Aslan, Karimun Sign MU CITY Deal: Singapore-based clean energy infrastructure company Aslan Energy Capital plans to invest around $2.3 billion over the next 3 years to build a large integrated clean energy and innovation hub in Indonesia. Under a Heads of Agreement with the Government of Karimun Regency in Riau Islands, Aslan said it will develop MU CITY, which stands for Mobility and Utility, on 4,000 hectares, integrating 3 complementary development zones. This will comprise a clean energy hub that will act as its energy backbone, anchored by large-scale solar power plants, advanced battery energy storage systems (BESS), LNG import facilities, CCGTs, and blue ammonia tank complexes. The site will also include a mobility and manufacturing hub dedicated to battery manufacturing, green industrial production, among others. Another development zone will be AI and digital infrastructure that will include up to 1.21 GW of hyperscale data center capacity. All of these will be powered by up to 2 GW of solar power and 2 GW of gas-based power. The remaining electricity from this capacity will be exported to ASEAN nations.
Northern Star proposes RE hub: Australia-based gold producer Northern Star Resources has proposed to build a renewable energy hub to power its Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) operations, located near Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia. The Kalgoorlie Regional Renewable Energy Project will comprise up to 32 wind turbines and a solar farm with a combined production capacity of 366 MW, along with a 300 MWh BESS. The project will also see the company install a 132 kV underground transmission line to connect with its infrastructure at KCGM. Northern Star plans to build the project through Northern Star (EGP) Pty Ltd., which is now seeking approval from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Western Australia.
99.99 MW AC floating solar project: Malaysia’s Solarvest Holdings Berhad will build a 99.99 MW AC floating solar project in Malaysia. The company secured the EPCC contract worth MYR 320 million under the country’s Large Scale Solar 5 (LSS5) program. Solarvest won the project from Wawasan Demi Sdn. Bhd., which is majority owned by AIZO Group Berhad. Located in Kampar, Perak, the facility is scheduled to enter commercial operation on October 30, 2027.
FID for New Zealand project: New Zealand’s Genesis Energy has reached final investment decision (FID) for its Edgecumbe Solar Farm in the Bay of Plenty. This project, with 136 MW installed capacity, is expected to generate close to 238 GWh annually. Following the FID, construction on site can resume with initial generation planned for H2 2027. Genesis has appointed Horizon Networks and METLEN for grid connection and EPC services, respectively.
Financing for rooftop project in Vietnam: Actis-backed Levanta Renewables has secured financing for the ‘largest’ centralized operational rooftop solar project. The Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) has approved the financing agreement for a 13.3 MW rooftop PV project in Vietnam’s Dong Nai province. Levanta calls it the company’s 1st successfully executed project financing in the country.
FRV’s new Australia solar and storage project: FRV Services Australia Pty Limited, a part of FRV Australia, has submitted an environmental referral for its Texas Solar Farm and BESS in New South Wales (NSW). The project will comprise up to 200 MW of solar along with a 550 MW/2,200 MWh BESS, according to its application with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for consideration under the federal EPBC Act.
100 MW floating solar project in the Maldives: Abraxas Power Corp. has started work on Project Solar City in the Maldives, which will see the company deploy a large-scale 100 MW floating solar project, the country’s 1st such installation. Located around 4 km offshore from Hulhumalé, the project will be grid-connected via a submarine cable. Project Solar City is the country’s 1st Special Economic Zone (SEZ) development. Abraxas has started mobilization, coastal works, and land reclamation activities on the supporting islands after securing environmental approval for the project. With an estimated project investment of over $100 million, the total SEZ investment is expected to exceed $187 million. Abraxas says the project is being developed by its project company, APM SPV Pvt Ltd.
Solar for railway in Japan: Hokkaido Railway Company has entered an off-site power purchase agreement (PPA) with ENEOS Renewable Energy Corporation (ERE). Under the agreement, ERE will build 2 solar power plants with a combined output of 3.98 kW. This capacity is designed to generate approximately 7.1 million kWh annually, which the ERE will supply to Hokkaido Electric Power. These projects will utilize the abandoned Hidaka Line site, stated ERE. According to the ERE, this clean energy will operate parts of the JR East and Chitose lines of the railway company, reducing its carbon emissions.
