April 2018 - New Energy Events

USVI microgrid soliciting bids for O&M services
April 27, 2018
Installed 200 kW PV microgrid in St. Croix, USVI is soliciting an RFP for companies to bid O&M services. In addition to a large distributed PV array on many rooftops the microgrid is independent from the grid and includes 10+ hours of battery storage, and two standby diesel generators. RFP will be released 5/1/18, work […]
Puerto Rico’s governor courts new investors to rebuild the power grid
April 26, 2018
Gov. Ricardo Rossello says Puerto Rico needs new money to rebuild the hurricane-damaged “1950s energy grid”. Rossello told CNBC on Wednesday that investment is needed from public and private sources to update the grid and help rebuild the island, advancing into energy 2.0. However, attracting new investors may prove difficult considering the island’s history of […]
Jamaican wind farm IPO set to boost local economy
April 26, 2018
The Wigton Windfarm – which made a net profit of $186 million as of March 2017 – is going public, with the help of broker Mayberry Investments Limited. The aim of the IPO is to encourage Jamaicans to become involved in the energy sector, says DBJ’s Managing Director Milverton Reynolds. “We want to widen the base of […]
Costa Rica’s 7th geothermal plant is 80% complete
April 26, 2018
In Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province, the construction of the Las Pailas II Geothermal Project is 80% complete. The installation of the Mitsubishi Hitachi turbine is exceeding the established schedule, keeping the progress swift, with preliminary tests to begin in October. Elsewhere on the project site, much has already been completed, including transmission, reinjection systems, drilled […]
Costa Rica utility signs MOU with UAE’s Masdar to develop solar and storage
April 25, 2018
Following the recent entry into the region with the UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund, Abu Dhabi-based energy firm Masdar has formed a partnership with Costa Rica. Masdar and state-run utility Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) have signed an MoU to share technical knowledge and project experience for renewable energy development. The agreement aims to promote collaboration […]
Dominican Republic calls for switch to LED lighting
April 20, 2018
The Dominican Republic has called for a ban on imports of fluorescent lamp and urged state institutions to switch to more efficient light-emitting diodes, better known as LEDs. By taking on this transition to LEDs, the Caribbean island will make progress towards its commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement and the Minimata Convention on Mercury. […]
Dominica’s geothermal project will receive $17.2m from World Bank
April 19, 2018
Dominica’s 7 MW geothermal project will get an injection of $17.2 million from The World Bank. The bank’s Operations Officer, Karlene Francis, speaking at the launch of the Climate Resilience Execution Agency for Dominica (CREAD) said, “The bank is also working with the Dominica Geothermal Development Company to prepare a geothermal risk mitigation project. Geothermal energy is […]
Cuba adopts new net metering law to promote solar energy development
April 19, 2018
On March 23, the Cuban government signed Law No 345, “On the Development of Renewable Sources and the Efficient Use of Energy,” according to the local organization, Cubasolar. This law aims to increase renewable energy up to 24% by 2030, Cuba’s renewable energy goal. According to local newspaper, Periódico 26, local state-owned power company ,Unión Eléctrica de […]
St. Lucia 3 MW solar plant 90% complete, begins feeding power to grid
April 17, 2018
Just shy of fifteen thousand solar panels, the St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) 3MW Solar Farm in La Tourney, Vieux Fort is now feeding solar energy into the island’s electricity grid. This is the island’s first utility-scale solar farm. As of April 11, the entire 3 MW was online, producing its maximum output. Project Director, […]