Ormat inks new geothermal power plant contract in North America

Under the expected EPC contract, which is currently under negotiation, Ormat will provide two air-cooled Ormat Energy Converters for a geothermal power plant project in North America.

The geothermal power project is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.

Until the signature of the full EPC contract the parties have entered into an interim agreement in the amount of approximately $9 million for a limited scope of work to ensure timely completion of the project.
Ormat inks new geothermal power plant contract in North America

ABB to connect Nordergründe wind farm offshore North Sea to German grid

The transmission link has a capacity to transmit 111MW of clean wind power - enough to serve the needs of more than 100,000 households and help save up to 500,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, once commissioned in 2013, by replacing fossil fueled generation.

ABB will design, engineer, supply and install the 155 kilovolt (kV) land and submarine cable system, the onshore and offshore shunt reactors, the onshore 155/220kV power transformer and the extension of an existing 220kV substation. The cable system comprises 3x4 kilometers of single-core AC land cable and 28km of three core AC submarine cable with integrated fiber optics.
ABB to connect Nordergründe wind farm offshore North Sea to German grid

ENEA acquires 50MW Bardy wind farm in Poland

The farm, located in Bardy (Dygowo municipality, Kolobrzeg Poviat, the Zachodniopomorskie Province) on a highly windy area, has 50MW at its disposal. It consists of 25 Vestas turbines with capacity of 2MW each. The green electricity produced by the wind farm is sufficient to ensure energy to 50,000 of medium-sized households annually.

From the beginning of the year the farm has generated almost 30,000MWh of electricity. To ensure maximum efficiency and safety the fans were located on the area of 450 ha. The Bardy wind farm may be extended to the total capacity of 60MW. ENEA plans to obtain all the building permits for construction of other turbines till the end of this year. 
ENEA acquires 50MW Bardy wind farm in Poland

Wells Fargo to make $30 billion environmental investments by 2020

“Our commitment to the environment reflects our belief that Wells Fargo’s responsibility as a corporation goes beyond its mission of helping customers succeed financially. We also have a major role to play in promoting the long-term economic prosperity and quality of life of the communities we serve,” said chairman, president and CEO John Stumpf. “By bringing our talents and resources to these efforts, we seek to work jointly with businesses and communities in protecting and preserving this planet and its precious resources for future generations.”

Wells Fargo’s comprehensive commitment to investing in environmental solutions for stronger communities includes three areas of focus through 2020:

• Accelerating the transition to a greener economy
  • $30 billion in loans and investments to promote a “greener economy,” including wind and solar energy, clean technologies, energy efficient buildings, environmental innovation, and environmentally responsible public financing
  • An approach to environmental and social risk management focused on responsible ways of doing business together with our business customers
  • Engage its 70 million customers through marketing and communications aimed at raising awareness about products and services that can help customers succeed financially as well as protect the environment – eg promotions of paperless banking services and financing for energy efficient home improvements
• Encouraging stronger and more sustainable communities

Wells Fargo to make $30 billion environmental investments by 2020

Suzlon bags 276MW in new wind turbine orders across Europe

The orders cover various orders secured between February 11, 2012 and April 15, 2012 across Italy, France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom.

Andreas Nauen, chief executive officer of REpower Systems, said: “These orders highlight our competitive positioning across highly competitive European wind markets. With our focus on technology and customer centricity, we have the right products and services to lead the growth in the sector.”

Tulsi Tanti, chairman of Suzlon Group, said: “These orders clearly underscore the continuing momentum in the wind sector in developed European markets. With our strong competitive positioning as a Group, we are poised to maintain our strong growth momentum across global markets.”

The projects include several wind farms in Germany featuring REpower’s latest 3.4M104 and 3.2M114 turbine models, with 3.4MW and 3.2MW of rated power, respectively. Other orders will feature turbines of the MM92 and MM82 types.
Suzlon bags 276MW in new wind turbine orders across Europe

IBERDROLA kicks off 178MW Messina-Agrigento wind power hub in Italy

The Messina-Agrigento wind project, developed under a 50:50 partnership with Italy’s API Nova Energía, encompasses four wind farms: Nebrodi (64.6MW), Alcántara (47.6MW), Lago Arancio (44MW) and Rocca Ficuzza (22.1MW).

