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Guatemala Opens 1.4 Gw Energy Auction

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Apr 25, 2025

PV Magazine

PV Magazine

From pv magazine LatAm

Guatemala’s Ministry of Energy and Mines and the National Electric Energy Commission (CNEE) has launched an energy auction to contract up to 1,400 MW of guaranteed capacity and associated energy, to be supplied beginning in 2030 for a 15-year term.

President Bernardo Arévalo said the expected investment in generation and transmission ranges from $3 billion to $5 billion. The Wholesale Market Administrator (AMM) will manage the contractual framework.

Eligible projects include renewable sources—solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal – as well as “low-emission” non-renewables such as natural gas, ethanol, and propane. Authorities will prioritize sustainability and emissions reduction.

The auction will award contracts based on lowest generation cost. Due to its flexible structure, the process includes two energy blocks: a base block for all hours and a complementary block for peak demand.

Winning projects may begin supplying energy on May 1 of 2030, 2031, 2032, or 2033, depending on each plant’s development timeline. Contracts will run up to 15 years for new facilities and five years for existing ones.

Developers must submit bids by Oct. 31.

Guatemala had 102 MW of installed PV capacity at the end of 2024, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

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.

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Pexapark Records 24 European Ppas For Over 1.5 Gw In MarchEuropean developers signed 24 PPAs totalling 1,556 MW in March, according to the latest report from Pexapark. The result is a 129% month-on-month increase in February’s disclosed volumes but matches the same amount of deals as recorded the month prior. Corporate PPAs accounted for almost two thirds (62%) of disclosed volume in March, totalling 962 MW, which is more than double February's equivalent. Utility PPAs also saw a sharp jump in volumes month-on-month, from 51 MW in February to 594 MW in March. Solar was the leading technology in March, accounting for 1,389 MW of the signed capacity across 17 deals. The largest deal of the month was an intra-group PPA in Spain. As part of an M&A transaction which saw Spanish multinational electric utility Endesa sell a 49.99% minority stake of EGPE Solar’s 446 MW solar portfolio to Masdar, it also signed 15-year PPAs to offtake all the power generated from across the four solar assets. Meanwhile in Italy, Edison Energia signed two solar PPAs, a 150 MW deal with industrial corporate Prysmian and a baseload offer from a 148 MW asset with IT firm Data4. The two agreements are Italy’s largest solar PPAs linked to individual assets to date and rank fourth and fifth in the country’s largest deals ever. Across the first quarter of 2025, Pexapark recorded 73 PPAs totalling 3,026 MW in capacity. This is down on the first quarter of last year, when 93 deals were signed for 4,279 MW. Pexapark noted that tracked PPA prices fell 1.4% month-on-month in March, settling at €49.50 ($56.26)/MWh. Poland experienced the steepest decline, with prices falling by over 4.7% month-on-month. PPA prices were also down across the British, French, German, Italian, Nordic, Portuguese and Spanish markets. The exception was the Dutch market, where a 1% month-on-month increase was recorded. 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.

Us Distributed Solar Grew 5.4 Gw In 2024

Us Distributed Solar Grew 5.4 Gw In 2024From pv magazine USA The ILSR provides its annual snapshot in its “The State(s) of Distributed solar – 2024” report on the rate of distributed solar adoption, state by state. It found that of the 32 new gigawatts of total solar capacity installed, 5.4 GW was distributed. ILRS defines distributed solar as residential, commercial and industrial (C&I) and community solar. Generally, distributed solar can be owned by individuals, small businesses and public entities. Key findings noted the states in which distributed solar made the most gains since ILSR’s 2023 update: While the residential solar market has dropped by an estimated 25% to 31%, according to Ohm Analytics, the ILSR study finds that in 23 states and the District of Columbia, approximately one in every 25 households now has rooftop solar, an increase of two states over the 2023 study. Community solar Community solar provides a way for people to benefit from solar energy who may be unable to install solar either due to financial restrictions or because they do not have a suitable rooftop for solar. Nineteen states have adopted community solar policies, which support local decision-making and promote its adoption. In its 2024 Community Power Scorecard, ILSR states that “a model community solar policy has no cap, has a fair compensation rate, simplifies the billing process for subscribers, meaningfully accounts for the challenge of reaching low- and moderate-income (LMI) subscribers, and rewards other beneficial development or small subscriber-friendly practices.” Using its Community Solar Tracker, the recent ILSR study finds community solar saturation in nine states: Colorado, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Oregon. Community solar saturation is calculated by dividing installed community solar capacity by state population. Key findings on community solar saturation, 2024: Overall capacity In 2024, the top five solar capacity states include: California (39.4 GW), Texas (25.4 GW), Florida (13.8 GW) and North Carolina (7.3 GW) and Arizona (1.8 GW). In terms of distributed solar saturation, Hawai’i, Maine, Massachusetts, California and Arizona are the leaders, as measured by installed distributed solar capacity per person. Massachusetts, California, Arizona, Nevada, New York are all in the top ten for both total solar capacity and distributed solar saturation. ILSR analysis combined data from its community solar tracker data in Colorado, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Oregon with the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) figures on small-scale solar capacity by state. (The U.S. EIA did not provide data on Alabama.) ILSR then used state population estimates to calculate distributed solar per capita (watts per person). John Farrell, director of ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative, and Timothy Denherder-Thomas, general manager of Cooperative Energy Futures, discussed utility attacks on distributed solar in a recent presentation to Just Solar Coalition. They made the case that, despite the many benefits of local ownership, utility companies oppose it and prefer to build their own generation and distribution infrastructure because they are guaranteed to earn a guaranteed return on their investments. The presenters said that the clean energy transition requires both utility-scale and distributed generation and encouraged “maximizing local solar to maximize local benefits.” 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.

