Clean Energy Pipeline

Amazon has partnered with Swiss battery startup Unbound Potential, a participant in the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator, to trial a novel battery technology designed to meet Amazon’s energy storage needs. Unbound Potential has developed a membrane-less redox flow battery that does rely on critical raw materials, unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, and is said to offer an extended shelf life while being more cost-effective for stationary applications. Unbound Potential’s long-duration energy storage solution aims to address Amazon’s challenge of limited solar energy utilisation by enabling off-grid, 24/7 fulfilment centres powered entirely by renewable sources. David Taylor, CEO of Unbound Potential, stated: “There could be no better partner for our market entry than this pilot with Amazon. “Our membrane-less battery system offers lower maintenance and significantly reduced investment costs. Amazon provides the ideal environment to rigorously test and further optimise our battery technology, which we aim to scale for industrial applications.” Throughout the pilot, Amazon’s experts will collaborate with Unbound Potential, providing feedback, troubleshooting assistance, and refinement opportunities to ensure optimal performance. Upon completion, Amazon will evaluate the environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, and overall viability of the technology, assessing whether it can be scaled across additional sites as part of a long-term partnership. “This trailblazing programme is a testament to Amazon’s commitment to supporting innovation and driving positive change,” remarked Amazon’s Sustainability Director, Justine Mahler. “By providing a real-world testing ground for unique and cutting-edge technologies, we’re not only reducing our environmental impact but also creating a blueprint for more sustainable practices across the industry.” Unbound Potential’s design departs from conventional redox flow batteries by using non-miscible electrolytes to control ion exchange, eliminating the need for a membrane. #cleanenergy

German company ENERPARC AG has inaugurated a 192 MWp solar cluster in Rhineland-Palatinate. After three years of construction, all nine solar PV plants in the cluster are now operational and feeding power into the public grid. The Cochem-Zell solar cluster is located in the Moselle valley and is capable of generating enough clean electricity to supply approximately 54,000 households per annum. In addition to the solar cluster, ENERPARC is advancing nine additional projects in the municipality, expected to add around 100 MWh of solar power annually. Five are set for completion by mid-2025, with the remaining four scheduled by the end of 2026. ENERPARC celebrated the inauguration at the Grenderich site, alongside Rhineland-Palatinate’s Minister for Climate Protection, Katrin Eder, and local representatives. “The municipality of Zell exemplifies how we can drive the energy transition by reducing bureaucracy and fostering cooperation,” said Stefan Mueller, ENERPARC board member. “This region recognises that renewable energy expansion also supports economic growth.” Project Manager Martin F. added: “At ENERPARC, we oversee all services needed for large-scale solar installations, and we involve local companies to support project success. With our substation infrastructure in Kreuzstein, Bremm, and Pünderich, we are now feeding solar power from across the cluster into the grid.” #cleanenergy

Recharge, owned by Infracapital, has secured €180 million of multi-currency facilities to bolster its Nordic-focused EV charging operations. Recharge received a contribution of €45 million from KfW IPEX-Bank, with the remaining amount coming from three other project finance banks. “With this financing for our new customer Recharge, we build out our electric vehicle charging infrastructure portfolio und underline our leading position in this growing segment,” said Andreas Ufer, Member of the Management Board of KfW IPEX-Bank. “This is perfectly in line with our mission to support the transformation in the mobility sector.” Founded in 2011, Recharge operates more than 4,500 charge points at 800 locations across the Nordic countries, with the majority located in Norway. Recharge also has long-term partnerships with companies including IKEA, Esso, and McDonald's. #cleanenergy

GridBeyond has received a $7.8 million award to support the Advanced Reliability and Resiliency Operations for Wind and Solar (ARROWS) R&D project in the US. The ARROWS project is being funded by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy | U.S. Department of Energy under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and will leverage GridBeyond’s AI-powered Renewable Controls Platform (RCP) to demonstrate the scalability, cost-effectiveness, and reliability of advanced grid services. In collaboration with the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), this project aims to integrate inverter-based resources (IBRs), including solar PV and battery storage, into New Mexico’s electricity grid. “This project has the potential to boost confidence in renewable power investment while simultaneously helping to make New Mexico’s utility grid both greener and more resilient,” said Ben Sigrin, Principal Investigator of the project and Senior Product Manager at GridBeyond. PNM has committed to 100% clean energy by 2040, but achieving this goal requires addressing integration challenges such as potential service disruptions, device failures, and energy security concerns across the state, including in the 19 tribal communities PNM serves. To support PNM’s goals, GridBeyond will deploy its RCP technology, which uses AI to forecast, optimise, and control IBRs in real-time. GridBeyond will work alongside several partners for the ARROWS project. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will offer expertise in Hardware-in-the-Loop, control algorithms, and grid services, while Utilicast, an electricity market consultancy, will assist in navigating New Mexico’s regulatory landscape. New Mexico State University (NMSU) will collect and analyse data from the demonstrations. #cleanenergy

