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18 June 2025
Renewable Watchpowerplant
Jun 18, 2025Renewable Watch
Scale Microgrids has closed $275 million in new project financing, bringing the total financing raised by the company to over $1 billion. The financing will support 140 MW of distributed generation projects, including the company’s community-scale solar and storage and battery storage installations. The projects are spread across US in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and California.
Furthermore, KeyBanc Capital Markets, Cadence Bank, and New York Green Bank led the transaction. Additional participating lenders included Investec, Mitsubishi HC Capital America, and Connecticut Green Bank. The financing raised from the participating lenders includes construction loans, tax equity bridge loans, letters of credit, and term loans for projects. Additionally, the projects will enter commercial operations in 2025 and 2026.
Earlier in December 2024, Scale Microgrids secured $150 million in Tax Equity financing from Truist Bank. The financing was for the construction of microgrid projects for commercial and industrial customers, as well as community-scale solar and battery storage facilities. The projects will be developed across the states of California, Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania in US.
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Australia Seeking 5 Gw Of Renewables Via Capacity Investment SchemeFrom pv magazine Australia
Bids have opened for Australia's Capacity Investment Scheme Tender 7, targeting 5 GW of renewable generation in the NEM. Projects must be operational by Dec. 31, 2030, with earlier delivery given higher merit.
The allocation for the total 5 GW includes a minimum 1.7 GW target for New South Wales, 1 GW for Victoria, 300 MW for Tasmania, and 2 GW unallocated, potentially awarded to projects in Queensland or South Australia.
Tender 7 excludes Victorian solar and solar-hybrid projects under the renewable energy transformation agreement between the federal and Victorian governments, as well as virtual power plants and the use of native forest wood waste. Hybrid projects in other jurisdictions may apply, subject to conditions.
Bid submissions for CIS Tender 7 close on Dec. 9, 2025, with successful bids announced in May 2026.
A previous NEM generation tender, CIS Tender 4, opened in November 2024 and awarded 6.6 GW of renewable generation on Oct. 9, 2025. Twelve hybrid projects – 11 solar battery and one wind battery – will provide a total of 11.4 GWh of storage capacity.
CIS Tender 8, focused on NEM dispatchable capacity, is expected to open in November 2025, with additional tenders planned throughout 2026.
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17 October 20252 min readAustralia Seeking 5 Gw Of Renewables Via Capacity Investment Scheme
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17 October 2025
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Uk’S Largest Solar Project Approved, Joins 2.1 Gw ClusterThe Tillbridge Solar Project has been granted final approval in England, clearing the way for Tribus Clean Energy and Recurrent Energy to begin work at the site.
Located east of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, the project has secured a 500 MW grid connection and will be developed on a 1,400-hectare site – the largest UK solar project approval to date. The PV plant is expected to make up around 900 hectares of the site, with the remaining 500 hectares left undeveloped.
Tillbridge is the 17th major renewable energy project approved through the UK government’s nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP) for major infrastructure projects since the Labour Party secured a majority in the July 2024 general election. It is also the latest approval in a cluster of large-scale solar projects that have secured development consent in the local area.
Four utility-scale projects with a combined capacity of nearly 2.1 GW have been approved on sites with boundaries within 8 km of Gainsborough, a rural town with a population of around 21,000. Tillbridge Solar Project joins the 480 MW West Burton, 500 MW Gate Burton and 600 MW Cottam Solar, which was the largest capacity project to date when approved in September 2024. The approvals have been met with some opposition from local campaigners, who argue it is inappropriate use of agricultural land.
Major utility-scale projects are needed quickly for the UK government to achieve its clean energy targets for 2030. The government wants to generate at least 95% of electricity from clean sources by then, with a generation mix that includes 45 GW of solar. The latest provisional capacity figures from the UK government recorded 19.6 GW of deployed solar at the end of August 2025.
