Kategorie: Industry News

News about the renewables scene

Mai 18

Einigung der Großen Koalition beim Ausbau Erneuerbarer Energien ist ein positives Signal für die Energiewirtschaft

Durch die unverzügliche Streichung des PV-Deckels kann jetzt in letzter Minute der befürchtete Stillstand beim Ausbau der Photovoltaik abgewendet werden

Mai 13

German Energy Minister, Herr Altmaier, you have less than 2 months

On 1 July you become President of the 27 EU Energy Ministers. 23 of them have a National Energy & Climate Plan for 2030. You do not. If you don’t complete your Plan soon, you will not be a credible President.

Apr. 28

Solar rooftops can accelerate the Renovation Wave and power the EU’s Green Recovery

Everyone wants to be part of the energy transition, and in order to unlock this possibility, we need to make sure that the Clean Energy Package is properly translated into national law.

Apr. 22

A majority of EU countries support green recovery plans for Europe

Governments around Europe should align their stimulus and recovery packages with the long-term vision of the EU Green Deal. And create a cleaner, healthier and more resilient Europe.

Apr. 21

Europe can achieve climate neutrality before 2050 with 100% renewable energy system

A 100% renewable energy system enables the EU to become climate neutral before 2050 in the most cost-effective manner
A 100% renewable energy system in Europe will lead to sharpest decline in GHG emissions, down to zero by 2040
Solar power is set to generate more than 60% of EU’s electricity by 2050
To achieve this goal, EU energy system needs high rate of electrification and sectoral integration

Apr. 08

Spain submits ambitious 2030 National Plan – Example for other countries to follow

Five other EU Member States still haven’t finalised their NECPs yet. They should find inspiration in the excellent Spanish example. Come on France, come on Germany…

Apr. 08

WindEurope Financing and Investment Trends: Onshore wind gets strong support as Europe raises €13bn for financing of new onshore projects in 2019

Most of the investments in new wind farms were in onshore wind – €13bn. This covered over 10 GW of new projects, showing continued strong interest in Europe for the development of onshore wind farms.

März 31

Production of critical wind turbine components must continue – and will help cushion the blow of COVID-19

The COVID-19 crisis now has reaching impacts on the wind energy supply chain as European countries apply measures to contain the outbreak.

März 25

Positive signs for solar in European Commission’s New Industrial Strategy

Today, the European Commission presented its new strategy to help Europe’s industry lead the twin transitions towards climate neutrality and digital leadership.

Feb. 28

EU industrial strategy must recognise wind energy as a job creator in its own right

Europe can only reach climate-neutrality through the sustained growth of renewable energy to power the economy. This will be essential to ensure Europe’s long-term security of energy supply and technology leadership.

Feb. 26

EU renewable energy sector a key driver of European Green Deal, industrial strategy can boost deployment

The associations signed a joint letter that urges renewable energy technologies to be acknowledged as a key Strategic Value Chain,

Feb. 21

Brexit and wind energy: the current state of play

The United Kingdom has officially left the EU. It has now entered a ‘transition period’, during which the UK and the EU will negotiate the terms of their future relationship.

Feb. 20

Europe now gets 15% of its electricity from wind but is not building enough to deliver the Green Deal

Europe installed 15.4 GW of new wind energy in 2019. Three quarters of this was onshore wind

Feb. 18

EU industrial strategy can boost European solar leadership

The first official communication on Industrial Strategy within the European Green Deal policy framework is due to be released on 4 March, which will clarify the EU’s long-term vision of European manufacturing and innovation.

Feb. 17

Industrial Strategy for Solar Key to Reigniting European Solar PV Manufacturing

In light of the upcoming communication on Industrial Strategy within the European Green Deal policy framework, which will spell out the EU’s long-term vision on industrial competitiveness, growth and innovation

Feb. 04

PRESS RELEASE Investors rely on EcofinConcept’s solar know-how

PRESS RELEASE Investors rely on EcofinConcept’s solar know-how

EcofinConcept GmbH – specializing in renewable energy projects – has successfully marketed two more solar parks to two private investors from Germany.

Jan. 06

PRESS RELEASE: EcofinConcept: Successful completion of one of Germany‘s largest repowering projects

Hückelhoven, September 12, 2019 – EcofinConcept has supported one of the largest wind energy repowering projects in Germany Satisfied today, all parties look to the achieved. That was not always so. One of the largest wind farm repowering projects in Brandenburg, Germany, threatened several times to fail because of the complexity of the task. So …

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Dez. 17

Market researchers warn: without massive photovoltaic expansion electricity shortfalls are impending

Only if photovoltaic systems are significantly expanded from 2020 onwards and are flanked by sufficient storage capacity, will the security of supply and climate protection be equally guaranteed.

Dez. 16

50,000 new jobs through photovoltaics and storage technology

Recent study by Bonn market researchers: Expansion of photovoltaic and storage technology could triple the number of jobs. Rapid removal of PV market barriers in the EEG as well as release of brakes on expansion necessary to close the climate protection gap and avoid shortfalls in power generation as a result of nuclear and coal phaseout.

Dez. 11

EU solar boom: over 100% solar market increase in 2019

Strongest growth year for solar since 2010
More new solar capacity installed than any other power generation technology in 2019
Spain is Europe’s largest solar market adding 4.7 GW

Nov. 08

Civil society and industry in joint push for a climate neutral economy

The European Commission’s Long Term Decarbonisation Strategy “A Clean Planet for All” showed that renewable and decarbonised electricity must increase significantly, replacing fossil fuels in Europe’s energy mix, as a precondition to meeting our climate and energy objectives.

Okt. 14

Significant uncertainty over the growth of wind energy in Europe over the next five years

If Governments end up producing clear and ambitious National Energy & Climate Plans (NECPs) and they improve the permitting arrangements for wind farms and they keep investing in new grid capacity, then Europe’s wind energy capacity would grow by 88 GW to 277 GW by 2023. But that’s a big if.

Sep. 27

Record 515 institutional investors managing $35 trillion in assets urge governments to step up ambition to tackle climate change

Largest-ever group of investors to call on governments to phase out thermal coal power worldwide, put a price on carbon pollution, end government subsidies for fossil fuels, update and strengthen nationally-determined contributions by 2020

Aug. 23

Permitting issues behind yet another under-subscribed German onshore wind auction round

Just 208 MW worth of wind farm projects won capacity in the latest German onshore wind auction results released today. A total of 650 MW was on offer.

Aug. 23

Time now running out for a large share of Europe’s installed wind capacity

By summer 2019, an incredible 194 GW of wind power has been installed. Today, more than 100,000 turbines across the continent form the backbone of an industry that already supports 300,000 European jobs.

Aug. 14

Gigawatts solar potential in coal regions in Europe, finds new report

The study ‘Solar Photovoltaic Electricity Generation: A Lifeline for the European Coal Regions in Transition’ shows that solar PV systems have the potential to fully substitute the current electricity generation of coal-fired power plants in the analysed regions

Aug. 09

Europe installs 4.9 GW of new wind energy capacity in first half of 2019

Europe installs 4.9 GW of new wind energy capacity in first half of 2019

Europe added 4.9 GW of new wind energy capacity in the first half of 2019, according to figures released today by WindEurope.

Aug. 06

PRESS RELEASE EcofinConcept markets a further 749 kWp solar park to a private investor

EcofinConcept markets a further 749 kWp solar park to a private investor
EcofinConcept GmbH, the specialist for renewable energy projects, has marketed another solar park to an investor from northern Germany.

Juli 19

5 ways the Commission can strengthen wind projects

The Innovation Fund will support investments in renewable energy, energy storage, carbon capture storage and use, and decarbonisation of energy intensive industries

Juli 12

Put solar on all new and renovated buildings in the EU to help fight climate change!

all new and renovated buildings in the EU should have solar installed – on residential, commercial and industrial buildings. T

Juli 05

PRESS RELEASE EcofinConcept successfully accompanies solar park transactions to a Family Office

EcofinConcept GmbH, Hückelhoven, a company specializing in renewable energies, has successfully assisted a family office based in southern Germany on the acquisition of a solar park portfolio.

Juni 07

WindEurope calls on EU countries to make National Energy & Climate Plans their investment brochure for wind energy

European countries’ National Energy & Climate Plans are meant to be their energy transition roadmap to 2030. But the draft versions of the Plans need significant improvements if the EU is to deliver on its 2030 renewable energy targe

Juni 06

EU election results: the Parliament has a mandate to deliver on a net-zero carbon economy by 2050

Voters increasingly see that Climate and Energy challenges are best tackled at EU level. In many countries the parties that have been clearest on the need for climate ambition did well.

Apr. 18

Amazon Announces Three New Renewable Energy Projects

Amazon is adding three new renewable energy projects as part of its long-term goal to power all Amazon Web Services (AWS) global infrastructure with renewable energy.

Apr. 11

Spain’s solar market is reignited

ntersolar Summit Spain will be an ideal platform to explore the country’s vast solar potential, including corporate sourcing and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), one of the hottest trends where Spain is set for a huge take off in the coming years,

Apr. 11

What needs to change to solve the grid integration challenge?

In terms of grid integration, Europe’s agreed renewables target of 32% by 2030 raises significant challenges. Delivering a clean economy for all Europeans means being bold in ambition but also being efficient in new practises.

Apr. 11

King Felipe VI of Spain: wind energy is transforming Spain and Europe

The King identified wind energy as a key part of the solution: “All of you here today represent part of the best response we can offer in the face of these existential challenges.

März 07

Solar optimism sweeps Europe

SolarPower Summit opens in Brussels announcing another year of growth for the global solar sector in 2018 to 104 GW; and huge solar optimism in EU

Feb. 18

Corporate wind energy PPAs are booming

Companies around Europe have now signed nearly 5 GW of power purchase agreements (PPAs) with wind farms. This is almost equivalent to Denmark’s total wind energy capacity.

Feb. 13

Belgian energy and climate plan proposes renewables target of 18.3% by 2030

On 5 February WindEurope attended a workshop in the Federal Parliament of Belgium on the draft of the Belgian National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP).

