50 GWh solar PPA in Malaysia: Global semiconductor company for electronic applications STMicroelectronics has entered a 21-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for close to 50 GWh/year of renewable energy supply in Malaysia. Under the contract, BKH Solar Sdn Bhd will facilitate the supply from a 30 MW new solar farm in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah, Malaysia. Due to come into force in 2025, this agreement is undertaken under the Corporate Green Power Program introduced by the Malaysian Single Buyer in 2023, it added. BKH is a joint venture between Engie Renewable SEA Pte Ltd and Conextone Energy Sdn Bhd. It will provide a significant amount of renewable energy for ST’s operations in its high-volume test and assembly site in Muar, Johor, Malaysia, said the company’s EVP and Chief Procurement Officer Geoff West. For STMicroelectronics, this is its maiden PPA in Malaysia that advances its plans to become carbon neutral in its operations by 2027, including sourcing 100% renewable energy by 2027.
2 GW solar module deal in the Philippines: Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation (CREC), a renewable energy developer in the Philippines, has signed a 2 GW solar module supply contract with China’s Trinasolar. This is the largest contract between the 2 companies, they stated. Trinasolar will supply its Vertex N 720W series (NEG21C.20) solar modules to CREC for it to use in its projects. Some of these will be deployed for projects under the country’s Green Energy Auction. CREC says these projects are part of its target to deliver 5 GW renewable energy capacity in 5 years.
320 MW solar plant in NSW moves forward: The New South Wales (NSW) Independent Planning Commission (IPC) in Australia has given conditional approval to a 320 MW solar farm with 320 MW/780 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). A TotalEnergies Renewables Australia (TERA) project, the Middlebrook Solar Farm Pty Ltd near Tamworth is now a significant development as it has the potential to generate enough renewable energy to power close to 122,200 homes and create up to 400 construction-related and up to 15 operational jobs. It, however, needs to conduct additional soil surveys and land and soil capability mapping, vegetation screening of the BESS and substation, and submit a decommissioning and rehabilitation plan among other conditions set by the commission.
Partnership for floating solar in Malaysia: Abu Dhabi’s Masdar has signed a joint study agreement with Malaysia’s Sarawak Energy and clean energy solutions provider Gentari to explore a floating solar power plant in Malaysia. The trio plans to assess the feasibility of such a project at the reservoir of Murum Hydroelectric Plant in Sarawak state. If implemented, it would be a ‘pioneering model’ for floating solar projects across the region. Masdar said this deal follows its agreement with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority in 2023 for 10 GW of clean energy development in the Asian nation.
Electricity pricing review in Australia: The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is reviewing electricity pricing in the country with a view to design a pricing framework for energy consumers. This is necessary as more and more Aussies opt for solar panels, batteries, electric vehicles (EV), and neighborhood batteries, broadly known as consumer energy resources. AEMC Chair Anna Collyer explained, “With one in four Australian homes now having solar panels, and predictions of one in two by 2040, we need to ensure our pricing frameworks keep pace with how consumers want to use and interact with the energy system.” The AEMC has developed the final Terms of Reference and a consultation paper regarding this. The latter covers market arrangements, the role of distribution networks, and the role of retailers and energy service providers. It has now invited submissions to the Consultation Paper that are due by December 12, 2024. It will help publish a Directions Paper in April next year, to be followed by a Draft Report in the following September, and a Final Report in March 2026.
120 MW solar plant in Nepal: Indian alkaline electrolyzer manufacturer Greenzo Energy will provide its EPC services to develop a 120 MW ground-mounted solar power project in Nepal. The company secured a INR 5 billion ($59.24 million) contract to connect the project to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) grid by 2025. It will be constructed in 12 clusters of 10 MW each, according to local media reports.
150 MW solar project in Taiwan: US-based renewable energy companies Elapath Energy and RenewableErgon have joined hands for a 150 MW solar energy project in Taiwan’s Budai in Chiayi County. The $250 million project will be built in 2 phases. Phase I is scheduled to be launched in December 2024 and completed by February 20, 2025. Both partners said that the project is backed by a 20-25-year insurance policy to ensure sustainability and energy reliability for the community in Budai.
Jinko ESS in Thailand: Chinese solar PV manufacturer JinkoSolar’s energy storage system (ESS) arm, Jinko ESS, has secured a contract in Thailand for 4 of its SunGiga C&I All-in-One ESS with UBLOTECH INTERTRADE COMPANY LIMITED. UBLOTECH is Jinko’s local official distributor. Out of the 4 SunGiga systems, one will be installed at UBLOTECH’s warehouse for the latter’s own energy consumption. The remaining 3 are earmarked for commercial and industrial (C&I) projects that are set to start early next year. Jinko claims its SunGiga C&I ESS facilitates easy scaling and customization to meet the specific needs of diverse projects.