Wind Energy and renewable energy blog

Prime Minister Confirms Offshore Wind Energy Fund

Prime Minister David Cameron has confirmed today that the government will not cut the port infrastructure fund designed to help bring on stream facilities for offshore wind energy around the UK.

David Cameron said “We need thousands of offshore turbines in the next decade and beyond… To help secure private sector investment in this technology, we’re providing up to £60 million to meet the needs of offshore wind infrastructure at our ports. And to help move things forward, the Crown Estate will also work with interested ports and manufacturers to realise the potential of their sites. It’s a triple win. It will help secure our energy supplies, protect our planet and the Carbon Trust says it could create 70,000 jobs.”

UK Government issues Changed Energy Policy Guidance

The UK coalition government has re-issued national policy statements for energy.

The original draft statements were released for consultation by the Labour government late last year but have now been revisited and changed by the current government. The 6 changed energy documents are now being consulted on with the deadline for comments 24th January 2011.

Government Report Confirms Feed in Tariff Rate Review

The government has committed to reviewing the renewable energy Feed in Tariff (FIT) rates in the spending review report published today. A reduction in FIT rates in the future could threaten small scale householder renewable projects.

The government report says “the efficiency of Feed-in- Tariffs will be improved at the next formal review, rebalancing them in favour of the more cost effective carbon abatement technologies. This will save £40 million in 2014-15. Support for lower value innovation and technology projects will also be reduced, saving £70 million a year on average over the Spending Review period.”

Which carbon ebatement technologies will be favoured has not been specified…

Renewables Advisory Board faces the Axe

The abolition of the Renewables Advisory Board was announced this week, alongside 191 other UK Quangos.

In what has been described as the ‘Quango bonfire’ another 118 bodies will be merged and 171 ’substantially reformed’. 50 bodies to be affected are within the Environment Department.

The cutting of the Quangos (quasi non-governmental organisations) has been a headline grabber for the UK coalition government since they started their campaigning over a year ago and featured strongly in the Tory manifesto.

The Renewables Advisory Board (RAB) advises the government on a range of renewable energy issues

Conservative MP Defends Onshore Wind Energy

Minister for Energy Charles Hendrey has defended onshore wind energy at a Westminster debate this week saying that the renewable energy technology is essential if we are to move to a low carbon economy.

Several Conservative MP’s – primarily Chris Heaton – Harris attacked wind energy as not being right for the UK at the debate held yesterday. Heaton – Harris claimed that onshore wind energy diverts valuable resources from “other renewables that do work and that people like”.

Hendry said the Government expects onshore wind energy to increase over the years ahead. “We recognise, of course, that wind is intermittent…. back-up is required, including from gas, coal or biomass. It could also be done through storage-pump storage and hydrogen or battery technologies are coming through at an impressive rate. That will start to move the technology on from working only when the wind blows to allowing electricity to be available when people need it” said the Minister.

£32 Billion needed to Rewire Britain

UK electricity regulator Ofgem has announced that Britain needs rewiring to the tune of £32 billion.

The regulator says an even greater investment of £200 billion is required over the next ten years to secure sustainable energy supplies for consumers and move to a low carbon economy.

According to Ofgem new sources of electricity generation, whether large-scale wind energy, gas or nuclear plans or small scale renewables and home-based microgeneration, will require not only a step change in investement, but smarter networks to make sure Britain is rewired to meet future challenges. Moves towards electrification of transport and heat will further increase the need for smart grids.

Scots Strive for 80% Renewable Energy

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond announced last week a massive leap in the Scottish renewable energy targets from 50% to 80%. The target is expected to be met by 2020.

By setting the ambitious target, Salmond has confirmed Scotland’s status as a global leader in the renewable energy field. Scotland now hosts a substantial number of wind farms and is expected to meet an interim target of 31% renewable energy by 2011.

Salmond said “Scotland is blessed with abundant natural energy sources…

Court Costs Mount up for Anti-Wind Farm Campaigners

The recent trend of anti-wind farm campaigners challenging wind farm planning consents is unlikely to continue if the experiences of recent court cases are repeated.

Den Brook wind farm, near Crediton in Devon was first proposed five years ago. After being given the go- ahead by the Planning Inspectorate at appeal, challenges were mounted by resident Mr Hulme against the Government’s decision. The latest judge to consider the case – Frances Patterson QC however rejected all 10 reasons for the high court challenge, concluding that the decision to grant consent for the 9 wind turbines was ‘thorough and reasonable’.

Helen Hall, project manager for wind farm company RES told the BBC:

Wind Turbine Manufacturer Share Prices Fall

The BBC reported this week that shares in leading wind turbine manufacturer Vestas have slumped this year.

The company suffered net losses of 119m euros in the second quarter, down from a profit of 43m euros one year ago according to the BBC.

Vestas expects a substantial new wind farm contract in China to help soften the blow of postponed orders in Europe and the US.

