Renewable Energy Projects | Monthly Market Update - August 2015
1. Projects in planning stage
Projects announced
450 MW of renewable projects in China (28/08/15)
Chinese electrical equipment maker TBEA Co Ltd said it has agreed to invest in and construct 10 photovoltaic (PV) and wind projects with a combined capacity of 450 MW across the Asian country. All the projects have received the green light from the National Development and Reform Commission and TBEA is to carry out preparatory works at the project sites.
The company will invest CNY 4.04 billion ($631 million) into 100 MW of wind and 350 MW of solar capacity:
- 20 MW solar farm in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region (CNY 184.8 million)
- 100 MW wind farm in Inner Mongolia autonomous region (CNY 801.2 million)
- 20 MW solar farm in Inner Mongolia autonomous region (CNY 184.8 million)
- 2 x 50 MW solar farm in Shaanxi province (2 x CNY 462 million)
- 30 MW solar farm in Yunnan Province (CNY 277.2 million)
- 100 MW solar farm in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region (CNY 924 million)
- 2 x 20 MW solar farm in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region (2 x CNY 184.8 million)
- 40 MW solar farm in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region (CNY 369.6 million)
All of the schemes have received the green light from the National Development and Reform Commission, according to a statement on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The next step for TBEA is to carry out preparatory works at the project sites.
20 MW wind project in Warnes, Santa Cruz department - Bolivia (27/08/15)
Bolivia's state-owned company Empresa Electrica Corani SA, a subsidiary of national utility Empresa Nacional de Electricidad Bolivia (Ende), has hired Spanish engineering company Barlovento Recursos Naturales SL to study a 20 MW wind project in Warnes, Santa Cruz department.
The Spanish firm will carry out technical, economic, social and environmental studies for a value of $238,310.
75 MW CGE Delta 2 wind project - Brazil (27/08/15)
Brazilian developer Omega Energia has announced plans to build and commission a 75 MW wind power plant in the state of Piaui state by July 2016.
Located on Delta do Parnaíba, Delta 2 wind farm sold its energy on the A-5 auction in 2013. With an investment of $110.7 million, the plant will generate enough power to supply a city of 300,000 inhabitants. It is second wind farm that Omega Energia builds in Piaui.
48-MW wind park in southwestern province of Khuzestan (at Arvand Free Trade Zone) - Iran (26/08/15)
German-Iranian developer Development Environment Arvand Co has agreed to build a 48-MW wind park in Iran’s southwestern province of Khuzestan.
The total investment for the project is €40 million ($45.9 million) and the required funds will be secured from German private capital.
The wind farm will be located in the Arvand Free Trade Zone. It will use wind turbines made by Denmark’s Vestas and China's Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology. Shipping of the equipment will start in January 2016. The wind park is expected to kick off operations by the middle of next year.
17 MW Tocache I hydroelectric plant & 9 MW Tocache II hydroelectric plant - Peru (24/08/15)
Peru's energy ministry has allowed Hidro Tocache SAC to analyze the feasibility of the two projects by awarding a temporary concessions to carry out the feasibility studies in the Shunte district, San Martin region.
The company now has 24 months to complete the studies. The company requested the permits in December, and the studies were presented to the community in June.
150 MW Nova Laguna Wind Complex in Santa Catarina state - Brazil (24/08/15)
Brazilian renewables developer Grupo Open will invest around $212 million to build the project.
Details of the project were released. Construction works can start in November, if the project secures an energy agreement in the auction scheduled for November. The plant will have 65 wind turbines and is expected to be completed in 2018.
46 MW photovoltaic (PV) park in Ourique municipality - Portugal (24/08/15)
According to sources, Prosolia Portugal said it will start construction works on a 46 MW photovoltaic (PV) park in Ourique municipality by the end of the year. Prosolia has already obtained the necessary project licenses by the General Directorate for Energy and Geology as well as the local government.
The solar park will be built in the Grandaços region and its annual output is estimated at 80 GWh.
The local government said that the project will be the first PV park in Europe to be implemented without the use of any subsidies or feed-in tariffs.
47 MW Don Sebastian solar PV park - Chile (19/08/15)
According to the Chilean environmental assessment service, Duke Energy is planning to build a 47 MW PV plant worth US$70.5 million in the Valparaiso region.
Don Sebastian park will be developed south of La Ligua city with an initial installed capacity of 7 MW, using a 23-kV distribution line of local utility Conafe. The next 40 MW will deliver electricity to another existing line. Construction will last for two and four months, respectively.
59 MW solar park in Negros Occidental province - Philippines (19/08/15)
Aboitiz Power Corp and SunEdison have hired Nari Group Corp to build a 59 MW solar park in Negros Occidental province.
