MBR Solar Park’s installed capacity: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced that the total production capacity of the Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park has increased to 3.86 GW. This comprises both solar PV as well as concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies. This includes the addition of 800 MW under phase VI this year. DEWA says clean energy now comprises around 21.5% of its total energy production capacity. The total capacity of the project by 2030 is targeted to reach 7.26 GW, which will expand the share of clean energy in DEWA’s energy mix to 34% (see Dubai’s DEWA Launches MBR Solar Park Phase VII Tender).
LONGi modules for Oman project: Chinese solar PV manufacturer LONGi has signed a module supply contract with the Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA) for Oman. It will deliver its high-efficiency modules that can withstand the high-temperature and strong dust climate of Oman for the 100 MW North Oman Solar Project. It is being developed by OQ subsidiary OQ Alternative Energy (OQAE) in collaboration with France’s TotalEnergies. On completion, it will supply electricity to Petroleum Development Oman (PDO).
Solar Panda expands African footprint: Canadian off-grid solar energy company Solar Panda Corporation has acquired Zambia-based off-grid solar provider VITALITE Zambia Limited, thus expanding its operational footprint in Southern Africa. It adds more than 100,000 customers to its portfolio and strengthens its vertically integrated supply chain. VITALITE introduced PAYGO solar home systems (SHS) in Zambia in 2013. VITALITE Group Limited (Malawi) is not part of the transaction. Solar Panda said it is currently raising Series B equity to further accelerate international expansion after expanding into Senegal recently.
SOGREA in Sierra Leone: The European Union (EU), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) have put their weight behind the Salone Off-Grid Renewable Energy Acceleration (SOGREA) Initiative in Sierra Leone. It aims to help the country increase energy access in rural communities by 2027 through solar mini-grids. The SOGREA initiative supports the government’s target of expanding the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix to 35% by 2030. Under the program, SOGREA will electrify close to 25,000 households and 2,800 businesses in some 60 communities with 5.2 MW of solar generation capacity.
Skyline II trackers for Azerbaijan: Chinese solar tracker maker Arctech Solar has signed a 1 GW project order in Azerbaijan with NWEPDI of China Power Engineering Consulting Group. Its Skyline II trackers will be installed for the Bilasuvar and Banka projects. On completion, these facilities will generate an expected 1.53 billion kWh of clean energy annually, stated Arctech.
Chinese combiner boxes for Uzbek projects: China’s LONGMAX will supply its solar PV combiner boxes for the Samarkand 1 and 2 projects in Uzbekistan with a total installed capacity of 1.2 GW DC. India’s Larsen & Toubro is building the project for Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power as part of the Uzbekistan National Renewable Energy Program. For LONGMAX, this exclusive supply contract is a strategic breakthrough in the Central Asian market.
