
The Most Important 15 Energy News in the 1st week of December
Vestas and DTEK sign MOU for 384MW Ukrainian wind farm

Vestas and DTEK have signed an MOU to build the second phase of the Tyligulska wind project in Ukraine. With a combined capacity of 500MW, the project can generate enough clean energy for 900,000 households. This partnership demonstrates confidence in DTEK and Ukraine’s commitment to investing in a greener future. The Tyligulska wind farm aims to enhance energy system stability, strengthen energy security, and position Ukraine as a leader in decarbonization. Despite ongoing challenges, this collaboration signifies a determination to build a new energy system and establish Ukraine as an energy hub for Europe.
Source: Vestas
TotalEnergies tops large-scale developer list with 41.3 GW in solar portfolio

According to Mercom’s “Annual Global Report,” TotalEnergies was the world’s largest utility-scale solar developer between July 2022 and June 2023. The solar portfolio of the French energy firm was 41.3 GW, with 12 GW of operational projects, 3.8 GW under construction, and 25.5 GW in the pipeline.
However, TotalEnergies’ operating capability was mostly derived from its investments in Clearway Energy Group, Casa dos Ventos, and Adani Green Energy. Enel Green Power, an Italian renewable energy firm, came in second with 9.2 GW, while Adani Green, owned by the Adani Group in India, came in third with 18.1 GW.
Source: TotalEnergies
GE to switch Saudi power plant from liquid fuel to gas

GE Vernova has begun the conversion of turbines at SEC’s Power Plant 10 in Riyadh from liquid fuel to natural gas in partnership with Alfanar. This transformation will reduce carbon emissions by 1.7 million tonnes per year, which is in line with Saudi Arabia’s sustainability targets. The conversion will increase the fuel flexibility, production, and efficiency of the power plant.
The PP10 complex generates 3.5GW of electricity, enough to power 875,000 homes, thanks to 40 GE Vernova 7E gas turbines. The transition to natural gas is projected to improve turbine efficiency, lower fuel consumption, and enable flexible power generation to meet shifting demands.
Source: GE Vernova
SECI issues tender for 1.35 GW wind projects

SECI has requested ideas for the development of 1,350 MW inter-state transmission system (ISTS) connected wind projects in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Rajasthan. A greenshoe option of an additional 700 MW capacity is included in the request for proposals (RfPs).
Bidders must submit an earnest money deposit as well as a performance bank guarantee. Bids must be submitted by January 10, 2024. SECI will embark into a 25-year power purchase agreement with the selected developer. This comes on the heels of SECI’s recent RfPs for renewable energy companies and wind-solar hybrid projects in India.
Source: SECI
COP28: Masdar, RWE sign £11bn deal to develop UK offshore wind

Masdar, the UAE’s state-owned power firm, has purchased a 49% share in the Dogger Bank South (DBS) offshore wind farms in the United Kingdom from German energy giant RWE. With a combined capacity of 3GW, the DBS sites will be among the world’s largest wind farms.
RWE will retain a 51% stake and handle the projects’ development, construction, and operation. The wind farms are planned to be fully operational by 2031, with construction set to begin in 2025. The agreement was struck during the COP28 UN climate summit in the UAE, which was presided over by Masdar chairman Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.
Source: Masdar
Acciona to begin 380MW Australian solar farm build in 2024

Acciona Energa, a subsidiary of Spanish utility Acciona, will begin construction on the 380MW Aldoga solar farm in Queensland, Australia, in Q1 2024. The $333.7 million project is planned to be finished by 2025, with 350 jobs created during construction and 10 jobs created once operational.
The solar farm, located 20 kilometres north-west of Gladstone, will create enough clean energy to power 185,000 homes and save 934,000 tonnes of CO2 every year. The electricity will be sold to Stanwell, Queensland’s state-owned energy utility, under a 15-year power purchase agreement for its Central Queensland Hydrogen project. This project contributes to Queensland’s renewable energy and economic growth goals.
Source: Acciona Energa
ADNOC and SOCAR team up on low-carbon energy technologies

ADNOC and SOCAR have collaborated to develop low-carbon energy technologies such as blue hydrogen, geothermal, and carbon management systems. The alliance intends to assist the UAE, Azerbaijan, and other markets in reaching net-zero goals and expediting energy system decarbonisation.
ADNOC has set aside an initial $15 billion for low-carbon solutions, with the goal of reducing carbon intensity by 25% by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2045. The collaboration expands on ADNOC and SOCAR’s strategic energy cooperation, emphasising their commitment to driving the energy transition and adopting sustainable practices for a greener future.
Source: ADNOC
Engie reaches fin close for 150-MW solar pair in S Africa

