ROUND-UP: ADB’s US$100m for Pacific, Petrosolar’s Filipino 20MW, Queensland Uni going 100% clean

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Credit: University of Queensland

ADB offers US$100m for renewables in Pacific Islands

23 April: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an umbrella facility of up to US$100 million to support loans, guarantees, and letters of credit for private sector investment in renewable energy in Pacific island countries, where funding for utilities is inadequate.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Development is hindered by a lack of bankable power purchase agreements, uncertainties over foreign currency availability and convertibility, and perceived political risks. Thus, the ADB-supported Pacific Renewable Energy Program aims to back an estimated five separate renewable energy projects in ADB’s Pacific developing member countries over a five-year period.

“The program will help to build urgently needed capacity for energy sector expansion and private sector interest in clean energy projects in the region,” said PARD director general Carmela Locsin. “The objective is to implement more renewable energy projects in the Pacific by working with power utilities to identify transactions at an early stage.”

PetroSolar connects 20MW Filipino plant to Luzon grid

23 April: PetroSolar Corporation’s 20MW Tarlac-2 Solar Power Project in Central Technopark industrial zone in Tarlac City, the Philippines, has started exporting power to the Luzon grid.

The project used modules from Chinese supplier Trina Solar.

“PetroSolar is pleased to add power supply to the Luzon grid especially during these times of thinning power reserves that have led to instances of rotating brownouts. Our commissioning of Tarlac-2 supports the Department of Energy’s (DOE) mission of ensuring more power supply as the country heads into the important May elections. We are also proud that our commissioning of Tarlac-2 comes a year after we put our 12MW Maibarara-2 geothermal plant into commercial operations last April 30, 2018,” said Dave P. Gadiano, energy marketing manager of PetroGreen Energy Corporation (PGEC).

PetroSolar also owns the FIT-eligible 50MW Tarlac-1 solar power facility.

University of Queensland starts building 64MW solar farm

18 April: The University of Queensland has started construction of the 64MW UQ Warwick Solar Farm, which is due to start supplying power in early 2020.

The university claims that it will become the world’s first major university to offset 100% of its electricity use from its own renewable energy system.

There are also plans for electric car charging stations by the end of the year and a visitor information centre offering guided tours of the project.

Technique Solaire bags financing for 47MW France portfolio

Technique Solaire has closed on €54 million financing for 47MW of solar in France spread across 64 systems on rooftops, greenhouses and shadehouses.

Read Next

September 5, 2025
Research firm Rystad Energy has found that Queensland’s utility-scale solar PV power plants have dominated the best-performing assets, in terms of AC capacity factor, rankings for August 2025.
September 4, 2025
ARENA has launched the second funding round of its AU$1 billion Solar Sunshot programme, making AU$150 million available.
September 3, 2025
Singapore-headquartered independent power producer Peak Energy has broken ground on a 65MWp solar project in Isabela, in the Cagayan Valley region of northeast Luzon, Philippines. 
September 1, 2025
Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) hit a record high for the combined utility-scale solar PV and wind share in the electricity mix on 30 August.
August 31, 2025
Renewables developer and independent power producer (IPP) TagEnergy has acquired Australian developer ACE Power, adding 6GW of renewable energy and storage projects to its portfolio.
August 31, 2025
Two CIS tenders have opened in Western Australia, seeking 1.6GW of renewable energy generation in the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM).

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines