Pantera Energy provides technical aid to Gharo Solar Power Plant
Pantera Energy, the leading solar energy company in Pakistan, has provided technical assistance in the Gharo Solar Power Plant. Installation, testing, and commissioning have been done jointly by Pantera Energy and its sister company Nepcon. The project involved the construction of a 50MW Solar Power Plant on 58.2ha of land. It includes the construction of a substation and related infrastructure, the installation of solar panels, generators and transformers, and the laying of transmission lines. Project completed within the record time of 5 months starting from the on-site installation in August with final commissioning and testing in the second week of December. The power plant is now generating 50.1MW and allowing the K-Electric grid to shift towards power by more affordable, reliable and locally-generated renewable solar energy source.
Sri Lanka’s first floating solar plant opens in Kilinochchi with Norwegian assistance
The Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Trine Jøranli Eskedal, opened Sri Lanka’s first floating solar plant in Kilinochchi Friday. The launch of the 42KW floating solar plant took place at the Faculty of Engineering, Kilinochchi Campus, University of Jaffna. The floating solar power plant project is based on Norwegian marine knowhow from offshore and aquaculture industries and combines well-known features with innovative use of composite beams for the mounting of the solar panels.
Abu Dhabi Fund Extends $105 Million for 8 IRENA Recommended Renewable Projects
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has approved about $105 million (~₹7.42 billion) for the development of eight renewable energy projects under the seventh cycle of its partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The ADFD, a foreign aid agency under the government of Abu Dhabi, said the aid would provide funding for projects in Antigua and Barbuda, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cuba, the Maldives, Nepal, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It noted that after the 10th annual IRENA assembly, cumulative funding to date stood at $350 million (~₹24.76 billion), in line with the commitment made by ADFD across seven funding cycles to projects recommended by IRENA.
Metito Group-led Consortium with Jinko Power and AlJomaih Group awarded 55 MWe ac grid-tied solar power plant in Bangladesh
The Government of Bangladesh has awarded the Rangunia 55-megawatts electric (MWe) ac grid-tied solar power plant project to the Consortium led by Metito Group together with Jinko Power and AlJomaih Group (the Consortium). The project will be developed on a Build Own Operate (BOO) basis under a 20 years concession agreement, which is in line with the Government’s vision to secure a more balanced energy-mix and a reduction in environmental pollution in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), pursuant to approval from the Power Division, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR), awarded the project to the Consortium. BPDB had earlier announced the Consortium as the lowest bidder with the competitive tariff of $0.0748/kWh — the lowest tariff ever reported in Bangladesh.
ADB launches plan to repower diesel-reliant Maldives with solar hybrids
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Environment Ministry of the Maldives have launched a plan to roll out solar–battery–diesel hybrids across 48 islands, meant to curb reliance on expensive and polluting diesel mini-grids. The project has now overseen the deployment of around 7.5MW of solar PV facilities, 5.6MWh of battery energy storage systems and 11.6MW of energy-efficient diesel gensets. The projects come under the flagship Preparing Outer Islands for Sustainable Energy Development (POISED) Project, the purpose of which is to transform existing diesel-based energy mini-grids into hybrid renewable energy systems. Its target is 160 inhabited islands through investment in a total of 21MW of solar power plants as well as battery energy storage systems, energy management systems, and efficient diesel generators, while starting to focus on distribution grid upgrades to allow future renewable energy penetration.
IFC to help Bangladesh with public-private solar partnerships
Having been forced to push back the target date of sourcing 10% of its electricity from renewables, Bangladesh is receiving solar sector help from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank. The IFC will be lead transaction adviser to the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority of Bangladesh (SREDA) for the development of a 35-50 MW solar array in the Kushtia district. The two parties inked a memorandum of understanding, in the wake of the news Bangladesh’s 10% renewables ambition has been pushed back from this year to 2021. The nation saw around 34 MW of solar generation capacity added last year so the planned new plant would mark a sizable leap.
Convert Italia presents the Bhit Photovoltaic Plant, its first Eni project in Pakistan
Eni says that the Bhit Photovoltaic Plant is expected to produce approximately 20GWh (Gigawatt hours) annually. The output energy will be used on site, reducing gas consumption and avoiding around 144,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions during plant life. The significant result has been achieved thanks to the combined engineering activity born from the collaboration with Reon Energy. This partnership created the optimal conditions to reach the best solution for a fully integrated system.
