Here are some noteworthy cleantech announcements of the day from around the world:

The government of Ecuador has raised the targeted capacity in the 2021 renewable energy tender to 500 MW from 200 MW. The move aims to develop small hydroelectric plants, photovoltaic, wind, and biomass projects. The initiative also aims to attract private investment of around $300 million. Concessions for up to 120 MW of hydroelectric stations, 30 MW of biomass-based power plants, and 50 MW of wind and solar farms were provided in the Bloque ERNC 200 MW international tender, with an added 300 MW being added to the wind and solar categories.

EV charging solutions provider Magenta has set up the country’s largest public EV charging station in Navi Mumbai. To be functional 24/7, the facility will have 21 AC/ DC chargers for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers. A parking bay would support vehicles needing slow AC charging. These chargers can be operated through the ChargeGrid App with online remote monitoring, including an automated payment gateway. The chargers are also powered by a combined 40 kW rooftop solar power. The initiative is aligned with the government’s aim of setting up 400,000 charging stations to meet the requirement for 2 million electric vehicles by 2026.

Delhi-based digital lending company Prest Loans has ventured into financing of electrical vehicles (EVs). It has collaborated with Japanese EV manufacturer Terra Motors and Mumbai-based Eqaro Guarantees for providing guarantee against credit defaults. This will help the firm provide easy, fast, and affordable financing to driver buyers of EVs. The new initiative will help broaden the scope of offerings. Around 70% to 80% of the value of EVs will be financed by Prest Loans. The company aims to tie up with more manufacturers and last-mile delivery service providers.

Oman’s green hydrogen project HYPORT Duqm has signed an agreement with energy giant Uniper, whereby Uniper will provide engineering services and negotiate an offtake pact of green ammonia. HYPORT Duqm has also secured its 150 square kilometers renewable generation site in the special economic zone at Duqm, Oman, as part of the move. HYPORT Duqm project will develop a 250 to 500 MW green hydrogen facility, which is expected to commence operation in 2026. The first phase would establish a complete power-to-product value chain at utility scale, combining first-of-a-kind technology integration, producing competitive green hydrogen and green ammonia.

Green infrastructure developer Cerulean Winds has inked a pact with UK’s large-scale industrial facilities operator px Group to assist in its onshore green hydrogen projects. Under the agreement, px Group would have lease and ownership arrangements for the sites and planning permissions and permitting. The three onshore hydrogen sites would be in the North of England, North-east Scotland, and Shetland. The project is expected to generate 3GWh of power, enough to electrify most offshore facilities, reducing CO₂ emissions by more than half from 2025. An excess of 1.5 GWh of power would be diverted to onshore green hydrogen plants.

Germany-based sonnen has announced the launch of sonnenCommunity New York Virtual Power Plant (VPP), a solar-cum-battery project for homeowners in New York State. In the initial phase of the program, sonnen will provide locally generated clean energy to 200 homes in Westchester County, NY, at a discounted rate. The firm will also be the exclusive hardware and software provider for the project.  Sustainable Westchester, a non-profit administering Westchester Power Program, will act as a partner for this project to build a dispatchable grid asset that will provide homeowners with backup power, ensure carbon-neutral living, and generate revenue for participating in the New York energy market.

Harsh Shukla is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Indian Express, he has covered general interest stories. He holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune.

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