Energy Roundup: ExxonMobil Wins Java Rights, Centric Raises $3.5 Billion, and More

(MoneyWatch)  ExxonMobil, Inpex win exploration rights off Indonesia -- ExxonMobil subsidiary Esso Exploration International has won rights to explore the Gunting Block in East Java, in a three-year deal worth $17 million. Inpex has also won exploration rights, theirs in the Semai II Block off West Papua. That deal is said to be worth $127.5 million over 3 years. [Source: Oil & Gas Journal Exchange]

Centrica raising cash to buy stake in British Energy, build nuclear plants -- Centrica is raising $3.5 billion with plans to buy a 25 percent stake in British Energy. The company wants to build four new nuclear reactors in the U.K. British Energy's sites are to be used as a vehicle to build at least four 1600 megawatt power units. [Source: World Nuclear News]

Solaria to sell $212 million worth of solar farms in Spain -- Solar panel manufacturer, Solaria, is to sell solar farms in southern Spain for $212 million. Solaria, which built the solar farms, is seeking a buyer to replace the firm's original client, which withdrew from the deal. Rumor has it that Fotowatio may be a buyer of the 28-megawatt farms. [Source: StrategyEye Cleantech]

Trans-India acquires majority stake in Solar Semiconductor -- Trans-India Acquisition is acquiring an 80 percent stake in photovoltaic module manufacturer, Solar Semiconductor, for $375 million. Solar Semiconductor said it expects to invest another $300 million over the next two to three years. At present, Solar Semicon's plants in Hyderabad have a solar capacity of 75 megawatts per year, but it is building a new plant in which will have a capacity of 120 megawatts per year by the first quarter of '09 [Source: StrategyEye Cleantech]

Germany's Nordex to build turbine factory in Arkansas -- Nordex, the German wind turbine manufacturer, is investing $100 million in an Arkansas wind factory. The new facility is to begin production in 2010 and will manufacture every turbine component except the tower. Nordex has installed some 3,000 turbines with a capacity of 4.23 gigawatts since the company was founded in 1985. [Source: StrategyEye Cleantech]