Energy Transition Update

As fossil fuels have again been exposed to cost spikes influenced by conflict, a transition towards supplies of renewable energy that will strengthen domestic energy security must be the priority for all nations reliant on traditional fuel sources.  

All featured regions within this article have made good progress in introducing clean energy to their populations and demonstrate a commitment towards a restructuring of international energy options. 

TWinFM Guest Editor, Daniel Lynn, has collected a number of news items that convey the financial and construction work being completed in order to implement green power into domestic fuel menus.    

UK

State owned French electrical company EDF and UK solar company, Luminous Energy - have had their bid to construct the UK’s largest solar facility approved – The 800MW Springwell Solar Farm is located in North Kesteven, the East Midlands. When commercially operational in 2029, the new solar farm will be capable of supplying electricity to half the homes in Lincolnshire.

Norwegian state-owned renewable company Statkraft aims to construct a 500MW solar farm in east Yorkshire. Statkraft will apply for Development Consent for The Mylen Leah solar farm in late 2026.

UK renewable investment platform, Capital Dynamics - and Northern Irish renewable developers, Solo Renewables - will collaborate to deliver a £100 million energy storage project in Northern Ireland. The project will be located in Islandmagee, County Antrim.    

Europe

The 137MW Sand Solar project in Sicily will be provided with €153 million of financing to assist construction and operation. The facility is expected to be commercially active by mid-2027.

French renewable group Qair has negotiated a financial investment payment of €80 million for 203MW of energy projects located across Poland. Construction on 1 wind and 2 solar installations will commence in 2026.

Belgique renewable operator, Storm – alongside a number of investment platforms from Belgium have invested €330 million to construct two separate large-scale battery installations inside of domestic borders.

Asia Pacific

 The € 1.9 billion Shinan-Ui offshore wind project has completed all financial formalities and is a step closer to becoming commercially viable. Full operations will begin in 2029.

Danish renewable company European Energy has begun commercial operations at the 108MW Lancaster solar farm located in the Australian state of Victoria.

French renewable outfit Neoen will construct Japan’s first large-scale battery installation located in the Kansai region. Construction will begin this year and operations will commence during 2028.

North America

Spanish renewable company Zelestra has been approved for $600 million of finance for two solar projects in Texas. Both the 252MW Echols Grove project and the 187MW Cedar Range project are both under construction.

American green energy company, Heelstone Renewable Energy – has started construction on two solar PV projects that combine for a joint capacity of 206MW. The 104MW Alligator Creek project will be located in Georgia whilst the 102MW Murch project is based in Michigan.

Canadian renewable group Boralex and the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation have been approved for $202 million of financing for the 125MW Oxford battery storage project in Ontario Canada. Commercial operations will begin in 2027.