Portugal reaches world’s record low solar power prices in auction
Portugal’s government accepted an unidentified project developer’s offer of EUR 11.4 per MWh for solar power over 15 years, beating the latest all-time low achieved in an auction in Abu Dhabi. Minister of Environment João Pedro Matos Fernandes said the latest round of bidding for the construction of solar power plants in Portugal resulted in […]
Greece earmarks EUR 850 million for energy efficiency, prosumers
The Greek government has prepared an EUR 850 million program for energy efficiency in the private buildings sector, including incentives for the use of renewable energy for self-consumption and the introduction of solutions for smart homes. The idea is to introduce energy saving measures in 60,000 households per year until 2030, local media reported. The […]
Greece asks EU to approve state aid for 680 MW pumped storage project
GEK Terna is building two pumped storage hydropower plants and artificial lakes in Amfilochia in western Greece that will use an existing lower reservoir. The government filed its support scheme with the European Union’s competition authorities for clearance. The Ministry of the Environment and Energy of Greece has submitted a request to the European Commission […]
EU launches first call for proposals under Innovation Fund for clean technologies
The European Commission has launched the first call for proposals under the EUR 10 billion Innovation Fund, which will finance breakthrough technologies for renewable energy, energy-intensive industries, energy storage, and carbon capture, use and storage. The fund is expected to help boost the EU economy’s green recovery following the COVID-19 crisis. The first call will […]
Silba island may use solar power to turn seawater into drinking water
A desalination system powered by photovoltaics was proposed for Silba in a preinvestment study produced within the PROSEU project, funded by the European Union. The small Adriatic island in Croatia is struggling with its external drinking water supply and a solar power plant could be the solution. Excess electricity can be delivered to the grid […]
Amazon earmarks USD 2 billion in venture capital for Climate Pledge Fund
Jeff Bezos’s online retail empire is accelerating its efforts toward carbon neutrality. Amazon decided to invest USD 2 billion in visionary projects in the first phase of its Climate Pledge Fund. Amazon has released its annual report on sustainability and said it is setting aside USD 2 billion for the initial investment in its Climate […]
Low costs boost demand for renewables during coronavirus crisis
Green energy has been the most resilient to the effects of lockdowns worldwide, said Dave Turk, Acting Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency. The demand for renewables is seen growing 1% this year, while the coronavirus impact may push the level in the overall energy sector as much as 6% lower, according to the […]
Verbund discontinues last coal-fired energy plant in Austria; eyes hydrogen
Government-owned Verbund switched the Mellach coal-fired heat and power unit to a backup role, ending all regular electricity supply from the fossil fuel to the grid in Austria as it studies applications for green hydrogen. As high temperatures shortened the heating season, the Mellach cogeneration facility, which covered most of the district heating in Graz, […]