Category: Alternative Energy

Renewable Power Finance for Non-Finance Professionals – A Brand New Online Workshop

Infocus International Group has introduced the brand new online workshop – Renewable Power Finance for Non-Finance Professionals and it will be commencing live on the 20th of April 2022.

This popular course is intended as a time-efficient primer for those from a non-financial background, who wish to better “read” financial models & analyses presented to them, and to understand the variables which most influence renewable power project investment decisions.

Attendees will receive clear explanations of the common elements of a power project financial model, the key terminologies, and the changing economic and market context in which renewable power business plans must exist (and create financial returns).

The course will highlight the key financial inputs and outputs, without swamping those who lack a financial background in unnecessary detail or complexity. It will thus enable people from a variety of non-finance job roles – from engineering to project development to marketing – to better understand how economic and investment considerations influence, and are influenced by, their own activities.

A provided Excel cash flow model plus numerous other handouts will help with revision and cementation of learning long after the course has been completed.

Course Sessions

1. ‘Reading’ a project cash flow model
2. Risks, returns, and the costs of finance
3. The changing value of electricity
4. Power project business cases and profitability

Among the key points to be addressed

– Learn to speak the language of finance, to better interact with investors and business case developers
– Understand how to ‘read’ a financial analysis sheet, without being swamped by the minutiae and detail
– Take away an Excel cash flow sheet which you can use to revise and solidify your learning
– Learn how project risks feed through to financing costs and energy price competitiveness
– Analyse which internal project variables and external market factors are most important to financial outcomes
– Explore the financial considerations of trends such as multiple revenue streams and energy storage
– Examine the balances of risks and returns, at various stages in a project’s life cycle
– Understand the relevance of metrics such as ‘LCOE’, ‘WACC’ & ‘DSCR’ in business planning
– Quantify how key market trends are impacting renewable power business cases, risks and returns

Want to learn more?

Simply email to emilia@infocusinternational.com or call +65 6325 0210 to obtain your FREE COPY of event brochure. For more information, please visit https://www.infocusinternational.com/renewable-power-finance.

About Infocus International Group

Infocus International is a global business intelligence provider of strategic information and professional services for diverse business communities.

Infocus International recognises clients’ needs and responds with innovative and result oriented programmes. All products are founded on high value content in diverse subject areas, and the highest level of quality is ensured through intensive and in-depth market research from local and international insights.

Emilia Mok
Tel: +65 6325 0210
Email: emilia@infocusevent.com
Website: www.infocusinternational.com

Pertamina Sets Initiatives to Expedite Energy Transition

  • Becoming a Global Energy Champion

PT Pertamina (Persaro), the state-owned energy company serving Indonesia as well as international markets, has set several initiatives to accelerate its energy transition toward the 2030 target energy mix and to reduce emissions, ensuring sustainability.

The screenshot of Pertamina’s Senior Vice President of Investment Management Daniel Purba at the virtual Media Briefing Pertamina-Dubai Expo, Jakarta, Friday (3/19/2022). (ANTARA/Katriana)

“Pertamina is fully committed to ensuring that we manage sustainability issues properly, aligned with international standards,” Pertamina’s Senior Vice President of Investment Management Daniel Purba stated during a virtual media briefing for Indonesia – Dubai Expo on Friday.

Pertamina has set environmental targets including reducing 2030 emissions by 30 percent to address the climate change, reducing the environmental footprint by complying with water and waste management practices, and protecting biodiversity by providing a net positive biodiverse impact, as well as other sustainable targets.

Pertamina’s strategies to drive green energy are executed through priority initiatives, including a net zero roadmap, conducting decarbonization, and improving the new and renewable energy capacity with an allocated CAPEX of 14 percent for clean, new and renewable energy. Pertamina’s commitment aligns with efforts to use domestic resources to supply domestic energy for green development and decarbonization.

Moreover, to drive new and renewable energy growth in Indonesia’s energy mix, Pertamina has also developed several projects and activities to expand the green energy portfolio, one of which is enhancing capacity from 672 megawatts (MW) in 2020 to 1,128 MW in 2026.

Pertamina has also lowered emissions by 27 percent during the 2010-2020 period in its efforts to reduce emissions, and to support Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The target increases to 29 percent by 2030.

Also present at the media breifing, Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) President Director Ahmad Yuniarto highlighted Pertamina’s commitment to developing and generating clean and green power from geothermal resources to drive green energy expansion.

Geothermal Energy (PGE) is in a good position to contribute further to emission reduction and decarbonization. Yuniarto stated that PGE had managed 14 Geothermal Working Areas, with a total installed capacity of 1.877 MW, from Aceh, along Sumatra Island, Java, Bali, and North Sulawesi.

“If you follow the ring of fire, you will find us,” he remarked. “PGE set three approaches: the co-generation approach, including steam and hot brine production to generate green electricity; the co-production approach, studying how to utilize CO2 and extract rare earth elements such as lithium, to produce green hydrogen; and the co-development approach, looking into development of the geothermal area to become ecotourism destination.

“We believe that through these three approaches of co-generation, co-production, and co-development, we are in a very good position to create more value from the geothermal resources that we have,” he affirmed.

Contact: Fajriyah Usman, VP Corporate Communications, PT Pertamina (Persero)
Email: fajriyah.usman@pertamina.com, URL: https://www.pertamina.comn
Written by: Katriana, Editor: Rahmad Nasution (c) ANTARA 2022

Indonesia’s Pertamina Accelerates Energy Transition

Becoming a Global Energy Company

State-owned PT Pertamina (Persero), an energy company that has been active in the global arena, reaffirmed its commitment as a company that cares about the environment, social aspects and good corporate governance, setting the energy transition program as the company’s top priority.

President Director & CEO Nicke Widyawati outlined Pertamina’s strategic initiatives for developing environmentally friendly and sustainable energy at the Indonesia – Dubai Expo media briefing on Friday. (ANTARA FOTO/ADWIT B PRAMONO)

“Pertamina is committed to being known not only as a global energy player but also as an environmentally friendly company, socially responsible and upholding good corporate governance,” said Nicke Widyawati, CEO of PT Pertamina (Persero) at the Indonesia Pavilion – Dubai Expo, on Friday (18/3).

Pertamina has played an important role in the transition of Indonesia’s energy industry by targeting the energy mix and reducing emissions, with a comprehensive reduction of GHG emissions by 30% before 2030. In addition, Pertamina will prioritize the development of New and Renewable Energy (EBT) to address environmental problems, which is in line with Indonesia’s Energy Mix by 2030.

Pertamina also supports Indonesia’s G20 Presidency, which targets energy transition as one of its main priorities. As part of the Business 20 Task Force on Energy, Sustainability, and Climate, Pertamina shares the priorities of G20 Indonesia as a catalyst for green recovery, along with the principles of energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability.

Strategies include the development of green refineries and bioenergy, and the commercialization of hydrogen, while Pertamina has also continued to increase the use of new and renewable energy as well as implement carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) to increase production in several fields, she informed.

Widyawati said that Indonesia’s geothermal resources are abundantly spread across the Ring of Fire. Hence, she believes that these resources could be a strong backbone to accelerate the energy transition, which is in line with the government’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions.

“We believe that by realizing strategic programs in collaboration with many partners across countries, energy sustainability is not merely just a discussion, but also a concrete action in which the impacts can be experienced by everyone,” said Nicke, concluding her remarks.

Contact: Fajriyah Usman, VP Corporate Communications, PT Pertamina (Persero)
Email: fajriyah.usman@pertamina.com, URL: https://www.pertamina.com
Written by: Katriana, Editor: Rahmad Nasution (c) ANTARA 2022

Brand New Renewable Energy Project Finance & Financial Modelling Online Workshop

Infocus International Group has introduced a brand new online workshop – Renewable Energy Project Finance & Financial Modelling and it will be commencing live on the 10th of May 2022.

In the global marketplace of 2020, both developed and developing economies urgently need to master the key techniques and models for financing the transformation to renewable generation while strengthening the reliability of new energy markets and systems. Today’s renewable energy frameworks and markets feature more innovative incentives to structure and analyse RE financial models to ensure that PF transactions are bankable, and conform to RE generation availability and system reliability requirements.

Today’s wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal project finance (PF) transactions require a higher level of expertise not only in programming more sophisticated and flexible financial models, but also in incorporating the latest risk mitigation and credit enhancement instruments. This online course covers both the key PF financial modeling requirements and techniques, risk analysis instruments, as well as bankability practices. The objective of this course is to provide participants with an enhanced understanding of the financial modelling and key documentation requirements of all interested parties to today’s RE PF transactions. This programme provides you with proven PF modelling techniques and transaction management techniques which will enable you to quantitatively assess risks, resolve constraints, and reach project financial closure. The practical models for wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal PF models will be demonstrated through a series of real case examples of projects and transactions from Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

Course Sessions

1. Special requirements for managing Renewable Energy (RE) limited recourse project finance transactions
2. Key requirements of Renewable Energy investments: Technical, management & investment requirements of reliable RE power systems & electricity markets
3. Designing RE financial models part 1: Financial model design requirements & work plan management
4. Designing RE financial models part 2: RE PF financial model capital expenditures and profit & loss statements
5. Designing RE financial models part 3: Programming balance sheets and reviewing & stress-testing solar, wind, hydro, biomass & geothermal PF models
6. Summary interactive wind/solar project financing group exercise: Evaluating an RE PF financial model for risk allocation, transaction closure and post-transaction economic regulation & tariff adjustment

Among the key points to be addressed

– Identify key requirements of limited-recourse Project Finance for Renewable Energy transactions, Power Purchase Agreements
– (PPAs) & PF documentation management
– Review solar, wind, hydro, biomass & geothermal PF financial model design requirements, presentation & formatting standards
– Program financial statements, cash flows, profit & loss statements and managing international accounting standards for RE PF transactions
– Project RE PF balance sheets, SPV reserve accounts, PF refinancing, and conducting sensitivity analyses
– Oversee the design and review of RE PF financial models based upon your own company’s risk profile and corporate goals
– Apply clear investment incentives and renewable energy credit (REC), feed-in-tariffs (FIT), and credit enhancements for bankable private investments in RE generation
– Manage and oversee successful renewable power project finance transactions

Want to learn more?

Simply email to emilia@infocusinternational.com or call +65 6325 0210 to obtain your FREE COPY of event brochure. For more information, please visit www.infocusinternational.com/renewable-project-finance .

About Infocus International Group

Infocus International is a global business intelligence provider of strategic information and professional services for diverse business communities.

Infocus International recognises clients’ needs and responds with innovative and result oriented programmes. All products are founded on high value content in diverse subject areas, and the highest level of quality is ensured through intensive and in-depth market research from local and international insights.

Emilia Mok
Tel: +65 6325 0210
Email: emilia@infocusevent.com
Website: www.infocusinternational.com

Infocus International Relaunches the Highly Recommended Offshore Wind Online Training

Infocus International Group has announced the new date for Offshore Wind training and it will be commencing live on the 5th of April 2022. A comprehensive online course to one of renewable energy’s fastest-growing sectors.

This is a business-focused training seminar designed to provide business developers and investors with an accessible and concise, yet comprehensive understanding of the many facets of these capital-intensive and lengthy projects.

Offshore wind projects are very different from their onshore cousins, both in terms of the components required and the project development and installation processes involved. From turbines and timescales to cabling and costs, the scales are often supersized – with clear economic and practical rationale for this.

This course will lead attendees through the technologies, processes and financial return and risk considerations for those involved in offshore wind project development. Explanations will be provided in clear, business-friendly language accessible to non-engineers. Trends and emerging disruptive technologies, such as floating turbines and integrations with other clean energy solutions, will be introduced and placed into context.

If you need a valuable, up-to-the-minute and independent introduction to the fast-growing offshore wind sector, this online course provides a unique learning opportunity.

Past attendee from ResponsAbility Investments AG commented, “He represents a thoughtful and unbiased view in the realm of renewable energy. His insights are well reasoned, clear and, perhaps most importantly, backed up by hard numbers. Definitely a person I would turn to for guidance in this space.”

Course Sessions:

– Developing offshore wind projects
– Constructing offshore wind projects
– Operating & innovating with offshore wind

Among the key points to be addressed:

– Essential offshore wind farm development processes
– How are offshore wind projects constructed?
– Key delivery risks at various stages in a project’s life
– Challenges to consider in operating an offshore wind farm
– Key drivers of financing and financial risk & return in offshore wind projects
– Essential policy, technology and market trends to consider in forward planning
– Status of floating wind, and how it will impact the industry
– Other disruptive technology and energy integration trends
– Which markets and geographies offer the greatest growth potential?

Want to learn more?

Simply email to emilia@infocusinternational.com or call +65 6325 0210 to obtain your FREE COPY of event brochure. For more information, please visit https://www.infocusinternational.com/offshore-wind .

About Infocus International Group

Infocus International is a global business intelligence provider of strategic information and professional services for diverse business communities.

Infocus International recognises clients’ needs and responds with innovative and result oriented programmes. All products are founded on high value content in diverse subject areas, and the highest level of quality is ensured through intensive and in-depth market research from local and international insights.

Emilia Mok
Tel: +65 6325 0210
Email: emilia@infocusevent.com
Website: www.infocusinternational.com

B20 Task Force Proposes 3 Green Energy Transition Recommendations

To be presented at the G20 high-level meeting in Bali in November 2022

The B20 Energy, Sustainability & Climate Task Force, led by the largest Energy State-Owned Enterprise in Indonesia PT Pertamina (Persero), has proposed three green energy transition recommendations to be presented at the G20 high-level meeting in Bali in November 2022.

President Director of state-owned oil giant Pertamina Nicke Widyawati delivers a speech as Chair of B20 Energy, Sustainability and Climate Task Force at the B20 inception meeting in Jakarta on January 28. (ANTARA/HO-Pertamina)

The three recommendations were agreed upon during the Business 20 (B20) Inception Meeting held virtually at the end of January 2022, as noted in a release issued by PT Pertamina and received here on Thursday.

The Business 20, or B20, is an outreach group from the G20 that represents the international business community.

Chair of B20 Energy, Sustainability, and Climate Task Force Nicke Widyawati emphasized the importance for Indonesia to transition to green energy as mandated by President Joko Widodo.

According to Widyawati, the energy transition effort is a challenge for all, but it should also be viewed as an opportunity to create sustainable economic growth in future by implementing good established scenarios and roadmaps, especially with regard to the financial aspects.

“The B20 Energy, Sustainability and Climate Task Force has the same priorities as Indonesia’s G20 presidency in which we must be a strong green energy catalyst and go hand in hand with the principles of energy security, energy equity, and environmental sustainability,” Widyawati, concurrently the president director of state-owned oil giant Pertamina, stated.

She further noted that the Task Force will formulate some policy recommendations for sustainable energy transition, with focus on three priority issues.

  • First, the Task Force will put forth the recommendation on accelerating transition to sustainable energy use in order to ensure that global warming is limited to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius.

    With regard to such a recommendation, the main efforts identified for the energy transition policy is the development of alternative fuel industries around the use of hydrogen and biofuels.
  • The second issue for recommendation is to ensure a fair and affordable way of transition as well as global cooperation on impact mitigation and support for adaptation to changes brought about by energy transition.
  • The third is global cooperation in increasing energy security for households and MSMEs as a means to end extreme poverty and accelerate energy transition to sustainable energy use.

“Those three priority issues will form the basis for formulating policy recommendations from the Energy, Sustainability and Climate Task Force by considering other critical issues, such as carbon pricing, global cooperation, livelihoods, and institutional development for financing and technology adoption,” Widyawati explained.

She also stated that energy is a binding constraint for sustainable economic growth and is a crucial matter for economic development to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She also emphasized that urgent and focused action was currently needed to address various global challenges, including the lagging rate of energy transition, climate change due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that have become a critical issue, and economic growth depending on fossil fuel energy consumption that contributed to most of the GHG emissions.

Widyawati also pressed for expediting energy transition globally while continuing to increase energy security and equity in an effort to sustain economic growth and reduce extreme poverty.

In addition, the financing gap must be bridged and investment must be shifted more to the energy transition infrastructure that can be paid for by carbon pricing, she remarked.

Widyawati also accentuated the importance of ensuring energy equity by increasing access to and affordability of clean and modern energy that is not only essential for a successful transition but also delivers environmental and economic benefits.

“Renewable energy-based power generation, electrification, and energy efficiency are the main pillars for faster energy transition, technology investment, and energy transition sector,” she stated.

“However, developing countries still lack frameworks, well-established governance, markets, advanced financial services, trained workforce, and access to advanced technology. Those aspects are needed for changes (in energy transition), and all of them are owned by developed countries,” she remarked.

At the B20 Inception Meeting, the Task Force Deputy Chair Agung Wicaksono stated that in order to seek inputs from businesspersons, the Task Force had also conducted a survey.

The survey covers 13 potential issues: institutional development, global cooperation, alternative energy sources, differential rates per sector, prevention of new carbon lockouts, carbon pricing, mitigation of financial impact, mitigation of loss of livelihoods, standardized ESG frameworks, ensuring orderly transitions, increasing access, affordability and adoption of end-user technologies.

Wicaksono stated that the survey results became the basis for the Task Force to formulate recommendations.

He also acknowledged that the energy transition efforts will require structured and committed global cooperation in improving governance capacity, supporting market development, channeling finance and technology, and upgrading workforce skills.

“The spirit, hard work, and commitment of this meeting continues, and it will bring global change for the better after the COVID-19 pandemic, so that we can Recover Together, Recover Stronger,” he remarked.

Written by: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga, Editor: Fardah Assegaf (c) ANTARA 2022

Media Contact: Fajriyah Usman, Vice President Corporate Communications, PT Pertamina (Persero)
Mobile: +62 858 8330 8686, Email: fajriyah.usman@pertamina.com, URL: https://www.pertamina.com

Join the Highly Recommended Clean Hydrogen Masterclass by Infocus International

Infocus International Group is bringing back the Mastering Clean Hydrogen online masterclass and it will be commencing live on the 24th of May 2022.

The “hydrogen economy” was first described 50 years ago, but failed to develop. Now hydrogen is making a comeback, with unprecedented momentum from both policymakers and industry amid a background of energy decarbonisation. Nevertheless, given its failure in the past, current investors and business developers in the sector are strongly advised to ensure they understand the complexities and competitive environments of the hydrogen landscape.

This live online masterclass combines an excellent overview of the different elements of the clean hydrogen sector with a series of critical thinking and analysis exercises which provide clear guidance on market assessment requirements, including key opportunity and risk influences.

If you are seeking a wide-ranging, hype-free and independent perspective on the markets and supply chain activities which will (and won’t) drive demand for clean hydrogen, this comprehensive course is designed for you. Attendees will have a clearly explained, business-focused perspective on the competitive context of hydrogen across its various use cases. Attendees will be able to separate what is actually happening in the market from the headlines and hype, and to identify the drivers and credible near-term opportunities for your business. Attendees will evaluate barriers to hydrogen within certain market segments and its competitive advantages in others, illustrated by examples from a global perspective.

Past participant from PTC India commented, “The course was informative, extensive in coverage and insightful. The five sessions were able to build up a tempo very well, and I am happy that I attended the course and also endorsed it for participation by some of my other colleagues.”

