Energy
PR Newswire | October 26, 2023
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between GSA and Southern Company to develop carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) options for federal facilities in Southern Company's service territories. The MOU documents the intent of GSA and Southern Company to collaborate on development of a roadmap that, when executed, will lead to federal agencies in that region buying more CFE and achieving reliability and resiliency objectives outlined in Executive Order 14057 [lnks.gd].
The Biden-Harris Administration is leading by example to tackle the climate crisis through President Biden's Federal Sustainability Plan, which establishes an ambitious path to achieve 100% CFE for Federal government operations by 2030, including 50% on a 24/7 basis, along with aggressive goals for electric vehicles and net-zero emissions buildings.
said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan.
This is our fourth MOU with a utility company and it's another example of how GSA is leading by example in tackling climate change, using our buying power and real estate footprint to move markets, create demand, drive efficiency, and catalyze efficiency and clean energy innovation. Through smart partnerships with energy service providers, we can help advance sustainability, create jobs, save taxpayer dollars, and ensure a healthier planet for our kids.
[Source:PR Newswire]
"Today's announcement delivers on President Biden's vision to build a new economy powered by clean energy—one that creates well-/paying jobs for American workers, healthier air for communities, and increases our energy independence," said Andrew Mayock, the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer with the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
Southern Company has a goal to reach a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, from 2007 emissions levels, and reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Currently, the United States Army is the largest federal customer served by Southern Company.
"The Department of Defense and the Army are committed to using carbon-free energy to support our national defense mission," said the Honorable Rachel Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of the United States Army, Installations, Energy and Environment. "Distributed Carbon-free energy generation–when integrated into a modernized grid that includes large-scale storage, upgraded transmission lines, and enhanced cybersecurity controls - is the best way to promote resilience so we can continue to deploy, fight, and win the nation's wars. The Army applauds the GSA-Southern Company agreement. The agreement demonstrates the exact kind of collaboration that is key to improving the reliability and resilience of the commercial grid and achieving our carbon-free energy and readiness goals."
"Southern Company recognizes the importance of developing and supplying carbon-free electricity as we continue our efforts toward our goal of reaching net zero by 2050," said Chris Womack, CEO and president of Southern Company. "Through industry-leading innovation and a commitment to a net zero future, we are delivering sustainable and resilient energy solutions that help drive growth and prosperity. This partnership will serve as another important step toward these goals."
GSA will continue to engage with Southern Company and other utilities to explore the advancement of potential CFE solutions including solar, battery storage, nuclear power, on-site generation and new sustainable technologies like clean hydrogen.
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Market Research
PR Newswire | January 12, 2024
New Project Media (NPM), a rapidly growing renewable energy market data, intelligence, and events company, announced today its acquisition of Energy Rev, a London-based proprietary news service focused on renewable energy financing and M&A. The move will expand NPM's reach into Europe and provide a more comprehensive global offering to its development, finance, advisory & corporate clients.
Since 2019, NPM has seen rapid growth in the U.S. across its market research offerings and its successful conference series. Post acquisition, NPM's global footprint is expanding to 35 employees and boasting a management team with over 70 years of combined experience in media, data and market research businesses including acquiring, integrating, and scaling top research and intelligence companies.
"We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Energy Rev both from a growth and expansion perspective, and a strategic one. Peter Kneller has built a robust business as an ahead-of-the-curve resource in the European renewables space," said Ken Meehan, founder and CEO of NPM. "As NPM continues to lead in the renewable energy market research space, we will have quite a bit to roll out in 2024. European markets and partnering with Peter's team are significant pieces of that puzzle and we can't wait to get going together."
NPM plans to expand its European content and commercial teams and integrate market data and research solutions specific to European clients, affording them access to new products that drive additional efficiencies and business development value.
"Our acquisition of Energy Rev and expansion into the European market marks a significant opportunity for our customers and prospective customers. NPM has clients working across Europe, and similarly, many Energy Rev clients are interested in US opportunities so this promises to be a win-win for everyone," said NPM Chief Commercial Officer, Brett Birman. "Bringing Energy Rev in under the NPM umbrella marks a pivotal moment in the growth and sustainability of our business."
Energy Rev founder & editor Peter Kneller has nearly fifteen years' experience covering European renewable energy financing and M&A. Co-editor Jon McNair has worked alongside Kneller for the past eight years with the duo sourcing and reporting solar, wind, storage & energy transition news across the UK, Spain, Italy, France, Germany and other European countries.
"We found the right partner at the right time to further build on the actionable intelligence we're providing to our client base," said Energy Rev Founder, Peter Kneller. "I've seen data and intel companies come and go, but NPM's entrepreneurial spirit and client-centered focus are unmatched in the space. We are excited to continue building out European market solutions for our loyal clients and to provide them with exposure to best-in-class U.S. renewables data, market research and events to inform their businesses in broader and more meaningful ways."
Fox Williams advised on the transaction, which officially closed on December 22, 2023. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
About New Project Media
New Project Media (NPM) is leading market data, intelligence & events company serving developers, capital providers, advisors and corporates with exclusive coverage of utility-scale, distributed generation, and energy transition markets. NPM provides full lifecycle coverage and a unique view of the pre-NTP, development and interconnection queue landscape, helping clients identify new business development opportunities earlier and gain a competitive advantage, while also providing significant time savings & efficiencies through its market data. NPM also hosts industry events each year and produces industry podcasts.
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Solar+Storage
PR Newswire | January 04, 2024
BrightNight, the next generation and global renewable power producer built to deliver clean and dispatchable solutions, today announced the successful closing of a $375 million corporate credit facility. This significant financial milestone underscores the company's commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions that are safe, reliable, affordable, and clean.
The corporate credit facility will provide BrightNight with the necessary capital to execute on its U.S. project portfolio which includes solar, energy storage, and integrated technologies providing value-add renewable power solutions for its customers. This funding specifically will support equipment deposits, letters of credit, and project buildout. The credit facility is structured as a Green Loan in alignment with Green Loan principles.
"We are extremely pleased to announce the successful raise of this $375 million credit facility, a first for BrightNight," CEO Martin Hermann said. "This funding is more than just capital; it represents an important step in BrightNight's growth. It enables us to accelerate our projects, procure equipment at attractive terms, and deliver clean renewable power for our customers."
ING, Natixis CIB, and SMBC are the Coordinating Lead Arrangers and Green Loan Coordinators on the transaction. HSBC is a Joint Lead Arranger and Administrative Agent.
Latham and Watkins and PEI represented BrightNight in the transaction. Norton Rose Fulbright served as the Lender Counsel.
"I want to thank our supporting banks and advisors for their hard work and support in closing this facility," CFO Brian Boland said. "The quality of the bank group and final terms are a testament to the strength of our portfolio and differentiated approach to the development of renewable power projects."
ABOUT BRIGHTNIGHT
BrightNight is the first global renewable integrated power company designed to provide utility and commercial and industrial customers with clean, dispatchable renewable power solutions. BrightNight works with customers across the U.S. and Asia Pacific to design, develop, and operate safe, reliable, large-scale renewable power projects optimized to better manage the intermittent nature of renewable energy. Its deep customer engagement process, team of proven power experts, and industry-leading solutions enable customers to overcome challenging energy sustainability standards, rapidly changing grid dynamics, and the transition away from fossil fuel generation.
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