Bosch Solar announced the company is investing EUR 520 million in a new PV manufacuring facility in Batu Kawan region in Penang, Malaysia. The new facility is part of the company's strategy to establish a stronger presence in the growing Asian solar energy market. The company estimates an annual growth rate of about 30% in this market, which is one of the strongest reasons for this largest yet solar manufacturing facility in the company's history.
Alstom is to acquire a 40% stake in the Scottish marine energy developer AWS Ocean Energy, as was officially announced by Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond at an event held in Edinburgh Castle. This investment is Alstom's first in the wave energy sector, and represents a significant boost for AWS Ocean Energy. The company will now be able to accelerate the commercial development of its wave energy harnessing technology.
Ormat Technologies announced the company has been awarded a build, operate and transfer (BOT) contract by Tikitere Geothermal Power Limited (TGL), for the Tikitere geothermal area near Rotorua, New Zealand. Under the terms of the agreement, Ormat and TGP are to joint develop a geothermal power plant with an estimated 45 MW capacity.
Siemens has received the first order for offshore wind capacity in China. Jiangsu Longyuan Offshore Wind Power has ordered 21 2.3 MW wind turbines from Siemens, to be installed at an offshore wind farm in Rudong County, Jiangsu Province. The 50 MW wind farm is to enter commercial operation in late 2011.
EDP Renovaveis announced the company has executed project finances for two wind farms built in Romania, totalling in 138 MW of installed capacity. The two wind farms, Cernavoda I and II, each with 69 MW of installed capacity, had a long term debt facility amounting to EUR 115 million. The transaction financial close is expected to happen in Q3 2011.
Nordex and Way Wind have entered into a joint venture agreement to develop and build a wind farm in Wayne County, Nebraska (USA). This project was initially started in 2008 by Way Wind when the company initiated wind measurements and got involved in securing development rights. In order to increase the chances for a successful continuation of the project, the company saught a strong partner, and found one in Nordex. This allowed the company to increase the amount of planned capacity at the wind farm from 99 MW to 120 MW.
Solar-Konzept is to begin construction of a 28 MWp solar project today in Bavaria, Germany. The project, which will use REC solar modules, will be one of the largest in this part of Germany, and should be completed by the end of 2011. It is a EUR 50 million investment, located on the grounds of a former NATO airbase, leased to the company over a period of 20 years by the Federal Office for Real Estate.
Aquamarine Power has issued an update on the project to install its Oyster wave energy conversion device in Orkney. The device is to be deployed in July this year, and is currently being built by BiFab. It is to be transported by barge to the European Marine Energy Center (EMEC) in Orkney in late July. The jack-up barge, called the Excalibur, arrived in Orkney last week, and is currently stationed in Orkney. It is to begin drilling piles into the seabed, building the foundation for the installation of the second generation Oyster device.
AREVA Solar, CS Energy and Wind Prospect CWP, as a consortium, have been selected as preferred partners by the Australian government for the development of Solar Dawn, a solar thermal power project. This project is part of the first round of the Australian Government's Solar Flagships program. Solar Dawn is a 250 MW hybrid solar/gas power project, proposed for development. It will be financially backed by a total of USD 539 million in commitments from the Australian Commonwealth and the Queensland government.
GE announced an order for 22 GE 2.5-100 wind turbines, which are to be installed at the Mumbida wind farm, being developed in Western Australia. The wind farm is a 50/50 partnership project between Verve Energy, a government owned power utility, and Macquarie Capital.