In a press release, Tribus Clean Energy CEO Luke Murray said he was delighted to secure consent, with the project entering the construction phase. “We’re committed to continue our work with local communities to ensure the project is delivered in a way that respects and works with the area,” he said.
Keith McKinney, General Manager, UK & Ireland at Recurrent Energy, added that the company will “develop the project in a way that gives back to the environment around it, and supports the local communities it is rooted in.”
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17 October 20253 min readUk’S Largest Solar Project Approved, Joins 2.1 Gw Cluster
PV Magazine
17 October 2025
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Shivalaya, Datta Infra, Welspun, Sael Among Winners In Seci’S 2 Gw Solar Plus 4 Gwh Ess AuctionSolar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) auction for setting up 2,000 MW ISTS-connected Solar PV projects with 1,000 MW/4,000 MWh Energy Storage Systems (ESS) (Tranche-XX) has discovered an L1 (lowest bid) price of INR 2.86/kWh.
This is about nine percent lowered than the earlier L1 in Plus 4-Hours of BESS category. The last price discoveries for Solar Plus 4-Hours of BESS were INR 3.52/kWh (SECI), INR 3.32/kWh (SJVN) and INR 3.13/kWh (NHPC).
Welspun Renewable Energy, MB Power (Madhya Pradesh), Shivalaya Construction, Oswal Cables, Purvah Green Power, Banyan Insolation (Datta Infra), LC Infra Projects, Stockwell Solar Services, SAEL Industries, GH2 Solar, and Navayuga Green Energy have emerged as winners.
Welspun Renewable Energy, MB Power (Madhya Pradesh), Shivalaya Construction, Oswal Cables, Purvah Green Power, Banyan Insolation (Datta Infra), LC Infra Projects, and Stockwell Solar Services have quoted INR 2.86/kWh to secure 200 MW, 150 MW, 600 MW, 50 MW, 300 MW, 100 MW, 50 MW, and 80 MW, respectively.
SAEL Industries and GH2 Solar have bagged 300 MW and 50 MW, each, at a tariff of INR 2.87/kWh.
Navayuga won 120 MW out of the quoted capacity of 300 MW under the bucket filing method at a tariff of INR 2.87/kWh.
The tender for this was floated in June 2025.
Selected bidders must develop a transmission network up to the interconnection point at 220 kV or above, including land identification, project installation, ownership, and securing all necessary connectivity and approvals with the ISTS network.
Each project must include an energy storage system with a minimum capacity of 0.5 MW/2 MWh for every 1 MW of installed capacity, either owned by the developer or arranged through a third-party provider. The system must maintain a minimum capacity utilization factor (CUF) between 19 percent and 30 percent.
SECI will enter into a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the selected bidders, with full project supply scheduled to begin within 24 months of the PPA’s effective date. Only solar cells and modules listed in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) should be used in the project.
Energetica India
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17 October 20252 min readShivalaya, Datta Infra, Welspun, Sael Among Winners In Seci’S 2 Gw Solar Plus 4 Gwh Ess Auction
Energetica India
17 October 2025
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South Africa Prepares 5 Gw Nuclear Project To Stabilize GridSouth Africa is preparing a 5 GW nuclear power programme to boost domestic power generation, in partnership with the state-owned South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA), which oversees civilian nuclear development. The initiative is part of the government’s strategy to stabilize the national grid, which has faced chronic power outages (332 days of scheduled blackouts were recorded in 2023, compared to about 205 in 2022).
Details on site locations, technology providers, construction costs, and the project timeline will be announced following government approval. This marks a new step in South Africa’s
energy policy
, two decades after the last expansion of the Koeberg nuclear plant (1.9 GW) near Cape Town, which remains the only operational commercial nuclear facility in Africa.
