Kategorie: Industry News

News about the renewables scene

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.

Okt 26

Permitting issues leave latest German onshore wind auction under-subscribed

Challenges in the permitting procedure mean the latest German onshore wind auction has come in under-subscribed. The prices – average €62.6/MWh – were also up on the €57/MWh in the last auction in May.
The German Federal Network Agency, BNetzA, announced the results of the latest German onshore wind auction today. Only 363 MW of capacity won a contract, compared to the 670 MW that was on offer. Over 900 MW of projects were pre-approved for the auction and had a permit. But only a third of these actually bid. The problem was many of them face legal challenges to their permit and wanted to avoid being exposed to penalties for non-delivery.

Okt 03

World’s biggest wind energy event kicks off in Hamburg

The world’s biggest wind energy event, the Global Wind Summit (25-28 September), begins today in Hamburg. Under the theme “Breaking new ground” the event will show wind energy is starting to evolve rapidly in terms of costs, technology and where it’s being deployed – and how it’s beginning to look beyond the electricity sector at how it can help decarbonise the rest of the energy system.

Sep 11

Do you have what it takes to win the Wind Challenge?

The Wind Challenge is an online game that takes you to Greenland, where you’ll find yourself on a virtual wind farm combining a mix of turbine types, all using different components and data sets. 

Sep 03

3RD INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WIND SYMPOSIUM: EXPERTS FROM 20 COUNTRIES WILL GATHER

3rd International Community Wind Symposium 2018 and Community Power Forum
Community Power – Future through Innovation
On the occasion of the IRENA Innovation Week at the beginning of September 2018 in Bonn, WWEA and LEE NRW in cooperation with EnergieAgentur.NRW and Genossenschaftsverband – Verband der Regionen are hosting the 3rd International Community Wind Symposium along with a Community Power Forum for all citizen-owned renewable energies.

Aug 31

Vindmølleindustrien: Det venter i efteråret

En velfortjent sommerferie er for langt de flestes vedkommende overstået, og forude venter de sidste fire måneder af 2018. En tid, der vil byde på en række beslutninger og begivenheder med stor betydning for den danske vindmølleindustri. 

Energiaftale 2018
Tager man de danske energipolitiske briller på og iagttager den tid af 2018, der er gået, så er det ikke til at komme uden om energiaftalen, der blev indgået få dage inden det meste af Danmark drog på sommerferie. Aftalen er bred, langsigtet og indeholder mange af de ønsker, som politikere og branchen har efterlyst i en lang periode forud for aftalen. 

Aug 27

German onshore auction clears at €61.6/MWh

Winning prices in Germany’s third onshore wind auction this year rose to an average of €61.6/MWh. This is up from the previous auction in May, where the average price came in at €57.3/MWh.
This latest auction had only marginally more bids than the volumes on offer. The German Federal Network Agency, BNetzA, reported 91 bids for 709 MW combined capacity entered in competition for the 670 MW that was on offer.

Aug 12

Alison Finch appointed Vice President on SolarPower Europe’s Board of Directors

Solarpowereurope

Alison Finch, Chief Marketing Officer of Huawei Solar Europe, has been appointed to the prestigious post of Vice President on SolarPower Europe’s Board of Directors, Europe’s leading solar association. Alison Finch has been a non-executive Board member since March 2017 and became Vice President in July after securing most votes in a poll of SolarPower Europe members during the recent AGM.

The Chief Executive of SolarPower Europe, Dr James Watson said “We are delighted that Alison and Huawei are taking up such a strong presence and leading role in our association. I greatly appreciate the support and input of Alison in our contribution to a strong and dynamic market for solar power in Europe. Huawei has been a leading member in our association over the past few years and this appointment recognises their valued input.”

Aug 01

New ground-breaking PPA deals signed in Scandinavia

Norwegian aluminium company Norsk Hydro has signed a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Green Investment Group. With a duration of 29 years, this is the world’s longest wind power purchase agreement.
The Green Investment Group (GIG) has put forward €270 million to develop the 235 MW project in the Swedish town of Överturingen. It will own 100% of the project equity. The wind farm will consist of 56 Siemens Gamesa turbines, each with a capacity of 4.2 MW

Jul 31

Europe adds 4.5 GW of wind energy in first half of 2018

Europe added 4.5 GW of wind energy capacity in the first half of 2018, according to figures released today by WindEurope. The figure is down on the same period last year (6.1 GW) though is in line with expectations. There was 3.3 GW of onshore wind, driven by Germany (1.6 GW), France (605 MW) and …

Weiterlesen

Jul 25

Standstill in energy policy must come to an end

German government´s 65 percent target can only be achieved with more offshore wind energy – Current projects up to 2020 are progressing according to plan
Five new offshore wind farms with a capacity of 1,944 MW are under construction in the first half of the year 2018
Rapid implementation of additional tenders with at least 1.5 GW offshore wind capacity is required
Expansion of volume to at least 20 GW by 2030 urgently needed to achieve government goals
Advancing grid expansion, better use of existing grid and accelerating sector coupling and electrification

Jul 24

Competitive prices in first Greek onshore wind auction

The Greek Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE) has awarded seven wind projects with a total capacity of 171 MW in the country’s first onshore wind auction.
The price range of the winning bids was €68–€72/MWh. The weighted average price came in at €69.53/MWh. The auction was over-subscribed, with 14 wind projects with a total capacity of 308 MW bidding in.

Jul 18

InnoEnergy’s ‘Hack the Wind’ to return to WindEurope Conference

€20,000 hackathon returns to spark innovation and create new start-ups to solve industry challenges
InnoEnergy, Europe’s sustainable energy engine supported by the EIT, and WindEurope, the voice of the European wind industry, today announce that they are partnering to host a joint hackathon for a second consecutive year. Hack the Wind aims to help shape the future of wind energy by facilitating the development of innovative new technologies.

Jul 03

New Danish Energy Agreement: good deal and clear visibility for wind industry

Last Friday the Danish government and parliament reached an agreement on a new long-term energy policy that will run to 2030.

The Energy Agreement will get Denmark to 55% of renewable energy by 2030. This means all of its electricity and heating needs will be generated by renewables.

The deal includes new commitments for the build-out of offshore wind. Three new offshore wind farms with a capacity of at least 2.4 GW will be built in the next decade. The first of those offshore wind farms will be tendered in 2019-2020 and commissioned between 2024 and 2027.

Jun 21

Solar grows by 30% in 2017 with demand set to rise over next 5 years

Global Market Outlook 2018-2022: Solar Market Growth Continues

SolarPower Europe today launched the ‚Global Market Outlook for
Solar Power 2018-2022.‘ The report confirms that 2017 was another outstanding year for
the solar sector and that growth will continue for the coming five years. The world installed
99.1 GW in 2017 and is anticipated to exceed the 100 GW level in 2018. SolarPower Europe
estimates that solar is on course to add another 621.7 GW by 2022.

Jun 19

The local impact of wind energy in the spotlight on Global Wind Day

From niche technology, wind energy is now a global success story. The wind industry provides 260,000 quality high-skilled jobs in Europe. On a global scale, that figure is now 1.15 million.

Today is Global Wind Day, an opportunity for citizens around the world to learn more about and show their support for wind power.  It’s also an opportunity for companies to showcase their technologies and contributions to local economic development and job creation at a more grass roots level.

The wind supply chain is benefitting regions across the globe, including economically less-advantaged ones. Citizens are benefitting from shared ownership of wind farms. Wind farms are also contributing to local economic activity through the taxes they pay to local governments – covering up to 25% of municipal revenues.

Jun 15

Leading corporate buyers & clean energy suppliers join forces to unlock huge untapped renewable energy sourcing opportunities in Europe

Google, Microsoft, IKEA Group, BT, Danone, Amazon, Enel Green Power, Engie, RES, Novartis, Iberdrola and Facebook, Inc. have become Steering Group members of the RE-Source Platform, which pools resources and coordinates activities to promote a better framework for corporate renewable energy. The companies were announced today at the official launch of the Platform during the EU Sustainable Energy Week. These major corporate energy users and supply side companies were highlighting the growing demand for clean energy and the need for clear and enabling policy frameworks.

“As the world’s largest corporate buyer of renewable energy, we are excited to support the RE-Source platform to accelerate the growth of renewables in Europe.”– Marc Oman, Senior Lead, Energy and Infrastructure, Google.

Jun 13

WindEurope CEO welcomes momentum on renewables target, calls for ambitious delivery measures

Europe’s energy ministers met yesterday in Luxembourg to find common ground on the Renewable Energy Directive, a key part of the Clean Energy Package. It’s clear now that there is political momentum behind more European ambition for renewable energy.

Spain, Lithuania, Sweden, Italy and Portugal all put their weight behind a 35% renewable energy target for 2030. Others also called for a more ambitious target than the European Council’s official position of 27% shifting the dynamics in the discussion ahead of a crucial trialogue with the European Parliament tomorrow.

Jun 11

A lot to still play for as Clean Energy Package reaches crunch time

As negotiations on the EU’s Clean Energy Package reach crunch time, a lot is still up in the air for wind energy. With a critical Energy Council meeting on June 11 and a final meeting on June 13, where a deal is due to be struck on the Renewable Energy Directive, a key part of the Package, there has been headway on some points but others are still to play for.

Most notable is the 2030 renewable energy target. The European Council has moved on from its original target of 27%. The Council has now tabled two options: 30-31% or 32-33%, each with conditions attached. The Parliament meanwhile has made a counter-offer of 34, one percentage point lower than its official position of 35%. The difference between 27% and 35% is 132,000 jobs and €92bn of investments in wind energy alone.

Mai 26

Politisk enighed om at fastholde Danmark som grøn vindernation

På Vindmølleindustrien, Synergi og CONCITO’s konference, Danmark som grøn vindernation, var formålet at diskutere, hvordan Danmark også om 10 år vil blive anset som en førernation på det grønne område. Nøglen til denne globale anerkendelse, der vil have afgørende betydning for dansk erhvervsliv og den grønne omstilling, ligger helt og holdent hos de politiske partier, der forhandler den kommende energiaftale. Et ansvar, de indbudte politikere var ganske opmærksomme på.

Med forhandlingerne om energiaftalen igangsat var aktualiteten af konferencen da også noget nær på det højeste, da Jens Joel (S), Mette Abildgaard (K), Ida Auken (R) og Thomas Danielsen (V) tog plads foran de 120 fremmødte i Fællessalen på Christiansborg. At de fire politikere umiddelbart efter debatten gik direkte over til energi-, forsynings- og klimaministeren gjorde bestemt ikke konferencens tema mindre aktuelt.

Mai 24

Local impact of wind energy at heart of new industry push for renewables ambition

WindEurope today launched a new “Local Impact, Global Leadership” toolkit that maps out the local economic benefits of wind energy.

With the future of renewables in Europe at stake in Clean Energy Package negotiations, now is a critical time to show policy-makers the local economic benefits of wind energy to make the case for more renewables ambition.

On a macro level, wind energy contributes €36bn to EU GDP, supports 263,000 jobs and generates €8bn of exports. But until now, the local micro-economic benefits were less well-known. Where are the jobs? Where are the turbine factories? Where’s the rest of the supply chain? How do communities and local councils benefit from having wind farms?

Mai 18

Launch event announced for RE-Source Platform: bringing together renewable energy buyers and sellers:

The launch event for the RE-Source Platform will take place in Brussels on Wednesday 6 June, as part of Sustainable Energy Week. Up to 400 participants will gather in the European Commission’s Charlemagne building, including representatives from European institutions and industry, with electricity sellers and buyers in attendance. Together, they will formally launch the RE-Source Platform, where clean energy buyers and suppliers can pool resources and pave the way forward for corporate renewable energy sourcing in Europe.

Mai 03

Global Wind Day 2018: celebrating the local impact of wind energy around the world

We are living in a time of rapid transition: the world is moving from the era of fossil fuel-based energy towards an increasingly decarbonised energy supply. The renewables-based electrification of three sectors – transport, heating and cooling, and industrial processes – is set to revolutionise the world’s energy mix. Europe – the historical hub of wind energy – is exporting its wind energy know-how and technology, with new markets emerging across Africa, Asia and Latin America and a solid pipeline of wind projects lined up in previously quiet regions.

Mai 02

Industry maturity and competition for green assets bring €51bn of wind energy investments in 2017

Europe invested a total of €51.2bn in wind energy in 2017.  The development of new farms accounted for €22.3bn of this. This is according to WindEurope’s ‘Financing and Investment Trends’ report released today. The rest of the investment went on the refinancing of existing wind farms, the acquisition of projects and of companies involved in wind and on public market fundraising. The total investment figure was 9% up on 2016.

The €22bn invested in new wind farms was down on the €28bn invested in 2016.  But it covered more capacity – 11.5 GW compared to 10.3 GW – reflecting the falling costs of wind energy.

WindEurope Chief Policy Officer Pierre Tardieu: “With €51.2bn, wind energy accounted for half of all power sector investments in 2017. It’s delivering more capacity for less money. This is largely due to increased competition in auctions and technology advances that are driving cost reductions in the supply chain.”

Apr 10

Global Renewable Generation Continues its Strong Growth, New IRENA Capacity Data Shows

By the end of 2017, global renewable generation capacity increased by 167 GW and reached 2,179 GW worldwide. This represents a yearly growth of around 8.3%, the average for seven straight years in a row, according to new data released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewable Capacity Statistics 2018 is the most comprehensive, up-to-date and accessible figures on renewable energy capacity statistics. It contains nearly 15,000 data points from more than 200 countries and territories.

Mrz 29

Can European funds help support cross-border cooperation on renewables?

WindEurope called for a European approach to the deployment of renewable energy deployment at a workshop organised by the European Commission on Thursday. The workshop explored how the EU’s financial framework for 2019-2023 can be aligned with the new post-2020 renewable energy laws, the so-called Clean Energy Package.

The Package – currently under negotiation and due to be wrapped up by the end of 2018 – sets out different options for cross-border cooperation. These include opening up national support schemes or setting up a European financing platform, whereby countries pitch in to a common fund for renewables projects in case the bloc fails to reach its 2030 target.

Feb 23

2017 blev godt år for udbygningen med landvindmøller

Der blev sidste år opstillet præcis 100 nye landvindmøller i Danmark med en samlet kapacitet på 342 MW. Dermed skriver 2017 sig ind i historiebøgerne som det fjerde bedste år nogensinde. Det vækker glæde i Vindmølleindustrien.

Ikke siden 2013 har de danske vindmølleproducenter og -projektudviklere haft så travlt som i 2017. Udbygningen på 342 MW bringer den samlede kapacitet fra landvindmøller op på 4.211 MW. Det viser nye tal fra Energistyrelsen.

Feb 21

EU funding for electricity infrastructure will help wind energy reach consumers

The European Commission has announced the winners of its latest Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding round. It set aside €873 million to invest in key European energy infrastructure projects. Of the 17 energy projects selected for funding, eight are in electricity. With €680 million, it’s the first CEF round in which electricity received more funding than gas.

Feb 19

Wind industry breaks records in Europe but faces unclear outlook

Europe added a record 15.7 GW of new wind energy capacity in 2017, according to WindEurope’s annual onshore and offshore wind statistics released today.

New wind farm installations were up 20% on 2016. Onshore wind capacity grew by 12.5 GW and offshore wind by 3.1 GW. Six EU Member States had a record year in new wind energy installations: Germany (6.6 GW), UK (4.3 GW), France (1.7 GW), Belgium (476 MW), Ireland (426 MW) and Croatia (147 MW).

Wind was 55% of all power capacity installations in 2017. Renewable energy as a whole accounted for nearly all new EU power installations in 2017: 24.1 GW out of a total 28.5 GW.

Feb 17

European Solar Market Grows 28% in 2017

Turkey leading solar market

European countries installed at least 8.61 GW of solar power
systems in 2017 – that is a 28% increase in comparison to the 6.72 GW added in 2016,
according to a first estimate from SolarPower Europe, the association of the solar power sector
in Europe. EU member states grew by around 6% to 6.03 GW in 2017 from 5.69 GW in
2016. 

Feb 16

Vindenergi sætter europæisk rekord

2017 blev rekordår for vindenergi i Europa, da mere end 15,7 GW ny vindkapacitet blev installeret på tværs af Europa. Europæerne kan nu glæde sig over en samlet land- og havvindskapacitet på 169 GW, viser WindEurope i ny rapport.

Opgørelsen over udbygningen med vindenergi efterlader ingen tvivl: 2017 var det bedste år for udbygningen med vindenergi til dato i Europa. Generelt var 2017 rekordernes år, for både landvind og havvind slog nemlig rekord med henholdsvis 12,526 MW og 3,154 MW. Udbygningen med vindenergi steg med 20 pct. i forhold til 2016. 

Samlet set stod installationerne af alle nye vindmøller for 55,4 pct. af al nyinstalleret energikapacitet i Europa i 2017. Vedvarende energi stod samlet set for 24,1 GW af i alt 28,5 nyinstalleret energikapacitet i året. Ved udgangen af 2017 havde vindenergi en markedsandel på 18 pct. af den installerede elproducerende teknologi i Europa, hvilket kun overgås af gas. Vindkapaciteten svarer til ca. 12 pct. af Europas elforbrug i 2017.

Feb 16

WindEurope CEO tells industry stakeholders: investment costs are coming down in on- and offshore wind

On February 7 WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson delivered a keynote address at Dentons European Renewables Workshop 2018 in Frankfurt am Main. The workshop discussed the drivers and constraints for investing in renewable energy projects in Europe.

Dickson told attendees that costs are coming down in both on- and offshore wind. “We are financing the same capacity as in previous years for much lower costs,” he said.

He compared offshore wind investments in 2015 and 2017. In 2015, investments of 2.5 GW capacity cost over €13bn – in 2017, investments for this same capacity cost only €7.5bn. This is a cost reduction of almost 60%. Offshore wind, Dickson said, is now attracting major investors, particularly in the financial sector. The financial services industry, including infrastructure funds, pension funds, asset managers and diversified financial services, owned 35% of the offshore wind capacity traded throughout 2017. This compares to only 27% in 2016.

Jan 28

WindEurope CEO tells EU Industry Commissioner: Wind energy can help drive industrial transformation in Europe

On 24 January WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson joined representatives of the Industry4Europe group to meet Elżbieta Bieńkowska, European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs.

Ms Bieńkowska convened the meeting to discuss the Commission’s Industrial Policy Strategy with the Industry4Europe group (representing 126 manufacturing sectors).  The latter presented a series of recommendations to the Commission on finance, research innovation, and skills training.   Dickson explained how wind had grown into a major manufacturing sector in Europe with factories in nearly every Member State, employing over a quarter of a million people, providing 11% of Europe’s electricity.  He said access to affordable finance is key to unlocking investment in capital-intensive factories in all sectors.  Which means strengthening EU finance mechanisms such as EFSI.

Jan 19

European Parliament gives strong backing for future of renewables

Members of the European Parliament today gave a resounding vote in favour of renewables in Europe.

MEPs called for a renewable energy target of 35% for 2030 – rather than the 27% which the European Commission proposed in 2016.

Giles Dickson, WindEurope CEO, said: “Good on the Parliament. 35% makes sense economically. Consumers benefit – wind is now the cheapest form of new power generation in Europe. And wind is a key part of European manufacturing and exports – it supports 263,000 jobs in Europe industry and contributes €36bn to EU GDP. A 27% target puts all that at risk. And 27% carries a major opportunity cost.

Jan 17

ENERGY TRANSITION TO BE ACCELERATED – EXPANSION OF OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY UP TO 2020 PROGRESSING ACCORDING TO PLAN

Utilize cost reduction trend – raise cap for offshore wind
2017: 1.25 GW newly installed, a total of more than 5.3 GW connected to the grid
Prompt use of free converter capacities necessary
Increased efforts for grid expansion and sector coupling required 
“With a total output capacity of more than 5.3 GW, offshore wind turbines make an increasing contribution to the security of Germany’s energy supply. They deliver clean power almost around the clock, every day of the year,” industry representatives from AGOW, the BWE, the German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation, VDMA Power Systems and the WAB explained in Berlin during the presentation of the latest expansion figures for offshore wind energy. “The expansion of offshore wind energy is running to plan.”

Jan 03

Corporates call for greater government ambition on renewables ahead of EU Energy Council Meeting

Major multinationals and energy companies call for greater EU policy ambition to unlock the potential of renewables in Europe’s energy mix.

Some of the world’s largest multinationals and energy companies today issued a joint declaration urging EU Member States to support a renewable energy target of at least 35% by 2030. The declaration was signed by members of RE100, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Solar Power Europe and WindEurope. It includes Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Unilever and Ikea.

The declaration states that corporate renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) are key to building Europe’s clean energy transition. But in order to do so across Europe, the companies urge EU Energy Ministers to help them by adopting effective provisions in the new Renewable Energy Directive.

Nov 28

The outlook for wind in Europe

Political frameworks and technological developments are key to wind energy success in Europe. This was the main message in a wide-ranging, high-level panel discussion at the WindEurope Conference & Exhibition this morning in Amsterdam.

The session, which addressed the outlook for wind in Europe and future business models, was chaired by Dagmara Koska, Member of Cabinet of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, European Commission.

Nov 28

European Parliament paves the way for increased ambition on 2030 renewable energy laws

WindEurope today congratulated the Industry Committee of the European Parliament for backing a binding target of at least 35% renewable energy for 2030 and more stringent renewable energy laws.

Members of the European Parliament voted this morning on the Committee’s position on the post-2020 Renewable Energy Directive, steered by Spanish MEP José Blanco López. The Committee made important improvements to the original European Commission proposal. These also include: visibility to investors on public support for renewable energy deployment; a reinforced investment protection clause; and an improved framework for Guarantees of Origin and corporate renewable Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

Okt 18

WindEurope CEO talks priorities for the Clean Energy Package to EU policy-makers

This morning in Brussels, WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson spoke to policy-makers at the annual high-level expert conference organised by the European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources (Eufores).

Okt 11

Wind and solar could power business all over Europe

The private sector accounts for around half of Europe’s electricity consumption. Powering corporate consumers with renewable energy could deliver massive reductions in CO2 emissions, save businesses money and make it easier for people to invest in renewables.

Large energy consumers such as chemical and aluminium producers, ICT and food & drink companies gathered in Brussels today with renewable energy producers to consider how to unlock this potential. The RE-Source 2017 event brought together industry leaders such as Google, Mars, IKEA and Alcoa with energy players EDF Energies Nouvelles, ENEL Green Power, Envision and Vestas with policy makers.

The volume of ‚Corporate Renewable Power Purchase Agreements‘ (PPAs) – which allow companies to purchase renewable energy directly from an energy generator – almost tripled in Europe in 2016, with over 1 GW of capacity contracted. Globally, more than 100 top companies have now committed to procure 100% renewable elegctricity via the RE100 initiative,together accounting for 150 TWh of yearly consumption.

Okt 04

Solar PV grew faster than any other fuel in 2016, opening a new era for solar power

New solar PV capacity grew by 50% last year, with China accounting for almost half of the global expansion, according to the International Energy Agency’s latest renewables market analysis and forecast. For the first time, solar PV additions rose faster than any other fuel, surpassing the net growth in coal.

Boosted by a strong solar PV market, renewables accounted for almost two-thirds of net new power capacity around the world last year, with almost 165 gigawatts (GW) coming online, according to the new report, Renewables 2017. Renewables will continue to have a strong growth in coming years. By 2022, renewable electricity capacity should increase by 43%.