The firms have awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to Nari after formalising certain aspects of their partnership.
The two parties’ 60/40 joint venture, Maaraw Holdings San Carlos Inc, will undertake the acquisition, development and exploration of the US$ 75.5 million Negros solar energy project near San Carlos City. The project will start commercial operations in the first quarter of 2016.
255 MW wind project in the state of Piaui - Brazil (07/08/15)
Brazil's Atlantic Energias Renovaveis SA has presented the 255 MW wind project in the state of Piaui. The complex will consist of 10 wind farms with 85 wind turbines, spread over 3,494 hectares in the Serra da Manguinha region, in the municipality of Lagoa do Barro do Piaui.
The project was presented at a public hearing chaired by the State Secretary of Environment and Water Resources (Semar), Ziza Carvalho.
225 MW Ayitepa wind farm - Ghana (07/08/15)
The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Jon Benjamin, hosted a breakfast for business and political leaders at his residence in Accra to announce the country’s first large-scale wind farm located in Ayitepa, which is Ghana’s only independent power generation facility ready to commence construction next year.
The project, which represents a total investment of approximately $525 million, has all the main elements in place or close to being finalised in order to commence construction next year. The wind resource, measured over three years, has been confirmed to be viable; environmental permits have been obtained and grid connection agreement and power purchase agreement are being finalised.
49.5 MW Lorg Wind Farm in Scotland - UK (06/08/15)
Helen Amos, Project Developer at E.ON, said that E.ON is inviting local community members to attend public exhibition sessions, to find out more about their plans to develop the Lorg Hill Wind Farm to the south-west of Sanquhar and south of New Cumnock.
E.ON has reviewed its original proposals and having done further environmental studies and design work, they have made the decision to submit the project to Dumfries and Galloway Council and East Ayrshire Council as a local application, rather than to the Scottish Government as an over 50 MW application.
30 MW Punta Redona wind farm, 30 MW Tres Termes wind farm & 30 MW Los Barrancs wind farm - Spain (05/08/15)
Catalonia region said Tuesday it is starting the evaluation procedure for the construction of these three wind parks to be developed by Spain's Gas Natural Fenosa and France's Alstom. The porjects will be presented to the public and then assessed.
The three projects represent one of seven priority zones for wind power development that were awarded by the region back in 2010.
See Project Profiles I, II & III
76 MW Almirante Grau wind farm & 148 MW Cupisnique II wind farm - Peru (04/08/15)
Peru's Energy and Mines Ministry has granted a temporary concession to CountourGlobal Peru, which will conduct feasibility studies for the two wind projects. The firm will have a 24-month period to conduct both project’s corresponding studies.
The Almirante Grau wind farm’s capacity will be nearly 76 MW and based in the La Brea and Pariñas district belonging to the Talara provincia (Piura region).
Likewise, the Cupisnique II power plant’s capacity will be 148 MW. It is to be located in the San Pedro de Lloc district, Pacasmayo province (La Libertad region).
Projects requesting approval
475 MW Luz del Oro solar park - Chile (24/08/15)
First Solar Inc. is planning to build a 475 MW solar PV project in the Atacama region at a cost of US$952.3 million.
U.S. thin film giant and project developer, First Solar has submitted an environmental impact assessment to Chilean environmental authorities, SEA, for the construction of a 475 MW PV plant.
The Luz del Oro solar park is set to be located near the town of Diego de Almagro, in the Chañaral Province. Construction is slated for February 28, 2017, if approved. A total of $952.3 million will be invested in the project, which will feed generated energy into Chilean central energy grid (SIC).
150 MW Aguasnieves wind park - Mexico (21/08/15)
Gestamp's subsidiary in Mexico has filed an environmental impact declaration for a 150 MW wind farm in Ojocaliente, in the state of Zacatecas.The Aguasnieves wind park would consist of 75 turbines on a total 65.67 ha. The project will be developed in the areas of Palmillas, El Refugio and San Geronimo, some located in the Guadalupe municipality.
30 MW PV project in the protected area of "El Gogorron" in Villa de Reyes, San Luis Potosi - Mexico (21/08/15)
Prosolia Internacional de Mexico SA de CV has filed an environmental impact declaration for a 30-MW photovoltaic project within the protected area of El Gogorron in Villa de Reyes, San Luis Potosi.
51.2MW Inch Moor wind farm near Duns in the Scottish Borders - UK (19/08/15)
Ecotricity has filed to build the 51.2MW Inch Moor wind farm near Duns in the Scottish Borders. The developer is seeking permission from Scottish ministers for 16 turbines of up to 126.5 metres each.