AFRY has been awarded a contract by Helen, a Finnish energy company, to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on large-scale hydrogen production in Helsinki. The study will assess the viability of producing green hydrogen at the site and outline conditions for cost-effective development. “In the face of a rapidly transforming energy landscape, Helen is at the forefront of developing sustainable solutions that meet the needs of our customers and the environment,” said Sari Mannonen, SVP New Business and Hydrogen at Helen. “Our green hydrogen production plant would be a landmark project in Finland’s energy sector.” Using a top-down approach, the feasibility study will align the project’s goals with detailed engineering and discipline-specific considerations. The study will integrate the latest data to provide market insights, enabling Helen to explore optimal designs for efficient, low-cost hydrogen production. Ilkka Heikkilä, Regional Director, Renewable and Thermal Energy at AFRY, noted: “We are thrilled to partner with Helen on this project that would contribute to the green transition. This project represents one of Finland’s first large-scale hydrogen plants, and developing it in partnership with an industry leader like Helen is truly exciting.” This hydrogen production initiative supports Helen’s target to deliver carbon-neutral district heating, cooling, and electricity to over half a million clients by 2030. The feasibility study is set for completion by mid-2025, providing Helen with the analysis needed for subsequent investment decisions. #cleanenergy

Global alternative asset manager Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) has acquired a 50% stake in Revent Energy Co. Ltd. from ST International Corporation, a South Korean energy company. As equal partners in Revent Energy, ICG and STI aim to bolster the company’s growth plans, which will focus on acquiring, developing, constructing, owning and operating onshore wind projects across South Korea. Revent Energy has a target to secure 500 MW of installed wind capacity within the next five years. “We are delighted to be partnering with STI to support Revent Energy’s growth plans,” said Devarshi Das, Head of ICG Asia-Pacific Infrastructure. “With increasing demand for renewables in South Korea, this is an exciting time to enter the market and this partnership constitutes the perfect opportunity to do so. We look forward to working closely with both STI and the Company’s management team as we embark on this next phase of growth.” Gil-Yong Ha, CEO & Representative Director of STI, noted: “We have great trust in this partnership with ICG, a company that shares our strong belief in Revent Energy and its promising growth trajectory. “With Revent Energy’s established repowering projects and a robust growth pipeline, the Company is strategically placed to seize the increasing demand for renewable energy in the South Korean market. We eagerly look forward to collaborating to achieve our shared goals.” Revent Energy currently holds interest in two large operating wind farms, Yeongyang Wind Power Cooperation and Youngduk Wind Power Co. Ltd., both of which are set for repowering to significantly increase the installed capacity. ICG’s entry into the South Korea’s clean energy market is further buoyed by a government target to deploy 72.7 GW of renewables by 2030. Shin & Kim and Ashurst served as legal counsels to ICG. #cleanenergy

A joint venture between Aukera Energy and Locogen has been granted approval from The Scottish Government for the 45 MW Loch Fergus solar farm in South Ayrshire. “This is a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in this project and a continuation of our successful partnership with Locogen,” said Richard Hillam, Development Director for Aukera UK. “Scotland’s central and local governments are yet again demonstrating the country’s desire to rapidly decarbonise.” The Loch Fergus solar farm will also feature a 40 MW battery energy storage system and is expected to be operational by 2026. The Loch Fergus project is set to produce approximately 57 GWh of clean energy per annum, enough to power over 13,600 homes and offset around 19,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Loch Fergus will join Aukera’s consented Benthead project, which is set to begin construction soon. Stuart Hamilton, Head of Development at Locogen, stated: “We are delighted to have received planning approval for the Loch Fergus solar farm. Solar energy is one of the lowest-cost and quickest to deploy forms of renewable energy, and this project will make a significant contribution to the Scottish Government’s net zero target by 2045.” Aukera will oversee the construction and operation of the Loch Fergus project. #cleanenergy

