Opinion:
¶ “North American energy deal places focus on Mexico” • Although Canada already far exceeds its own goals for the trilateral pledge to generate half of North America’s electricity from carbon free sources by 2025, and the United States has a clear path forward, Mexico faces a number of major hurdles. [Science Magazine]
Wind farms on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico.
L Hernández / Associated Press
¶ “A Carbon-Free, Nuclear-Free California Is Within Reach” • California has taken some bold actions to reduce carbon emissions, but closing the Diablo Canyon, the state’s lone remaining nuclear power plant, is also a tremendous victory for safe, renewable energy. It will be replaced by solar and wind. [Huffington Post]
Science and Technology:
¶ Researchers say they have found the first clear evidence that the thinning in the ozone layer above Antarctica is starting to heal. The scientists said that in September 2015 the hole was around 4 million square kilometers smaller than it was in the year 2000 – an area roughly the size of India. [BBC]
The researchers believe that healing of the ozone hole has
begun in the stratosphere above Antarctica. SPL
World:
¶ A statement by Coal India Ltd to the Bombay Stock Exchange said they have signed agreements with the Solar Energy Corporation of India to implement 200 MW of solar projects in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Details are lacking, but SECI will likely call for bids and allocate projects on behalf of Coal India. [CleanTechnica]
¶ Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator announced it will offer 936 long-term contracts for 241.43 MW of small-scale renewable electric power generation, including solar, wind, hydroelectric and bioenergy projects. The grid operator says it had received a total of 1,702 FIT applications. [Solar Industry]
Toronto
¶ Sunlabob Renewable Energy Ltd, which specializes in decentralized renewable energy and clean water solutions, has recently completed eleven solar-powered mini-grids in remote communities of Myanmar. The mini-grids are providing reliable, clean electricity to nearly 1,000 households. [eco-business.com]
¶ The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is providing €10 million in debt financing for the construction, development, and operation of five solar PV parks, with a total capacity of 11.9 MW, in Cyprus, it was announced. The projects will help Cyprus to utilize solar potential. [Cyprus Mail]
Solar power in Cyprus
¶ The World Bank has agreed to lend India more than $1 billion to help deliver the country’s ambitious plan for 100 GW of solar generating capacity by 2022. The loan is to be provided over the 2017 financial year. It is the largest support for solar power provided by the World Bank Group in any country. [Business Green]
¶ French legislators planned to impose a heavy tax on palm oil products to help protect natural environments. But when the Indonesian government threatened to retaliate economically by refusing to buy Airbus airplanes and communications technologies, economics trumped environmental concerns. [Clean Malaysia]
A palm oil plantation in Indonesia. Photo Credit” Wikimedia Commons
US:
¶ Alaska Power and Telephone announced it would build a 1.8 MW wind farm with help from a $3 million High Energy Cost Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture. The 7-Mile Wind, would reduce the power costs for about 1,500 residents in Tok, Tetlin, Dot Lake, and Tanacross. [Fairbanks Daily News-Miner]
¶ After receiving numerous endorsements and commitments over recent weeks, the Grain Belt Express Clean Line took a step for final approval, filing an application with the Missouri Public Service Commission. A number of large companies operating in Missouri are expected to endorse the project. [The Missouri Times]
Flat Ridge wind project in Kansas.
¶ Mom’s Organic Market, a family owned chain based in Maryland, has begun purchasing all the power generated by a designated 1.5-MW solar farm in Kingsville, Maryland. The solar farm will provide 25% of the power needs of Mom’s stores in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. [Chain Store Age]
¶ The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has reconsidered a decision it had made to turn down Xcel Energy’s plan to buy power from certain community solar gardens. It has approved a settlement agreement on the project, thus paving the way for the development of projects totaling 29.5 MW. [SeeNews Renewables]
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