ENER Data
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16 October 20251 min readSouth Africa Prepares 5 Gw Nuclear Project To Stabilize Grid
ENER Data
16 October 2025
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The Eu Supports 1.9 Gw Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant In Central AsiaThe European Union, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have announced new support and signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to advance the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant project in Kyrgyzstan. This initiative is a trilateral joint venture between the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The hydropower plant will feature four turbines with a combined capacity of 1.9 GW.
The EU and EIB formalised agreements totalling €900m with Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, along with a feasibility study co-funded by the EU and carried out by the World Bank. Meanwhile, the EBRD signed MoUs with the same countries and is considering a financing package of up to €1.3bn to support the project.
Once completed, the Kambarata-1 plant will be the largest power facility in Kyrgyzstan and one of the largest in Central Asia.
ENER Data
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15 October 20251 min readThe Eu Supports 1.9 Gw Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant In Central Asia
ENER Data
15 October 2025
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German Railway Areas Have 37.6 Gw Of Solar PotentialFrom pv magazine Germany
Germany's Fraunhofer ISE has identified significant potential for PV deployment along Germany’s railway network. It found that areas within 2 km of a substation could host up to 37.6 GW of solar capacity.
The institute said inverters enabling direct feed-in to the railway grid will be key to overcoming regulatory and market barriers that have so far limited such installations. The findings stem from the “PV4Rail” research project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, which seeks to integrate PV directly into the country’s 16.7-hertz single-phase railway grid.
“A significant portion of the energy demand in the railway power grid could, however, be covered by solar PV, because the potential for photovoltaic areas along railway lines is many times higher than the amount of energy required in the railway power grid,” said Andreas Hensel, PV4Rail project manager at Fraunhofer ISE.
Fraunhofer ISE estimated an annual generation potential of 32,920 GWh from solar systems near railway substations, compared with about 7,500 GWh of electricity demand for train operations in 2023. The potential could be even higher considering the nearly 8,000 km of power grid operated by national rail operator Deutsche Bahn.
While Germany has trialed several pilot projects, they have been constrained by grid compatibility and inverter technology. Vensys Elektrotechnik GmbH, a partner in the project, has developed a 2 MW central inverter divided into two 1 MW sections. One of the units, tested at Fraunhofer ISE’s laboratory, achieved 96.6% efficiency.
Fraunhofer ISE has also developed control systems for grid-forming inverter operation, analyzing connection options based on system size. PV systems up to 5 MW could feed directly into overhead lines, while systems up to 12 MW would need to connect via busbars at substations. Larger systems, up to 40 MW, would require dedicated substations with transformers and switchgear to integrate into the 110 kV railway network.
Austria has already demonstrated large-scale solar integration into its railway grid, with multiple systems above 10 MW feeding power directly into the network. Fraunhofer noted, however, that grid-connection standards differ between Austria’s ÖBB and Deutsche Bahn.
Due to the technical and safety requirements of Germany’s railway grid, only voltage-impressing inverters can currently be used. Fraunhofer said this behavior has been validated in simulations under the PV4Rail project and could advance to real-world implementation in a follow-up phase.
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15 October 20253 min readGerman Railway Areas Have 37.6 Gw Of Solar Potential
PV Magazine
15 October 2025
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Oci Holdings Acquires 65% Stake In 2.7 Gw Vietnamese Solar Wafer FactorySouth Korean polysilicon producer OCI Holdings is expanding into the solar wafer market by securing a majority stake in a wafer plant in Vietnam.
The company, via its wholly-owned subsidiary OCI TerraSus, has established special-purpose vehicle OCI ONE that acquired a 65% stake in a 2.7 GW wafer plant currently under construction by Elite Solar Power Wafer Co. Ltd.
Scheduled for completion by the end of the month, the solar wafer manufacturing facility is expected to begin producing non-prohibited foreign entity (PFE) wafers early next year. Non-PFE status allows the solar wafers to bypass US import restrictions that are tied to some foreign supply chains.