“From zero to great knowledge and full of information regarding hydrogen production. The sessions cover everything including policies around the globe, market segmentation, technical and commercial analysis of hydrogen plants,” said the past participant from Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

Grab this opportunity to gain the knowledge and tools to segment and analyse opportunity & risk within emerging hydrogen economies.

Course Sessions

– Hydrogen market segmentation and assessment
– Examining key hydrogen applications and markets
– Producing hydrogen from renewable power
– Storing and moving hydrogen
– Developing and growing hydrogen value propositions

Benefits of Attending:

– Gain a clear understanding of hydrogen industry technologies, terminologies & metrics
– Review the value chain from hydrogen production to end-use market demand
– Focus on the production of clean hydrogen from renewable power (“green” hydrogen)
– Understand the competitive playing field and the economic variables that will impact it
– Discuss the key practical delivery challenges facing clean hydrogen projects
– Learn key lessons from project examples and proposals from around the world

Want to learn more?

Simply email emilia[at]infocusevent.com or call +65 6325 0210 to obtain your FREE COPY of the event brochure. For more information, please visit www.infocusinternational.com/hydrogen.

About Infocus International Group

Infocus International is a global business intelligence provider of strategic information and professional services for diverse business communities.

Infocus International recognises clients’ needs and responds with innovative and result oriented programmes. All products are founded on high value content in diverse subject areas, and the highest level of quality is ensured through intensive and in-depth market research from local and international insights.

Emilia Mok
Tel: +65 6325 0210
Email: emilia[at]infocusevent.com
Website: www.infocusinternational.com

Infocus International Introduces a Brand-New Online Workshop on Dispatchable & Flexible Solar Power

Infocus International Group has launched a brand new online workshop – Dispatchable & Flexible Solar Power and it will be commencing live on the 28th of March 2022.

A business-focused training course designed to provide business developers with an accessible and concise, yet comprehensive understanding into how advanced utility-scale solar power projects are providing greater value to the industry, its investors and energy system planners alike.

‘Dispatchable’ solar power projects are crucial to the scalability of solar within energy systems, increasing its ability to replace conventional thermal power capacity while maintaining power system flexibility and resilience. Compared to traditional solar-only projects, new considerations include the components required and the project design, development and integration processes involved. Understanding the market drivers and new revenue opportunities that such hybrid, multi-technology projects create are key to making the business case.

This course will lead attendees through the technologies, processes and financial return and risk considerations for those involved in dispatchable solar project development, with a particular focus on solar + storage. Explanations will be provided in clear, business-friendly language accessible to non-engineers. If you need a valuable, up-to-the-minute and independent introduction to these crucial trends in the future development of solar power projects, this online course provides a unique learning opportunity.

Course Sessions

Market trends and business cases driving ‘dispatchable’ solar power
Integrating utility-scale solar power with battery storage
Hybrid projects, hydrogen integration and other solutions to dispatchable solar power
Economic variables and sizing of solar + storage projects

Among the key points to be addressed

What are the market factors driving integrated solar + storage projects?
How can the addition of storage and other flexibility solutions create new revenue opportunities?
Which other technology integration trends are emerging, including hybridisation & hydrogen?
How are competitive tenders and utility & regulatory requirements driving dispatchable solar?
What do examples from around the world indicate about changing market environments?
What are the key considerations around plant design, components and grid connectivity?
How do economic & financial aspects of solar with/without storage compare?
How does solar resource assessment data feed into project design, sizing and site selection?
How much storage or flexible capacity is needed, and which technologies are most appropriate?

Want to learn more?

Simply email to emilia[at]infocusinternational.com or call +65 6325 0210 to obtain your FREE COPY of event brochure. For more information, please visit https://www.infocusinternational.com/dispatchable-solar.

About Infocus International Group

Infocus International is a global business intelligence provider of strategic information and professional services for diverse business communities.

Infocus International recognises clients’ needs and responds with innovative and result oriented programmes. All products are founded on high value content in diverse subject areas, and the highest level of quality is ensured through intensive and in-depth market research from local and international insights.

Emilia Mok
Tel: +65 6325 0210
Email: emilia[at]infocusevent.com
Website: www.infocusinternational.com

BayWa r.e. Reaffirms Continued Commitment to the Community of Lang Son Province with Improved Sanitation Facilities for Elementary Schools

Global renewable energy developer, service provider and distributor BayWa r.e. announced the successful completion and handover of new sanitary facilities for Khuoi Lay Elementary School and Suoi Long Elementary School in Lang Son Province, Vietnam. This forms part of BayWa r.e.’s longstanding commitment to meaningfully contribute to communities in which it operates, and reaffirms the company’s continued dedication to drive sustainable growth for the people of Lang Son province.

(L-R) Mr Vi Van Tho, Education Department of Loc Binh District, Lang Son Province; Mr Vi Hong Troi, Principal, Khuoi Lay Elementary School; Mr Loi Dang Van, Project Developer, Wind, BayWa r.e. Vietnam Co., Ltd; Mr Nguyen Hong Quynh, Director, Hung Dung LS Ltd, Mr Nguyen Van Uyen, Vice Chairman of Huu Lan Commune People Committee, Loc Binh District, Lang Son Province; Mr Nam Le, Senior Project Developer, Wind, BayWa r.e. Vietnam Co., Ltd
Khuoi Lay Elementary School

Gender-segregated washroom facilities were built for both elementary schools, benefiting more than 40 students and staff members. These washrooms come equipped with water tanks and electrical wiring systems, and utilise a standalone septic tank that is easier to maintain while also being environmentally friendly. The recipient schools were identified in close collaboration with provincial authorities, as well as the Education Department of Lang Son province and Loc Binh district. Both schools were selected as priority targets due to a lack of modern sanitation facilities as well as their proximity to BayWa r.e.’s wind farms.

Brian Barry, Head of Wind Asia, BayWa r.e. said “At BayWa r.e., we believe strongly in giving back to the community in which we operate. It is our privilege to be able to contribute meaningfully to the population of Lang Son Province, a region that has been instrumental to our growth in Vietnam.”

“We became aware of the sanitary challenges experienced by the Khuoi Lay and Suoi Long elementary schools during our greenfield development of the wind farms. With the support provided by provincial and district authorities, we were able to swiftly secure the necessary approvals, delivering the completed facilities in as little as three months from construction. Moving ahead, we hope to be able to extend this initiative to other schools across the province, facilitating the symbiotic growth of local communities alongside the expansion of our renewable energy footprint in Vietnam,” he added.

The official handover of the completed facilities took place physically in November 2021 for Suoi Long Elementary School, and virtually in December 2021 for Khuoi Lay Elementary School.

Mr Pham Hung Truong, Chief of Staff, Lang Son People Committee shared “BayWa r.e. is one of the first foreign investors explored and allowed to deploy survey for potential development and investment of wind farms in Lang Son. To date, more than 10 local and foreign investors have proposed to the provincial People Committee to invest in about 30 wind farms projects. Develop wind power, use renewable energy in the province is in line with the national strategy on power development towards 2030, with vision towards 2045, which encourages and prioritizes complete and effective usage of new, clean, and renewable energy resources. Lang Son province always supports and creates the best conditions for investors, at the meantime highly appreciates their contributions to the communities. BayWa r.e. contribution to the Khuoi Lay and Suoi Long elementary schools is very meaningful, helping pupils in remote areas improve their health and hygiene conditions. Hopefully, BayWa r.e. will continue partnering with local authorities, not only in its development and investment in wind business, but also helping the local community improve conditions in education, transportation and promote socio-economic development of Lang Son province.”

BayWa r.e. has been active in developing large scale wind energy developments in Vietnam, viewing the technology as a key enabler in the country’s renewable energy push. The company currently has a 300MW pipeline of wind energy across sites in northern Vietnam, and is fully committed to facilitating Vietnam’s ambition of becoming net-zero by 2050.