Jan. 28

Our 3 commitments to you in 2019

It’s crucial that we all appreciate all the advantages of wind energy, in particular this year as we’ll elect a new European Parliament. For this reason, we’ll continue to demonstrate the local benefits of wind energy.

Jan. 10

A Christmas present for the European Solar sector

Following intense negotiations over the past 6 months, the European Parliament and Council adopted on 19th of December the last but certainly not least legislative piece of the Clean Energy Package: the Electricity Market Design Regulation and Directive. Under the strong leadership of the Austrian presidency, European Member states did not only achieve a timely agreement – right before the Christmas break – but an ambitious one, which will pave the way for a new Solar boom in Europe.

Jan. 10

Mercedes-Benz deal to buy wind power is first PPA in Germany

The PPA will help keep the six wind farms running when they come off the Feed-in-Tariff in 2021

Dez. 13

New Study: 100% Renewable Energy across Europe is More Cost Effective than the Current Energy System and Leads to Zero Emissions Before 2050

As climate discussions are underway among global leaders at COP24, the annual United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference, a new report released Tuesday showcases the feasibility of a European energy transition to 100% renewable sources. The new scientific study shows that the transition to 100% renewable energy will be economically competitive with today’s conventional fossil fuel and nuclear energy system, and lead greenhouse gas emissions to zero before 2050. The study’s financial case for an energy transition becomes even stronger when taking into account significant projected job growth and the indirect economic benefits for health, security, and the environment, that were not factored into the study.

Dez. 10

Onshore wind performs well in Danish multi-technology auction

Onshore wind secured 165 MW in this week’s multi-technology auction in Denmark. The auction was open to solar PV, onshore wind and so-called open door offshore wind. It was oversubscribed with 17 projects amounting to 540 MW competing for a budget of €34 million.
From the 6 winners, the 3 cheapest bidders were onshore wind projects. The other 3 were solar PV projects totaling 104 MW.  Overall, the average premium awarded in this auction was equivalent to 0.31 Euro cents per KWh.

This premium runs for 20 years and comes on top of the wholesale power price.

Dez. 07

Wind energy ready to step up to Europe’s decarbonisation challenge

The European Commission today called for the bloc to aim for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 in its new decarbonisation strategy.

The EU’s newly-agreed renewable energy and energy efficiency targets put the bloc on track to cut emissions in 2050 by 60% compared to 1990. But that will still not be enough to meet the Paris target of keeping temperature rises to well below 2 degrees.

The Commission has therefore set out different scenarios covering various levels of renewables expansion, transport electrification and measures in other sectors.  These would take Europe to different levels of greenhouse gas emission reductions.  To reach full carbon-neutrality, the Commission is exploring options including increased bioenergy and promoting a circular economy.

Nov. 19

Research and innovation needed to provide substitutes for rare materials used in turbines

On 14 November WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson spoke at the European Innovation Partnership’s annual conference on “Raw Materials for clean energy-intensive industries of the future.”
European energy-intensive industries are important to the European economy, but now face challenges in making the transition to a low-carbon and circular economy by 2050. The wind industry is already in a good position to contribute to the transition to a decarbonised energy system, Dickson said. He highlighted that a wind farm produces 33 times more energy than it consumes during its lifecycle. The lifecycle of a turbine emits 99% less CO2 than an average power plant using fossil fuels.

Nov. 16

European Parliament gives final green light to new EU 32% renewable energy target

The European Parliament today gave its final approval for a binding EU-wide renewable energy target of 32% for 2030. The Parliament cast its final vote of adoption on the Renewable Energy Directive and Governance Regulation, two key parts of Europe’s Clean Energy Package that sets the EU legal framework for renewables up to 2030. Today was the Parliament’s final vote on a political deal that was reached back in June. Ministers from the 28 Member States will now give the rubber stamp. Then the Directive and the Regulation will become law.

Nov. 06

Germany reaches political agreement on additional onshore wind volumes

This week the German government reached a political agreement on an additional 4 GW of onshore wind by 2021.
The agreement will see Germany auction an additional onshore wind capacity of 1 GW (in 2019), 1.4 GW (in 2020) and 1.6 GW (in 2021) over and above the 2.8 GW pa which is already planned for each of those years. This additional 4 GW will help Germany to reach its 2030 target of 65% renewables in electricity (up from 36% today). The coalition originally planned an additional 4 GW of onshore wind auctions by 2020. This schedule has now slipped one year in a political compromise.

Okt. 26

Research and innovation vital to sustain wind energy cost reductions and keep industry in Europe

As the EU negotiates the details of its next flagship research and innovation programme – Horizon Europe – channelling resources to the right places will be critical to decarbonise and continue growing Europe’s economy. The Technology and Innovation Platform ETIPWind has released a series of recommendations on where the EU should focus in Research and Innovation funding in wind energy.
The €94bn Horizon Europe research and innovation programme will identify key challenges and priorities for research and innovation funding from 2021-2027. It is critical that a significant portion is allocated to climate action in general and to the ‘Climate, Energy & Mobility’ challenge in particular.