powerplant
15 April 2025
Power Technologypowerplant
Apr 15, 2025Power Technology
ACEN Australia has secured $473.5m (A$750m) in portfolio debt financing to bolster its clean energy initiatives in Australia.
The financing supports the company’s ongoing and future renewable projects, highlighting ACEN Australia’s commitment as a long-term investor in the nation’s clean economy.
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Find out more
The funding will support the nearly finished 400MW Stubbo Solar project in New South Wales and follows the first power output from the 400MW Stage 1 of the New England solar project in 2023.
The deal was supported by a group of 11 lenders from Australia and overseas, broadening ACEN Australia’s network of finance partners and highlighting strong market trust in the company’s growth plans and proven performance.
ACEN Australia managing director David Pollington stated: “Our ability to attract top-tier financial partners re-inforces our position as a trusted, long-term developer, owner and operator of assets, and reflects growing investor appetite for high-quality, renewable infrastructure in Australia.”
The financing establishes a funding base for ACEN Australia’s diverse portfolio, which includes more than 1GW of renewable capacity in operation and under construction, with an additional 13GW in development across the national electricity market.
ACEN Australia chief financial and investments officer Phillip Mak stated: “This transaction strengthens our funding platform, accelerates our delivery pipeline and positions us as a capable partner backed by a stable and diverse capital base.”
The transaction involved a range of financial institutions: ANZ Banking Group, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, CTBC Bank Co (Singapore branch), CTBC Bank (Philippines) and Cathay United Bank.
Other participants included Deutsche Bank (Sydney branch), DBS Bank (Australia branch) and Westpac Banking.
Macquarie Capital and Morgan Stanley acted as joint financial advisors for the transaction, with Allens serving as legal adviser for ACEN Australia and Herbert Smith Freehills advising the lenders.
ACEN is on track to achieve 100% renewable energy generation by 2025 and reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
0
Recent CommentsPower Plant Related News You might want to check out
View by
Gamuda To Co-Develop 1.2 Gw Renewable Portfolio In TasmaniaGamuda Holdings Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysia’s Gamuda Berhad has signed an agreement to co-develop a 1.2 GW renewable energy portfolio in central Tasmania.
The portfolio will comprise 600 MW of wind and solar capacity, alongside up to 600 MW of battery energy storage. Key projects include the Weasel solar farm and the Cellars Hill wind farm. Construction of the solar farm is scheduled to begin in financial year 2027, followed by the wind farm in 2028. The project is being undertaken in partnership with local landowners, the Downie Family, and renewable developer Alternate Path. It follows a landowner-led model, developed in consultation with the local community and environmental stakeholders. The initiative also includes energy rebates for nearby households and is expected to generate employment in the region. Gamuda will hold an equity stake in the venture and will execute the development under a sole-source EPC arrangement, subject to regulatory approvals.
Powerline
powerplant
04 July 20251 min readGamuda To Co-Develop 1.2 Gw Renewable Portfolio In Tasmania
Powerline
04 July 2025
powerplant
India Accelerates Clean Power Push With 16 Gw Added And Major Solar-Storage Tenders – EqIn Short : India added 16 GW of renewable energy capacity by May 2025, including 13 GW solar and 3.1 GW wind, taking total RE capacity to 226.7 GW. In June, SECI issued 3.2 GW of solar-plus-storage tenders, emphasizing grid stability. These moves reflect India’s push toward its 500 GW non-fossil energy target and a more resilient, storage-integrated power system.
In Detail :India has added 16 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by the end of May 2025, marking a strong start to the fiscal year. This includes around 13 gigawatts of solar power and 3.1 gigawatts of wind energy. With this addition, the country’s total installed renewable energy capacity has reached approximately 226.7 gigawatts.
The growth underscores India’s continued momentum in expanding its clean energy infrastructure. Solar remains the leading contributor, driven by falling module prices, supportive policies, and faster project execution. Wind energy also saw a modest resurgence after a slower performance in recent years.
