Daily Energy News
Policy & Regulatory
Italy awards only 307 MW of renewable capacity in a 1.4 GW tender
28 Jan 2021
The Italian energy agency GSE (Gestore dei Servizi Elettrici) has published the results of the fourth tender for renewable capacity under the country’s new scheme. A total quota of 1,882 MW was offered but the calls for project was largely undersubscribed, with only 576 MW of bids submitted (around 31% of the available capacity). The auction for large renewable projects (>1 MW), with 1,374 MW of capacity available, attracted 21 bids totalling 357 MW and only 16 bids totalling 307 MW were admitted (22% of the available capacity).
Spain’s latest renewable auction for 3 GW was 3 times oversubscribed
28 Jan 2021
The Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has released the results of the first renewable energy tender under the new regulatory framework, which offered 3 GW of renewable capacity, including 1 GW of photovoltaic, 1 GW of onshore wind and 1 GW of renewable technology without restrictions. A total of 84 companies participated in the tender, submitting bids for 9,700 MW, i.e. more than three times the power auctioned.
South Africa will tender 6.8 GW of renewable capacity in 2021-2022
27 Jan 2021
South Africa intends to launch three tenders for 6.8 GW of renewable energy sources and 5 GW of new coal, gas, and storage projects in 2021-2022. The country will tender 2.6 GW of wind and solar in January or February 2021, followed by 2.6 GW in August 2021, and 1.6 GW in January or February 2022. In addition, a procurement round for 500 MW of energy storage should take place in September 2021, followed by 1.5 GW of coal-fired capacity and 3 GW of gas-fired capacity around December 2021.
Czechia launches a €6bn modernisation fund to reduce GHG emissions
27 Jan 2021
The Czech government has approved the creation of a CZK150bn (€5.8bn) modernisation fund to invest in renewable energy sources, to modernize heat supply systems, to improve energy efficiency, and to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from companies subject to the EU emission trading scheme (ETS). The country plans to finance the fund by selling carbon allowances.
Companies
Shell will buy 51% in a 300 MW floating wind plant offshore Ireland
28 Jan 2021
Shell has signed an agreement with Simply Blue Energy to acquire a 51% stake in the Simply Blue Energy Kinsale venture, which is developing the 300 MW Esmerald floating offshore wind project in the Celtic Sea off the south coast of Ireland. The project’s installed capacity could be scaled up to a total of 1 GW at a later stage. The plant, which will be located 35 km – 60 km offshore, is expected to comprise between 15 and 25 floating wind turbines.
Leeward will buy a 10 GW solar project platform in the United States
28 Jan 2021
First Solar has signed an agreement with Leeward, under the terms of which First Solar will sell to Leeward a 10 GW solar project platform, which includes projects in the California, Southwest and Southeast markets (United States). The transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021, comprises 773 MW of projects that are expected to commence construction in the next two years (Rabbitbrush, Madison, Oak Trail, Horizon, and Ridgely projects), as well as the 30 MW Barilla Solar Project, which is operational.
Infrastructure & Investments
CEEC and TVHB sign deal for a 2.1 GW coal-fired power plant in Vietnam
28 Jan 2021
The Chinese state-owned conglomerate China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) and Toyo Ventures Holdings Bhd (TVHB, Malaysia) have signed an investment and development agreement for the 2,120 MW Song Hau 2 coal-fired power plant in Hau Giang province, in southern Vietnam.
Rosatom raises US$530m for a 340 MW wind power project in Russia
28 Jan 2021
Rosatom and Gazprombank have completed a financing agreement to fund the construction of the 340 MW VetroSGC-2 wind power project in Russia. The bank awarded a RUB40bn (US$524m) financing to Rosatom and took a 49.5% stake in the project company VetroSGC-2. Gazprombank is already providing financing for 660 MW of wind power projects led by Rosatom in Russia, of which 360 MW have been commissioned and 300 MW are expected to be commissioned by the end of 2021. With VetroSGC-2, the bank will now finance 1 GW of Rosatom wind power projects.
EDF raises costs and delays Hinkley Point C nuclear power project (UK)
28 Jan 2021
EDF has announced that the Hinkley Point C nuclear power project currently being developed in Somerset (United Kingdom) will require an additional investment of £500m (€565m), with a total cost reaching £22-23bn (€25-26bn). In addition, the first unit is now expected to produce first power in June 2026, compared to end-2025 as initially announced in 2016.
Greek parliament approves IGB gas pipeline agreement
28 Jan 2021
The Greek Parliament has ratified the Greece-Bulgaria cooperation agreement on the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) gas pipeline project, which comprises mutual commitments for the construction of the gas pipeline and for the transportation of gas after the project has been completed.
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