Dec 19, 2014 - This week TrendForce said 2015 solar demand will hit 51.4 GW, IFC arranged a big loan for 215 MW of Panama wind capacity and the US set final duties on solar gear from China, Taiwan, while SunEdison, Abengoa and Acciona progressed with large Chilean projects.
Global solar market demand next year is to grow by nearly 17% over the 44 GW projected for 2014, according to a new report by Taiwanese market researcher TrendForce. Some 57% will come from just three key markets -- China, the US and Japan. Yet, cumulative demand from countries out of top 10 in 2015 is seen surpassing 10 GW.
More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/global-solar-demand-to-hit-51-4-gw-in-2015-trendforce-453967
NIGERIA UNVEILS PLANS FOR 1.7 GW OF SOLAR
Speaking of emerging markets, it is impossible to miss the news that Nigeria’s federal government has signed accords with three firms to hook about 1,700 MW of solar power capacity to the national grid. Solius NGPC, in particular, has plans to add 1,000 MW of solar capacity, starting with 100 MW at any location recommended by the Ministry of Power.
Meanwhile in Russia, Avelar Solar Technologies, a unit of Hevel Solar, intends to build 10 solar power plants in the Altai region with a combined capacity of 250 MW.
More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/nigeria-unveils-plans-for-1-7-gw-of-solar-additions-454091
and at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/interview-avelar-solar-to-build-250-mw-in-russia-s-altai-453906
US GOVT SETS FINAL DUTIES ON SOLAR IMPORTS FROM CHINA, TAIWAN
We continue with some not-so-good news for the solar sector, even though it depends on the point of view. The US Department of Commerce (DOC) on Tuesday levied final anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) products from China and Taiwan. Overall, the rates for China-made products are higher than the preliminary ones issued this summer, while for Taiwan the tariffs have been lowered.
The duties have to be approved by the The International Trade Commission (ITC) in January. If that happens, they will go into effect around February 1.
More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/us-govt-sets-final-duties-on-solar-imports-from-china-taiwan-454297
IFC ARRANGES USD 300M FOR 215-MW WIND PROJECT IN PANAMA
On the wind energy front, we start with emerging markets again. The World Bank's International Finance Corp (IFC) said Tuesday it has arranged a package of USD 300 million (EUR 244m) to finance the construction of a 215-MW wind farm in Panama by InterEnergy Holdings. The project, comprising the Penonome Phase II and III parks, involves 86 wind turbines with an estimated annual output of 448 GWh.
More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/ifc-arranges-usd-300m-for-215-mw-wind-project-in-panama-454384
HYDRO-QUEBEC ACCEPTS 446 MW OF BIDS IN WIND TENDER
Much to the north of Panama, Canadian utility Hydro-Quebec accepted 446.4 MW of proposals for projects under a call for tenders for wind power capacity. On Wednesday, the utility said that the three accepted bids have an average price of CAD 0.076 (USD 0.065) per kWh, including CAD 0.013 per kWh for transmission costs. Power supplies will start in December 2016 and December 2017.
More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/hydro-quebec-accepts-446-mw-of-bids-in-wind-tender-454334
EDF SELLS 80% IN 73-MW WIND PORTFOLIO TO CGN, BORALEX BUYS ENEL GREEN IN FRANCE
Across the Atlantic, EDF Energy Renewables sold, after a competitive auction process, 80% stakes in 72.9 MW of UK wind farms to China General Nuclear Power Corp (CGN). It did not provide financial details.
Canadian renewables developer Boralex Inc (TSE:BLX), meanwhile, bought the French arm of Italy’s Enel Green Power (BIT:EGPW) in a EUR-298.4-million (USD 366.5m) all-cash deal. The target has 196 MW of operational capacity and a wind and solar project pipeline of 310 MW.
More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/edf-confirms-sale-of-majority-in-73-mw-wind-portfolio-to-cgn-454071
and at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/enel-green-closes-eur-298m-sale-of-french-unit-to-boralex-454805
DENMARK OKAYS EUR-470M OFFSHORE LINK TO KRIEGERS FLAK
Still in Europe, but somehow offshore, we saw Denmark’s Climate and Energy Minister give the go-ahead to the estimated EUR-470-million investment in the grid connection for the 600-MW Kriegers Flak wind farm in the Baltic Sea. State-run electricity and natural gas distributor Energinet.dk said the grid connection has to be ready by the end of 2018.
More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/denmark-okays-eur-470m-offshore-link-to-kriegers-flak-454704
HOT MARKET FOR THE WEEK: CHILE
Our last Friday Note for 2014 concludes with a new feature -- the “HOT” topic. This week it focuses on Chile, which is very active, especially after the recent energy auction. See the table below for this week’s hottest project news from the country.
(USD 1 = EUR 0.814)
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Solar power station. Featured Image: worradirek/Shutterstock.com