“We see renewables growing by about 1,000 GW by 2022, which equals about half of the current global capacity in coal power, which took 80 years to build,” said Dr Fatih Birol, the executive director of the IEA. “What we are witnessing is the birth of a new era in solar PV. We expect that solar PV capacity growth will be higher than any other renewable technology through 2022.”

This year’s renewable forecastis 12% higher than last year, thanks mostly to solar PV upward revisions in China and India. Three countries – China, India and the United States – will account for two-thirds of global renewable expansion by 2022. Total solar PV capacity by then would exceed the combined total power capacities of India and Japan today.

Sep 29

France can be no. 2 in wind in Europe by 2030

WindEurope CEO, Giles Dickson, addressed the annual conference of the French Wind Energy Association (FEE) on Wednesday 20 September. He highlighted the positive outlook for wind energy in France thanks to the policies being put in place by the new French Government.

The positive outlook applied both to onshore and offshore wind. France was the leading country in the EU on floating offshore wind with 4 projects under development. And progress on floating wind would benefit the development of fixed-bottom offshore wind in France as well. The two technologies would learn from and feed off each other.

Sep 29

With the right policies, wind could provide 30% of Europe’s power by 2030

Wind energy has the potential to provide up to 30% of Europe’s power by 2030 according to figures released today by WindEurope in its Outlook to 2020 and Scenarios for 2030 reports.

According to WindEurope’s projections, Europe could be on course for an average installation rate of 12.6 GW per year in the years up to 2020. This would take Europe to a total of 204 GW by 2020. By this date wind would be Europe’s largest renewable energy source, surpassing hydro and providing 16.5% of Europe’s electricity demand. However, this growth is likely to be concentrated in just six countries (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Netherlands and Belgium), with Central and Eastern Europe lagging well behind.

Aug 24

Legally defined civic energy again almost entirely dominates the second round of “Wind on Land” invitations to tender

As was expected, the second round of invitations to tender for “Wind on Land” is dominated by players who fulfil the civic energy requirements specified by the EEG, with 95% of the award-winning submissions. As a result, there is greater uncertainty as to whether the extension corridor can be achieved in the years after 2018, both in terms of time and with regard to volume. Suppliers and producers, as well as ancillary building trades, logistics providers and project planners, find themselves under strong pressure as a result of this insecurity.

Prices are decreasing and clearly reflect the strong competitive pressure. It will only be possible to assess in two years’ time at the earliest what the effect of this price pressure will be on actual realisation.

Aug 01

NWEA-manifest: Windenergie in Nederland

In 2025 heeft windenergie niet langer overheidssteun nodig. Nieuwe windprojecten op land worden voor 50% opengesteld voor participatie door de omgeving, door burgers en bedrijven. Verder moeten regio’s financiële verantwoordelijkheid krijgen voor de opwekking van duurzame energie. Deze uitgangspunten en voorstellen heeft NWEA in een manifest naar de informateur gestuurd.

NWEA-manifest: Windenergie in Nederland

Windenergie is onmisbaar voor de transitie naar een duurzame energievoorziening. De inzet van windenergie versterkt onze economie, vermindert onze afhankelijkheid van energie uit het buitenland en zorgt ervoor dat wij onze afspraken in het Klimaatakkoord van Parijs kunnen nakomen. Uit opinieonderzoeken blijkt steevast dat driekwart van de Nederlandse bevolking voorstander is van meer windenergie.

Jul 28

Expansion figures for the first half of 2017 in Germany Onshore wind energy – Strong expansion in transition, significant risks in 2018/2019

Gross expansion of onshore wind energy by 2,281 megawatts (MW), which equals 790 wind power plants, as high as expected in the first half of 2017 Industry implementing the projects approved through the end of 2016 – transition effect will cease in 2018

Prospect following the first round of tendering for onshore wind energy:
Considerable planning uncertainty due to the success of non-approved projects
Cost reduction continues
Lawmakers must stipulate the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) approval as the uniform prequalification; the respective provision for the two tendering processes in 2018 must become permanently valid
It is vital that capacities in non-implemented projects be retendered to achieve a successful energy transition