Trade Horizons’ Market Entry Blog

In a significant move towards bolstering renewable energy initiatives in Africa, AMEA Power has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Implementation Agreement (IA) with Ethiopian Electric Power for the development of the Aysha-1 Wind Project. This 300MW wind farm, located in Ethiopia's Somali region, is set to become the largest wind energy project in the Horn of Africa.

Costa Rica is experiencing a surge of optimism in its microchip industry, buoyed by recent developments and strategic investments. This Central American nation is positioning itself as a key player in the global semiconductor supply chain, thanks to significant support from the United States.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), a global leader in renewable energy investments, has recently secured two offshore wind feasibility licenses in Australia, marking a significant milestone in the country's renewable energy landscape. These projects, covering nearly 1,300 km² of seabed, have the potential to deliver up to 4.4 GW of capacity, enough to power approximately 2.4 million homes. To spearhead these initiatives, CIP has launched a new platform company, Southerly Ten, dedicated to the development and delivery of offshore wind projects in Australia. This move underscores CIP's commitment to establishing a robust offshore wind industry in the region, contributing to Australia's green energy transition while creating economic and job opportunities.

Lightsource BP, a leading solar energy developer, has announced the commencement of commercial operations for its first solar project in Poland. The 40MW solar farm, located in the village of Kotuń, marks a significant milestone in the company's efforts to expand its renewable energy footprint in Europe. The Kotuń solar project is part of a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Microsoft, signed in September 2023. This agreement supports Microsoft's ambitious goal of achieving 100% renewable energy supply by 2025. The solar farm, spanning 76,000 square meters, is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 30,000 homes, significantly contributing to the decarbonization of Poland's energy grid.

The United Kingdom has seen a significant increase in its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects, even as Europe's overall FDI project total has declined. UK's FDI Growth In 2023, the UK was home to 985 FDI projects, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. This growth has been driven by a resurgence in digital investment, securing over a quarter (27%) of all European tech projects last year. The UK's share of Europe’s inward investment market grew to 17.3%, up from 15.6% in 2022.