Total investment in the plant amounts to $120 million, with OCI ONE’s stake valued at around $78 million. According to a statement published by OCI Holdings, the plant’s capacity could increase to 5.4 GW within six months if a further $40 million is invested.
The plant will be supplied entirely with polysilicon from OCI TerraSus, which OCI’s statement adds will create full vertical integration designed to enhance both competitiveness and profitability.
Woo Hyun Lee, chairman of OCI Holdings, said the investment brings the company closer to building a supply chain that facilitates US exports. “We will continue to strengthen our presence in the global solar market by fostering partnerships with local companies in Southeast Asia,” the chairman added.
In August, South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy urged the US to exempt its companies from polysilicon tariffs, warning restrictions could disrupt $2.8 billion in US solar investments.
OCI and Japanese chemical company Tokuyama Corporation recently started construction of a 10,000 MT polysilicon factory at the Samalaju Industrial Park in Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia.
OCIM Sdn Bhd (OCIMSB), the Malaysian unit of OCI, is currently operating a 35.000 MT polysilicon factory in the Samalaju Industrial Park in Sarawak, Malaysia, which it bought from Tokuyama in 2016.
With this factory, the group's total annual polysilicon output – including its 3,000-MT factory in Gunsan, South Korea – currently amounts to 38,000 MT.
In August 2024, Tokuyama signed an agreement with Thanh Binh Phu My JSC to build a $30 million polysilicon factory at the Phu My 3 Industrial Park in Vietnam's Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.
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14 October 20252 min readOci Holdings Acquires 65% Stake In 2.7 Gw Vietnamese Solar Wafer Factory
PV Magazine
14 October 2025
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Essar Renewables Signs Inr 20,000 Crore Mou With Gujarat Govt To Develop 4 Gw Re ProjectsEssar Renewables has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Gujarat to invest INR 20,000 crore in developing 4 GW of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and battery storage facilities across Kutch, Jamnagar, and Devbhumi Dwarka districts of Gujarat.
The MoU was exchanged during the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (North Gujarat) held at Mehsana, Gujarat.
The signing took place in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi and was represented by Ankur Kumar, CEO, Essar Renewables. The MoU is aligned with the state’s focus on building a green energy ecosystem for energy independence, aligned with the vision of Viksit Gujarat – Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
Essar Renewables focuses on solar, wind, and battery energy storage projects, with plans to develop over 8 GW of capacity within five years. The company aims to expand its renewable portfolio through innovation and strategic partnerships.
Energetica India
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14 October 20251 min readEssar Renewables Signs Inr 20,000 Crore Mou With Gujarat Govt To Develop 4 Gw Re Projects
Energetica India
14 October 2025
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Reliance, Sembcorp, Blupine, And Acme Win Sjvn’S 1.5 Gw Fdre AuctionSJVN has announced the results of its auction to procure 1.5 GW/6 GWh of assured peak power from ISTS-connected renewable energy projects with integrated energy storage systems (ESS).
Reliance NU Energies, Sembcorp Green Infra, Solarcraft Power India 8 (BluPine Energy), and ACME Solar Holdings have emerged as winning bidders to supply 6 GWh of assured peak power (1.5 GW for 4 hours).
Reliance and Sembcorp quoted a tariff of INR 6.74/kWh, securing 750 MW and 150 MW, respectively. Solarcraft Power India 8 won 150 MW at INR 6.75/kWh, while ACME secured 450 MW out of the 600 MW it bid for, under the bucket-filling allocation method.
The tender, issued in December last year, targets four-hour daily peak windows, either from 00:00 to 08:00 or 17:00 to 24:00. Projects can connect solar, wind, or storage capacities to the grid at various ISTS substations, with a minimum interconnection voltage of 220 kV.
Power purchase agreements (PPAs) will run for 25 years from the scheduled commencement of supply or from the date the full project capacity begins supplying power, whichever is later. Selected bidders are required to deliver 100 percent of annual energy as renewable, though up to 5 percent may be sourced through green market transactions or bilateral agreements.
