Nigeria is one of the most economically sound countries on the continent. Trailblazing in many ways including finance, infrastructure and employment, the country has up until very recently been a laggard when it comes to renewable energy. However, a newly-installed government is ensuring priorities are changing and frameworks are being put in place to exploit Nigeria’s clean energy prowess and close the gap between supply and demand. Segun Adaju, president of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria, discussed with PV Tech how the country is getting to grips with clean energy.
Indian utility NTPC has retendered 250MW of PV at a solar park in Karnataka after infrastructural issues at the park dampened the interest of developers to participate.
NTPC targets 32GW of renewable energy deployment by 2032, The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed an MOU with Mexican development bank NAFIN over renewables in Mexico, TEDA has invited expressions of interest for a 500MW solar park in Tamil Nadu.
San Francisco-based SunFunder is a solar finance business with a mission to unlock capital for solar energy in emerging markets. It primarily aggregates investment capital through its beyond-the-grid and Solar Empowerment funds, thereby giving accredited investors the opportunity to invest in their on-grid and off-grid solar portfolio. Andrea Griffin, SunFunder’s vice president of global business development, stopped by PV Tech to discuss investment, currency risk and energy storage in West Africa.
Despite India tripling solar deployments to reach 10GW in less than three years, the country's ultimate target of 100GW by 2022 will be extremely difficult without better enforcement of the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO), according to Mercom Capital Group’s latest market intelligence report.
India’s current template for solar power procurement is up for review. Record low tariffs in Rewa have inspired this re-examination. Jasmeet Khurana, associate director, consulting, Bridge to India, looks at how different states and utilities are reacting to the new procurement landscape.
Alongside finance and political considerations, customer education has been identified as a key driver of Africa’s emerging commercial and industrial (C&I) solar sector, according to market experts.
Utility Gulf Power has reached a settlement with Florida’s clean energy industry as it drops its proposal that would have resulted in a 155% increase in power rates.
French energy minister Ségolène Royal has signed a decree establishing an energy programme (PPE) for French Guiana, that aims to use solar, biomass and hydro to reach 85% renewables generation by 2023.
In a manual directly aimed at policy makers, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has sought to debunk various myths about integrating wind and solar to the grid, while also providing solutions to bona fide problems that can arise.
