Sunny Side Up – Solar is the New Renewable Energy Star

Investments in solar power overtook those in wind power for the first time in 2011, and the latest deals suggest this is only the start, says a new report by energy industry experts GlobalData. As the report explains, renewable energy is becoming increasingly important in developing nations across North Africa and Asia, and with such … Read more

UK Clean Energy Investments Rebound to Record $9.4 Billion in 2011

After a sharp falloff in 2010, investments in the UK’s clean energy sector rebounded in 2011 to $9.4 billion – a 35 percent increase and the seventh highest among G-20 nations, according to new research by The Pew Charitable Trusts. The growth was driven in part by a 10-fold increase in solar energy investments, which … Read more

EU Offshore Wind Power Shows Solid Growth

Offshore wind energy capacity increased in the first half year of 2011, with a 4.5% rise in installations compared to the corresponding period of 2010. According to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), 101 new offshore wind turbines, with a total capacity of 348 Megawatt (MW), were connected to the power grids in the UK, Germany … Read more

Completion of Ballylone Service Reservoir in Northern Ireland

NI Water has completed a major new reservoir at Ballylone. The new reservoir will increase the security and flexibility of the water supply for over 5,000 customers in the Ballynahinch, Crossgar and Killyleagh areas. Almost £1 million was invested in this new reservoir, which has a capacity of approximately 5.6 mega litres. This is the … Read more

Energia Opens €18 Million Wind Farm Extension

Energia has opened a new €18 million, 10.2 megawatt (MW) extension to the Drumloughhill Wind Farm in County Donegal. Peter Baillie, managing director of Energia Renewables, comments: “The company has consistently been one of the largest investors in the renewable sector and invested a significant €200 million in the last two years in over 100MW … Read more

NI Water Fined After Pollution Incident

NI Water has been fined £2,000 after pleading guilty to causing a pollution incident from Masserene Sewage Pumping Station (SPS) in the vicinity of Clotworthy Bridge, Antrim on May 3rd 2010. The incident was linked to a blockage caused by inappropriate items that resulted in a discharge into a nearby watercourse. NI Water has asked … Read more

Bord Gais Continues to Invest in Power Generation Assets

Bord Gais Eireann is showing strong growth in its gas and electricity businesses, continued development of new assets and a significant increase in its energy customer numbers. Despite the challenging domestic environment, the company performed well in 2010. Turnover grew by 12% to Eur1.51 billion, while profit before tax remained relatively stable at Eur120 million. … Read more

Investing in the UK's Low-carbon Infrastructure is a Risky Business

The UK is failing to attract the level of investment needed to build low-carbon infrastructure, according to a new CBI report. With a third of UK energy supply due to close in the next decade and ambitious emissions reductions targets to meet, the UK’s power sector alone needs £150 billion of private sector investment over … Read more

£53 Million Energy Efficiency Investment at Welsh Steel Works

Tata Steel, Europe’s second largest steel producer, has invested £53 million at its plant at Port Talbot in Wales to reduce its external power requirements by about 15% and contribute towards making the site self-sufficient in energy. The investment will introduce a new cooling system in the Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) plant that will have … Read more

Airtricity Achieves ‘hat-trick’ at Ireland’s Green Awards 2011

For the third year in a row, Airtricity, Ireland’s largest independent energy utility, has won the national Green Energy Award 2011. 66% of the electricity supplied by Airtricity to its 500,000 electricity customers comes from renewable sources. “We recognise that small changes in the way our customers consume their energy can make a big difference … Read more