29 January 2016

EF BRIEFS: Gamesa, Solarcentury, Kohli, United Photovoltaics Group

Gamesa shares up 20% amid Siemens bid rumours

Spanish wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa's share price soared 20% today amid reports that German conglomerate Siemens is mulling a takeover bid.

It was reported that Siemens has hired Goldman Sachs to advise it on a swoop.

Gamesa released a statement that acknowledged the "news and rumours regarding a potential corporate transaction between Gamesa Corporación Tecnológica ... and Siemens", but said "no resolution has been approved, nor has any agreement been materialised".

It added that the company "regularly analyses any strategic opportunities that the group identifies from time to time".

One industry insider told Environmental Finance: "Gamesa's is the kind of statement you make when you're in talks".

 

Solarcentury sells first solar farm in Germany

London-based renewables developer Solarcentury has sold its first solar farm in Germany, saying the market in the country is picking up.

The firm constructed the 4.7MW plant, which was sold for an undisclosed price, over a five-week period, securing debt and an unnamed investor. It is the first of 25 projects supported via Germany's new renewables auction system to become operational.

Solarcentury, which operates in Europe, Africa and the Americas, has previously developed rooftop solar in Germany, but this is the biggest project it has completed in the market. "We believe the outlook for solar in Germany is getting brighter, despite mixed fortunes of the recent past," said CEO Frans van den Heuvel.

It recently sold its entire UK portfolio to Magnetar Solar.

Australian carbon credits break through the 20m mark, as new regime hailed a success

Australia's Clean Energy Regulator has issued its 20 millionth carbon credit, and said offsetting in the country is gathering pace.

It said 8 million Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) were last year issued in the first two rounds of auctions under its Emissions Reduction Fund, which was brought in to replace the Carbon Farming Initiative.

In 2012, shortly after ACCUs were launched, just 350,000 ACCUs were issued.

The Emissions Reduction Fund awards credits to projects that can offer carbon dioxide savings at the cheapest rate, via a 'reverse-auction' process. Examples of projects include EDL's landfill gas project in Queensland and various vegetation and regeneration projects.

"Reaching this milestone shows the Emissions Reduction Fund is accelerating carbon abatement in Australia," said Chloe Munro, chair of the Clean Energy Regulator. The regime's third round is slated for 27 and 28 April.

 

Solar venture seeks $100m

A solar venture is hoping to raise $100 million over the next three years to help it expand its home-lighting installation business across India, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

The fundraising was announced by disruptive technology investor Kohli Ventures and Indian solar projects and services company Zynergy Group, which formed a partnership last month.

The capital will help Zynergy, which specialises in solar-based applications for homes in rural communities, expand into new markets and develop its manufacturing and research and development operations.

Kohli last month said it invested $10 million into Zynergy to support a new manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu, India, which will make kit such as cells, modules and inverters.

United Photovoltaics Group places share options

Chinese solar firm United Photovoltaics Group has placed 36,568,319 share options.

The company, which invests in and operates solar across China, will offer 36,568,319 ordinary shares at HK$0.564 ($0.07) each – the average closing price based on the five days prior to the announcement. At the time of writing, shares were trading at HK$0.57, up 3.64% since opening.

The share options will be granted to directors and other employees and are valid for five years. 30% will be exercisable after one year, with a further 30% exercisable after two years and the remaining 40% exercisable after three years.