Preview Newsletter
SFCE Media Scan
-
SFCE Signs Strategic Cooperation Agreement with CGN European Energy
Nov 23, 2015 | PR Newswire
Just a week ahead of the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 21), Shunfeng International Clean Energy Limited ("SFCE" or the "company", HK stock code: 1165) today announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement in Paris with CGN European Energy, a subsidiary of the China General Nuclear Power Group. -
China Threatens to Restrict Industrial Growth Over Pollution
Nov 23, 2015 | BNA Daily Environment Report
By Michael Standaert
China has made progress in cutting the amount of heavy metal pollution, but environmental risks remain severe because of the country's rapid economic expansion and the accumulation of three decades' worth of heavy metal in soil and water, the Ministry of Environmental Protection said Nov. 19. -
China Again Tops for Clean Energy Investment, Study Shows
Nov 23, 2015 | Bloomberg
China, the world’s biggest emitter of carbon pollution, continues to hold the top position as the best developing country in which to invest in clean energy in a study by Climatescope, a research project whose partners include Bloomberg New Energy Finance and the U.K. Department for International Development. -
Greens unveil push for 90% target for renewable energy by 2030
Nov 21, 2015 | The Guardian
By Daniel Hurst
The Greens will seek to build momentum for more ambitious action on climate change by calling for the creation of a new government authority to help Australia reach a 90% target for renewable energy by 2030. The party has previously adopted a goal of ensuring Australia obtains 90% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030... -
Gov. Cuomo to Order Large Increase in Renewable Energy in New York by 2030
Nov 22, 2015 | The New York Times
By Patrick McGeehan
Frustrated by the pending shutdown of two nuclear power plants on Lake Ontario, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo plans to order state regulators to mandate that, by 2030, half of all power consumed by New Yorkers be generated from renewable sources that emit much less carbon dioxide, people briefed on the matter said. -
UK’s Lightsource Signs 3 GW Solar Power Deal With India
Nov 22, 2015 | Clean Technica
By Saurabh Mahapatra
UK-based project developer Lightsource has announced its expansion into the rapidly growing solar power market of India. Lightsource recently signed an agreement to invest $3 billion to develop 3 GW solar power capacity in India. The agreement was signed during Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United Kingdom. -
Latin America Dominates Ranking of Clean-Power Investments
Nov 23, 2015 | Bloomberg
By Vanessa Dezem
Latin America dominated the list of top emerging nations for clean-energy investments as governments across the region step up efforts to diversify their power supplies. Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay attracted almost $20 billion in clean-energy investments last year, 16 percent of the total directed to the top 10 countries on Bloomberg New... -
Mexico to hold its first post-reform electricity auction
Nov 20, 2015 | PV Magazine
By Blanca Diaz Lopez
Mexico's National Energy Control Center (CENACE) has announced the first electricity auction following sweeping energy sector reform in the nation, which will begin in January. In this auction clean energy certificates will be auctioned off, in addition to energy and capacity.
Press Release - SFCE Signs Strategic Cooperation Agreement with CGN European Energy
Industry News
Full Text of Stories Below
-
SFCE Signs Strategic Cooperation Agreement with CGN European Energy
Nov 23, 2015 | PR Newswire
Just a week ahead of the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 21), Shunfeng International Clean Energy Limited ("SFCE" or the "company", HK stock code: 1165) today announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement in Paris with CGN European Energy, a subsidiary of the China General Nuclear Power Group. Both parties, eager to deliver solutions to counter global carbon emissions, pledge to cooperate closely on clean energy, including PV, energy storage, energy management, low-carbon energy saving solutions and hi-tech, and enhancing a win-win and sustainable strategic partnership.