Electricity generation per annum will be 148GWh. Inch Moor started life as a 24-turbine wind farm but was reduced during consultation and planning first to 19, then 18 and finally 16 machines.
315 MW Trebol Solar Copiapo CSP project in Atacama - Chile (18/08/15)
Abengoa has filed an environmental impact declaration for the construction of a 315 MW concentrated solar power (CSP) plant worth $2.2 billion.The company wants to install 25,800 heliostats with three solar power towers and a 13-hour storage system between 2016 and 2019. The facility will be developed on 3,424 ha to supply the central grid.The group won a 15-year deal to supply 950 GWh a year to Chilean power distributors as of January 2019, with energy from its photovoltaic and CSP plants.
70 MW ValleSolar photovoltaic (PV) project in Atacama - Chile (17/08/15)
Chile's environmental authority for the Atacama region agreed to assess the 70 MW ValleSolar photovoltaic (PV) project of Alpin Sun Chile SpA. If approved, the plant will be built within a 12-month period in Vallenar.
The company changed the number of solar modules to 237,600 from the original 294,912 proposed in January, but maintained the planned capacity. The investment for the park has increased to $120 million from $110 million.
104 MW Pier IV and 44 MW Pier Phase B2 - Mexico (17/08/15)
Mexico's environment ministry has received requests for the evaluation of two new wind projects combining 148 MW, based in Canada Morelos, Puebla state.
Pier IV, to be managed by Pier IV SA de SV, will have 52 turbines generating 104 MW. The project will be located in the municipalities of Chapulco and Nicolas Bravo and comprises a total 97.8 ha.
Pier Phase B2, will consist of 22 turbines within Canada Morelos, Esperanza, Palmar de Bravo, Chapulco and Nicolas Bravo, as well as Acultzingo, Aquila and Maltrata in the Veracruz state. It will be developed by Parque Industrial de Energia Renovable SA de SV.
9 MW River Pattack hydroelectric scheme located on the south side of Loch Laggan - UK (04/08/15)
RWE Innogy said that The Highland Council has given planning consent for the up to 9 MW River Pattack hydroelectric scheme located on the south side of Loch Laggan, 10 km north west of Dalwhinnie.
Unlike a run-of-river hydro scheme, which is dependent on the water that is currently available in the river to generate electricity, River Pattack is a storage scheme. This means it has the ability of retaining and storing water, and can therefore generate electricity on demand.
48 MW Kupres 1 wind park & 42.9 MW Orlovaca wind farm - Bosnia (04/08/15)
The energy ministry of Bosnia's Muslim-Croat Federation, one of the two autonomous entities that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina, has informed that local developers Kamen-Dent and HB Wind have applied for energy permits for the construction of two wind power plants.
HB Wind is seeking to build the Orlovaca wind farm of 42.9 MW capacity and estimated annual electricity production of 99.06 GWh. And Kamen-Dent is seeking to build the 48 MW Kupres 1 wind farm with estimated annual electricity production of 139.5 GWh.
141.9 MW to 154.8 MW wind project in La Araucaria region - Chile (04/08/15)
Parque Eolico Los Trigales SpA has submitted for environmental approval a wind project with an estimated capacity of 141.9 MW to 154.8 MW in the Chilean region of La Araucania.
The estimated investment will be around $300 million. The project comprises 43 turbines of between 3.3 MW and 3.6 MW each and transmission facilities. The project will have a 19-month construction period, possibly strating in September 2016.
Part of the project is located within an indigenous area of the Ercilla municipality.
Projects getting approval
50 MW solar plant in Kom Ombo to the North of the city of Aswan - Egypt (31/08/15)
Egypt-based O Capital for Energy, a fully owned by Orascom Telecom, Media & Technology, has obtained a licence and the land plot to build up a 50-megawatt solar plant in Aswan.
With investments worth US$100 million, the plant will be in Kom Ombo, situated 45 km (28 miles) to the North of the city of Aswan, about 800 km (497 miles) to the South of Cairo, according to O Capital’s CEO Tamer El Mahdi.
Last March, O Capital signed a concession agreement with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) for project.
28 MW EOL Ventos de Sao Paulo wind farm, 30 MW EOL Catanduba I wind farm & 30 MW EOL Catanduba II wind farm - Brazil (28/08/15)
The Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy has allowed three wind energy projects in the state of Bahia to enter the national Incentive Regime for Infrastructure Development (REIDI), which grants tax incentives to companies investing in infrastructure projects within the transport, energy, sanitation and irrigation sectors.