Emmvee Expands Solar Module Capacity To 6.6 Gw

Emmvee Expands Solar Module Capacity To 6.6 GwFrom pv magazine India Emmvee has inaugurated a 2 GW solar module facility near Bengaluru’s international airport, raising its total module capacity to 6.6 GWp and cell capacity to 2.5 GWp. The expansion marks a significant step in scaling its solar manufacturing footprint in India. “This is yet another step in the company’s dedication to supporting India’s renewable energy goals and achieving solar manufacturing self-reliance,” said D.V. Manjunatha, Emmvee chairman and managing director. The new manufacturing unit spans approximately 400,000 square feet and will accommodate more than 500 new employees, including core engineering professionals, senior management, factory operations, and administrative staff. Emmvee currently employs over 2,000 people, and the additional hires will expand its workforce further. “The new facility will bolster our production capacity, which will enable us to better service our customers,” said Suhas Donthi, president and CEO of Emmvee. “We are not merely increasing capacity but also enhancing our technological advancements and business operations. The unit is designed with advanced automation, multiple level of quality control and is versatile to produce different module sizes and formats.” Emmvee serves customers across Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America. 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.

South Korea’S 2024 Solar Additions Surpassed 3.1 Gw

South Korea’S 2024 Solar Additions Surpassed 3.1 GwSouth Korea deployed over 3.1 GW of solar last year, according to provisional figures published by the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). The utility’s figures are considered provisional as they currently exclude self-consumption installations. Solar deployment in Korea is broadly categorized into power generation for sale and self-consumption installations. To put the figures in a wider context, South Korea deployed almost 3.7 GW of solar across both categories in 2023, according to figures from KEPCO, with almost 2.8 GW based on power generation for sale and just under 900 MW of self-consumption installations. The preliminary result is already an improvement on estimates made after the first half of 2024. Jiyhe Gwak, principal researcher at the Korea Institute of Energy Research, told pv magazine that deployment recovered to the 3 GW level last year thanks to improved investment conditions. As of March this year, Korea’s cumulative solar capacity was estimated at 28.15 GW. Gwak added that the Export-Import Bank of Korea is expecting the country to maintain an annual installation level of around 3 GW of solar through to 2030, but noted this would be insufficient to meet targets set by the country's 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand. Finalized in February, the plan sets a target of 55.7 GW of solar by 2030, increasing to 77.2 GW of solar by 2038. “To meet the 2030 target set in the 11th Basic Plan, an average of 4.5 GW of new solar capacity must be added annually. When extended to 2038, this translates to an annual average of approximately 3.5 GW,” Gwak explained. “Given that the current short-term target for new capacity is around 4 GW per year over the next two years, more aggressive efforts will be required to stay on track.” Gwak went on to say that while Korea’s solar market has strong growth potential, it continues to face structural challenges including grid constraints, policy uncertainty, complex permitting procedures, high generation costs, declining profitability and supply chain vulnerabilities. “Key areas for improvement include regulatory support for corporate power purchase agreements, resolving grid connection issues, expanding long-term fixed-price schemes, providing incentives for RE100-aligned companies and enhancing local acceptance,” Gwak said. Last month, Korea’s Energy and Just Transition Subcommittee announced plans to mandate solar installations on 2,995 parking lots, establish guidelines to expand the available area for floating solar systems on multipurpose dams and launch a local government funding program to improve setback regulations for solar installations. Gwak added that these efforts, along with various policies being implemented by the government and across multiple sectors, “are expected to have a positive impact on the future outlook for solar expansion in South Korea.” 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.