"I am delighted to announce the strategic cooperative partnership with CGN European Energy," said Eric Luo, SFCE Executive Director and CEO. "Through strategic acquisitions and integration, SFCE is driving a business transition towards energy as a service, including clean energy production, as well as energy storage and management. SFCE is committed to become the largest provider of integrated clean energy solutions, with best in class technology in PV manufacturing, PV power generation, EPC and O&M, as well as low-carbon energy saving solutions, that delivers energy and cost savings solutions to our customers and makes clean energy affordable and accessible. China General Nuclear Power Group is an instrumental player in the energy industry, supervised by China's State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. The strategic partnership will enhance the advantages possessed by both parties in the clean energy sector, allowing complementary efforts and achieving a win-win, exploration and promotion of clean energy technology and applications."
"Against the backdrop of changes in the global energy landscape, China General Nuclear is fully implementing the national strategy of 'Go Global'," says Lu Wei, CGN European Energy CEO. "Besides nuclear energy, we are actively involved overseas in clean energy, including mergers and acquisitions, development and construction, as well as O&M and asset management in renewable energy projects, including wind power and solar energy. SFCE has advanced technologies and a rich experience in the clean energy sector, especially in PV power projects development and construction, energy storage, O&M services as well as low-carbon energy saving comprehensive solutions for customers. The cooperation is mutually beneficial, fully leveraging our capital, as well as our market and technology advantages in the clean energy sector. It is aimed at promoting large-scale clean energy applications in regions such as Europe, and facilitates the rapid development of clean energy around the world."
About SFCE
Shunfeng International Clean Energy Limited (SFCE) is committed to becoming the largest low-carbon, integrated, clean energy generation provider globally. Through strategic acquisitions and integration, SFCE owns a number of well-known product and technology brands in the industry. SFCE fosters a continuous improvement in energy generation including in solar, sea water power and ground source heat pumps, combined with energy management and storage capabilities. SFCE aims to provide clean energy solutions to large scale public facilities and commercial users such as business facilities, office buildings, schools, hospitals sports stadiums and households. SFCE's energy solutions can achieve energy cost reductions of 50% - 70%, creating energy generation choices for its customers to reduce both carbon emissions and energy costs. To learn more about the company, please visit www.sfcegroup.com/en/.
PR Newswire (English): http://en.prnasia.com/story/archive/1563576_EN63576_0
PR Newswire (Chinese): http://www.prnasia.com/story/archive/1563576_ZH63576_1
PV Magazine: http://www.pv-magazine.com/services/press-releases/details/beitrag/sfce-signs-strategic-cooperation-agreement-with-cgn-european-energy_100022080/#axzz3sJWJ4fuS
Clean Technology Business Review: http://www.cleantechnology-business-review.com/news/sfce-and-cgn-european-energy-to-cooperate-on-clean-energy-solutions-231115-4734458
eTN Global Travel Industry News: http://www.eturbonews.com/66194/strategic-cooperation-agreement-cgn-european-energy
-
China Threatens to Restrict Industrial Growth Over Pollution
Nov 23, 2015 | BNA Daily Environment Report
By Michael Standaert
China has made progress in cutting the amount of heavy metal pollution, but environmental risks remain severe because of the country's rapid economic expansion and the accumulation of three decades' worth of heavy metal in soil and water, the Ministry of Environmental Protection said Nov. 19.
China's State Council in 2016 will restrict new industrial development in provinces that fail to meet heavy metal pollution targets, the MEP said.
By the end of 2014, the country's total amount of lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium and arsenic pollution dropped 20.8 percent compared to 2007 levels, but their presence in soil and water is still a major concern in Hebei, Fujian, Sichuan, Shaanxi provinces and the Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang-Uighur autonomous regions, which face the greatest challenges in controlling industrial emissions, the MEP said.
The central government this year allocated 2.8 billion yuan ($438 million) to 30 cities to reduce industrial heavy metal pollution, though the cities of Yantai in Shandong province, Chenzhou, Yueyang and Loudi in Hunan province, and Liangzhou in Gansu province failed to curb the pollution and must repay the ministry.
Beijing municipality and other areas have increased fees for heavy metal pollution.
The MEP announced in August that more than 4,000 companies had been closed down because of their heavy metal pollution (187 DEN A-17, 9/28/15).