Only commercially proven and operational technologies are allowed to reduce project risk and ensure timely commissioning. Wind turbines must be type-certified and listed in the MNRE’s Revised List of Models and Manufacturers, while solar PV modules must be included in the MNRE’s List-I of Approved Models and Manufacturers.
Energetica India
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12 October 20252 min readReliance, Sembcorp, Blupine, And Acme Win Sjvn’S 1.5 Gw Fdre Auction
Energetica India
12 October 2025
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2 Gw Aquind Interconnector (Uk-France) Blocked Over Public Interest ConcernsThe Aquind interconnector project, a planned 2 GW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power link between Pourville in France and Portsmouth in the United Kingdom, has been denied a maritime concession by local French authorities (Seine-Maritime department), preventing it from using a portion of French territorial waters. According to the French government, the project failed to demonstrate that it serves a public interest at the national level.
Originally proposed in 2016, the project faced a major setback in 2022 when the British government refused to grant its approval. However, this decision was overturned in 2023 following a judicial review by the High Court. The project has progressed through the UK approval process and is currently awaiting a final decision from the UK Secretary of State, it received environmental approval from French authorities in July 2025.
ENER Data
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11 October 20251 min read2 Gw Aquind Interconnector (Uk-France) Blocked Over Public Interest Concerns
ENER Data
11 October 2025
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Avaada Will Build 5 Gw Solar, 1 Gw Wind, 5 Gwh Bess In Gujarat (India)Avaada Group, a diversified Indian energy conglomerate, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Government of Gujarat (India) to invest INR36,000 crore (US$ 4bn) in solar, wind, and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects across the state. Under the agreement, Avaada will develop 5 GW of solar power, 1 GW of wind power, and 5 GWh of BESS capacity across the districts of Kutch, Banaskantha, and Surendranagar. All projects are expected to be commissioned between 2027 and 2030.
In its CEA National Electricity Plan 2022, India aims to install 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based capacity in 2030, with an intermediate target of 358 GW at the end of FY2026. The renewable capacity (including large hydro) reached 198 GW in 2024 (37% of the total country’s electricity capacity mix), 97 GW of which from solar, 52 GW from hydro, and 48 GW from wind.
ENER Data
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11 October 20251 min readAvaada Will Build 5 Gw Solar, 1 Gw Wind, 5 Gwh Bess In Gujarat (India)
ENER Data
11 October 2025
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Avaada Signs Deal For 5 Gw Of Solar, 5 Gwh Of Bess In IndiaFrom pv magazine India
Avaada Group has signed a deal with the government of the Indian state of Gujarat to invest INR 360 billion ($4.06 billion) in renewable energy and battery storage projects.
The agreement covers 5 GW of solar, 1 GW of wind, and 5 GWh of BESS capacity across Kutch, Banaskantha, and Surendranagar districts. Project commissioning is planned between 2027 and 2030.
The integrated renewable-plus-storage portfolio aims to strengthen grid reliability by enabling efficient storage and dispatch of green power. The projects are expected to generate more than 1,000 direct and 2,000 indirect jobs, with up to 5,000 additional roles during construction.
Advanced battery storage will provide firm power beyond solar hours, offset more than 12 million tons of CO₂ annually, and conserve approximately 166 million liters of water through robotic module cleaning technology.
Avaada’s 280 MW solar project in Surendranagar spans 1,170 acres across Tavi and Varsani villages. Developed under the Gujarat State Solar Policy, it required an investment of INR 15 billion and uses tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) n-type bifacial PV modules certified under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the project. He also laid the foundation for a 100 MW solar project in Vadodara district. The project is expected to cost INR 4 billion.
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11 October 20252 min readAvaada Signs Deal For 5 Gw Of Solar, 5 Gwh Of Bess In India
PV Magazine
11 October 2025
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