http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/renewable-energy-news/by-technology/solar-by-technology-renewable-energy-news/jgc-becomes-first-japanese-company-to-invest-in-concentrating-solar-power.html
Engineering group JGC has become the first Japanese company to invest in concentrating solar power, forming a partnership with Abengoa Solar to jointly own two 50MW concentrating solar power plants in El Carpio in Córdoba, Spain.
Abengoa Solar will retain a 74 per cent controlling stake in the project and operate both facilities following the deal.
The two plants represent a total investment of more than €500m and the first concentrating solar power plant investment by a Japanese company.
A majority of the investment, €350m, was raised through a project finance loan, which was concluded with four international commercial banks, SMBC, HSBC, Mizuho and BNP Paribas this August, said JGC.
The plants are under construction by Abengoa companies Abener and Teyma and are expected to start commercial operation in early 2012.
Both projects, which use parabolic trough technology, will sell power to the grid based on the Spanish feed-in tariff system, the company added.
Abengoa Solar CEO Santiago Seage said, ‘This partnership, with the participation of a Japanese engineering company and Japanese and other international banks, demonstrates the interest of the international investment community in concentrating solar power projects in Spain.’
Abengoa Solar currently has 450MW of solar projects under construction, in addition to 193MW in commercial operation.