Solar for Japanese airports: Japanese financial services group ORIX Corporation has completed the installation of 22.8 MW solar power generation capacity for Kansai International Airport and around 600 kW for Osaka International Airport in Japan. It says these projects mark one of the largest onsite power purchase agreements (PPAs) in the country. The projects have started supplying power to the airports starting February 1, 2025, which will be consumed onsite by the airports. ARENA funding for DER: The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced AUD 20.8 million ($12.9 million) in funding to Western Power for the development of an end-to-end commercial solution focused on distributed energy resources (DER). This project Jupiter is coming up within the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) in Western Australia. It will be the first live DER marketplace in Australia integrated with the wholesale market, according to ARENA. DER involves the use of renewable energy generation – for instance, rooftop solar, energy storage, electric vehicles (EV) and technology – that consumers can use at their premises to manage their electricity demand. Western Power’s Head of Distribution Energy Transition Andrew Blaver said, “This project will enable more consumers to join VPPs using their solar panels and home batteries, revolutionising how our energy system operates. By 2028, all new distributed energy resources (DER) connected to WA’s network will be able to participate in a VPP, allowing households to unlock greater value from their energy investments. EPBC nod sought for 320 MW AC solar in NSW: French energy giant TotalEnergies says its Middlebrook Solar Farm has been referred under New South Wales’ (NSW) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) in Australia. The project will have a potential capacity of up to 320 MW AC, accompanied by a large AC-coupled battery with up to 300 MW/780 MWh capacity. In November 2024, the project was accorded conditional approval by NSW’s Independent Planning Commission (see Asia Pacific Solar PV Snippets: STMicroelectronics & Engie Enter Solar PPA In Malaysia & More).