The International Energy Agency (IEA) will convene an International Summit on the Future of Energy Security on the 24 and 25 April 2025, hosted by the UK government at Lancaster House in London. The Summit will address traditional and emerging risks related to energy security in an era of geopolitical strains, technological transformation and a changing climate. The Summit will examine the geopolitical, technological and economic factors affecting energy security at the national and international level. It will provide leaders and decision-makers from around the world with an opportunity to review the trends redefining global energy security. These include changes in energy demand, supply and trade; the adoption of clean and efficient energy solutions; the availability of the minerals and metals required for clean energy technologies – from wind turbines and solar panels to electric vehicles and battery storage; and the allocation of investment during the transition away from fossil fuels. The IEA has been at the heart of international energy security for 50 years – helping avoid, mitigate and manage energy supply disruptions and crises. As the world changes, so do the challenges around energy security. While risks around oil and natural gas security show no signs of abating, new ones are emerging that could significantly hinder energy transitions and undermine the resilience of energy systems, if not addressed promptly and effectively. This calls for new and enhanced approaches to energy security – fit for today and the decades ahead – to ensure uninterrupted access to affordable energy. #cleanenergy

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $434.25 million loan to support the construction of a new solar power and energy storage project in Assam, India. The Assam Solar Project includes the construction of a 500 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) facility in Karbi Anglong district, along with a grid-connected battery energy storage system. The project will be developed as a joint venture between the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) and ONGC Tripura Power Company Ltd. “Addressing the renewable energy capacity shortage in Assam is crucial to meet growing demand and reduce dependency on fossil fuels,” said ADB Principal Energy Specialist Jiwan Acharya. “This project will help Assam develop a renewable energy road map and increase its solar energy capacity.” To attract private sector investment, ADB will strengthen Assam’s public-private partnership (PPP) framework and build capacity for developing renewable energy projects under PPP models. The project will further establish a PPP agreement for an additional 250 MW solar PV facility in the Karbi Anglong district. An additional $1 million technical assistance grant from ADB’s Clean Energy Fund under the Clean Energy Financing Partnership Facility will support project implementation, awareness-raising, and capacity building within APDCL and local communities. #cleanenergy

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Elia Transmission Belgium (Elia Group) have signed a €650 million green credit facility to fund the first phase of the Princess Elisabeth Island project. The Princess Elisabeth Island project is an artificial energy island, located 45 km off the Belgian coast, and aims to integrate an additional 3.5 GW of offshore wind power into Belgium’s electricity grid. The project has also secured a €100 million loan through NextGenerationEU’s European Recovery and Resilience Facility. The financing agreement was signed on 25 October 2024 by EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot, ETB CEO Frederic Dunon, and ELIA Group Interim CEO Catherine Vandenborre at a ceremony held at the island’s caisson yard in Vlissingen, Netherlands. Key attendees included Belgian Minister of Energy Tinne Van der Straeten, the Head of the European Commission Representation in Belgium, Thomas de Béthune, and diplomatic representatives from North Sea-bordering countries. “The Princess Elisabeth Island project is a cornerstone for enhancing Belgium’s and Europe’s energy security and independence,” said Robert de Groot, Vice President of the EIB. “This initiative not only strengthens Belgium’s energy infrastructure but also fosters vital interconnections with neighbouring countries, promoting increased regional cooperation. By investing in this project, the EIB and Elia are paving the way for a sustainable, more secure, and resilient energy future for all European citizens.” Catherine Vandenborre, Interim CEO of Elia Group, noted: “We highly value the support from the EIB, which marks another milestone in our funding diversification strategy. “Our pioneering work on creating an artificial energy island amplifies Europe’s innovative edge amidst a global energy shift. This loan provides stable, long-term financing under favourable conditions, benefiting Belgian consumers.” The Princess Elisabeth Island will be constructed between 2024 and 2027, featuring both high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and alternating current (HVAC) infrastructure. The first of the island’s caissons, or foundation structures, are being built in Vlissingen and will soon be installed offshore and filled with sand to form the island’s base. The high-voltage infrastructure will consolidate export cables from wind farms in the Princess Elisabeth Zone while also serving as a hub for hybrid interconnectors that will connect Belgium with the United Kingdom and other neighbouring countries. #cleanenergy