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

Enel Green Power North America has announced construction on five new renewable energy projects in the U.S., including three hybrid renewable and storage projects, and its largest solar project in the US. The new wind, solar and hybrid projects represent over 1.5 GW of new capacity and 319 MW of battery storage capacity. The five new projects under construction will generate over 4.1 TWh of renewable electricity per year, equivalent to avoiding 2.5 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions and enough to power over 525,000 U.S. households annually.

Sungrow, a global inverter solution supplier for renewables, will supply PV inverter solutions for a 200 MW project in Egypt. The project is slated to be the largest privately developed utility-scale solar installation in the country. Located within a desert area of Kom Ombo, it will increase the share of renewable energy in Egypt’s energy mix in line with national targets.

Car manufacturer Mahindra will open an advanced design center for mobility products in the U.K. Called the Mahindra Advanced Design Europe, it will be a part of the Mahindra Global Design Network, which includes the Mahindra Design Studio in Mumbai, India, and Pininfarina Design in Turin, Italy. It will sharpen the auto maker’s product designs and technology.

Equinor and Vårgrønn have signed a collaboration agreement to jointly apply for offshore wind acreage in Norway for the Utsira Nord area. The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has opened two areas for offshore renewables. The authorities are currently working on the licensing process for wind projects. The collaboration is aimed at operating a 1 GW installed capacity for Vårgrønn by 2030.

International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, will provide Absa Bank with a loan of up to $150 million to help the bank expand its climate finance business. It will, in turn, help South Africa meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets. IFC’s lending accounts for Africa’s first certified green loan will increase funding for biomass and other renewable energy projects in South Africa, supporting the country’s power sector and economic recovery from Covid-19. Lending by Absa for green projects will be disclosed, improving transparency. In addition to the loan, IFC will provide technical advice and knowledge sharing to help the bank develop a green, social, and sustainable bonds and loans framework.

EnergyAustralia has announced the expansion of its existing Tallawarra power station in the Illawarra region, following an agreement reached with the Government of New South Wales. The new power station will deliver reliable power to around 150,000 homes, contribute $300 million to the economy, and create 250 well-paid jobs during construction. The power station will be capable of using a blend of green hydrogen and natural gas, with the plant’s greenhouse gas emissions to be fully offset over its operational life.