Voltalia, Taqa Arabia to develop Egyptian 3 GW wind-solar facility
French developer Voltalia and Egyptian energy distribution company Taqa Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding to turn an existing 545 MW wind farm into a 3 GW hybrid wind-solar site.
EBRD, EU finance 126 MW solar plant in Uzbekistan
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union are investing a combined $61.6 million in a 126 MW solar project in Uzbekistan. A special-purpose company fully owned by French developer Voltalia will develop the plant.
Helexia secures €60 million to expand solar projects in multiple countries
Helexia, a solar rooftop and PV carport specialist, has announced the completion of a €60 million ($67.1 million) incremental financing facility. The funds will support a portfolio of 290 solar rooftop and carport projects in Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
Egyptian solar set to expand beyond the massive 1.8 GW Benban PV project
In this edition of the Weekend Read, we turn to Egypt. The gigawatt-scale Benban project showcases the North African country’s solar potential, and premium prices for gas exports make the case for a more diverse energy mix. A nation with grand renewables targets – but slow installation rates – may finally be weaning itself off fossil fuel resources.
Rio Tinto unit signs up for 148 MW of solar
Richards Bay Minerals has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with French renewables developer Voltalia, which plans to build a 148 MW solar project in South Africa’s Limpopo province.
Solar could address Albania’s climate-change-sensitive hydropower dependency
Photovoltaics could offer peak generation at times of the year when the nation needs it most, says IRENA, but plenty will have to be done, including upgrading an aging grid and training an army of installers and building energy auditors.
End of subsidies could fuel the corporate PPA boom in Europe
Pioneering solar projects which signed ten-year feed-in tariff agreements will soon need to operate free of subsidy and with local authorities like the City of London starting to embrace direct contracts with renewables generators, the PPA market could be set for another turbo charge.
The Square Mile goes where Boris Johnson fears to tread
The City of London Corporation signed a £40m solar power purchase agreement on the same day the prime minister outlined a net-zero strategy which failed to even mention solar.
Voltalia buys 70% stake in four Jordan PV plants
The French renewable energy developer has agreed to acquire a 70% interest in four plants totaling 57 MW. The facilities were built by Voltalia itself between 2015 and 2016.
Another PPA for large scale solar in France
The deal is the fourth power purchase agreement secured by Voltalia in its homeland. French retailer Auchan will buy the electricity under a 20-year contract.