In parallel, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) floated tenders in June totaling 3.2 gigawatts of solar power coupled with battery energy storage systems. This includes a 2 GW solar project with 4 GWh of storage, and a separate 1.2 GW project with 3.6 GWh of storage capacity. These hybrid tenders are designed to enhance grid flexibility and reliability.
The growing use of storage-linked solar projects reflects India’s shift toward dispatchable renewable energy. As solar and wind are inherently variable, storage solutions help balance supply and demand, ensuring round-the-clock clean power. These new tenders signal a maturing renewable energy sector ready for next-level integration.
These developments are aligned with India’s broader goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. The aggressive push toward storage-backed renewables is also expected to support grid modernization and reduce reliance on coal-based power.
Together, the rapid capacity additions and strategic storage-integrated tenders point to a more resilient and sustainable energy future. India’s renewable energy sector is not only expanding but evolving to meet the demands of a cleaner, more reliable power system.
Error:Contact form not found.
EQ Mazagine
powerplant
04 July 20252 min readIndia Accelerates Clean Power Push With 16 Gw Added And Major Solar-Storage Tenders – Eq
EQ Mazagine
04 July 2025
powerplant
Seci Achieves 60 Gw Milestone In Power Sale Agreements For Renewable EnergyThe Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has achived power sale agreements for over 60 GW of renewable energy capacity.
The agreements span a diverse portfolio of solar, wind, and hybrid projects, reflecting the growing uptake of renewable power across the country. These agreements provide payment security to developers and strengthen investor confidence to increase capital inflow into the sector.
Powerline
powerplant
03 July 20251 min readSeci Achieves 60 Gw Milestone In Power Sale Agreements For Renewable Energy
Powerline
03 July 2025
powerplant
Uk Government Unveils Solar Roadmap, Outlines Steps To 47 Gw By 2030The UK government has published a new “Solar Roadmap” policy paper setting out how it plans to achieve 45-47 GW of deployed solar capacity by 2030, from nearly 19 GW as of May 2025. Developed in partnership solar industry representatives on the government’s “Solar Taskforce”, the document outlines 72 actions aimed at accelerating deployment.
Projections in the roadmap suggest the UK government could hit its capacity targets through existing policy, provided grid connection reforms are implemented on time, there is an increase in skilled labor, plus good supply chain and finance availability.
Removing barriers to rooftop solar could result in a significant acceleration of deployment, according to the roadmap, with the most optimistic projection estimating 50 GW installed capacity by 2030 and 85 GW by 2035.
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has said he wants to see a “rooftop revolution” and many of the policies in the roadmap are targeted at this segment. These include a GBP 13.2 billion ($18 billion) investment in the government’s Warm Homes Plan, expected to include financial support for installing solar panels, heat pumps and batteries; working with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors to ensure solar is properly valued on residential properties; a previously announced mandate for rooftop solar on new homes; and new industry-developed guidance for landlords and tenants on how to accommodate rooftop solar.
Plug-in solar for rooftops and balconies will be subject to a safety study in a bid to with a view to “unlocking opportunities” for the segment in “the next few years,” according to the roadmap..UK regulations do not currently allow plug-in solar, but the government sees potential in the technology as a more affordable option for households, particularly for those in rented accommodation or apartments.
Solar canopies could also be deployed in greater numbers. The UK government is seeking views from the PV industry on the potential benefits of solar canopies installed at outdoor car parks.
At the utility scale, changes to the UK Contracts for Difference scheme appear likely. The government intends to reform its CfD scheme, which currently offers 15-year offtake agreements to low-carbon electricity generation projects.
To date, more than 7 GW of solar capacity has been contracted through the CfD mechanism and analysts expect the seventh allocation round (AR7), scheduled to commence in 2025, will be critical to reaching government targets on renewable generation.
The UK government launched a consultation on AR7 in March 2025 covering proposals to provide more clarity for investors, with proposals including an increase to the target commissioning window for solar projects to reflect the increasing size of PV plants in the UK pipeline. The government is also mulling a longer term for CfD contracts than the current 15 years offered. Other potential CfD changes include integrating floating solar with the scheme, a move currently under consideration by the UK government, according to the roadmap.