IBERDROLA said the Messina-Agrigento complex has enough capacity to supply green energy to more than 150,000 Sicilian homes, thereby preventing around 430,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

Following the start-up of the new complex, IBERDROLA has lifted its installed wind power capacity in Italy to over 244MW (50 percent with the API group), cementing its position as one of the leading renewable players in this market.
IBERDROLA kicks off 178MW Messina-Agrigento wind power hub in Italy

SunEdison activates 25MW solar power plant in Gujarat, India

The project, which was completed in four months, is comprised of more than 89,000 solar PV modules. With the completion of this plant, SunEdison has now activated a total of 45MW as part of the Gujarat Solar Program.

The 25MW solar power plant is expected to produce more than 40 million kilowatt hours of clean solar energy in the first year of operation alone.
SunEdison activates 25MW solar power plant in Gujarat, India

First Solar to close manufacturing base in Frankfurt, Germany

As part of the restructure, First Solar will close its manufacturing operations in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, in the fourth quarter of 2012. Additionally, First Solar will indefinitely idle four production lines at its manufacturing center in Kulim, Malaysia, on May 1, 2012. The actions, combined with other personnel reductions in Europe and the US, will reduce First Solar’s global workforce by approximately 2,000 positions, about 30 percent of the total.

The restructuring initiatives are expected to reduce First Solar’s costs by $30-60 million in 2012 and $100-120 million annually going forward. In addition, the company’s average manufacturing cost is expected to improve to $0.70-$0.72 per watt in 2012 as a result of the changes, below prior expectations of $0.74 per watt. In 2013, First Solar estimates average module manufacturing costs will range from $0.60 to $0.64 per watt.

To achieve the cost savings, First Solar will record restructuring and other related charges of $245-370 million, of which $80-120 million are cash expenditures. First Solar expects to incur these charges primarily during the first quarter of 2012 and the rest over the course of the year.

In addition, First Solar has voluntarily paid down approximately $145 million of debt ahead of schedule in 2012, which represents repayment in full for outstanding amounts under the company’s German loan agreement.
First Solar to close manufacturing base in Frankfurt, Germany

Canadian Solar, SkyPower form international joint venture

Under the agreement, Canadian Solar will acquire a majority interest in 16 solar projects representing approximately 190-200MW DC from SkyPower. Each of these projects was awarded a 20-year power purchase contract by the Ontario Power Authority. Fifteen of these contracts were issued under Ontario's Feed-In-Tariff Program, and one was issued as part of Ontario's Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program.

The projects are in the advanced permitting stage and are expected to commence construction in 2013 and be fully operational in 2014. They are expected to generate over C$800 million in revenue for Canadian Solar.
It is expected that the manufacturing and construction of the projects will create hundreds of new jobs in Ontario and continue to position Ontario as a North American leader in green energy.

Canadian Solar and SkyPower have also agreed to form a 50:50 international joint venture focused on developing solar power plants in select emerging markets. Canadian Solar expects to start generating revenue from the global strategic initiative within the next two to three years.

The transaction price is approximately C$185 million to be paid at certain milestones. Canadian Solar will assume certain security deposits, which are typical with FIT contracts. In conjunction with the transaction, a five-year warrant is being issued to SkyPower for 9.9 percent of Canadian Solar's outstanding shares, with a strike price of US$5.
Canadian Solar, SkyPower form international joint venture

Waste Management opens 3.2MW gas-to-energy facility at Lockwood Landfill

When organic materials, like food and yard waste, decompose, they create a gas comprised of about 55 percent methane. Collection wells placed all over the site collect this gas and then pipe it to the power plant, where it is used as a fuel to run two generators. The project will offset the use of about 700 railcars' worth of coal.

In total, Waste Management owns or operates 131 landfill gas-to-energy facilities across North America, producing enough electricity to power nearly 475,000 homes. Combined with the company's other renewable energy projects, Waste Management produces over 9 million megawatt hours of electricity per year, or enough for more than 1.1 million homes.

"The gas-to-energy facility at the Lockwood Landfill ensures that not even garbage will go to waste," said Justin Caporusso, Waste Management spokesperson. "By investing in landfill gas-to-energy, we are powering homes using the same waste that is left at the curb."
Waste Management opens 3.2MW gas-to-energy facility at Lockwood Landfill