Each partner will own 50% of the completed portfolio, with Better Energy managing the parks’ development, construction and technical operation. The two companies have also outlined joint ambitions for energy storage and nature and biodiversity initiatives within the portfolio.

First four solar parks are ready-to-build

The first four solar parks are expected to be built in the Danish municipalities of Sorø, Vordingborg, Guldborgsund and Næstved. All four parks are expected to start production this year or next year. Collectively, the parks will have a capacity of around 750 MW, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 490,000 Danes. If all 15 parks are constructed, the total capacity is expected to be around 2 GW, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 1.3 million Danes.

The impact of the partnership is far-reaching, as noted by Rasmus Lildholdt Kjær, CEO of Better Energy:

“Our partnership with Andel will directly impact the green transition in Denmark. We can all be proud that Andel, one of Denmark’s largest companies in terms of revenue, will soon be able to call itself one of Denmark’s largest co-owners of green energy production on land. We are in a hurry, and the speed of the green transition is crucial for the world we will live in 10, 20, 30 years from now. This agreement is a significant step in the right direction.”

Jesper Hjulmand, CEO of Andel, describes the partnership as a decisive leap forward for the energy conglomerate in terms of renewable energy production:

“We are in the midst of a very serious climate crisis that requires our action urgently. Wind and solar power on land is the fastest way to expand our renewable energy in Denmark. Consequently, it is only natural that we increase our commitment to solar power. This is a very ambitious agreement that will increase the total production of renewable energy in Denmark and which will also have a significant effect in relation to Andel’s goal of our production of renewable energy reaching 10 TWh in 2035”.

For Jesper Hjulmand, Better Energy is the right partner:

“It is important for Andel to combat climate change and ensure renewable energy for our cooperative owners and customers. We are now doing exactly this with Better Energy. Together we have a keen eye for community dialogue and engagement to create local value, as well as an integrated focus on considering climate and nature in the development of energy parks.”

Did you miss that? More solar PPAs in Denmark

Mark Augustenborg Ødum, CFO of Better Energy, explains Better Energy’s partnership model, which essentially involves inviting co-owners who share a vision to accelerate the green transition:

“As a partner, you enter a portfolio of energy parks. Through this partnership, Andel gains direct ownership of green energy production in Denmark, and Better Energy can continue to increase the pace of expanding renewable energy across our markets in Denmark, Poland, Sweden, and Finland.”

Additional Facts about the Partnership

The proposed energy parks will enter the portfolio once permits are obtained and they enter the ready-to-build phase. For all projects it has been a priority throughout the planning process and local dialogues, to achieve as broad acceptance as possible among the population and authorities in the local communities – e.g. through nature initiatives, adaptations of project areas, fauna passages, recreational initiatives near town areas, and path systems. The joint ownership of the energy parks does not include the joint sale of energy. Each party will sell its share of the power, and marketing and customer contact will also be handled separately.

The solar parks ready for construction are:

In Sorø municipality, a park is being built near Vedde, with a capacity of 107 MW and an expected annual production of approximately 108 GWh, equivalent to the average electricity consumption of 68,000 Danes in a year.

In Vordingborg municipality, a park is being built near Køng Mose, with a capacity of 187 MW and an expected annual production of approximately 198 GWh, equivalent to the average electricity consumption of 124,000 Danes in a year.

Also interesting: Denmark: New solar park promotes biodiversity

In Guldborgsund municipality, a park is being built near Radsted and Grænge, with a capacity of 329 MW and an expected annual production of approximately 349 GWh, equivalent to the average electricity consumption of 218,000 Danes in a year.

In Næstved municipality, a park is being built near Saltø, with a capacity of 120 MW with the expected annual production still to be calculated. (hcn)





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“It’s no longer just the fossil fuel industry that is calling climate change and climate protection measures into question with campaigns worth billions,” emphasized Jennie King, Head of Climate and Research at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (London). In addition, there are “outrage merchants” and “hostile state actors”. King explained this at a webinar of the global media network Covering Climate Now (CCN), which took place in cooperation with the NGO coalition Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD).

Social media as a crucial mouthpiece

Social media, with its global penetration, click-through logic and algorithmic amplification, is a crucial mouthpiece for disinformation. This gives climate deniers additional attention and influence, which also spills over into the traditional media.

Be it that angry citizens try to intimidate or personally defame weather presenters with hate speech online and place them in the corner of paid “system chatterers” or “wokers” or “left-green ideologues”. Or that influencers use false or contradictory claims about climate change and climate protection to knit their own business models around the “attention economy”, sometimes as an extension of fossil fuel industry players.

Conspiracy theorists and climate deniers hand in hand

Conspiracy theories are also increasingly going hand in hand with climate denial, emphasized King. For example, by branding climate activists as advocates of a new imperialism or as aloof elites. At the same time, the discourse of climate deniers is shifting into their own bubbles, be it closed forums or special platforms. This makes it all the more difficult to reach them with rational arguments and to counter the agitation, which can ultimately lead to physical violence. The murder of two climate activists in Panama is the saddest recent example of increasing aggression, which is also finding its way into the political mainstream of society.

Stoking fears about climate protection measures

King also sees a trend where disinformation about climate change is no longer aimed at denying global warming itself, but at planned climate protection measures and solutions. There are often attempts to suggest that practical climate protection measures are intended to take away people’s civil liberties. She also referred to the German debate on the Heating Act and heat pumps.

“It doesn’t really matter if 99% of the public believe in climate change. If they are still confused about the viable ways forward, or if they manage to stir up real fears and doubts about the solutions that are on the table, then it leads to the same result: no legislative agenda, no meaningful policy proposals, no action on the ground. So they’re trying to slow down that policy-making process,” King recently told National Public Radio (NPR) in the US.

Also interesting: Global leaders tackle funding gap for sustainable development

Questioning greenwashing

King counts authoritarian regimes such as Russia and oil states such as Saudi Arabia among the hostile state actors that deliberately question climate protection. Oil states in particular, just like fossil fuel industries, skillfully use the communication keyboard to sell their supposedly progressive climate protection efforts to the public as well as possible (greenwashing).

This makes it all the more important to take a closer look and ask what companies such as Shell mean by net zero and what percentage of their profits they actually invest in renewable energies, emphasized Jessica Green, a political scientist at the University of Toronto (Canada). The same applies to oil-producing countries such as Nigeria or Dubai, added Frederick Mugira, water and climate journalist and founder of the “Water Journalists Africa” network (Uganda).

Did you miss that? Sustainable investment without greenwashing

Critically examining the functions of stakeholders

It is also important to critically examine the functions of stakeholders who have taken up the cause of climate protection. As a prominent example, Mugira cited the President of the COP 28 in Dubai, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, head of the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and President of the state-owned renewable energy company Masdar.

Jenny King also advised all media and NGO representatives attending the UN Climate Change Conferences to take digital security seriously in order to prevent data theft or misuse of smartphones, laptops or tablets. She considers the use of public Wi-Fi, scanning QR codes or using facial recognition instead of passwords to access your own device to be no-goes.

Help for the fact check

A number of international databases and research aids are available for fact-checking in the climate sector and for lobbying actors, as was made clear at the webinar. These include CCNow, CAAD, DeSmog and CSSN (Climate Social Science Network).  (hcn)





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The partnership between LONGi and Octopus Energy is set to increase the deployment of solar energy across the globe. The collaboration will provide consumers and businesses with greater access to advanced solar technologies, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Octopus Energy Generation, one of Europe’s largest specialist renewable energy investors with $9 billion of projects under management, will play a key role in this collaboration. With over 150 solar farm investments in six countries and a strong pipeline of new projects globally, Octopus Energy Generation brings extensive expertise and resources to the partnership. This experience will be instrumental in scaling solar energy solutions in the UK and beyond.

Huge untapped potential in Europe

During the signing ceremony, Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation, stated: “China’s rapid progress in accelerating the roll-out of green energy is nothing short of remarkable. Partnering with a world-leading company like LONGi will help turbocharge solar projects around the world and ensure they are affordable due to LONGi’s scale and size. We look forward to working together to create a cheaper, greener, and more secure energy system for everyone.”

Also see: Major utilies intent to raise renewable capacity by 2.5 times to 2030

Ross Kent, General Manager for LONGi Solar (DG) UK & Ireland, commented: “There is a huge untapped potential for renewable energy in Europe, particularly solar energy. This partnership will help to further close this gap, accelerate the transition and bring cutting-edge solar technology innovations such as LONGi’s high-efficiency back-contact technology to solar projects across Europe.”

Dennis She, Senior Vice President at LONGi said: “Octopus holds a substantial influence on the UK and global energy market. By harnessing the strengths of both parties in technological innovation and strategic resources, we are poised to deliver transformative projects worldwide. This agreement is a pivotal move towards achieving our shared vision of a sustainable energy future, setting new standards for the industry and accelerating the world’s transition to clean, renewable energy.”

Strong R&D focus 

LONGi has one of the highest annual R&D expenditures in the industry. Approximately 5% of its annual operating revenue is invested in R&D, making the company a pioneer in solar technology innovation. Since 2021, the company has broken the photovoltaic (PV) cell conversion efficiency record 18 times in a row. Currently it is holding two efficiency world records, both officially confirmed in 2024.

As a result, LONGi has also been at the forefront of the development of back contact technology, specifically Hybrid Passivated Back Contact (HPBC) solar cells. This proprietary HPBC technology allows for higher conversion efficiency and superior performance under challenging conditions, making it ideal for Europe’s diverse weather patterns. Back contact technology in solar modules enhances the power output and reliability of the panels.

“Back contact technology is the future of solar technology, and LONGi is leading the way. We have invested additional R&D resources to excel the technology further,” Ross Kent added. “We believe that by pushing the boundaries of solar technology, we can provide more sustainable and efficient energy solutions for all.” (hcn)





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The three Flame Towers are the modern landmark of the vibrant metropolis of Baku. In the evening, their glass façades bathed in LED projections flicker like blazing flames across the skyline of the Azerbaijani capital. The striking skyscrapers are symbolic in two respects. On the one hand, they are a reminder of the ancient heritage of the “Land of Fire” (the literal translation of Azerbaijan) and, on the other, of the economically dominant oil and gas industry.

Oil, gas and oil products account for 90 percent of exports and 60 percent of the national budget of this country of 10 million inhabitants on the Caspian Sea. Azerbaijan was part of the Soviet Union for 70 years before regaining its independence in 1991.

Gas from the Caspian Sea instead of Siberia

As a result of the Western boycott measures against Russia due to the attack on Ukraine, Azerbaijan has become more of a focus, particularly as a gas supplier for Europe. Gas from the Caspian Sea is to replace gas from Siberia. Natural gas deliveries to the European Union increased from around 8 billion cubic meters in 2022 to around 12 billion cubic meters in 2023. Natural gas imports to the EU are set to rise to around 20 billion cubic meters by 2027 in accordance with a bilateral agreement from 2022.

In addition, Bulgaria is currently negotiating with Azerbaijan on additional gas supplies to Romania, Moldova and Ukraine via the future Balkan Gas Corridor. Bulgaria has been connected to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (Tap) via a new gas pipeline to Greece for one and a half years. This transports natural gas from Azerbaijan via Turkey to Greece and on to Italy.

“We will save a lot of gas that Europe needs”

Azerbaijan’s strong man, President Ilham Aliyev, sees the increasing gas exports to Europe and the parallel expansion of renewable energies as a “win-win situation”, as he emphasized last Friday (26 April) at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin. Ministers from 40 countries had gathered in Berlin to prepare for the next World Climate Summit (COP29), which Azerbaijan will host in November this year.

This is because more renewable energy in Azerbaijan means that less gas will be burned in power plants for its own supply. “We will save a lot of gas that Europe needs,” said Aliyev. Azerbaijan wants to expand installed renewable power generation from solar and wind parks to 5 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, compared to 1.3 GW at present.

“Defending the right” to continue producing fossil fuels

Aliyev also reported that a feasibility study on the construction of transmission lines for offshore wind power from the Caspian Sea to Europe, including an undersea cable under the Black Sea, is in the final stages. This would enable Azerbaijan to export green electricity to Europe on a larger scale in the future. “As the head of government of a country rich in fossil fuels, we will defend the right of these countries to continue producing and investing, because both are necessary. At the same time, however, fossil fuel countries should also be among those who show solidarity on climate change issues,” Aliyev clarified.

35 percent less CO2 by 2030

Azerbaijan ratified the Paris Climate Agreement in 2017. The country aims to reduce its CO2 emissions by 35 percent by 2030 and by 40 percent by 2050 (compared to 1990 levels). “I hope that the World Climate Conference will provide important impetus. I believe that we can be pioneers in the green transformation,” emphasized Elnur Soltanov, Deputy Energy Minister and COP29 Executive Director, at a press conference with international journalists in Baku in mid-April. The practical implementation of climate protection measures is crucial.

