Wind Energy and renewable energy blog

Trump blames offshore wind farm for shelving of luxury golf resort

Donald Trump is considering shelving his plans for his luxury golf resort near Aberdeen after claiming his ambitious project is being threatened by an offshore windfarm, reports the Guardian.

Trump, whose plans for this windswept, remote part of the Aberdeenshire coast include a high-rise tower and several 4 story units, has long complained that the offshore windfarm will be an eyesore.

It’s official – wind generates “substantially” more electricity

The latest Government figures on the amount of electricity generated by wind power have been welcomed by RenewableUK, the country’s largest renewable energy trade association, as proof of the increasingly significant contribution wind energy makes to UK households.

Statistics for the third quarter of 2011, released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, show that renewable sources generated 9 per cent of the UK’s electricity from July to September. That represents an increase of nearly 1 per cent on the same quarter last year.

The UK now has enough installed capacity to supply more than 3,300,000 homes from wind energy.

How do I know if a Green Electricity Tariff is Genuine?

With all of the big 6 energy companies and a number of smaller independent companies now selling green electricity how are we supposed to know which tariffs are genuinely encouraging new renewable energy generation in the UK and which are begrudgingly doing the bare minimum?

All electricity retailers in the UK are required to supply a proportion of their electricity from renewable sources (currently 11%). If they don’t they have to pay a ‘buyout’ fee – a bit like a fine. So how do you find out whether your chosen green electricity supplier is being forced into supplying your electricity from renewable sources as part of its legal obligation or whether it is going the extra mile in encouraging new renewable energy because you are paying a green electricity rate?

Duke of Edinburgh is “seriously misinformed” warns wind energy industry

RenewableUK, the trade association representing the wind, wave and tidal industry, has responded to remarks made by the Duke of Edinburgh about wind energy.

RenewableUK’s Chief Executive, Maria McCaffery MBE, said: “Contrary to the Duke’s comments, the irrefutable facts are that wind energy is providing a clean, secure supply of electricity to more than three million homes in the UK, displacing six and a half million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year”.

Renewable Energy Technologies will Deliver a 3rd Industrial Revolution

In last week’s speech to Renewable UK’s annual conference, Chris Huhne praised the renewable energy industry for its ongoing contribution to the British economy. In a response to the naysayers, he addressed the topics of investment, capacity, popularity and job creation.

Wind energy set to bring jobs to the North East

The value of wind power to the North East is set to be more than simply providing electricity. Three active projects on Teeside, Dogger Bank (North Yorkshire) and Hull are all promising ongoing jobs and regeneration in previously hard hit areas.

Nordex Launch their Latest Wind turbine in the Chinese and Asian Markets

Nordex has announced the official launch of its 2.5 MW Gamma Generation wind turbines on the Chinese and Asian market. Nordex say they are responding to the latest market requirements as well as drawing on their 25 years of wind energy experience in their release of the N90/2500kW and N100/2500kW Efficiency Class turbines.

RenewableUK cautious over Government’s mixed funding signals

RenewableUK, the UK’s largest renewable energy trade association, has welcomed the Government’s commitment to boost financial support for wave and tidal projects. However, RenewableUK is urging caution over the Government’s plans to downgrade the level of financial support it provides for onshore wind from 2013 onwards, and offshore wind from 2015.

RenewableUK’s key considerations in response to the latest Government plans are:

- RenewableUK welcome the boost in financial support for wave and tidal energy projects
- The Renewables industry is already working with government to ensure cost reductions
- Cuts in support for wind industry will have impact on deployment

Who is behind The Renewable Energy Foundation?

Despite their name and mission statement, the Renewable Energy Foundation have once again been active in attempting to discredit the wind energy sector. Their declaration that they promote “sustainable development for the benefit of the public by means of energy conservation and the use of renewable energy” has been called into question, with an Energy and Environmental Management article summarising that “the REF is a front for the interests of biofuels companies, energy-intensive industries and even oil and gas companies”.

UK Renewables Output up by 50% In 2011

The recently released renewables ouput figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change have shown a significant increase in output from the sector throughout the UK. Commenting on these figures, Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said:

“The figures show that even in an exceptionally dry and calm year, renewables still met over 30 per cent of the annual demand for electricity from every home and business in Scotland. This reinforces that the sector is now a major part of our energy mix, and a significant part of our economy.”

US Governors ask President to Boost Wind Energy

A coalition of 24 US governors from the major parties and each region of the country has asked the administration to take steps to provide a more favourable business climate for the expansion of wind energy according to the American Wind Energy Association.

Demands are being made for a seven-year extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) to provide consistent, low tax rates for wind energy.

Canada Favours Vestas Wind Turbines

Canada has placed more orders with Vestas than any other wind turbine manufacturer according to the Vestas representatives.

As of December 31, 2010, Vestas had supplied 1,021 wind turbines to Canada totaling 1,683 megawatts (MW) of installed wind capacity.

The track record continues this month with Vestas receiving a 104 MW order for 58 V90-1.8 MW turbines for a Canadian wind energy project.

Oil Dependence is no longer justified

Oil Dependence is no longer justified, European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) conference delegates were told this week.

Continuing to depend on expensive oil for energy is a losing proposition, Denmark’s Minister for Climate and Energy told people attending the opening session of EWEA2011 conference this week in Brussels.

“Let there be no doubt, the new energy reality is here,” Lykke Friis said. “We simply must end our oil addiction.”

Friis said political leaders must act without delay to capitalise on wind power and other renewables.

EU Set to Exceed 2020 Renewable Energy Target

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has this week predicted that the EU will exceed its target of 20% of energy from renewable energy by 2020.

Justin Wilkes from EWEA said that all 27 National Renewable Energy Action Plans have been submitted to the European Commission and that EWEA has done an analysis of the plans.

Anti-wind energy campaigners to cost England over £1.3bn

UK renewable energy trade organisation RenewableUK told its members this week that anti- wind farm campaigners could cost the country £1.3bn.

A report, produced by Garrard Hassan and commissioned by RenewableUK says that England has the potential to see £1.3bn in investment that will directly create jobs and opportunities for local companies, funds for community activities and increased business rates for local authorities. However according to RenewableUK this is being threatened by the actions of anti-wind farm campaigners. The £1.3bn figure represents money that would flow directly to businesses and organisations at the local and regional level.

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.

UK Feed in Tariff Boom Continues

Latest Ofgem figures show a boom in small scale renewable energy systems across the UK.

Since the introduction of the feed in tariff (FIT) by the previous government in April, over 9000 new wind, solar, hydro and micro combined heat and power projects have been installed by both householders and commercial organisations. Installations in August doubled those in July with nearly 4000 householders going green.

Energy Secretary Promotes Wind Energy & Says ‘No Money’ for New Nuclear

UK Energy Secretary Chris Hulne has reinforced the message that there will be no government cash for new nuclear power stations in an interview with The Telegraph this week.

The Lib Dems have always been opposed to Nuclear and energy department cuts of over 25% make it easy for Hulne to stand by his position.

Hulne instead highlighted government support for more onshore and offshore wind turbines, saying that wind energy is incredibly competitive in producing green electricity.

Europe Picks up Pace on Offshore Wind

118 new offshore wind turbines were connected to the electricity grid network in the first half of 2010 according to The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) today.

The new offshore wind farms across Europe total 333 Megawatts (MW) indicating that 2010 is set to be a more progressive year than 2009 which delivered 577 MW at the end of the full year. 151 additional wind turbines have been built but not connected to the grid taking the total installed to 440 MW.

According to EWEA figures there are now 43 operational offshore wind farms in Europe with a total capacity of 2,396 MW.