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

Qair, a France-based independent power producer, has completed applications to obtain permits for 500 MW of solar projects in Italy. These projects are located in southeastern Sicily, Italy. The 500 MW of solar projects will enable the company to consolidate a 1 GW portfolio of projects. The company is expected to complete its financings first and build projects by the end of 2022, to reach 500 MW of installed capacity by 2025.

BoxLNG, an India-based distributed clean bioenergy project developer, has signed a technology collaboration and investment agreement with a global bioenergy system supplier, HoSt Holding. Through its subsidiary ZiPGAS, the company holds 14 Letter of Intents to supply around 150 tons of Compressed Biogas (CBG) daily under the Government of India’s Sustainable Alternatives Towards Affordable Transporation scheme. The company will start implementing three projects on the ground in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra from February 2021. These projects will be followed by the remaining 11 projects through 2021.

BYD, a China-based automobile manufacturer, has won a cumulative order to supply 1,002 units of pure electric buses to Colombo’s capital Bogota. Bogota City Public Transport Authority launched a tender covering diesel, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and electric technologies for 1,925 buses in August 2020. The company will partner with local bus manufacturers Superpolo and BUSSCAR for bus body parts. The company is expected to deliver buses during 2021 and in the first half of 2022.

US-based Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative has signed agreements with The AES Corporation to develop, construct, and operate its solar pumped hydro storage project called West Kaua’i Energy project. A power purchase agreement (PPA) was also executed and filed with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. The project will offset the use of 8.5 million gallons of fossil fuels annually and supply irrigation water delivery to support diversified agriculture on state-owned lands. Once operational, the solar array will contribute up to 35 MW directly to the grid and store up to 240 MWh for dispatch during the evening peak.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s latest report, developers and power generators have plans to start commercial operation for 39.7 GW of new power generating capacity in 2021. Solar is expected to account for around 49% share of new capacity in 2021. Utility-scale solar capacity is expected to contribute 15.4 GW of energy to the grid in 2021. An additional 4.1 GW of small-scale solar PV capacity is also expected to enter service by the end of 2021. While wind power will represent about a 31% share of new capacity and is expected to add 12.2 GW of energy to the grid in 2021. The report stated that 4.3 GW of battery power capacity additions would come online by the end of 2021.

Neoen, a global renewable energy producer, has signed a PPA with the consortium formed by Heineken, Philips, Signify, and Nouryon. The 10-year agreement covers a capacity of 126 MW. The electricity and guarantees of origin are to be produced by the future Mutkalampi wind farm in Finland, codeveloped with Prokon and owned by Neoen. The total capacity of the wind park announced at 250 MW will be increased to 404 MW. The PPA signed with the consortium is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2023.

Here is our previous daily news wrap-up.