely to integrate into the global market.
IEA forecasts over 4,000 GW of new solar by 2030
The International Energy Agency says renewables are on course to meet almost half of global electricity demand by 2030, with solar accounting for 80% of the growth in capacity.
Construction begins on South Africa’s first city-run solar plant
The city of Cape Town, South Africa, has started building a 7 MW solar plant that it will own and operate. It has also launched a tender for a 5 MW/8 MWh battery energy storage system to be built at the same site.
Better Energy signs PPA for new solar park in Finland
Better Energy says it has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for its first solar park in Finland. It will build the 38 GW project on a former parking lot in southern Finland.
Rising gas prices, lower renewables output driving up European power costs
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting says rising gas prices coupled with lower solar and wind production had an upward influence on European electricity prices in most markets last week. France, Portugal and Spain all broke their daily solar production records in October.
Key takeaways from European Heat Pump Association forum
The European Heat Pump Association’s (EHPA) recent two-day event in Brussels came as heat pump sales across 13 European countries fell 47% year on year. Attendees discussed how policy and the industry can reverse the decline, stressing the need to better communicate the benefits of heat pumps to customers.
Global average solar LCOE stood at $0.044/kWh in 2023, says IRENA
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says the result represents a 12% year-on-year decline. The figure has fallen 90% since the start of 2010.
EU opens infringement procedures on 26 member states over energy permit laws
The European Commission says only one member state, Denmark, has transposed provisions covering permissions for renewable energy projects into national law. It has launched infringement procedures on 26 other countries and has given a two-month deadline.
Pexapark says European developers signed 13 PPAs for 460.4 MW in August
Swiss consulting firm Pexapark says European developers signed 13 power purchase agreements (PPAs) totaling 460.4 MW in August, down 62% month on month in terms of capacity. It represents the lowest monthly PPA volume since August 2023.
Lower solar, wind output drive European electricity prices up
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting says most major European markets recorded higher electricity prices last week due to lower solar and wind production and despite a drop in gas and CO2 prices.