Spanish wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa also experienced a drop in share price on Wednesday.

Minister Takes Helicopter to Visit Wind Farm

Department of Energy and Climate Change renewables minister Charles Hendrey, took a tour of an offshore wind farm in a helicopter last week. The Minister does not appear to be phased by the irony as he cruises over the 172 Megawatt Gunfleet Sands wind farm, off the east coast.

Gunfleet Sands wind farm provides for the average annual needs of 125,000 homes and unlike the Minister offsetts the production of a significant amount of carbon dioxide.

Vestas Open Wind Turbine Office in South Africa

Wind turbine manufacturer Vestas opened a new office in South Africa yesterday to support its expected future expansion in the region. The company has been active in the country for a number of years and says the new office has been opened in recognition of the bright future for wind energy in the region in the longer term.

Leicester Square Wind Turbine Installed

A 13 metre wind turbine was installed in London’s Leicester Square today.

The temporary wind turbine installed by SIAC Wind Power was installed as part of the UK wind week event. The wind turbine and wind week is hoped to promote wind energy in the UK.

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Hulne said:

Duputy PM’s Wife Joins Spanish Renewable Energy Giant

The Times, The Telegraph and the Daily Mail have this week all reported on Miriam Gonzalez, the wife of the UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg joining the board of renewable energy giant Acciona.

Spanish born lawyer Miriam Gonzalez has been invited to provide independent advice to the company’s board. According to cabinet sources, discussions progressed with Acciona prior to the general election.

Spanish infrastructure giant Acciona both manufactures wind turbines and constructs wind farms throughout the globe.

Lib Dem Reveals Nuclear Decommissioning Liability

The Coalition Secretary of State for Energy has spoken out this week about huge legacy nuclear decommissioning costs. According to the Guardian Chris Huhne disclosed a £4bn black hole in what he described as ‘unavoidable’ nuclear power station decommissioning and waste costs.

Huhne has brought the costs to the attention of the Cabinet and pointed out that the total budget for the energy and climate change department is limited to £3bn annually. Huhne described his department as “not so much the Departement of Energy and Climate Change, as the Department of nuclear legacy and bits of other things“….He went on to say that what we are effectively paying for here is “decades of cheap nuclear electricity for which we have suddenly got a massive postdated bill“.

Solar Power To Increase Fivefold Across the UK

With the roll out of solar panels expected to increase fivefold since the introduction of the Government’s new feed in tariff, many developers are now looking to the sun aswell as the wind to generate electricity.

Liberal Conservative Coalition – What has been Agreed on Energy and Climate Change?

It’s official, the Conservatives have formed a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats. As a result we have a Liberal Democrat cabinet minister for energy and climate change – Chris Huhne.

In 2007 Chris Hulne said “The doubling of our electricity generation from wind in a little more than a year shows what renewables can do, and gives the lie to the need for a new generation of nuclear power.“. It is ironic therefore that he will ultimately be responsible for nuclear power station planning applications.

Google Invests In Wind Power Technology

Green solutions and technologies are needed now more than ever. Yet, many continue to be hard to find and implement on a broad scale.

Sustainability efforts from large corporations are increasing, yet our dependence on fossil fuels remains steadfast. Mining and drilling for fossil fuels can be dangerous and costly, and the planet is constantly reminding us that it’s the one paying the price. It’s here that we see plenty of opportunity for clean and renewable energies to become part of the landscape. With the right funding and investment, renewable energy technology like wind power could help turn the tide when it comes to environmental concerns.

Friends of the Earth Say Cameron Must Do More for the Environment

Environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth (FOE) has today urged David Cameron to double his efforts on Environmental issues.

The FOE statement follows a call to party leaders for determined action to tackle climate change.

FOE wrote to the three biggest party leaders asking them to show that climate change is a priority in their manifestos and requesting confirmation of actions that will be taken. The letter was signed by over 8000 people. In addition FOE has asked candidate MP’s to sign a pledge to tackle climate change.

Google Denies Renewable Energy Trader Intentions

Google has denied rumours that it is set to become and energy trader at a GreenNet conference in San Francisco last week.

With hundreds of millions of customers, Google uses mammoth computer infrastructure to keep everything going. However Google’s carbon reduction intentions have been well publicised over the last year. From biofuel diesel shuttle buses to take staff to its HQ offices to ‘edible gardens’ where food for its onsite cafes is grown, Google is keen on green corporate social responsibility.

US Sanctions First Offshore Wind Farm

The first US offshore wind farm in Nantucket Sound secured consent from the Obama administration on Wednesday after a 9 year battle.

The Cape Cod wind farm will consist of 130 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 420 Megawatts (MW).

The decision comes after 9 years of information requests and legislative tussels between the developer – Cape Wind Associates, wind energy supporters and vociferous opposers.

Executive Director of grassroots support group Clean Power Now said: