SUNYA SCOOP

The slow week

December 31, 2024

Rayonier Signs 104,000-Acre Carbon Capture Deal

  • Land Lease: Partnered with Reliant Carbon Capture for underground carbon storage in Alabama.

  • Infrastructure Growth: Reliant to develop a large-scale sequestration hub for industrial decarbonization.

  • Sustainable Focus: Builds on Rayonier’s 2.7M-acre timberland portfolio across the U.S. and New Zealand.

Northleaf Sells Majority Stake in Spain's 494 MWp Mula Solar Farm

  • Big exit: Northleaf Capital Partners divests its majority stake in NCP Mula Solar, a 494 MWp photovoltaic giant in Murcia, Spain.

  • The buyer: Sold in partnership with minority investor Qualitas Energy to China Three Gorges, a leader in clean energy.

  • High-performance asset: Mula ranks among Europe’s largest operational solar plants, backed by a long-term PPA and top-tier bank financing.

  • Timeline: Northleaf acquired its stake in 2018, optimized the plant’s operations, and initiated the sale in late 2023.

  • Global footprint: Northleaf, managing $27B in private market commitments, operates with a 275-person team in multiple cities.

Boralex Expands UK Portfolio with 97 MW Additions

  • 195 MW Boost: Boralex is co-developing the Clashindarroch Wind Farm Extension and a 50 MW Battery Energy Storage System in Scotland.

  • Strategic Location: The project, near Dufftown, leverages experience from the nearby Dorenell Wind Farm.

  • Decarbonization Push: Supports the UK’s goal to double onshore wind capacity to 27 GW by 2030.

  • In the Pipeline: A Section 36 application for 22 wind turbines and battery storage is under review by the Scottish Government.

  • Renewable Growth: Boralex now has over 3.1 GW in installed capacity globally.

Adapture Renewables Completes Texas Solar Project Ahead of Schedule

  • 67 MW Online: Solar project in Hunt County, Texas, generates 120 GWh/year, powering 12,500 homes.

  • Corporate Sustainability: Supports a Fortune 50 company's renewable goals.

  • Economic Impact: Over 150 jobs created and $77M injected into the local economy.

Emeren Group Secures PPA for 15 MWp Solar in Poland

  • Polish Power: Solar farm in Silesia to generate 14,958 MWh/year, cutting 16,150 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

  • Local Jobs: Construction created 80 jobs, including for Ukrainian workers.

  • Economic Growth: Will contribute over 250,000 PLN annually in local taxes.

Pluto Train 2 Powers Ahead for Woodside Energy

  • LNG Expansion: Pluto Train 2, part of the Scarborough Energy Project, nears completion with 56,000 tonnes of modules delivered.

  • Massive Capacity: The train will process 5 million tonnes of LNG/year and supply 225 terajoules/day to Western Australia.

Baker Hughes Powers LNG for Woodside Louisiana

  • Massive Capacity: Contract covers gas technology for two liquefaction plants totaling 11 MTPA of capacity.

  • Tech Specs: Includes 8 LM6000PF+ turbines and expander-compressors to align with Woodside’s permitted 27.6 MTPA.

  • Timeline: Woodside targets final investment decision readiness by Q1 2025.

Cheniere Achieves First LNG at Corpus Christi Stage 3

  • LNG Milestone: Train 1 is operational, with completion expected by Q1 2025, six months early.

  • Massive Capacity: Stage 3 adds 10+ MTPA capacity; full Corpus Christi site to exceed 25 MTPA.

  • Global Reach: Cheniere operates 45 MTPA, with expansions underway, solidifying its status as the U.S.'s largest LNG exporter.

Aypa Power Secures $190M for 200 MW Battery Storage Project in Texas

  • Big Texas Battery: Aypa Power locks in $190M for its 200 MW/400 MWh Bypass Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Fort Bend County near Houston.

  • Financial Breakdown:

    • $68M Construction-to-Term Loan.

    • $91M Tax Equity Bridge Loan.

    • $31M in Letters of Credit, with $26M project-specific.

    • $94M in tax equity from Morgan Stanley Renewables Inc. via a hybrid structure.

  • Backers: SMBC as Administrative Agent & Green Loan Coordinator, Santander as Coordinating Lead Arranger, and Siemens Financial Services as Joint Lead Arranger.

  • Market Support: Project secured by a long-term offtake agreement, bolstering its revenue profile.

  • Aypa’s Footprint: Manages 30+ utility-scale storage and hybrid renewable energy projects across North America.

Ormat Goes Live with Montague Energy Storage Facility in New Jersey

  • Powering PJM: Ormat’s new Montague facility delivers 20MW/120MWh of energy storage capacity, enhancing grid reliability in the PJM market.

  • Tax boost: The project is set to qualify for a 30% Investment Tax Credit, aligning with Ormat’s strategic growth in energy storage.

  • Capacity milestones: This addition brings Ormat's total in the PJM area to 120MW/120MWh and expands its global storage portfolio to 290MW/658MWh.

  • Future goals: Ormat targets 950MW-1050MW/2.5GWh-2.9GWh of energy storage by 2028, bolstering its clean energy ambitions.

  • Seasoned player: With 50+ years of geothermal expertise and a global 1,520MW portfolio, Ormat is growing its footprint in energy storage markets.

EQT Closes $3.5B in Midstream JV with Blackstone

  • $3.5B Cash: EQT monetized a non-controlling interest in its midstream assets with Blackstone Credit & Insurance.

  • Debt Cleared: Proceeds were used to pay down term loans and revolving credit facilities.

Ecopetrol Buys Repsol’s 45% Stake in Block CPO-09

  • Strategic Ownership: Ecopetrol becomes sole owner of block CPO-09 in Meta, Colombia.

  • Production Boost: Adds 41 million barrels to reserves and 7,000 barrels/day of production.

  • Energy Transition: Reinforces its leadership in the Llanos Orientales basin while advancing decarbonization efforts.

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.