Europe/Middle East/Africa

Morocco Accelerates With 120MW Vestas Wind Energy Project

The Khalladi wind park will be the first renewable energy project financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Morocco, that allows private producers to sell electricity (through PPAs) to industry. In addition to EBRD, the project is co-financed by the Moroccan bank BMCE and Argan Infrastructure Fund, an Africa-focused infrastructure fund managed by Infra Invest. The contract comprises the supply of the turbines as well as a 20-year service agreement.

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East Africa: Mobisol Installs 50,000 Solar Systems, Connects 250,000 Households

The Berlin-based company’s solar systems are powerful enough to cover the entire electricity needs of average African households. The solar systems are paid off over three years in small instalments and are thus also affordable for low-income customers. Mobisol systems are designed specifically for the African market and come with an extended warranty and comprehensive customer service – including remote maintenance via the well-developed East African mobile network.

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RNEG To Support Valorem’s 100MW Wind And Solar Projects Across North Africa

Renewable NRG Systems (RNRG), a designer and manufacturer of decision support tools for the global renewable energy industry, has announced that it has supplied complete resource assessment packages to French developer VALOREM to support their renewable energy project development activities in Africa. VALOREM is currently building a pipeline of five wind and solar farms at

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Swedish Nano Film Technology Improves Efficiency Of Solar Cells

Sol Voltaics, the Swedish development company, has developed a nano film, which can increase the efficiency of solar cells. According to research, a solar cell coated with the nano film has proven to increase its production by 50 percent or more. Lars Samuelsson, Professor of Solid State Physics at Lund University, who led the research behind the company, said: “This is fantastic progress. Standard solar cells with an efficiency of 16-17 percent can be boosted up to 27 percent. Yet the cost of the finished solar cells is no more than 10-15 percent.”

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Energy Generation: IEA Finds Notable Growth In Renewables, Decline in Coal, Oil

The International Energy Agency (IEA) shared that energy generation from renewable energy sources grew by 16% across the 34 nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2015. A 1% decrease in combustible fuels was also noticed; such as coal, gas, and oil, as well as combustible renewables and waste energy sources.

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IT Innovation Essential For Upcoming Grid Integration Challenges Ahead

Modern IT solutions can act as a catalyst to accelerate the development of renewable energies, as they play a key role in adapting demand to the prevailing sun and wind conditions. Ulrich Dietz, CEO of GFT Technologies AG stated that successful implementation will require huge investments in the intelligent controlling and grid integration of wind and solar power. He believes that, in Germany, in particular, the IT industry can play a significant role in this change by formulating creative solutions. “If we are fast, we can create 50,000 new jobs in this field over the coming years at IT companies alone”. Experts forecast that 25 to 30 billion euros will have to be invested in Germany by 2030 and that the opportunities for German energy technology and the IT industry on the global markets for smart grids are immense.

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Solar Plant Becomes Better Priced Option Than Coal-Fired Plant In Dubai

At a time of plummeting costs of solar, renewable energy will account for 40% of global electricity output capacity by 2030. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), it will almost double today’s capacity. Profitability of the cheaper projects has come under increased scrutiny during this time of plunging costs, along with the bankruptcy of the largest global clean energy developer, SunEdison. Nevertheless, Renewable Energy projects, with Solar, in particular, are surging and their growth continues to be attractive for investors.

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E.ON CEO Unimpressed With Government Policy Changes; Calls For Market Stability

Michael Lewis, CEO of E.ON Climate and Renewables GmbH, has voiced caution on the UK government clean energy policy reversals. “The UK has been E.ON’s largest market in terms of gross investment but since the election last year, there have been a number of very substantial policy reversals here. This sends completely the wrong signals to investors.” He outlined that, the “EU generally and the UK specifically needs to come together and deliver some coherent policies across the renewable energy area”.

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Flagship Scottish Offshore Wind Project, A Model For Bringing Interests Together

Beatrice Offshore Windfarm, off the coast of Caithness, will create 900 jobs and generate 588MW of power once operational in 2019. Hailed as the “flagship project for the Scottish offshore wind industry”; it’s claimed that the £2.6bn project will be one of the largest private investments ever made in Scottish infrastructure. Lang Banks, director of conservation group WWF Scotland says that: it’s “great news for the climate and Scotland’s economy, this single project will almost quadruple our offshore wind capacity, helping to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions as well as creating jobs and supporting local economic renewal.”

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