BayWa r.e. AG (BayWa r.e.):
At BayWa r.e. we r.e.think energy – how it is produced, stored and can be best used to enable the global renewable energy transition that is essential to the future of our planet.

We are a leading global developer, service supplier, distributor and solutions provider and have brought over 4GW of energy online and manage over 10GW of assets. We are also an Independent Power Producer with an expanding energy trading business.

BayWa r.e. works with businesses worldwide to provide tailored renewable solutions. Operating 100% carbon neutral, we are also committed to our own sustainability journey.

Every day, we are working hard to actively shape the future of energy in a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.

Our shareholders are BayWa AG, a EUR 17.2 billion global business, and Energy Infrastructure Partners, a leader in energy infrastructure investment.

Contact information:
BayWa r.e. AG
Salim Pathan
Marketing Manager, APAC
Tel: +66 62 698 7162
Email: salim.pathan@baywa-re.com

Mark Cooper
Corporate Communications
Tel: +49 89 383932 3611
E-mail: mark.cooper@baywa-re.com

PRecious Communications for BayWa r.e. AG
Tan Yanchang / Foo En Jing
Tel: +65 6303 0567
E-mail: baywa-re@preciouscomms.com

Arkon Energy Sets New Australian Pre-seed Funding Record

Bitcoin mining startup Arkon Energy has raised an AUD$2.6M pre-seed round, setting a new Australian record, just one month after the record was set by one-click checkout startup “Instant” at AUD$2.2M.

The company will use the funds to rapidly scale its capabilities and deploy more bitcoin mining operations through a two year, 44 megawatt (MW) renewable energy project pipeline.

Utilising low-cost renewable energy and immersion cooling, Arkon Energy has built this 44MW future pipeline across four project partnerships to be deployed over 18-24 months. Arkon intends to scale its operations at a similar pace to its much larger Australian competitors, Mawson Infrastructure and Iris Energy.

The record-breaking round was led by blockchain investment firm Kestrel0x1. It also attracted a number of strategic investors, including leading provider of trade services and renewable energy products, Linked Group Services, and a suite of other angel investors.

The company was co-founded by Sydney-based Joshua Payne and Gold Coast-based Nathan Townsend. Payne is the COO and co-founder of NYSE-listed special purpose acquisition company, Battery Future Acquisition Corp, which raised USD$345M at an IPO in December. Mr Townsend is a former partner at boutique project finance advisory firm PT Capital.

The pitch

Payne and Townsend’s pitch to renewable power generation asset companies is to utilise low-cost, renewable energy (that often runs on a cost-negative basis during the day and is only profitable during peak grid pricing), to mine Bitcoin. This would result in five-fold greater profit margins, 24-hours a day, every day of the year.

“Due to the grid oversupply issues causing the cost of power to run negative during the day, renewable energy generation asset owners must consider alternative sources of electricity monetisation to remain profitable and competitive,” says Payne.

“Most large renewable companies are already exploring the use of battery storage to store energy and deliver it to the grid on-peak for additional profit. But this only provides a small window of opportunity during the day to benefit from high power prices.”

“There are benefits we provide for our clients are built on two fundamentals. The first is that fundamentally, Bitcoin is money,” explains Payne.

“The second is that the processes of converting energy to battery storage and converting energy to bitcoin, are essentially the same.

“The advantage of mining Bitcoin is that you are storing energy in money, which can either be immediately converted back to Australian Dollars at a five-times greater profit margin or held for long-term price appreciation.”

The outlook for Arkon Energy appears to be all upside, with competitors Mawson Infrastructure and Iris Energy both going public on the Nasdaq in Q3 and Q4 last year with enterprise valuations of USD $800M and USD $1.5B respectively.

With new cash reserves, Arkon Energy aims to achieve similar results within 24-months.

About Arkon Energy

Arkon Energy is a bitcoin mining startup founded by Sydney-based Joshua Payne and Gold Coast-based Nathan Townsend.

Web: ArkonEnergy.com
Contact: info@arkonenergy.com
Location: Sydney, Australia

SOURCE: Arkon Energy