The projects represent the following investments:
- EOL Ventos de Sao Paulo. Cost: BRL 100.8 million. Completion date: January 1, 2019
- EOL Catanduba I. Cost: BRL 71.5 million. Completion date: January 1, 2018
- EOL Catanduba II. Cost: BRL 71.5 million. Completion date: January 1, 2018
60 MW Greenwich Windpark in Ohio - USA (28/08/15)
The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) approved the 60 MW Greenwich Windpark project to be developed by a unit of Australian firm Windlab Systems Proprietary Ltd. The project had secured the approval of the board one year before, but the OPSB had to relook at the project after Omega Crop Company asked for a rehearing.
The project will involve the installation of 25 wind turbines in Huron County to be made by German firm Nordex SE. Once up and running, the park will be able to produce about 210,000 MWh of electricity each year.
301 MW Ida Grove wind farm and 250MW O’Brien wind farm in Iowa- USA (27/08/15)
Iowa Utilities Board has awarded MidAmerican Energy Company a settlement agreement plan for a 552MW Iowa wind farm. The agreement allows developers to plan a return on the common equity of 11.3%, down from the 11.5% proposed for the project. The agreement also caps construction and capital costs at $1.61 million per MW rather than $1.638 million per MW.
The developer plans to begin construction in the spring of next year on the new to 301 megawatts of generation capacity Ida Grove and 250MW O’Brien wind farms. Construction will be completed by the end of 2016.
MidAmerican's plans call for about 134 turbines at the Ida Grove wind farm, and about 104 turbines at the O’Brien wind farm.
63.18 MW Lagunas solar PV project in Pozo Almonte, Tarapaca region - Chile (27/08/15)
Chile has approved the project of Planta Solar Lagunas SA, owned by Rijn Capital BV, for the construction of a 63.18-MW PV park worth $180 million in Pozo Almonte, Tarapaca region.
The plant will consist of around 250,000 modules, installed in a rural area near the Colonia de Pintados town, according to the environmental licence. The park, including its substation and a 220-kV line to the existing Lagunas substation, will be built during eight months.
47.44-MW PV plant in the Atacama region (near the Carrera Pinto substation) - Chile (26/08/15)
Chile recently issued an environmental licence for the construction and operation of a 47.44 MW PV plant in the Atacama region by Solairedirect Generacion VI SpA, a unit of French solar power company Solairedirect.
The project is worth around $100 million and comprises 158,160 solar modules. The park will be installed in two sectors of 40 ha each. The plant scheduled for completion 14 months after the start of works.
See Project Profile [/expandsub1]
485 MW Blythe Mesa solar PV project in California - USA (26/08/15)
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved the Blythe Mesa Solar project in California. The 485-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) facility will be constructed in Riverside County and will produce enough solar power to supply more than 145,000 homes in California.
Proposed by RRG Renewables, the Blythe Mesa project will be built on 3,587 acres of private land – primarily lands that have already been disturbed by agricultural use – under the jurisdiction of Riverside County and the City of Blythe.
The project requires the Interior Department’s approval because a 230-kilovolt generation interconnection (gen-tie) transmission line – allowing the facility to connect to an electric grid – crosses five miles of public lands managed by the BLM. The line will allow the solar facility to connect into the Colorado River Substation in eastern Riverside County.
49.9 MW solar scheme at Desborough - UK (26/08/15)
Marechale Capital announced that Kettering Borough Council has granted planning permission for Northfield UK Solar Limited's 49.9MW solar scheme at Desborough.
Marechale Capital has a 26% equity shareholding in Northfield and this solar scheme. Now the project will await for the next DECC CFD (Department of Energy and Climate Change Contract for Difference) auction, originally scheduled for October but now delayed until further notice.
74.3 MW Amherst Island onshore wind project in Ontario - Canada (25/08/15)
Canada's Algonquin Power has received the green light for the 74.3MW Amherst Island onshore wind project, located near Kingston in Lake Ontario.
The approval’ authorizes construction of 26 turbines. The project includes a 34.5 kV/115 kV substation and 4.5 km of submarine cable connecting Amherst Island to the mainland.
Project opponents may appeal the REA to the Environmental Review Tribunal within 15 days. The appeal process would take about six months.
The C$272.5 million project is expected to reach commercial operation in late 2016 or 2017 and produce about 235 GWh/year.
27 MW Umburanas 1 wind farm, 27 MW Umburanas 2 wind farm, 18.9 Mw Umburanas 3 wind farm, 18.9 MW Umburanas 4 wind farm, 21.6 MW Umburanas 6 wind farm & 24.3 MW Umburanas 7 wind farm - Brazil (24/08/15)
The Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy has authorized the projects, which are going to be developed by Renova Energia SA, to issue infrastructure debentures. The announcement, made public by the official gazette, awards the status of priority projects to speed up their implementation.
