Matrix and Energia Aljaval to develop 300 MW PV in Italy; enercity acquires 30% stake in Installion; Activisits in Romania protest against high electricity prices; Midsummer lands plum deal in Italy; Croatia plans to hold RE auction in Q3/2022.
300 MW co-development partnership in Italy: Spanish renewable energy companies Matrix Renewables and Energia Aljaval have entered a strategic partnership agreement to co-develop a minimum of 300 MW solar projects in Italy. Matrix says this expands its Italian project development pipeline to close to 1 GW at various phases of development. The company is backed by TPG Rise.
Installion gets enercity as an investor: German electricity utility enercity has picked up around 30% stake in solar installation platform Installion for an undisclosed price. It said this expands enercity's portfolio into a strategically important line of business as it grows in the space of digital and decentralized energy solutions. It explained, "Because the massive expansion of photovoltaics (PV), storage and charging infrastructure can only succeed with a close-knit network of qualified tradesmen." Installion plans to double its existing network from currently 10 to 20 local hubs with over 30 teams by the end of 2022 to be able to ensure efficient installations and on time.
Demand for renewables in Romania: Activists in Romania staged a protest against high electricity bills in Romania outside the Ministry of Energy office, and demanded the government to invest in green energy sources instead. The protestors comprised Declic community which is an online campaigning platform, Greenpeace, bankwatch and 2 Celsius. To mark their protest, the protestors cut off their electricity bills and handed them over to the Secretary of State Dan Dragan in a bag, along with a petition with the title Cut the energy bills, through green investments, signed by more than 46,000 people, according to Greenpeace Romania. They demand the government to aim for 40% electricity share to come from renewables by 2030.
"The more the Ministry of Energy invests in renewable energy sources, the sooner we will see this reflected in lower bills," said Campaign Coordinator for Energy and Climate Greenpeace Romania, Alin Tănase.
Midsummer lands 5-year deal in Italy: Sweden's Midsummer has secured a 5-year deal with the Italian roof maker Unimetal to supply its thin film CIGS modules with up to 5 MW capacity for €9.0 million annually. This takes the total contract value to €45 million for 25 MW panels. The agreement also entails Midsummer to buy up to 50,000 sqm of metal panels from Unimetal for €1.5 million annually for 5 years for close to €30 per sqm. They will together launch a new product for the Southern European market calling it Solar Metal which will be structured with Unimetal's metals and Midusmmer's modules.
Croatia's RE auction news in Q3/2022: The Croatian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development plans to announce an auction for large scale solar and wind farms in Q3/2022, according to local media reports. It would depend on how soon projects are ready to participate in the proceedings. Back in February 2021, the government had announced plans to launch a 400 MW renewables auction without specifying the timeline (see Croatia To Hold 400 MW Renewable Energy Auction).
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