Dong/Siemens Deal Highlights Growth Potential of UK Renewables

The deal signed between Siemens and Dong Energy to supply 300 offshore wind turbines, estimated to be worth Eur2.5 billion, reaffirms the ‘fantastic’ potential for the UK to become a leader in offshore renewables, according to WWF-UK. The group warns, however, that Government indecision over support for renewable energy was creating uncertainty in a sector … Read more

EU Offshore Wind Power Capacity Up 50%

132 new offshore wind turbines, totalling 523.2 megawatts (MW) were fully grid connected in Europe in the first six months of 2012. This is a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2011 when 348.1 MW were installed. “Offshore wind power creates jobs in Europe, reduces our fuel import costs, and avoids the global … 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

Offshore Wind Energy Drives European Energy Programme for Recovery

A mid-term review of the European Energy Programme for Recovery has found that offshore wind energy is the strongest performer of the three areas selected for funding in terms of investment, creating jobs and putting investment in place quickly. The Eur4 billion European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR) was launched in 2009 in response to … Read more

EU Offshore Wind Power Market Remained Stable in 2011

2011 was a stable year for the offshore wind industry with 235 new offshore wind turbines grid connected, worth approximately Eur2.4 billion. The European Wind Energy Association’s offshore wind statistics for 2011 show that 235 new turbines with a total power capacity of 866 Megawatts (MW) were fully grid connected across nine offshore wind farms. … Read more

17 EU Countries Planning Massive Offshore Wind Power

Over 141 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy capacity is built, under construction, consented, or planned in Europe – enough to power 130 million average EU households. These wind farms – representing 35 times more capacity than the just under 4 GW installed today – would provide 13.1% of Europe’s total electricity production. The European … Read more

IWEA Welcomes ESRI Support for Wind Energy

The Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) has stated that the ESRI ‘Review of Irish Energy Policy’ is an important reminder that Ireland is far too dependent on importing its energy supply from other nations and needs to accelerate the move towards maximising our own resources. However, responding to the report, IWEA chief executive Dr Michael … Read more

Irish Energy Policy Reviewed

The economic crisis, the evolving EU policy context and recent developments in technology require new approaches to domestic energy policy, according to a new report – A Review of Irish Energy Policy – by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). While the objectives of policy remain the enhancement of competitiveness, ensuring a secure energy … Read more

Ireland Losing Out in Offshore Wind and Marine Energy Generation

The director of one of Europe’s leading energy producers and owner of indigenous Irish energy supplier Airtricity has warned that Ireland is being left behind in the development of offshore wind and marine generation. Addressing over 400 delegates at the annual conference of the Irish Wind Energy Association, Scottish and Southern Energy Group finance director … Read more

Offshore and Eastern Europe New Growth Drivers for Wind Power

9.3 gigawatt (GW) of new wind power capacity was installed in the EU during 2010, reaching a total of 84 GW by the end of 2010, according European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). While offshore wind power installations grew 51% from 582 MW in 2009 to 883 MW last year, new onshore wind power installations (8.4 … Read more