China the global leader in 2017 clean energy investment, at over $44 bn
China was the global leader in 2017 clean energy investment, says a new report. On the solar front, the country accounts for 60% of all cell production; and will continue to lead installation developments for at least the next five years. New 2020 targets are expected to be set. In the battery arena, Chinese companies are also set to dominate.
CEFC steps up to finance 70 MW Oakey 2 project
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is continuing to foster utility scale PV growth in Queensland, providing $55 million in non-recourse project finance to the Oakey 2 Solar Farm. Canadian Solar will supply modules for the project and will also serve as EPC.
AMP Capital provides Neoen €245 million for French, Australian renewable projects
The French independent power producer will use the funds for the development of 1.6 GW of wind and solar in France and Australia.
Maoneng signs PPA for 300 MW in New South Wales
Chinese/Australian developer Maoneng has signed a 15-year PPA to provide energy company AGL with 300 MW of PV projects, to provide up to 800,000 MWh of electricity per year. The projects form part of AGL’s plan to replace the coal-fired Liddell Power Station, set to close in 2022.
ARENA awards $29.2 million to 20 solar R&D projects
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced that it will award multiple Australian universities and research institutes with a total of $29.2 million to support early-stage research into new solar innovations.
Australia welcomes formal creation of International Solar Alliance
As it officially came into force on Wednesday, the International Solar Alliance was welcomed by Australia, one of its 19 founding members.
US Senate approves tax bill with provision to hobble solar, wind tax credits
The bill will now be reconciled with the House version, which does not contain the BEAT provision. The Solar Energy Industry Association says that it has four Senators who support “fixes”, but was not able to get a modification to the Senate bill.
Leading solar, storage bodies combine to form Smart Energy Council
The Smart Energy Council, a merger of Australia’s leading industry bodies for solar and storage, will be looking to better reflect the country’s energy future.
ASC adds financial expertise, Oliver Yates joins board
Former Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) CEO Oliver Yates has joined the board of the Australian Solar and Energy Storage Council.
Carmichael coal mine failure could bring down Adani Enterprises
While known in the global solar sector as an Indian PV leader, if Adani Enterprises’ proposed Carmichael coal mine fails so too could the company. Analyst Tim Buckley says that if the coal mega project cannot be financed and has to be written off or sold cheaply, the company’s debt would be three times larger than the value of its assets.