The French power utility Engie SA has reached financial and commercial close on two 75-MW solar projects in South Africa. The Grootspruit PV and Graspan Solar PV projects, developed in collaboration with Pele Green Energy, are part of the country’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.
Eskom and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy signed power purchase and implementation agreements with Engie. Construction will begin in early 2024, with completion planned for the end of 2025. Engie already operates a number of renewable energy projects in South Africa, including solar and wind farms, which help the government meet its clean energy targets.
Source: Engie
Honeywell to supply 124-MWh battery system to solar project portfolio in U.S. Virgin Islands

Honeywell and VIElectron have collaborated to supply battery energy storage solutions for six solar + storage projects in the US Virgin Islands. The initiatives aim to meet 30% of the islands’ energy needs with renewable sources. VIElectron will be able to install solar panels over many islands using Honeywell’s system while regulating energy swings.
The 124-MWh battery system will contain modern energy management and a safety system that will allow the US Virgin Islands to optimise energy usage and expenses. This collaboration contributes to the islands’ goal of developing a cleaner and greener energy ecology by providing inhabitants with more affordable and sustainable electricity via a 140-MWDC solar portfolio.
Source: Honeywell
World’s largest concentrated solar project opens in Dubai

His Majesty In Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has unveiled the world’s largest concentrated solar power (CSP) facility. The fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, at 950MW, spans 44 square kilometres and includes a parabolic basin complex, a CSP tower, and photovoltaic solar panels.
The project, which cost AED15.78 billion, includes the world’s tallest solar tower and the largest thermal energy storage capacity. It will supply sustainable energy to about 320,000 homes while reducing carbon emissions by 1.6 million tonnes per year. This project demonstrates Dubai’s dedication to clean, renewable energy and long-term growth.
Jamaican utility launches solar-plus-storage, wind project tender

In Jamaica, the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS) is looking for engineering, procurement, and construction services for a utility-scale solar plant, battery energy storage systems, and an onshore wind facility. A 115 MW solar plant, several battery energy storage systems totaling 171.5 MWh, and a 12 MW onshore wind facility are among the projects.
The solar project will produce 237.5 GWh per year, while the wind farm will produce 35.7 GWh per year. The projects are expected to be completed between 2026 and 2027. JPS will acquire the energy produced using an energy tariff, and procurement will be evaluated using the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE).
Source: JPS
Ørsted takes FID on its first Irish solar farm

Ørsted, a Danish renewables developer, has made its first investment in Ireland’s solar industry by approving the Garreenleen solar farm for final investment decision (FID). The 81MW solar farm near Carlow is scheduled to be ready by 2026, bringing rsted’s total operating asset capacity in Ireland to about 500MW.
The project received government funding through an auction of renewables support schemes. In the same auction, rsted received support for a 40MW wind farm. Ørsted intends to build more renewable energy projects in Ireland and has announced a 400MW solar portfolio in collaboration with Terra Solar.
Source: Ørsted
energyRe gets $1.2bn boost for US renewables expansion

EnergyRe, a US clean energy provider, has received $1.2 billion in commitments from investors like as Glentra Capital, Novo Holdings, and the Danish pension fund PKA. The funds will be used to help energyRe expand its large-scale renewable energy portfolio in the United States, which includes utility-scale transmission and storage, onshore and offshore wind, and solar generation.
A corporate debt facility will be provided by Santander and Deutsche Bank. EnergyRe will be able to decarbonise US communities thanks to the investments, which will provide affordable clean energy and sophisticated grids. Glentra Capital will also help the company extend its development pipeline, which includes projects involving high-voltage transmission, wind, solar, storage, and distributed generation.
Source: EnergyRe
World’s Largest Floating Solar Power Plant Taking Shape On Hydropower Plant

The plans for the world’s largest floating solar power plant demonstrate how swiftly the floating solar industry may expand. The project aims to increase the capacity of an existing 145-megawatt (AC) floating solar array at the Cirata hydropower reservoir in West Java, Indonesia, to 500 megawatts. Last month, the existing array went live and was declared successful.