The ministry said at the time that only 77.2 percent of the companies monitored for heavy metal pollution were meeting standards and that licensing systems would be established in the future, with those failing possibly having licenses revoked.
Link (subscription needed): http://news.bna.com/deln/DELNWB/split_display.adp?fedfid=79448145&vname=dennotallissues&fn=79448145&jd=79448145
-
China Again Tops for Clean Energy Investment, Study Shows
Nov 23, 2015 | Bloomberg
China, the world’s biggest emitter of carbon pollution, continues to hold the top position as the best developing country in which to invest in clean energy in a study by Climatescope, a research project whose partners include Bloomberg New Energy Finance and the U.K. Department for International Development.
The nation scored highest for a second consecutive year in an analysis of 55 emerging market nations including South Africa, Uruguay and Kenya that mapped important progress in the areas of spending, capacity deployment, and policy development. Brazil and Chile followed China in the rankings, according to Climatescope scores, which were based on data from 2014.
“The year brought further proof that the clean energy center of gravity is shifting inexorably from ‘north’ to ‘south,’ from developed to developing countries,” according to the study’s executive summary.
In 2014, China added 35 gigawatts of new renewable power generating capacity -- greater than all the capacity online today in sub-Saharan Africa’s 49 nations combined, excluding South Africa and Nigeria -- and attracted $89 billion in all types of new clean energy capital, the report said.
The report comes as world leaders gather for climate talks in Paris where more than 190 countries will work on an agreement to set a global framework to combat climate change, including limits on fossil-fuel emissions that will apply for the first time to all nations. China has become a driving force for a possible deal in the French capital.Capacity Additions
Among the 54 other nations in the Climatescope study, 15.5 gigawatts of new clean energy capacity was added in 2014, up 64 percent from a year earlier. Emerging markets are now installing capacity at twice the rate as wealthier Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development nations, according to the report.
For the first time, more than half of all new annual investment in clean energy projects went to emerging countries, the findings showed.
Among the 55 countries studied, new investment in renewable power generation surged to $126 billion in 2014, up 39 percent from 2013, the analysis found.
Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-23/china-again-tops-for-clean-energy-investment-study-shows
-
Greens unveil push for 90% target for renewable energy by 2030
Nov 21, 2015 | The Guardian
By Daniel Hurst
The Greens will seek to build momentum for more ambitious action on climate change by calling for the creation of a new government authority to help Australia reach a 90% target for renewable energy by 2030. The party has previously adopted a goal of ensuring Australia obtains 90% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, but the new policy document spells out how this could be achieved.
It proposes the establishment of a new $500m authority, to be known as RenewAustralia, which would “plan and drive the transition to a new clean energy system to leverage $5bn of construction in new energy generation over the next four years”.
The authority would deliver a 15-year pipeline of clean energy projects through direct investment and reverse auctions for the construction of lowest-cost assets.
It would work alongside existing agencies – including the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the CSIRO – and new energy companies to bring clean technology innovation through to commercial use and ready for export.
The Greens have also proposed the creation of a $1bn clean energy transition fund to help coal workers and communities adapt, and the implementation of pollution standards to enable “the gradual, staged closure of coal fired power stations” starting with Hazelwood in Victoria. The energy regulator would have the power to order the decommissioning of power generators once a station exceeded the set pollution limit. But transition plans and the adjustment fund would “ensure no coal worker is left behind”, the policy document says.
The Greens suggest the cost of the plan could be met by the reintroduction of a carbon price, the abolition of fossil fuel subsidies, and changes to superannuation tax concessions for high income earners.
“A market-based trading scheme and a government-led energy transformation reinforce one another to rapidly bring down pollution and encourage innovation,” the policy document says.
Greens MP Adam Bandt said the party also wanted to double the country’s energy efficiency by 2030.
Di Natale said the ambitious plan would “power the new economy and create thousands of jobs”.
“While both Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten talk about tackling climate change, they have locked us into the industries of the last century, supporting coal and vested interests,” he said.