All the plants are located near the city of Sento Se, Bahia.
See Project Profiles I, II, II, IV, V & VI
18 MW ZEP Wind Farm Ganaraska in Ontario & 10 MW Grey Highlands ZEP project in Ontario - Canada (14/08/15)
Capstone Infrastructure Corporation announced that the Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT), an administrative tribunal that considers appeals from the general public in relation to an approval granted to a green energy project by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, dismissed appeals initiated in relation to two of the company's wind projects. The ERT's decision to dismiss upholds the Renewable Energy Approvals (REAs) granted to those projects.
On August 11, 2015, the ERT dismissed an appeal of the 18-megawatt ZEP Wind Farm Ganaraska, to be built in the municipality of Clarington, Ontario. On August 13, 2015, the appeal of the 10-megawatt Grey Highlands ZEP project, located in the Municipality of Grey Highlands, was also dismissed.
Capstone received REAs from the Ministry for five Ontario wind projects earlier this year, all of which were then subject to ERT hearings. With the Ganaraska and Grey Highlands ZEP appeals now dismissed, the company is moving closer to increasing its generating capacity by a potential 64 net megawatts when all are completed.
260 MW Copiapó solar project - Chile
SolarReserve, the industry leader in baseload solar power solutions and advanced solar thermal technology, has received environmental approval from the Chilean government to develop one of the world’s largest solar projects with energy storage.
Utilizing SolarReserve’s proprietary solar thermal energy storage technology, the Copiapó Solar Project, scheduled to reach commercial operation in 2019, will deliver 260 megawatts (MW) of reliable, clean, non-intermittent baseload power 24 hours a day to consumers of the central interconnected system (SIC). The project technology is based on SolarReserve’s successful Crescent Dunes project in the U.S., which is complete with construction and is currently in final commissioning.
The Copiapó project, located in the Atacama Region, consists of SolarReserve’s industry leading concentrating solar power (CSP) tower technology with molten salt thermal energy storage combined with solar photovoltaic panels (PV). This hybrid concept will maximize the output of the facility, delivering over 1,800 gigawatt hours (GWh) annually, while providing a highly competitive price of power
30 MW Ituverava 2 solar farm, 19.2 MW Coxilha Alta wind farm, 28 MW Ventos de Sao Mario wind farm, 28 MW Ventos de Santa Esperanca wind farm and 5.7 MW Cabeça de Frade wind farm - Brazil (06/08/15)
The Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy has allowed five renewable energy projects in the state of Bahia to enter the national Incentive Regime for Infrastructure Development (REIDI), which grants tax incentives to companies investing in infrastructure projects within the transport, energy, sanitation and irrigation sectors.
The projects represent the following investments:
- Ituverava 2. Cost: BRL 156.6 million. Completion date: October 1, 2016
- Coxilha Alta. Cost: BRL 88.1 million. Completion date: August 2, 2017
- Ventos de Sao Mario. Cost: BRL 100.8 million. Completion date: January 1, 2019
- Ventos de Santa Esperanca. Cost: BRL 100.8 million. Completion date: January 1, 2019
- Cabeça de Frade. Cost: BRL 24.5 million. Completion date: August 2, 2016
100 MW Hornsdale Wind Farm first phase - Australia (06/08/15)
France's Neoen is getting closer to the start of construction of the first 100-MW phase of the Hornsdale Wind Farm in South Australia as the project’s Offset Management Plan and Scientific Monitoring and Research Plan were approved by the government in July 2015. Phase I will be operational in 2017.
The wind park will use as many as 105 turbines in the locality of Hornsdale with a combined capacity of up to 270 MW. In early 2015, Neoen won a PPA for 100 MW of capacity with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
In late August the project achieved financial closure and Siemens was selected for the supply of turbines, and the construction and long-term operation and maintenance of the project.
28 MW EOL Aura Mangueira VI wind farm, 10 MW EOL Aura Mangueira XI wind farm, 16 MW EOL Aura Mangueira XII wind farm, 14 MW EOL Aura Mangueira XIII wind farm, & 14 MW EOL Aura Mangueira XVII wind farm - Brazil (05/08/15)
The Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy has authorized the projects, which are going to be developed by local firm Santa Vitoria do Palmar Energias Renovaveis SA, to issue infrastructure debentures. The announcement, made public by the official gazette, awards the status of priority projects to speed up their implementation.
All the plants are located in the city of Santa Vitoria do Palmar, Rio Grande do Sul.