Teymur Guliyev, Deputy Director General of the state energy company SOCAR (State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan), expressed a similar view. The company’s strategy is geared towards decarbonization and corporate sustainability. The subsidiary SOCAR Green LLC was founded to drive forward projects in the areas of renewable energies, green hydrogen and CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage).

Big plans for wind, PV and green hydrogen

These include agreements with the state-owned energy company Masdar (Abu Dhabi) for the joint development of 2 GW of photovoltaic and onshore wind projects as well as the production of green hydrogen from 2 GW of offshore wind energy. A 240 megawatt (MW) solar park, which is being developed jointly with AIC and BP, is due to be connected to the grid at the end of 2025. SOCAR has also already implemented its first renewable energy projects abroad, such as wind farms in Turkey and solar projects in Georgia and Romania.

At the most recent World Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, SOCAR joined the Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC), which more than 50 companies worldwide have signed up to so far. The goals are net-zero emissions by 2050, no routine flaring of associated gas in oil and gas production by 2030 and virtually no methane emissions in the upstream sector.

Efforts to reduce methane emissions

To reduce methane emissions, the company has launched a Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) project under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In collaboration with Total Energies, drones are being used to detect and quantify methane emissions from offshore activities, and SOCAR is participating in a satellite measurement program to accurately identify methane emissions.

By participating in the OGMP 2.0 (Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0) initiative, which is also under the auspices of the United Nations, SOCAR intends to further intensify its efforts to reduce methane emissions, reported Guliyev.

H.C. Neidlein

230 MW Garadagh solar park, 75 km outside of Baku.

Solar power from Garadagh

A greener – at least somewhat – energy future for Azerbaijan has already begun in concrete terms around 75 kilometers southwest of Baku. The 570,000 photovoltaic modules of the 230 MW Garadagh solar park stretch almost to the horizon of the barren, dusty steppe landscape.  Masdar is the operator and investor of the plant, which went into operation last year, and several international development banks, including the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development), have provided a loan package.

The approximately 500 million kilowatt hours will be supplied to SOCAR via a multi-year power purchase agreement (PPA); the contractual partner is the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy, which also owns the land. The plant is connected to the electricity grid via a new 330-kilovolt substation.

330-kilovolt substation of the Garadagh solar park.

H.C. Neidlein

330-kilovolt substation of the Garadagh solar park.

More battery storage in future

The technology at the solar park is of the highest quality: bifacial high-performance modules from Longi, mounted on single-axis trackers, and string inverters from Sungrov. In the evenings and at night, cleaning robots that do not require water clean the modules. “Otherwise, the yield would be 20 to 30 percent lower,” reports Kamran Huseynov, Deputy Head of the Azerbaijan Renewable Energy Agency (AREA).

However, he sees the existing electricity grid capacities as a limiting factor for the further expansion of solar and wind projects in the country – as is the case in many places. This is why new projects are increasingly being planned in combination with battery storage systems. A few days ago, the Ministry of Energy in Baku, with the support of the EBRD, announced the first state tender for renewable energies, a 100 MW solar park in Gobustan, albeit without mandatory battery storage.

Smart Village as a blueprint for green energy zone

The Smart Village pilot project in Zangilan focuses on a decentralized supply of renewable energy. Azerbaijani troops recaptured the town in fertile, water-rich Nagorno-Karabakh during the war with Armenia in October 2020. Since then, around 200 low-energy houses with solar thermal systems have already been built in the smart village. Around 175 Azerbaijani families have been resettled – on a voluntary basis,” emphasizes Vahid Hajiyev, Special Presidential Envoy for the region.

Smart Village Zangilan/Nagorno-Karabakh.

H.C. Neidlein

Smart Village Zangilan/Nagorno-Karabakh.

The electricity is supplied by a small hydroelectric power plant with a capacity of 636 kilowatts on the edge of the settlement, which uses German technology. In addition, a school, a kindergarten, a health center, craft businesses, an eco-hotel, agricultural land for self-sufficiency and a rail connection are also being built on the site, which is equipped with high-speed Internet. According to Hajiyev, the planning is based on the sustainability goals of the United Nations.

The Smart Village is intended to serve as a blueprint for the massive reconstruction of the so-called “liberated areas” in Nagorno-Karabakh as a green energy zone.

Hans-Christoph Neidlein





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