Turkey to Call YEKA Tenders for Solar Capacity in Feb
Turkey intends to issue a tender call for 10-50 MW of solar capacity under the Renewable Energy Resources Zone (YEKA) tender scheme in February, energy minister Fatih Donmez, said as quoted by local media. The tenders will be held in April or May in almost 40 provinces across the country, as the total capacity covered by the applications is expected to come in at between 4,000 and 5,000 MW, Donmez said. Through the YEKA tenders, Turkey supports renewable energy investments and incentivises local manufacturing of renewable generation assets in a push to expand the country’s renewable capacity.
Israel Launches 300 MW Solar-Plus-Storage Tender
Israel’s Ministry of Energy has kicked off a tender for a 300 MW solar power plant in the Negev desert. The ministry also quoted that upon completion of this project it would be the largest solar park in the country. The construction of the project is scheduled to begin in late 2021 with completion in 2023. Bidders have until May 26 to table projects. The tariff was not disclosed however, the government stated it to be the cheapest solar price tariff received to date in Israel was also for a project in the Negev.
Belectric Wins Bids for Zafarana 50 Wp Solar Power Plant, Egypt
The German company Belectric has been selected by the Egyptian authorities to develop the Zafarana solar photovoltaic project. It will supply 50 MWp to the national grid in Egypt. Several companies had been shortlisted for the construction of the future Zafaran solar photovoltaic power plant in the Gulf of Suez in north-eastern Egypt. These included Nari Solar Energy Technology Co, a Chinese company, and Vikram Solar, a company based in Calcutta, India. The German company, Belectric Solar & Battery, was finally chosen by the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) to implement the plant. However, the Egyptian authorities report that negotiations are still ongoing with Belectric concerning the construction of an electricity switchyard in the project area.
Dewa to Develop Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park into the Largest Single-Site Solar Park in the World
Dewa is developing the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai into the largest single-site solar park in the world. Its total capacity is said to be 5,000 MW by 2030 and investments totalling Dh50 billion. When completed, the solar park will contribute to reducing over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually; supporting the Government of Dubai’s carbon emission reduction targets. This is inline with the government’s mission to provide 75 per cent of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy by 2050.
Qatar’s 800 MW Tender Draws World Record Solar Power Price of $0.01567/kWh
The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corp (Kahramaa) has revealed the 800 MW solar tender concluded last week delivered a final price of QAR0.0571/kWh ($0.016/kWh) – the lowest winning bid ever registered in an auction for large scale renewable energy. The utility said the winning consortium, formed by French oil giant Total and Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corp, had initially submitted a bid of QAR0.0636/kWh. The project tendered by Kahramaa will be 60% owned by the Siraj Energy joint venture formed by Qatar Petroleum and the utility, and 40% by the winning consortium. The facility will provide the Qatari utility with electricity under a 25-year PPA.
Abu Dhabi to Invite Consultancy Bids for Next Solar IPP
Abu Dhabi has been assessing various site options for the Emirate’s third major solar independent power producer (IPP) scheme. Emirates Water & Electricity Company (Ewec) is expected to invite firms to bid for the consultancy contract for the next solar photovoltaic (PV) IPP project in Abu Dhabi soon. The request for proposals (RFP) for the consultancy package on the scheme, could be issued in February. The first two major schemes are the 1.2GW solar PV IPP project at Sweihan, and the planned 2GW Al-Dhafra solar IPP.
