Odisha Calls for Proposals to Sell 500 MW Solar Power, Including Greenshoe Option
GRIDCO has initiated a competitive bidding process to auction 500 MW of solar power to intra-state off-takers, with a bid submission deadline of January 16, 2024. The tender document requires a ₹500,000/MW earnest money deposit and a contract performance guarantee of ₹10 lakhs/MW from winning bidders.
GRIDCO commits to supplying a minimum of 20% of the contracted capacity’s energy in a financial year and offers various exemptions. The tariff remains fixed without escalation during the contract period, and winning bidders must arrange open access for power offtake beyond the delivery point.
The greenshoe option may offer additional capacity, limited to 50% of the signed PSA, to willing buyers.
Source Ghana Grid Company Ltd. (Gridco)
Trina Solar US Launches Trina Truck Program to Deliver PV Modules Nationwide
Trina Solar has introduced a new fleet of Trina-branded trucks to deliver PV modules for U.S. utility-scale solar projects, with plans for full electrification by 2024. Over 35% of its utility projects already use Trina Truck, and the company aims to reach 100% by the end of 2024.
With over 170 GW of shipped modules globally, the company’s new U.S. facility in Texas will provide 5 GW of clean energy. To reduce carbon emissions, Trina Solar will increase Trina Electric Vehicle (EV) Truck deliveries and expects full fleet electrification by 2026.
President Steven Zhu highlighted the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in serving domestic customers.
Source Trina Solar
DEWA And Thai Consulate Explore Clean Energy Collaborations for Sustainable Futures
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, welcomed HE Nipa Nirannoot, Consul General of Thailand, to discuss collaboration between DEWA and Thailand’s energy and water entities. They focused on clean and renewable energy, sustainability, and water management.
Al Tayer highlighted DEWA’s commitment to sustainable energy and outlined key projects supporting Dubai’s vision for carbon neutrality. Notably, DEWA’s projects include the world’s largest single-site solar park.
HE Nipa Nirannoot emphasized the importance of enhancing trade, investments, and technology exchange between Thailand and the UAE. She expressed enthusiasm for potential cooperation and investment opportunities between Thai companies and DEWA.
Source DEWA, Thai
Growatt’s 2023 Highlights: Innovating and Thriving in the Global Solar Market
In 2023, Growatt has achieved significant milestones, solidifying its position as the global NO.1 residential inverter supplier and one of the top 4 PV inverter suppliers worldwide. The company experienced remarkable growth in the Indian market and received multiple awards for innovation and market leadership.
They held over 100 ShineElite Roadshows and participated in global events, fostering meaningful connections and trust. Growatt launched innovative solutions, including the MID 30-50KTL3-X2 inverter and updated versions of the MAX 100-125KTL3-X and C&I energy storage solutions.
With products installed in over 180 countries, Growatt has established a strong local support network. The company aims to expand its presence in the C&I segment while maintaining its leading position in the residential sector, focusing on enabling sustainable energy for all.
Source Growatt
Iran Launches 4,000 MW Solar Power Plant Project for National Energy Boost
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has launched a project to build solar power plants with a total capacity of 4,000 MW across Iran. The initiative, inaugurated at the Energy Ministry, involves Energy Minister Ali-Akbar Mehrabian and aims to be completed by late June 2024.
The project, executed by private investors through four contracts, will establish 95 solar power plants, increasing Iran’s renewable power generation capacity from 1,119 MW to 5,119 MW. The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA) invited bids in late 2022, with 85 companies selected from 106 applicants.
This aligns with Iran’s efforts to boost renewable energy utilization and reduce reliance on natural gas for energy generation.
Source Iranian
Pattern Energy ties in huge $11bn financing package for ‘largest US clean energy infrastructure project’ yet
Pattern Energy, a US renewable energy and transmission infrastructure provider, has secured a $11bn financing package for its SunZia Transmission and SunZia Wind projects. These projects are collectively referred to as “the largest clean energy infrastructure project in US history”.
The financing will support the construction of a 3.52GW wind project spanning three counties in New Mexico and a 550-mile high voltage direct current transmission line between New Mexico and south-central Arizona for SunZia Transmission.
Source Pattern Energy
Vestas lands gigascale SunZia in record US wind order
Vestas announced a significant 1.1GW order for 242 V163-4.5MW turbines from Pattern Energy for the SunZia project in New Mexico. This is Vestas’ largest-ever contract in the US wind market. The order includes turbine supply, delivery, commissioning, and a multi-year service agreement to ensure optimized performance.
Vestas is dedicated to advancing clean energy solutions in the US and driving the transition to a sustainable energy future in the second largest wind market globally.
Source Vestas
Chile’s Susterra plans USD-423m green H2 project for mining industry.
Chilean renewables developer Susterra SpA has proposed a USD 423 million green hydrogen project for an environmental review. The project aims to build electrolysers to serve the Calama mining industry in the region of Antofagasta, northern Chile.
Susterra plans to install up to 200 MW of electrolysis capacity on land it secured under a concession from the Chilean ministry of national assets.
Source Chilean
Decision looms on Duke Energy’s bid to use green tariffs to help comply with N.C. carbon law.
Duke Energy customers in North Carolina, from large corporations like Google to individual families, want to support the transition to clean energy. However, Duke’s proposed green tariffs may only help the company comply with the state’s carbon law, rather than ensuring more renewable energy is added to the grid.
The programs for large customers and residential ratepayers have been under review by the state Utilities Commission for almost a year with no clear ruling yet. Duke is seeking a decision soon as their existing green tariff for institutions is running out of room, causing concern among many stakeholders.
Source Duke Energy
RWE Acquires 4.2-GW UK Offshore Wind Development Portfolio from Vattenfall
RWE is acquiring the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone portfolio from Vattenfall, which includes three offshore wind projects off the east coast of England. Each project has a planned capacity of 1.4 gigawatts and has secured all necessary permits.
RWE plans to commission all three projects by 2030 as part of its Growing Green investment program. The acquisition is valued at £963 million and is subject to regulatory approvals, expected to close in the first quarter of 2024.
This acquisition aligns with RWE’s strategy to expand its offshore wind portfolio in the UK and contributes to the country’s ambitious build-out targets for offshore wind.
Source RWE and Vattenfall
Liquen seeking wind farm operators for scientific evaluation of the DTBat system.
Liquen (DTBird & DTBat) is looking for wind farm operators with specific high bat mortality wind turbines for a scientific trial. The trial will assess the DTBat’s ability to reduce collision risk by implementing real-time wind turbine shutdown.
DTBat systems use ultrasonic detectors to detect bats in real time and trigger the wind turbine stop signal when detection thresholds are exceeded. Liquen aims to share the trial results as a case-study or for scientific publication and involve an environmental consultancy, NGO, or administration for independent data processing and reporting.
Source Liquen (DTBird & DTBat)
Biggest deals of 2023 in the power sector
In 2023, major mergers and acquisitions in the power sector involved Iberdrola, the Queensland Government, Enel, Asterion, and Constellation, with deals ranging from $1.75bn to $6bn in value. Iberdrola Mexico agreed to sell 8.54GW of power plants, primarily gas facilities, to Mexican Infrastructure Partners for $6bn, aligning with its focus on renewable energy.
The Queensland Government announced the $3.9bn CopperString 2.0 power transmission project, aiming to connect renewable energy assets with critical mineral mining and processing facilities in North Queensland, unlocking Australia’s largest renewable energy zone. These deals reflect significant developments in the global power market landscape.
Source Iberdrola
HYDROGRID Raises $8.5M to Digitalize the World’s Largest Source of Renewable Energy
Austrian scale-up HYDROGRID has closed an $8.5M Series-A funding round led by new shareholders Inven Capital and Karma Ventures, along with contributions from existing investors CNB Capital and SET Ventures. The funding will support HYDROGRID’s international expansion and transition towards a zero-carbon future.
The company aims to maximize the potential of hydropower by addressing digitalization and complex regulations. This will enable operators to increase revenues, streamline processes, and remain competitive in the market. The board is committed to making hydropower a key player in the future energy landscape.
Source HYDROGRID
Nikola And FirstElement Forge 10-Year Partnership to Advance Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure
Nikola Corporation and FirstElement Fuel have signed a 10-year agreement to refuel Nikola’s hydrogen fuel cell electric truck at FEF’s hydrogen refueling station in Oakland, California.
This partnership aims to drive the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and contribute to a greener and more sustainable future. FEF is appointed as an authorized Nikola Fueling Solutions Partner, enabling Nikola customers to access fueling services at the new FEF multi-use heavy-duty truck station near the port.
The station, funded by the California Energy Commission under the NorCal Zero Project, will have the world’s first heavy-duty truck H70 fast-fill lane for efficient hydrogen refueling. The agreement aligns with Nikola’s initial truck launch strategy, focusing on zero-emissions trucks in areas adjacent to Maritime Ports throughout California.
Nikola plans to achieve a network of up to 60 stations in the coming years, including mobile and permanent HYLA branded stations, customer-owned stations, and new and established public truck stops via Nikola’s fueling station partner network. The partnership underscores Nikola and FEF’s commitment to meeting state and federal zero-emission goals and promoting clean transportation.
Source Nikola Corporation and FirstElement Fuel
Gentari takes stake in 1-GW Taiwanese offshore wind project.
Northland Power has sold nearly half of its ownership interest in the 1,022-MW Hai Long offshore wind project in Taiwan to Gentari International Renewables Pte Ltd. Gentari, part of Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas, bought 49% of Northland’s ownership about a year ago.
The Canadian power producer now holds 30.6% of the project and will continue to lead its construction and operation. The proceeds will be used to repay Northland’s short-term corporate credit facility and fund the remaining equity in the Hai Long project.
Source Gentari
