Sep 26, 2014 - This week NPD Solarbuzz said that solar projects under development in the Middle East and Africa exceed 12,300 MW in capacity, Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy firm Masdar bought into the 402-MW Dudgeon wind project off England and Alstom unveiled plans to boost the capacity of its Brazilian wind factory to 900 MW.
At the start of the week, researcher NPD Solarbuzz said there are 11,000 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in Africa, while Middle East pipeline includes more than 1,300 MW. Over 99% of the potential PV capacity in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region represents ground-mounted projects, it noted.
Moving the focus to the local wind energy front, Egypt-based cable maker Elsewedy Electric Co (CAI:SWDY) is planning to wrap up the construction of the 600-MW Gebel El Zeit wind complex within three years. A local magazine on Sunday cited the company’s vice president as saying that the project is calling for an investment of over USD 1 billion (EUR 774m).
More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/planned-pv-capacity-in-mea-tops-12-3-gw-npd-solarbuzz-439701
and at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/elsewedy-to-bring-online-600-mw-wind-complex-in-3-years-report-439607
MASDAR BUYS INTO 402-MW DUDGEON WIND PROJECT, ENBRIDGE GETS MORE WIND
One of the biggest deals in the wind sector this week was made by Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy firm Masdar, which on Wednesday said it had bought a 35% stake in the 402-MW Dudgeon wind project off the Norfolk coast in England from Statoil ASA (NYSE:STO). The deal will leave Statoil with a 35% interest in the scheme, while the 30% of its partner in the project, Statkraft AS, will remain intact.
Meanwhile, Canadian firm Enbridge Inc (TSE:ENB) said Tuesday it had agreed to pay USD 202 million for a 17.5% interest in the 300-MW Lac Alfred wind farm and 30% in the 150-MW Massif du Sud wind park, both in Quebec. Thus it will bring its stake in the two plants to 67.5% and 80%, respectively.
More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/masdar-takes-half-of-statoils-stake-in-402-mw-wind-scheme-off-uk-439995
and at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/enbridge-to-boost-stakes-in-450-mw-of-quebec-wind-farms-439964
ALSTOM TO EXPAND BRAZILIAN WIND FACTORY TO 900 MW
Moving to South America, French engineering group Alstom (EPA:ALO) said it will invest USD 3.8 million in the next four months to boost the manufacturing and assembly capacity of its wind turbine facility in Brazil to 900 MW, seeking to meet rising demand. The Camacari plant, located in Bahia state, can currently produce 600 MW of wind turbine nacelles and hub per year.
More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/alstom-to-expand-brazilian-wind-factory-to-900-mw-439587
SOUTH AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL UNVEIL RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGETS
In spite of the ongoing uncertainty on the Australian renewable energy market, South Australia will aim at a 50% renewables share by 2025, Premier Jay Weatherill said Tuesday. The state is expected to have surpassed 33% already.
On the next day, the Brazilian Mines and Energy Ministry released its 10-year Energy Expansion Plan which sees renewable sources reaching a share of 42.5% in the country's total energy by 2023.
More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/south-australia-unveils-50-renewables-goal-for-2025-439802
and at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/brazil-sets-target-for-42-5-renewable-energy-by-2023-440335
UK RENEWABLES SHARE CLIMBS TO 16.8% IN Q2
Last but not least, statistics by the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) showed on Thursday that renewables accounted for 16.8% of the country’s electricity production in the second quarter of 2014, up from 15.9% a year earlier. Total renewable power generation slipped by 1% on the year to 13.2 TWh.
More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/uk-renewables-share-goes-up-to-16-8-in-q2-2014-440196
(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.784)
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Author: University of Salford Press Office. License: Creative Commons, Attribution 2.0 Generic
