10-Year VPPA for Johnson & Johnson: Enel Green Power Espana (EGPE) has entered into a 10-year pan-European virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with healthcare company Johnson & Johnson (J&J) for a total 104 MW renewable energy capacity. With this, Johnson & Johnson has committed to 270 GWh annually which will originate from 2 wind power plants in Cuenca and a 47 MW Veracruz Solar Project in Badajoz, Spain. The solar project will supply 15% of the total capacity contracted. It will enable Johnson & Johnson to the equivalent of 100% renewable electricity in Europe by 2023. A VPPA arrangement provides the offtaker a financial price hedging and corresponding Guarantees of Origin linked with the energy production from renewable energy plants.
Solar PPA for Canadian Solar in Italy: Canadian Solar has entered a 10-year PPA with European energy company Centrica Energy Trading for 12 MW solar power capacity in Italy. The 2 projects of 6 MW each in Trapani and Enna, in Sicily region are currently under development. Canadian Solar plans to begin construction on site before the end of 2021. On completion and commercial operations in April 2022, Centrica Energy will purchase power generated by high efficiency solar modules of Canadian Solar. The 2 projects are expected to generate around 23 GWh electricity annually. Canadian Solar said the 12 MW capacity is part of a 1.3 GW portfolio of subsidy-free solar assets the company is developing in Italy. Previously, in May 2021 Canadian Solar entered a 10-year PPA with Axpo Italia for 12 MW PV capacity in Italy (see Long Term Solar PPA Signed For 12 MW Capacity In Italy).
Bosnian utility wants land for solar projects: The electricity utility of Bosnia Elektroprivreda Bosne i Hercegovine (EPBiH) has launched a tender inviting local self-government units and legal and natural persons to express interest in selling or leasing their land to enable solar PV power plant construction. EPBiH wants to access land with higher solar irradiance where it can set up projects with 25-year operational life. In a notice on its website, the utility said it will be accepting responses till December 31, 2021. In May 2021, another BiH utility, EPHZHB launched an expression of interest to seek solar, wind and hydropower projects to expand its renewable energy portfolio (see Bosnian Utility Seeking Renewable Energy Projects).
Power China woos Montenegro: Chinese EPC services provider for energy facilities globally, PowerChina is exploring the renewable energy market of Montenegro, with an emphasis on development of solar power plants. Recently, its representatives met their counterparts from government owned electricity utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) to discuss mutual interest in cooperation in this field, the latter announced. In June 2021, EPCG said it wants to develop a floating solar power plant on Slano Lake.