International Investment Fund Acquires Irish Wind Farm

The fund managed by BNP Paribas Clean Energy Partners has acquired 100% of Gortahile Windfarm, which owns and operates a 20 megawatt wind farm in County Laois, from ABO Wind Ireland. The Gortahile Windfarm began commercial operation at the end of August 2010. It is forecast to produce about 70 GWh of electricity per year, … Read more

Zero Emission Tractor of the Future Makes Debut

An increasing demand for reduced emissions and energy independence has fueled the need for new technology and the use of alternative fuels in agriculture. One of the most promising developments, the New Holland NH hydrogen-powered tractor, has just made its North American debut. More than just an idea, the NH tractor is a 106 hp … Read more

World's Most Powerful Tidal Stream Turbine Passes Another Milestone

SeaGen, the world’s first and only commercial scale tidal stream energy turbine has passed another electricity generation milestone by delivering its two millionth unit of electricity into the UK electricity grid. The 1.2MW SeaGen, located in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, is now operating 24 hours, seven days a week. It is well on course to … Read more

Healthcare Companies Plan Joint €30m Wind Energy Project in Cork

Four healthcare companies, based at Ringskiddy penisula, County Cork, have combined to develop a Eur30 million wind energy project to cut their electricity costs while also reducing their environmental impact. Centocor, DePuy, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis have formed the Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group, which plans to build a total of seven 118m wind turbines on … Read more

World’s First Floating Windfarm For Scotland?

Norwegian oil and energy group Statoil has held discussions with Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, about the possibility of developing the world’s first floating windfarm off the Scottish coast. Two potential sites, one off the coast of Lewis and the other off Aberdeenshire, have been identified as suitable for a pilot park for Statoil’s Hywind … Read more

Euro Recovery Masks Energy Price Rises in July

The Bord Gais Energy Index (BGEI), an Irish-specific index designed to measure the prices in the wholesale energy market, decreased by 1% in July. The recovery of the Euro versus Sterling and the US Dollar helped mitigate increases in some of the individual Energy Index components. Had the Euro been unchanged versus the US Dollar … Read more

Uncertainty on Planning Undermining Energy Investment in the UK

The Confederation of British Industry has called on the UK Government to deliver key energy and planning reforms within six months, or risk undermining emissions targets and energy security. Launching a new report; ‘No time to lose: Deciding Britain’s energy future’, the UK’s leading business group warned that without clarity on Government policy, £150 billion … Read more

111.4 Million European Households Will Have Smart Meters by 2015

According to a new research report from the analyst firm Berg Insight, the installed base of smart electricity meters in Europe will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 17.9% between 2009 and 2015 to reach 111.4 million at the end of the period. Providing users with detailed information about their electricity consumption the … Read more

Endesa Receives Permission For Natural Gas Power Station in Wexford

An Bord Pleanala has given permission to Spanish energy giant Endesa to construct a new Combined Cycle Gas Turbine generating station on the site of the former ESB plant at Great Island in County Wexford. Endesa acquired the site along with facilities at Tarbert in Kerry, Rhode in Offaly and Tawnaghmore in Mayo from ESB … Read more

Record Number of Council’s Switch to Save

A record 27 local authorities have switched to leading independent energy provider Energia for their unmetered electricity supply since this market was opened last year. The local authorities making the switch include Dublin City Council, Cork City Council, Laois County Council, Louth, Carlow County Council, Kilkenny County Council, Monaghan County Council, Wexford County Council and … Read more