![Karapinar](http://media.assettype.com/taiyangnews%2F2024-08-09%2Fq7q3tccy%2FKalyon.png?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
€249 million loan for Turkish project: The UK Export Finance (UKEF) and UK and Polish export credit agencies KUKE have guaranteed a €249 million loan for what they term is the 2nd largest solar project in Türkiye, to date. The loan arranged by Standard Chartered Bank for Turkish renewable energy company Kalyon Enerji has a combined 390 MW capacity to be installed at 7 separate sites across the Provinces of Bor-Nigde, Gaziantep and Sanliurfa-Viransehir. It will enable UK jobs in the renewable energy sector supply chain, particularly in the Midlands. British exporter GE Vernova via its subsidiary UK Grid Solutions will supply inverter stations, power plant controllers and other critical equipment. Polish companies will deliver security systems and steel components. The financing is 100% guaranteed by the UKEF, with KUKE pitching in with €122 million reinsurance. The UKEF previously financed Kalyon’s Karapinar Solar Project in 2021. With 1.35 GW installed capacity, it is the largest operational solar power plant in Türkiye and Europe, contributing 11% of the solar power generated in Türkiye, said Kalyon Enerji CEO Dr. Murtaza Ata.
ORLEN acquires solar projects in Poland: Poland-based oil refiner ORLEN Group is expanding its renewable energy presence. Its subsidiary ORLEN Wind 3 has signed a preliminary agreement with EDP Renewables (EDPR) Polska to acquire 2 solar PV farms representing a combined 280 MW. These projects are located in the Provinces of Zielona Góra and Poznań with 40 MW and 200 MW installed capacity, respectively. The latter is planned to be expanded by another 40 MW. A 26 MW wind farm in the Province of Łódź is also part of the deal. The PLN 1.15 billion ($0.29 billion) transaction is one of the largest delas in terms of installed capacity in recent years in the Polish renewable energy sector, said ORLEN. It will expand the company’s renewable energy generation capacity by nearly 30%. All the projects are operational, generating around 400 GWh of electricity annually.
WDP to install solar in Belgium: Belgium-based Warehouses De Pauw (WDP) that develops and leases logistics properties across Europe, has bagged €250 million ($63 million) debt to solarize buildings that it lends to the tenants. The European Investment Bank (EIB) facility for 10 years will be directed towards existing WDP logistics centers mainly in Belgium, the Netherlands and Romania. WDP will use the proceeds to install rooftop solar panels and increase electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for tenants. These panels will generate up to 350 GWh of renewable electricity annually on completion. A significant part of this will be used on-site. The energy upgrades will also increase the value of the buildings, according to the bank. For the EIB, this credit is part of its contribution to the REPowerEU plan to end Europe’s dependence on fossil-fuel imports.
Corporate RE PPA in Spain: French multinational retail and wholesale corporation Carrefour has contracted ENGIE under a renewable energy power purchase agreement (PPA) in Spain. ENGIE will supply it with around 180 GWh clean electricity annually from its 2 wind and 2 solar farms. This agreement will cover almost 30% of Carrefour’s consumption through solar and wind assets in Spain. It currently has more than 290,000 m² of solar panels installed for 140 stores that the company counts have reduced its emissions by 19,500 tons of carbon emissions to date within 2024. The 10-year ENGIE contract will enable Carrefour to stabilize its energy costs and step forward on its carbon neutrality objective, according to the company.
80.5 MW solar farm changes hands in Ireland: Irish renewables company Greencoat Renewables has completed the acquisition of a 50% stake in the 80.5 MW South Meath Solar Farm in Ireland. Located in County Meath, the project was previously owned by Statkraft. Remaining 50% stake in the PV farm has been acquired by Schroders Greencoat LLP, an investment manager. The solar project has secured a 100% offtake agreement with one of the world’s leading but unidentified technology company under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA), providing the company with secure, long-term cashflow.