See Project Profiles I, II, III, IV & V
1.2 GW Dogger Bank Teesside A offshore wind farm & 1.2 GW Dogger Bank Teesside B offshore wind farm - UK (05/08/15)
The UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has granted consent for the development of Dogger Bank Teesside A & B offshore wind farms. The projects comprises of two up to 1.2GW offshore wind farms, with a total combined maximum generating capacity of 2.4GW. The projects have been developed by Forewind, a consortium comprising SSE, RWE, Statoil and Statkraft and represents the world’s largest offshore wind farm development along with Dogger Bank Creyke Beck which gained development consent on 17th February 2015.
Royal HaskoningDHV has advised the consortium technically to get the consent.See Project Profiles I & II
30 MW EOL Manicoba wind project, 30 MW EOL Delfina II wind project, 30 MW EOL Delfina V & EOL Damascena
The Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy has authorized four 30 MW of wind projects developed by Italy's Enel Green Power SpA to issue infrastructure debentures. The announcement, made public by the official gazette, awards the status of priority projects to speed up their implementation.
See Project Profiles I, II, III & IV
396 MW wind park in Juchitan de Zaragoza community in Oaxaca - Mexico (04/08/15)
The Juchitan de Zaragoza community, in Oaxaca, has given approval for the construction of a 396 MW wind park after 8 month of public consultations.The project will be managed by Mexico's Energia Eolica del Sur, which plans to install 132 wind turbines. the project is located on the Tehuantepec isthmus. The project could get public financing, although it was not clear form the publicly available information.
Projects in tender
53 MW of utility-scale solar capacity for Duke energy - USA (21/08/2015)
Duke Energy issued a request for proposals (RFP) for about 53 megawatts (AC) of utility-scale solar capacity to be in-service in its South Carolina service areas by the end of 2016.
The announcement is another step forward in Duke Energy's Distributed Energy Resource Program, which was approved by the Public Service Commission on July 15.
The RFP gives bidders the flexibility to offer a power-purchase agreement to the company, and/or to provide a proposal through which Duke Energy would take ownership of the proposed project. Utility-scale projects should be greater than 1 and no more than 10 megawatts in capacity.
2. Projects awarded, signed or obtaining financial close
553 MW under the second reverse auction for solar power plant projects - Brazil (31/08/2015)
Enel Green Power (EGP) has been awarded the right to sign 20-year energy supply contracts for the sale of specified volumes of energy generated by the plants to the Brazilian Chamber of Commercialisation of Electric Energy (CCEE). The three projects awarded are the following:
- 103 MW Horizonte MP solar plant. It will be built in Tabocas do Brejo Velho in the State of Bahia, which is located in Brazil’s north-east. Once up and running, the plant will generate annually about 223 GWh of renewable energy. The plant will be located next to EGP’s Ituverava solar project, meaning that EGP will be able to pool resources both during the construction of Horizonte MP and the operation of the two projects, which will share the same connection infrastructure.
- 158 MW Lapa solar plant. It will be built in Bom Jesus da Lapa in the State of Bahia. Once up and running, the plant will generate about 340 GWh each year.
- 292 MW Nova Olinda solar plant. It will be constructed in Ribeira do Piaui in the State of Piaui. The plant will generate about 604 GWh per year.
669.5 MW clean energy projects in Brazil - Brazil (06/08/2015)
Brazil awarded on Friday 18th to the developers of 669.5 MW of clean energy capacity, including 538.8 MW of wind, national electricity regulator Aneel said.
The auction included wind, biomass, natural gas and hydropower sources. The plants should start supplying power on January 1, 2018.
19 wind projects add up 538.8 MW, 7 small HPP projects add up 66.1 Mw and 3 thermal projects add up 64.5MW.
16.8 MW Annapolis Solar Park - USA (06/08/2015)
Building Energy, an Italian independent power producer from renewable sources, has been selected as preferred bidder for the development of the project.
The photovoltaic system, stretching over the 80-acre area occupied by a landfill in the city of Annapolis, Maryland, will be the largest solar park located entirely on a capped landfill in the United States.Building Energy and ABM Government Services will develop the project in partnership with BQ Energy.
2 GW solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the state of Telangana - India (05/08/15)
SkyPower has announced that it has been awarded 200 MW in the Telangana, India solar competitive tender process.
100 MW concentrated solar power (CSP) demonstration plant in the Datong Demonstration Base (Shanxi province) - China (04/08/15)
United Photovoltaics Group, part of China Merchants New Energy Group (CMNE), has won the rights to develop, build and operate during 25 years a 100 MW concentrated solar power (CSP) demonstration plant in Shanxi province. The company inked a development agreement for the project with the local government of Datong city on August 4.
The facility will be located in the Datong Demonstration Base. The installed capacity at the site is expected to reach 3 GW by 2017.
Projects signing PPAs
10 MW Western Antelope Dry Ranch facility (California) - USA (19/08/15)
The City of Lancaster’s new, locally-operated, locally-controlled clean power provider, announced yesterday that it has awarded sPower a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to provide 10MWac of solar power.
The power will be generated at the sPower Western Antelope Dry Ranch facility, to be located at 105th Street West and Avenue J in Lancaster, California, located in northern LA County. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2016, with a commercial operations date (COD) by the end of 2016. The facility will be the only project to provide utility-scale solar power to Lancaster Choice Energy (LCE).
70 MW Akiira One geothermal project - Kenya (13/08/15)
Kenya’s national electricity distributor has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Akiira Geothermal Ltd for the 70 MW geothermal power project in Kajiado. Akiira will be selling the output of the plant to Kenya Power at USD 0.0923 (EUR 0.0820) per kWh.
Akiira Geothermal Limited is the first private sector greenfield geothermal development in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is located 70 km northwest of Nairobi, in the eastern branch of the East African Rift System, south of Lake Naivasha and about 2.5 km south of the nearest producing wells. The Akiira block with a potential of over 140 MW will be developed in phases beginning with 70 MW for phase I.
Akiira’s geothermal prospect covers an area of 120 km² and is adjacent to the well-developed and proven Olkaria-Domes volcanic complex and high temperature geothermal field that is underlain by a large highly differentiated magma chamber which provides the heat source.
Centum owns a 37.5 per cent equity stake in Akiira One with American firms — Ram Energy, Marine Power — and Frontier Markets, a Danish investment firm, owning the remaining 62.5 per cent stake.
Projects with commercial close
62.5 MW Jeneponto 1 wind farm - Indonesia (20/08/2015)
Asia Green Capital Partners Pte Ltd, a renewable-energy developer and investment company, has signed a MOU with the Government of South Sulawesi to develop the project. It will be tied to the South Sulawesi electricity grid and is expected to produce a net annual energy yield exceeding 200 gigawatts per hour – enough electricity to supply to more than 450,000 people and help avoid 120,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year.
500 MW first phase of the Corbetti geothermal power project - Ethiopia (10/08/2015)
Ethiopian Electric Power and Corbetti Geothermal Plc have signed Ethiopia’s first independent power purchase agreement for the project. Investors in the Corbetti geothermal project include Reykjavik Geothermal, Berkeley Energy, and Iceland Drilling.
The project is part of President Obama’s Power Africa initiative which seeks to increase electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa by 30,000 MW and 60 million connections.
Projects with financial close
21 Hydroelectric Projects - USA (31/08/15)
FP New Hydro LLC has closed a senior loan facility with Crestline Investors to pursue continued development of its portfolio of 21 advanced stage hydropower projects in the USA.
The loan will enable FFP New Hydro to advance its portfolio of projects, totaling more than 200 megawatts of new generation capacity in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Mississippi, and Ohio. Once built, the projects will generate approximately 900 gigawatt-hours of energy each year.
13.6 MW Los Santos Solar I Park - Mexico (28/08/15)
The North American Development Bank (NADB) and Buenavista Renewables (BVR) have signed a US$15.5 million loan agreement for construction of the 13.6 MW Los Santos Solar I Park located in Ahumada, Chihuahua (Mexico).
The photovoltaic solar plant will supply renewable energy to the northern district of the private educational group, La Salle in Mexico, and to the German cable company, Leoni, S.A. de C.V., through a 20 year power purchase agreement (PPA).
72.6 MW Tohkoja wind project - Finland (27/08/2015)
Wind farm developer and operator wpd has now secured financing for its third project in Finland. The capital required for the Tohkoja project will be provided by wpd equity as well as the Commerzbank AG and the Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale.
The construction of the 72.6 megawatt wind farm will start imminently. The installation of 22 wind turbines is scheduled to be completed until December. In an average operating year each of the turbines will clearly exceed the mark of 3,000 full load hours.
720-MW Karot hydropower plant - Pakistan (26/08/2015)
China Three Gorges Corporation is seeking IFC financing for the 720-MW Karot hydropower plant in Pakistan. The proposed IFC investment is for up to US$100 million A Loan for IFC’s own account.
CSAIL hired an EPC consortium including Yangtze Three Gorges Technology & Economic Development Co. and China Machinery Engineering Corp. to develop the plant that includes an underground powerhouse and will generate electricity from four 183-MW Francis turbine units.
156 MW Comanche Solar project - USA (25/08/2015)
SunEdison has closed US$253 million financing and has begun construction on one of its largest solar power plants to date, the 156 MW Comanche Solar project in Pueblo, Colorado.
