The latest renewable energy news includes announcements from Nofar Energy, Shizen Energy, NextDrive, solar parks in Romania’s Giurgiu County, and others.
Nofar Energy Inaugurates 315 MW of Solar Capacity in Romania
Israeli renewable developer Nofar Energy has inaugurated two solar parks in Romania’s Giurgiu County with combined capacity of 315 MW, marking one of Romania’s largest recent photovoltaic commissioning milestones. The projects significantly expand Nofar’s operating presence in the fast-growing Romanian renewable market. One of its Romanian developments, the 146 MW Ghimpati solar farm, had previously reached energisation, while the latest inauguration brings a much larger portfolio into operation. Romania is rapidly adding utility-scale photovoltaic capacity as developers take advantage of improving renewable policies, European financing and growing corporate electricity demand. The 315 MW addition also increases the requirement for storage and grid flexibility as solar represents a larger share of Romania’s electricity supply.
Patria and Ashmore Close Financing for 250.8 MW Colombian Solar Project
Asset managers Patria Investments and Ashmore Group have secured financing for a 250.8 MWp solar project in Colombia, advancing another major Latin American photovoltaic development toward construction. Financial close is a critical project milestone because it confirms the capital structure needed for engineering, equipment procurement and construction. At more than 250 MWp, the development will represent a sizeable addition to Colombia’s non-hydro renewable generation portfolio. Colombia is seeking greater diversification of its electricity mix because heavy reliance on hydropower can expose the system to changing rainfall patterns. Large solar projects can complement hydro resources while improving generation diversity, and international infrastructure investors are increasingly targeting the country’s expanding clean-energy market.
Shizen Energy and NextDrive Target 100 MW of Grid-Scale Battery Storage in Japan
Shizen Energy’s operations business and energy-management specialist NextDrive have agreed to collaborate on approximately 100 MW of grid-scale battery storage projects across Japan. The partnership will combine Shizen’s renewable development and operating expertise with NextDrive’s energy-management and control technologies. Japan increasingly needs utility-scale batteries as solar generation expands and electricity-market reforms create opportunities for storage to provide balancing, capacity and trading services. The planned 100 MW portfolio could help absorb renewable electricity during periods of surplus generation and discharge it during stronger demand. The agreement adds to rapidly accelerating Japanese BESS investment as domestic and international developers seek opportunities created by grid constraints and new flexibility markets.
