RE aggregator in Japan: Hokkaido Electric Power Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation have announced the launch of their renewable energy joint venture (JV), Hokkaido Renewable Energy Aggregation (HRA). The JV will aggregate renewable power generated across Hokkaido, Japan from wind and solar projects, and deliver stable, clean energy to the commercial and industrial consumers by flexibly adjusting to the demand.
243 MW moves forward in Australia: A subsidiary of Malaysia’s Petronas, Gentari has received the notice to proceed for its 243 MW DC Maryvale Solar and Energy Storage Project in Australia’s Maryvale in New South Wales (NSW). It will be accompanied by a 2.4 hr advanced lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery energy storage system (BESS). To be equipped with Trinasolar modules, the project’s maximum export capacity into Australia’s National Electricity Market is 172 MW, and it can import up to 91 MW. Construction is scheduled to begin by Q1 2025-end, and commercial operations in Q2 2027.
More solar for Rio Tinto: Global metals mining giant Rio Tinto has entered 2 new solar and battery hybrid services agreements (HAS) with Edify Energy in Australia. It will purchase 90% of the power and battery storage capacity generated by the Smoky Creek & Guthrie’s Gap Solar Power Stations for 20 years to power its Gladstone aluminum operations. Both the projects will install a combined 600 MW AC solar and 2,400 MWh of battery storage capacity. Edify Energy will build, own and operate the projects. “For the first time, we have integrated crucial battery storage in our efforts to make the Boyne aluminium smelter globally cost-competitive, as traditional energy sources become more expensive,” stated Rio Tinto Chief Executive Kellie Parker. Rio Tinto has already contracted 2.2 GW of wind and solar capacity for its Gladstone operations which combines the Boyne smelter, Yarwun alumina refinery and Queensland alumina refinery.
Solarization of Watsons Philippines: Part of the Hong Kong-based health and beauty retailer AS Watson Group, Watsons Philippines says 95 of its stores and all distribution centers in Luzon and Visayas are running on solar energy. It also plans to solarize an additional 30 stores and a distribution center in 2025. According to local media reports, the company’s decision to expand its solar energy use is based on the measurable impact the shift to solar energy has made to its electricity costs, while reducing its carbon footprint.
Solarvest and A1Health: Malaysia-based Solarvest Holdings Berhad will install solar PV systems across various hospitals under A1Health. Solar panels will be deployed for Ara Damansara Medical Centre, Bukit Tinggi Medical Centre, ParkCity Medical Centre and Subang Jaya Medical Centre. Solarvest has already installed solar panels for 14 hospitals under A1Health, including 10 Columbia Asia Hospitals. The 611 kW installed for 4 additional hospitals will generate close to 800,000 kWh annually. Altogether, A1Health has a total solar PV generation of over 5,000,000 kW. It expects to save over MYR 2.7 million ($609,660) with the transition to solar energy.
Fiji airports install solar panels: Fiji Airports has unveiled its sustainability initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint at its airport facilities. This includes solar panel installation at the Nadi International Airport and 4 of the main domestic airports that it manages on behalf of the Fiji government. The Nadi airport has been equipped with a 33 kW hybrid solar system to power 14 electric vehicles (EV) during the day and streetlights in the car park area and external signages at night. Solar panel installations at the Waiqele Airport on Labasa, Savusavu Airport, Matei on Taveuni and Rotuma Airport also form part of this exciting environmental development project, it added. The airport authorities said work is progressing on a 3.5 MW solar farm project that will increase its renewable energy generation capacity.