Energy Transition Update

ThisWeekinFM Guest Editor, Daniel Lynn, has collected various examples of an active international energy transition from across the globe.

The following news items will demonstrate the collaborative international work between big business, individual investments made by notable economies in upgrading energy infrastructure and construction work on clean energy installations.  

UK & Ireland

Scottish based power distributor – SSE, will undertake a five-year £33 billion investment plan that focuses on upgrading energy infrastructure. Existing electrical networks will be provided with £27 billion and the remaining £6 billion will be channelled into renewable energy and flexible asset investments. 

Global clean energy company – TagEnergy, has completed their first investments in UK wind power, by purchasing 4 projects in Scotland that together almost reach 300MW of combined capacity.

The Irish government has announced plans to make investments towards electricity grid infrastructure and clean power programmes. State system operators Eirgrid and ESB will both receive €3.5bn from The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment’s new Sectoral Capital Plan.

Europe

International clean power investment fund - Alantra Solar, has acquired €400 million that will assist in their plans to develop a 1800MW portfolio of solar projects across southern Italy. All funded projects will aim to be operational by 2027.

Portuguese renewable developers – Greenvolt, has agreed a €35 million financing deal with Danish bank - Ringkjobing Landbobank. This financial arrangement will facilitate the construction of the 150MW hybrid solar and battery storage project in Hoegholm, eastern Denmark. Operations should commence in early 2026. 

Norwegian state-owned renewable energy company Statkraft has commissioned Germany’s largest hybrid solar and battery energy storage project. The Zerbst Saxony-Anhalt facility cost €45 million and will generate enough annual electricity to power 14,000 homes.

Asia Pacific

Renewable solutions organisation - FRV Australia, aim to construct a solar facility on New Zealand’s North Island. The Rangitikei solar project will produce enough annual power for 45,000 homes.  

Dutch clean wind power company - IX Renewables and Taiwanese cement organisation – Asia Cement Corporation (ACC), will collaborate to deliver the 180MW Rui Li 1 floating offshore wind project. This facility will be located off the coast of Hsinchu, Taiwan.

Finnish energy technology provider - Wärtsilä, will provide Australia’s largest DC-coupled hybrid energy storage system. DC coupled systems join solar generation to batteries via a DC/DC converter which limits energy losses and ensures the capture of solar energy that other systems would fail to trap. Once operations begin 120,000 households and business premises can access green power.

USA

UK based energy providers – ContourGlobal, who are owned by American investment firm – KKR, has secured more than $350 million of financing for the Black Hollow Sun Solar Scheme in Colorado. 

Spanish solar operator – Zelestra, has acquired $60 million of funds from American investment firm - Stonehenge Capital. The funds will be channelled into the Jasper County Solar Project, located in Indiana.   

German multinational energy company – RWE, has completed construction of their 100MW Lafitte solar project, located in Louisiana.