Uk Grid Connections Reform Approved To ‘Axe Zombie Projects’, Fast-Track 65 Gw Solar Deployment

Uk Grid Connections Reform Approved To ‘Axe Zombie Projects’, Fast-Track 65 Gw Solar DeploymentGreat Britain’s grid connection queue will be overhauled in a move the UK government claims could unlock GBP 40 billion in cleantech investment. UK energy regulator Ofgem told pv magazine 65 GW of solar projects are expected to secure a firm connection offer under the reformed queue system. The connections queue for Great Britain's grid has grown tenfold over the past five years and stands as a significant barrier to solar, wind and energy storage deployment. New connection applications were paused by National Energy System Operator (NESO) on Jan. 29, 2025 as a result. NESO’s “TM04+” reform package puts a greater premium on project readiness and the needs of the energy system when assigning grid connections. It represents a marked shift from the “first come, first served” methodology that previously governed the connections queue. Now approved by regulator Ofgem, the connection reforms will reorganize the queue to prioritize projects that are both ready and needed to meet the government’s clean energy targets. The UK government has committed to clean sources accounting for 95% of Great Britain’s energy generation by 2030. A recent update to the amount of solar the UK government expects in the generation mix by 2030 means 65 GW of solar projects in development are expected to receive a firm connection offer under the new connections methodology, up from the 39 GW originally targeted in government plans. Changes will apply to existing projects in the queue as well as new applications, meaning so-called “zombie” projects can be cleared to make way for viable generation, storage and interconnector projects. NESO and network companies are expected to issue revised connection offers in the second half of 2025, with an initial focus on those connecting in 2026 and 2027. Progress through the connections queue will now be determined by a gating system that takes project readiness into account. Proposed transmission-connected projects that do not meet new readiness criteria will be able to apply for a “Gate 1” indicative connection date and indicative connection point. Developers that can satisfy land rights or planning consent requirements can apply for “Gate 2”, the fast stream for projects at transmission and distribution level. Gate 2 projects will be offered a firm connection date. The change comes as NESO continues to develop its Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) for Great Britain, expected in 2026. The plan will provide a blueprint for developing large-scale generation and energy storage. Projects that align with the SSEP are expected to have an easier time securing planning consent – which would support a Gate 2 grid connection application In a press release, NESO Chief Operating Officer Kayte O’Neill said the system operator will bring projects that are “critical and shovel ready” to the front of the queue, “giving developers the certainty they need to support investment decisions.” UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the reforms will “axe zombie projects” while fast-tracking connections for energy generators. “Our message to the global clean energy industry is clear; come and build it in Britain because we are a safe haven,” Miliband said. Ofgem CEO Jonathan Brearly said the more targeted approach to grid connections was expected to unlock GBP 40 billion of investment each year. “The reforms would cut through red tape, consign ‘zombie projects’ to the past and accelerate homegrown renewable power and energy storage connections as we head to 2030,” Brearly 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.

European Renewables Ppa Market Hit 19 Gw In 2024, Says Wood Mackenzie

European Renewables Ppa Market Hit 19 Gw In 2024, Says Wood MackenzieNearly 19 GW of renewables were contracted under PPAs in Europe in 2024, according to Wood Mackenzie. The consultancy’s “Europe Renewables PPA Tracker Report” says Europe’s PPA market surged last year, led by solar and wind projects, which represented 80% of the total contracted capacity. Spain and Germany were the leading European markets, accounting for 30% of total capacity, with Poland, the United Kingdom, and Greece rounding out the top five across all deal counts. Corporate PPAs continued to dominate the market, representing over 70% of last year’s deals. Dan Eager, research director of European renewables at Wood Mackenzie, said the technology and data sectors were the primary offtakers in 2024. He added that these sectors are “increasingly relying on PPAs to sustain their future operations and meet sustainability goals.” Wood Mackenzie’s report also noted an increase in PPAs for renewables co-located with battery storage, which it said helps to address negative pricing periods. “While still a small part of the overall market, hybrid storage arrangements that combine renewables and batteries in a single contract are gaining traction, particularly among energy-intensive industries and data centers seeking 24/7 energy matching,” added Eager. Wood Mackenzie said it expects continued opportunities for competitive PPA deals this year and next, especially in solar and select onshore wind markets. The report also projected that hydrogen PPAs could emerge, depending on regulatory clarity. According to Wood Mackenzie’s wholesale market modeling, capture rates are set to decrease over the next five to seven years, with demand growth expected to lag behind renewable supply additions. “Over this period, average market prices will also be falling as European gas prices decline. In turn, the capture price and risk components in PPA pay-as-nominated prices will evolve,” Eager explained. “While market conditions vary, our fundamentals-based forecasting indicates that there are still opportunities for mutually beneficial PPA deals. The key will be navigating the complexities of each market and technology to find the right fit for both developers and offtakers.” 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.