When completed, the Comanche Solar project will be the largest solar power plant east of the Rocky Mountains. The Comanche solar power plant will be the largest in Colorado and is expected to produce more than 300 gigawatt-hours of energy a year, enough to power approximately 30,000 Colorado homes.
100 MW Hornsdale Wind Farm first phase - Australia (25/08/2015)
Neoen, John Laing and Megawatt Capital Investments have achievedfinancial closure for the first 100 MW phase of the Hornsdale Wind Farm 200 km north of Adelaide in South Australia
Construction of the wind farm will commence immediately. Once fully operational, it will provide 20% of the power needs of the ACT and move the Territory closer to realising its target of having 90% of its electricity supplied by renewable sources by 2020.
19-MW 8 de Agosto and 8.4-MW El Carmen hydropower projects - Peru (25/08/2015)
Union Group has raised US$59 million project financing for Peru’s 19-MW 8 de Agosto and 8.4-MW El Carmen hydropower projects.
The two hydropower pants, located in Monzon district, are being developed by Genaracion Andina, a subsidiary of Union Group. They will be linked by a 60km transmission line to the power grid.
127 solar projects to be built across 12 states - USA (24/08/2015)
Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC has closed on a $165 million financial package with First Niagara Financial Group and a tax equity provider that will finance 127 solar energy projects to be built across 12 states, stretching from Maine to California.
The projects will collectively generate a total of 85 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity each year, or enough energy to power 13,000 average New England households for a full year, according to the Energy Information Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Energy.
24 MW Frampton wind farm and 23.5 MW Côte-de-Beaupré wind project - Canada (11/08/2015)
Boralex has closed project financing totaling CAD$145.8 million (US$111.5 million) for the projects. The Frampton wind farm project, to be located in the Frampton municipality of the Chaudière-Appalaches region, received CAD$81.4 million (US$62.3 million) and the Côte-de-Beaupré project, to be located on the private lands of the Seigneurie de Beaupré, received a total of CAD$64.4 million (US$49.3 million).
The projects each have a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed with Hydro-Québec and will consist of Enercon wind turbines (12 E-82s for Frampton, 10 E-92s for Beaupré).
Prairie Breeze II Wind Energy Center - USA (11/08/2015)
Invenergy Wind has arranged debt and tax equityproject financing for the project, which currently is under construction in Antelope and Boone Counties, Nebraska.
Prairie Breeze II is located near the town of Elgin, approximately 100 miles northwest of the city of Lincoln. The facility will have the capacity to generate approximately 73 MW of power from 41 GE 1.79 MW wind turbines when commercial operation commences in the fourth quarter of this year.
122 MW Conejo solar project - Chile (11/08/2015)
Pattern Energy Group has announced the completion of approximately US$205 million in project financing and start of full construction on the project. Located roughly 30 km east of Taltal in Chile’s Atacama Desert, the project will be a solarphotovoltaic (PV) site with an expected generating capacity of 122 MW.
50 MW Maldonado II wind project - USA (10/08/2015)
A project finance loan of up to US$55.65 million has been approved by the Spanish Government for the construction of the project.
The project is an expansion of the 50 MW Maldonado I wind farm (inaugurated in April 2004) adding an additional 50 MW of generating capacity to the site. Gamesa has been chosen to install and commission 25 of its G114-2.0 MW turbines whilst UTE will buy the generated electricity under a power purchase agreement (PPA) with terms identical to the agreement the utility signed for the first Maldonado project.
300 MW South Plains II wind farm - USA (07/08/2015)
SunEdison has closed financing and begun construction on the project. The wind farm is expected to generate approximately 1,200 gigawatt-hours of energy each year. Hewlett-Packard plans to purchase 112 megawatts of the wind farm's capacity to power 100 percent of its Texas-based data centers as part of the company's sustainable cloud initiative. The remaining 188 MW capacity will be sold to an affiliate of Citi.
60 MW Flat Water Wind Farm - USA (05/08/2015)
Tax equity financing is in place for Gestamp Wind’s recently completed 60 MW Flat Water Wind Farm in Nebraska, USA.
Located in Richardson County roughly 140 km south of Omaha near Falls City, Nebraska, the project was completed in December 2010 and has a total generating capacity of 60 MW. The site is comprised of 60 GE wind turbines, each capable of producing 1.5 MW.
110 MW DC Quilapilun solar power plant - Chile (03/08/2015)
SunEdison has closed on the finance and started construction of the project. The total project investment is estimated at US$256 million.
The company secured a US$160 million long-term, non-recourse debt financing arrangement for the p