Private sector offtake agreements are covered, too. The UK government is mulling “potential government intervention” to promote corporate power purchase agreements (cPPAs). The roadmap notes that securing finance for behind-the-meter installations can be challenging, restricting commercial rooftop installations to major corporates “leaving a large part of the market untapped.”
The role of battery storage is also considered. Co-located solar and storage projects currently place additional burden on distribution network operators (DNOs) due to the way regulations handle these projects, according to the UK government. While generation and demand-side response projects with capacity greater than 50 kW and a connection agreement are listed in the DNO’s embedded capacity register, there is no equivalent register for “demand projects” such as co-located battery energy storage systems (BESS) – meaning developers of hybrid projects have to submit connection applications to determine available network capacity.
The government wants to see DNOs consider expanding their embedded capacity register to include “demand project data” in a bid to streamline the connections process for hybrid projects.
Ongoing reforms to the grid connections queue and planning systems are positioned as key to success in the solar roadmap. Changes include increasing the threshold for assessing a project’s assessment on the transmission network from 1 MW to 5 MW in England and Wales, a measure approved by regulator Ofgem in May 2025, and lifting the capacity threshold at which solar projects must receive planning consent from central government from 50 MW to 100 MW in an attempt to secure faster and cheaper consenting for mid-sized projects.
Solar Energy UK has welcomed publication of the roadmap, which includes an introduction from the industry association’s chief executive Chris Hewett. In a press release, Hewett said publishing the roadmap marked “the dawn of a transformative era for how the UK powers itself.”
“The Solar Roadmap highlights dozens of practical measures needed to expand solar generation, boost the supply of cheaper and more secure power, foster new industries, create skilled jobs, boost biodiversity and slash our greenhouse gas emissions.
“The sector is already growing fast, with around 700 small-scale rooftop installations being completed each day, but needs to grow faster,” he said.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
PV Magazine
powerplant
01 July 20255 min readUk Government Unveils Solar Roadmap, Outlines Steps To 47 Gw By 2030
PV Magazine
01 July 2025
powerplant
Belgium Expected To Reach 33.6 Gw Of Pv Capacity By 2035Belgium is projected to reach around 33.6 GW of installed PV capacity by the end of 2035, according to a new report from Belgian grid operator Elia.
The country is also predicted to see its operation PV power increase from around 12.6 GW at the end of 2025 to 22.5 GW at the end of 2030.
“While solar PV is expected to continue being expanded due to falling costs, the development of offshore wind faces more structural challenges that may limit its further growth,” said Elia, noting that wind capacity may grow in the country from around 3.4 GW currently to 7.6 GW by the end of 2035.
In a similar report published in 2017, Elia said it expected the country's PV capacity to reach 18 GW in 2040.
“Electrification and digitalization are triggering a transformation of the Belgian electricity system,” the report's authors stated, noting that the capacity remuneration mechanism (CRM) will be widely utilized to ensure existing and new capacity. “While adequacy is ensured in the short term, additional capacity will be needed from 2028 onwards to maintain the country’s security of supply.”
CRM auctions are pointed out as a potential tool to increase battery storage capacity while keeping “vital” thermal capacity online.
“However, complementary structural measures could be considered to safeguard long-term reliability,” the report noted. “A critical enabler of the ongoing transition is the accelerated development of flexibility across the entire Belgian energy system. From consumer-side response and storage to controllable renewables, flexible resources are essential for managing volatility, ensuring grid stability, and making efficient use of surplus levels of renewable generation.”
Solar and wind power curtailment is mentioned in the report as one of the main measures intended to increase system flexibility.
At the end of 2024, Belgium’s cumulative solar capacity stood at around 12 GW, which is equivalent to 13% of the country’s electricity consumption last year.
Belgium’s three macro-regions – Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels – each have their own individual regulatory frameworks for solar and renewable energy.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
PV Magazine
powerplant
01 July 20252 min readBelgium Expected To Reach 33.6 Gw Of Pv Capacity By 2035
PV Magazine
01 July 2025
powerplant
Uk Rejects Cfd Bid For 10.5 Gw Morocco Solar-Wind Subsea CableThe UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has said that it will not grant a CfD to a submarine cable project that UK developer Xlinks plans to build to connect a 10.5 GW wind-solar facility in Morocco to locations in Wales and England. The DESNZ had originally planned to award a 25-year CfD to the project.
“The government has concluded that it is not in the UK national interest at this time to continue further consideration of support for the Morocco-UK Power Project,” said the DESNZ. “The government also believes that domestic alternatives can see greater economic benefits whether that be through jobs or supply chains.”
Xlinks said it was “hugely” surprised and “bitterly” disappointed by the government's decision.
“The project requires no upfront government investment and offered a highly competitive CfD strike price,” Xlinks Chairman Dave Lewis said in a statement. “It would reduce wholesale electricity prices by over 9% in its first year; bring in GBP20 billion of socio-economic value, including a GBP 5 billion ($6.9 billion) injection into the UK’s green industries; provide 8% of the UK’s electricity needs at a time when demand is rocketing; cut power sector CO2 emissions by c.10% in its first year; and increase energy security through increased diversity of supply and reduced reliance on imported gas.”
Xlinks said it will not abandon the project, which already saw around GBP 100 million being spent for its development. “Demand from lenders to participate in the construction phase is greater than we require,” said Lewis, without providing additional details.
In May 2022, UK investment firm Octopus Energy signed an agreement with Xlinks to develop the huge facility. It was planned to include 7 GW of solar, 3.5 GW of wind, and 5 GW/20 GWh of battery storage capacity in Morocco.
The wind-solar complex was designed to connect to the UK power network at Alverdiscott, Devon, and Pembroke via a 3,800 km high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line. The developer said the project would use four separate cables, making it the longest subsea power transmission link in the world.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
PV Magazine
powerplant
01 July 20252 min readUk Rejects Cfd Bid For 10.5 Gw Morocco Solar-Wind Subsea Cable
PV Magazine
01 July 2025
powerplant
Premier Energies Commissions 1.2 Gw Topcon Solar Cell Line In TelanganaPremier Energies Limited has commissioned a new 1.2 GW tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell manufacturing line at its facility in Telangana.
The company is among the first few solar manufacturers in India to operationalise a TOPCon cell line, capable of achieving solar cell efficiencies exceeding 25 per cent. The facility features an advanced 16-busbar architecture, which enhances power density and energy yield under real-world conditions.
Powerline
powerplant
30 June 20251 min readPremier Energies Commissions 1.2 Gw Topcon Solar Cell Line In Telangana
Powerline
30 June 2025
powerplant
Sunkind Partners With Ja Solar For 6.4 Gw Of Pv Manufacturing In IndiaFrom pv magazine India
Sunkind Energy has announced a strategic technical partnership with JA Solar to support its upcoming 2.4 GW solar cell and 4 GW module manufacturing facilities in India. Under the collaboration, it will leverage JA Solar’s advanced technologies and supply chain expertise to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and integrate global best practices.
“As India accelerates its transition towards renewable energy, the demand for high-performance solar solutions is at an all‑time high,” said Hanish Gupta, founder and managing director of Sunkind Energy. “Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver world‑class solar cells and modules that support India’s vision for self‑reliant, future‑ready industrial growth.”
JA Solar’s expertise in tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) cell technology and advanced production will support Sunkind’s entry into solar manufacturing, aiming to boost output and meet global standards.
Founded in 2019, Sunkind has delivered more than 150 MW of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects and is expanding into solar cell and module production, energy storage, electric vehicle infrastructure, and tracker systems.
JA Solar, founded in 2005, has shipped more than 280 GW of PV products to 178 countries as of the first quarter of 2025.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
PV Magazine
powerplant
30 June 20252 min readSunkind Partners With Ja Solar For 6.4 Gw Of Pv Manufacturing In India
PV Magazine
30 June 2025
powerplant
China To Deploy 253 Gw Of Pv For Desert Control In Arid NorthChina has approved a new plan to tap its vast desert solar potential while addressing land degradation.
The Photovoltaic Desertification Control Plan (2025-30) – released by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and the National Energy Administration (NEA) – aims to install 253 GW of solar capacity and rehabilitate 1.66 million acres (673,670 hectares) of desertified land by 2030.
The initiative targets the “Three North” region – northern, northeastern, and northwestern China – which includes eight major deserts and four sandy regions spanning more than 100 million hectares. These areas receive some of China’s highest solar irradiation but face extreme ecological fragility, with limited water, sparse vegetation, and high wind erosion.
Authorities said solar deployment must follow “ecological priority and coordinated development.” The plan divides the region into three climate zones and five priority development areas, including the fringes of the Taklimakan and Tengger deserts. It calls for pilot projects that integrate solar with land rehabilitation and includes safeguards for site selection, construction, and operations to limit ecological impact.
While the economic advantages are clear – desert solar farms offer low land costs, high irradiation, and favorable electricity prices – the plan also targets reduced afforestation costs. Conventional tree-planting can cost up to CNY 12,000 ($1,650) per acre, while solar-linked approaches can lower that to CNY 1,800 to CNY 3,000, due to revenue from electricity generation.
Additional income could come from carbon credits, government subsidies for land restoration, and co-located agriculture or livestock. The Kubuqi project in Inner Mongolia, for example, combines 2 GW of solar with tomato and desert herb cultivation, generating over CNY 1 billion per year. Battery storage and hydrogen facilities further boost the projects’ economic and energy value.
Challenges remain. Grid infrastructure in remote areas is often inadequate to handle added generation, and some developers focus on capacity rather than ecological integration.
To address this, Beijing directed local governments to adopt integrated planning, involve farmers and communities, and encourage innovation. If successful, the plan could serve as a model for sustainable development in fragile environments.
As with other major infrastructure projects in China, the plan’s rollout will be guided by detailed actions under the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan. Large state-owned energy firms are expected to lead implementation, potentially providing strong support for China’s solar supply chain.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
PV Magazine
powerplant
30 June 20253 min readChina To Deploy 253 Gw Of Pv For Desert Control In Arid North
PV Magazine
30 June 2025
powerplant
Geothermal Investment Soars 85% As Innovative Tech Unlocks 500 Gw Us PotentialWood Mackenzie's latest Geothermal Market Update reveals that next-generation technologies including enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), advanced geothermal systems (AGS), and super-hot rock technology are fundamentally transforming the sector. These innovations make geothermal energy accessible almost anywhere, not just traditional high-temperature sites.
Commercial breakthrough demonstrates viability
Commercial activity accelerated dramatically, with 47 new wells announced in Q1 2025 – an 80% increase year-on-year. This rise was largely driven by the expansion of low-carbon heating initiatives in Europe. The United States and Turkey led the way, together accounting for nearly half of all planned wells. Fervo Energy's 500 MW Cape Station project in Utah demonstrates commercial viability at $79 per megawatt hour without subsidy, signaling the technology's competitive potential against traditional power sources.
"Next-generation geothermal technologies are fundamentally changing the energy landscape by making this reliable, 24/7 clean power source available almost anywhere," said Annick Adjei, senior research analyst, upstream and carbon management/subsurface at Wood Mackenzie. "With $1.7 billion in Q1 2025 funding alone and projects like Fervo's 500 MW Cape Station demonstrating commercial viability at $79 per megawatt hour, we're witnessing the emergence of a technology that could provide 15% of global power by 2050 while addressing the critical need for baseload renewable energy."
Massive untapped potential awaits development
Currently supplying less than 1% of global energy needs, geothermal could provide 15% of worldwide power by 2050. The US leads global geothermal power production, yet its 4 GW of installed capacity leaves vast resources untapped. Total potential US geothermal capacity exceeds 500 GW, with the best sites in western states featuring temperatures above 150°C and heat flow rates exceeding 80 milliwatts per square metre.
Canada shows significant potential for geothermal power generation, mainly in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Yukon, plus Nova Scotia.
Investment confidence has strengthened significantly, with 41% of the sector's nearly $2 billion total investment raised in 2024 alone. Major partnerships have emerged, including Canadian Deep Earth Energy's collaboration with SLB on Canada's first next-generation project in Saskatchewan.
Under a net-zero scenario, Wood Mackenzie estimates these next generation technologies could account for 46% of total geothermal output by 2050.
Technology breakthrough addresses traditional barriers
Three breakthrough technologies are driving this revolution. Enhanced geothermal systems access energy from hot dry rock using hydraulic fracturing techniques. Advanced geothermal systems employ closed-loop circulation without extracting formation fluids. Super-hot rock technology targets temperatures above 374°C at depths exceeding five kilometres.
These innovations address traditional barriers including high costs, location constraints, and technological limitations that previously restricted geothermal development to specific geological conditions.
Government support accelerates development
The US Department of Energy's $1.36 billion conditional commitment to Project ATLiS for lithium extraction from geothermal brines demonstrates the technology's expanding applications beyond power generation. Exploration activities expanded with new lease awards in Chile, Alaska and Utah covering over 100,000 acres.
Policy momentum builds across North America, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright advocating for next-generation technologies whilst federal initiatives streamline permitting and accelerate development. States including Colorado, Nevada, Utah and North Dakota emerge as development leaders, whilst Canada allocated over CA$50 million in 2024.
"The geothermal sector's 80% increase in new well announcements and nearly $2 billion in total investment reflects unprecedented confidence in technologies that unlock America's vast untapped resources," Adjei concluded.
Positioning for clean energy transition
The sector's transformation from niche applications to mainstream energy solution reflects technological maturation and growing recognition of geothermal's unique advantages: reliable 24/7 generation, minimal land footprint, and compatibility with existing grid infrastructure.
As costs decline and deployment scales increase, geothermal energy positions itself as a cornerstone technology for North America's clean energy transition, offering the baseload renewable generation essential for grid stability as intermittent sources expand.
Renewable Energy Magazine
powerplant
30 June 20254 min readGeothermal Investment Soars 85% As Innovative Tech Unlocks 500 Gw Us Potential
Renewable Energy Magazine
30 June 2025
powerplant
Longi And Pertamina Nre To Set Up 1.6 Gw Solar Panel Plant In IndonesiaLONGi has partnered with Pertamina New & Renewable Energy (Pertamina NRE) to establish a solar panel manufacturing facility in Indonesia.
The plant will be located in Deltamas, West Java, and will have an annual production capacity of 1.6 GW. It will deploy LONGi’s hybrid passivated back contact 2.0 technology. Manufacturing preparations are scheduled to commence by June 2025. The project is aimed at enhancing Indonesia’s domestic solar manufacturing capacity and advancing its national energy transition goals.
Powerline
powerplant
26 June 20251 min readLongi And Pertamina Nre To Set Up 1.6 Gw Solar Panel Plant In Indonesia
Powerline
26 June 2025
powerplant
Adani Group Plans Usd15–20 Billion Annual Investment To Achieve 100 Gw Power Capacity By 2030Reportedly, Adani Group has announced plans to invest USD15–20 billion annually over the next five years to expand its total power generation capacity to 100 GW by 2030.
The targeted capacity will comprise a mix of thermal, renewable, and pumped hydro sources. In 2024-25, the group invested over USD14.65 billion, with energy infrastructure being a key focus area. The expansion aligns with the group’s strategy to deepen its presence across the energy value chain and support India’s clean energy transition.
Powerline
powerplant
26 June 20251 min readAdani Group Plans Usd15–20 Billion Annual Investment To Achieve 100 Gw Power Capacity By 2030
Powerline
26 June 2025
powerplant