“Charting a course for a more confident, prosperous and healthy Australia needs much more than empty rhetoric; it needs real leadership.” Greens senator Larissa Waters called on Turnbull to take more ambitious emission reduction targets to the Paris summit than the ones promised by his predecessor, Tony Abbott.
“Malcolm Turnbull doesn’t deserve to be applauded simply for not being Tony Abbott,” Waters said.
In August, the Abbott government said Australia would reduce greenhouse gas emissions so they were 26% to 28% below 2005 levels by 2030.
Turnbull indicated after taking the leadership in September he would adopt the “very substantial” previously announced target. The prime minister has also defended the government’s emissions reduction fund – a key plank of the “direct action” policies he previously criticised - but has left the door open to policy changes when the “safeguards” mechanism is reviewed in 2017.
Labor has foreshadowed its climate policy will include an emissions trading scheme linked to international markets and “an ambitious new goal” for 50% of electricity to be generated by renewable energy by 2030.
Link: http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/22/greens-unveil-push-for-90-target-for-renewable-energy-by-2030
-
Gov. Cuomo to Order Large Increase in Renewable Energy in New York by 2030
Nov 22, 2015 | The New York Times
By Patrick McGeehan
Frustrated by the pending shutdown of two nuclear power plants on Lake Ontario, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo plans to order state regulators to mandate that, by 2030, half of all power consumed by New Yorkers be generated from renewable sources that emit much less carbon dioxide, people briefed on the matter said.
Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, has already declared a goal of having 50 percent of the state’s power come from solar, wind, hydroelectric or other renewable sources in 15 years, but the state has had no means of enforcing that directive. The governor intends to have the Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities in the state, codify the requirement, these people said. Some of them, including a Cuomo administration official, spoke on the condition of anonymity because they did not have permission to discuss the proposed mandate.
The mandate would be another step toward the governor’s goal of a 40 percent reduction in carbon emissions from plants supplying the state’s electricity. In the intervening years, the energy policy would give utilities an incentive to use power generated by nuclear plants, which are considered clean sources, though not renewable.
By pushing utilities to obtain more of the power they distribute from less-polluting sources, state officials hope to delay the planned shutdown of two nuclear power plants on the shore of Lake Ontario. Aides to the governor have been trying for several weeks to dissuade Entergy from closing one of them, the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Oswego County.
Entergy officials say they will close the plant in late 2016 or early 2017 because it has been losing about $60 million a year. Nuclear plants emit less air pollution than power plants fueled by natural gas or coal, so the loss of them would set back the state’s hopes of meeting its clean-energy goals.
Even if the mandate comes too late to keep the reactor at the FitzPatrick plant operating, state officials hope it could prolong the life of the Robert E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant near Rochester. The Ginna plant’s owners said in 2014 that they intended to shut it down, but state officials struck a deal to subsidize its operation to keep it running until 2017.
Cuomo administration officials want the upstate nuclear power plants to continue operating until 2030, when they hope that there will be enough sources of renewable energy to supply half of the state’s needs, according to people who have been briefed on the matter. But Mr. Cuomo has taken an opposite stance on Entergy’s Indian Point nuclear plant in Westchester County, which has two reactors.
The governor has repeatedly called for Indian Point to be shut down, saying it is too dangerous to have a nuclear plant so close to a metropolis. It is perched on the edge of the Hudson River in Buchanan, about 30 miles north of Manhattan.
“It’s certainly a quandary,” one of the people briefed on the matter, Gavin J. Donohue, the president of the Independent Power Producers of New York, said of Mr. Cuomo’s positions on the upstate and downstate nuclear plants. “It’s clear that the governor is recognizing the value of upstate nuclear energy. That’s a big change for the State of New York, and it’s welcome news.”
Advertisement Continue reading the main story
Advertisement Continue reading the main story
Mr. Donohue said he thought owners of power plants in the state would welcome Mr. Cuomo’s mandate if it did not interfere too much with the market for power. “What we’re trying to get to is a market-based approach to solving climate-change issues,” he said. “We need to not have the government pick winners and losers.”