Kentucky Energy Group Breaks Ground For New Rice Power Plant

Kentucky Energy Group Breaks Ground For New Rice Power PlantA Kentucky energy provider has broken ground for a new 75-MW power plant that will use reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) technology from Wärtsilä. The Kentucky Municipal Energy Agency on April 15 held a groundbreaking ceremony for its Energy Center I, what the group calls a state-of-the-art gas-fired RICE power plant. Commercial operation is expected to begin in the summer of 2027. KYMEA is a public power agency formed in 2015 that serves communities across Kentucky. “This innovative facility will enhance energy reliability and support KYMEA’s commitment to integrating renewable energy sources into a sustainable energy portfolio,” KYMEA said. The KYMEA Energy Center I will feature four advanced Wärtsilä 18V50SG RICE generators, each with a nominal output capacity of 18.8 MW. The plant is engineered for both continuous and peaking services, with the capability for multiple quick starts and stops per day. “This flexibility enables the facility to rapidly respond to fluctuations in renewable energy availability, thereby ensuring a consistent and reliable power supply,” KYMEA said. Doug Buresh, KYMEA’s CEO, said, “KYMEA’s groundbreaking ceremony marks a critical milestone in the agency’s broader strategy to diversify its energy mix while promoting a cleaner, more resilient power grid. The Energy Center I RICE Power Plant will be an essential part of the energy infrastructure that will serve Kentucky’s municipals for decades to come.” KYMEA said support from the city of Madisonville was instrumental in the plant’s development. “Local officials and community leaders have actively collaborated with KYMEA to ensure the project meets both regional energy needs and local economic goals, fostering a collaborative spirit that underscores the collective commitment to sustainable growth,” the agency said. The construction phase of Energy Center I is expected to create about 100 local jobs, with up to 15 permanent positions available once the facility is operational. The Christman Co. and Stanley Consultants will lead the engineering and construction efforts for the plant. “We are honored to contribute to such a transformative project,” said Troy Moulton, Vice President-Industrial and Power, for The Christman Co. “By bringing our expertise and dedication to local job creation and superior development, we are proud to support KYMEA in powering Kentucky’s future.” “The KYMEA Energy Center I represents KYMEA’s commitment to providing environmentally intelligent and reliable energy solutions,” the company said. “This project is a testament to our dedication to serving the community with integrity and innovation,” KYMEA said. —Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.

Eos And Frontier Sign Mou For 5Gwh Energy Storage Framework

Power Technology

Eos And Frontier Sign Mou For 5Gwh Energy Storage FrameworkEos Energy Enterprises has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Frontier Power for a 5 gigawatt-hour (GWh) energy storage framework agreement. The partnership marks Eos’ entry into the UK market, utilising its zinc-based long-duration energy storage systems. The gold standard of business intelligence. Find out more The agreement aligns with Frontier’s plans to bid in the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets’ (Ofgem) new long-duration energy storage cap and floor scheme. The collaboration between Eos and Frontier will extend beyond the UK, exploring opportunities in new international markets. Frontier Power CEO Humza Malik stated: “This agreement reflects Frontier Power’s commitment to driving innovation in clean energy while fostering international collaboration. “By working with Eos, we are advancing our portfolio of long-duration storage projects and strengthening trade relations between the US and UK. The prospect of local manufacturing in the UK could further boost economic growth and job creation.” The partnership could also lead to local manufacturing in the UK, fostering domestic supply chains and job creation, contingent on significant project volumes materialising with Eos technology. The UK’s cap and floor scheme, managed by Ofgem and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, aims to provide revenue certainty for innovative energy storage technologies. It encourages investment in alternatives to lithium-ion, aligning with the UK’s goals of grid stability and increased renewable integration. Eos’ eight-hour technology is well-suited for the scheme, supporting the UK’s broader objectives. Eos CEO Joe Mastrangelo stated: “Our supply chain strategy was designed to be transportable. We can co-locate manufacturing capacity near customer demand and not only provide innovative energy storage, but sustainable jobs in regions that have demand for our technology. As that demand grows, both domestically and internationally, we’ll expand our manufacturing footprint, and we’re excited to partner with Frontier to execute on that vision in the UK market and beyond.”