Energy Transition Update

Fossil fuels have long been the global choice of power due to low costs and widespread accessibility. Burning fossil fuels has since been identified as the primary influence behind climate change and its usage is therefore not viewed as environmentally sustainable.

ThisWeekinFM Guest Editor, Daniel Lynn, has documented a range of examples that demonstrate a global and collaborative energy transition that utilises clean energies.

UK

UK investment company Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners has closed financing for Cleve Hill Solar Park. The £238.5 million solar and battery storage installation is located in Graveney Marshes, northern Kent and will be the biggest solar facility in the UK. Operations are expected to begin this year.

UK solar power organization Boom Power and Indian solar outfit Topsun will collaborate to deliver the 49.9MW Low Farm Solar Farm in Flockton, West Yorkshire. The solar installation is expected to be commissioned in 2026.

UK clean power company Downing Renewable Developments has been given permission to proceed with two battery energy storage projects in the UK. Both projects will maintain a combined capacity of 140MW. The 40MW battery energy storage system (BESS) will be located in Heanor, Derbyshire and will be capable of storing enough power for 120,000 homes for a two-hour period. The 100MW Rowley Regis project is in the West Midlands and will be able to store enough power for 300,000 homes for also a two-hour period.

Europe

Danish renewable investment firm Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners have moved beyond the aim of €12 billion in their latest fund. The fund will target investments across a range of technologies and energies in Europe, Asia Pacific and the North American regions.

Multinational German energy company RWE will construct 3 new battery energy storage system installations with a combined capacity of 600MW. All 3 battery energy storage systems will be constructed and operated inside Germany.

German electrical transmission operators 50Hertz will invest €23 billion to expand and upgrade the German electrical grid to facilitate the transporting of renewable energy.

Asia-Pacific

Norwegian wind developer Deep Wind Offshore has been granted a Public Waters Occupancy and Use Permit (PWOP) for the 1500MW Abalone Offshore Wind Project.

Spanish renewable energy company Acconia Energia has acquired AUS$453 million of finance to construct the 408MWp Aldoga solar plant located in Queensland. This installation will consist of 820,000 photovoltaic panels and is expected to be operational in 2026.

Danish renewable power company European Energy has begun operations at their 58MW Mokoan solar park, located in the state of Victoria. The solar facility will provide power to more than 18,000 households.

North America

UK clean power group RES has begun construction on the 168MW Goose Harbour Lake Wind Farm in Nova Scotia, Canada. The $450 million project is expected to be commercially active by 2026.

Enel subsidiary – Enel North America, has begun operations at their new hybrid solar and battery energy storage system facility. The Estonian Solar site maintains a 202MW solar installation as well as a 104MW battery energy storage system. The power generated by this facility will be capable of energising 48,000 homes.

In 2024 the USA installed a record 50GW of new solar capacity. This is the largest addition to the American grid by any technology in over two decades. Texas was the biggest contributor with 11.6GW of new installations.