Mr. Cuomo, who has positioned himself as a leader in the battle against climate change, announced an energy plan in June that drew praise from former Vice President Al Gore. Mr. Gore, a Democrat who has made drawing attention to global warming his signature cause, called the governor’s proposed mandate “a terrific and bold action,” noting that it comes a week before the United Nations will hold a conference on climate change in Paris.
“Governor Cuomo’s commitment to expanding renewable energy and transforming the energy landscape in New York State reflects his longstanding leadership in the effort to solve the climate crisis,” Mr. Gore said in a statement. “And the timing couldn’t be better. As we approach the global climate negotiations in Paris in just over a week, actions by state governments like New York State provide essential momentum toward a strong and effective agreement.”
Rory M. Christian, the director of clean energy for the Environmental Defense Fund in New York, said that Mr. Cuomo’s proposed mandate was similar to one that California’s Legislature passed and Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, signed into law last month.
“Yeah, it’s an achievable goal,” Mr. Christian said. “We got a man to the moon; we can get to 50 percent renewable energy.”
What effect the mandate will have on consumers’ electric bills is “a concern,” Mr. Christian said. “Rates are always going to be a concern,” he said. But, he added, “the key thing is more renewables will keep those costs from going up or stabilize them.”
Renewable sources of energy like solar and wind power operate intermittently and not as reliably as plants fueled by gas, coal or nuclear. And encouraging the development of those sources may involve subsidies from ratepayers, the Cuomo administration official said.
On the other hand, the state official said, “This will actually avoid the sticker shock that ratepayers experience every time there is a fuel shortage, a power plant goes offline or there is a spike in energy costs.”
-
UK’s Lightsource Signs 3 GW Solar Power Deal With India
Nov 22, 2015 | Clean Technica
By Saurabh Mahapatra
UK-based project developer Lightsource has announced its expansion into the rapidly growing solar power market of India.
Lightsource recently signed an agreement to invest $3 billion to develop 3 GW solar power capacity in India. The agreement was signed during Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United Kingdom.
While the company did not share any details about its plans to set up the solar power projects, it joins a long list of international project developers eyeing the Indian solar power market. Some of the leading foreign companies that have entered the Indian market recently include, SkyPower Global, SBJ Cleantech (a joint venture between SoftBank, Foxconn, and India’s Bharti Enterprises), First Solar, Gamesa, Trina Solar, and Hanwha Solar.
The Indian solar power market has become highly attractive of late, as the government has announced several incentives for the industry. To achieve the 100 GW operational solar power capacity by 2022, the government has announced plans to set up more than two dozen ultra mega solar power projects with a cumulative capacity of 20 GW. These large-scale solar power projects will be supported by a dedicated renewable energy transmission network — the Green Energy Corridors.
The government has signed agreements with development banks of several countries to garner the financial resources required for such a huge target. The ministry of power is also working with the state to have interstate transmission charges removed for electricity generated from renewable energy projects.
Link: http://cleantechnica.com/2015/11/22/uks-lightsource-signs-3-gw-solar-power-deal-india/
-
Latin America Dominates Ranking of Clean-Power Investments
Nov 23, 2015 | Bloomberg
By Vanessa Dezem
Latin America dominated the list of top emerging nations for clean-energy investments as governments across the region step up efforts to diversify their power supplies.
Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay attracted almost $20 billion in clean-energy investments last year, 16 percent of the total directed to the top 10 countries on Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s Climatescope ranking of emerging economies released Monday.
The region accounted for 14 of the top 30 countries evaluated for their ability to attract capital for low-carbon energy projects, with $23 billion in total investments last year, up 49 percent from 2013. The report ranked 55 emerging nations over the world in 2014.
“Latin America boasts higher clean energy penetration than any other region assessed on Climatescope,” said Ethan Zindler, a New Energy Finance analyst. “There is an explicit proactive effort in the policy side in these countries. There is also an openness to the private sector to participate in the energy generation sector.”New Players
Of 26 Latin American and Caribbean nations surveyed, 10 have adopted targets to generate or consume specific amounts of clean energy, according to the report. In addition, 12 countries have held or plan to hold auctions where clean energy project developers compete for power contracts.
“That creates opportunities to new players,” Zindler said.
After years of strong economic growth, Latin American governments are seeking to ensure there is enough power to meet rising demand, said said Elbia Silva Gannoum, president of Brazil’s wind power association known as Abeeolica.
“These countries need to improve energy security, they need to diversify their sources,” she said. "Energy price elasticity in Latin American countries is very high, which means that any increase in power consumption results in a high increase in prices, affecting population."
Investment is increasing in the region because renewable energy has became more cost competitive. In several countries, wind and solar have reached grid parity, which makes them the best, low-cost option for new generation, according to the report.Brazil and Chile
Brazil trailed only China on the ranking of 55 emerging countries. A total of $14 billion was committed to clean energy projects in Brazil in 2014, almost double the figure for 2013.
After a drought last year dragged down hydropower generation and boosted local power prices, the country stepped up efforts to expand renewable energy capacity. Clean power accounted for 18 percent of total new generation in 2014 as climbing electricity prices made renewables more attractive.
"Brazil’s auctions model brings security for investors," said Maria Luisa Cravo Wittemberg, investments manager of Apex-Brasil, Brazil’s agency for promoting exports and investments.Chile Solar
Chile was No. 3 on the ranking, moving up one spot from last year. The country has emerged as a solar leader, first with merchant projects that sell power on the spot market, and more recently by introducing auctions that have attracted wind and solar developers.
Chile has a target of getting 20 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2025, up from 13 percent in 2014. A total of $2.1 billion was committed to clean energy projects in Chile in 2014, a 30 percent increase from 2013.
New investment in renewable energy in the 55 emerging nations evaluated was $126 billion in 2014, up 39 percent from the prior year. Globally, more than half of all investment in clean power went toward emerging markets, rather than wealthier, developed countries, according to the Climatescope.
Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-23/latin-america-dominates-ranking-of-clean-power-investments
-
Mexico to hold its first post-reform electricity auction
Nov 20, 2015 | PV Magazine
By Blanca Diaz Lopez
Mexico's National Energy Control Center (CENACE) has announced the first electricity auction following sweeping energy sector reform in the nation, which will begin in January. In this auction clean energy certificates will be auctioned off, in addition to energy and capacity.
An estimated timetable for the auction will be published on November 30. After a process of questions and clarifications, definitive documents will be published on December 22. The last day to register bids will be on January 20, 2016, and the process will be resolved on March 31, 2016.
This is the first national auction within the framework of energy reform through which an electricity market will be created in January 2016. The auctions will be carried out annually and will be convened in April.
In this first auction 4-6 million 20-year renewable energy certificates (CELs) will be auctioned off, as well as 15-year contracts for energy and power, according to a government announcement last week during the presentation of the first auction.
For this auction, the only buyer will be state electric utility CFE, who is responsible for covering at least 5% of its customers' electricity demand with clean energy in 2018. Other buyers will participate in future auctions. According to local press coverage, the Mexican Wind Energy Association (AMDEE) estimates that half of the CEL will correspond to wind projects in these auctions.
Mexican law has set a goal for 35% clean electricity in 2024 but does not give concrete goals for technologies.
This week various environmental organizations, among then the Mexican Environmental Network, issued a call for the Mexican Senate to approve the Energy Transition Law (LTE), under the terms it was approved the lower house of Mexico's parliament. According to these organizations, LTE puts forth concrete measures for the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Link: http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/mexico-to-hold-its-first-post-reform-electricity-auction_100022077/#axzz3sJWJ4fuS
Press Release - SFCE Signs Strategic Cooperation Agreement with CGN European Energy
Industry News
Full Text of Stories Below
Add recipients
Suggested