Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) slipped from an all-time high in production of 885 GWh in 2008 to 862 GWh in 2009. New capacity becoming operational in 2010 pushed production to 1121 GWh and an estimated 1475 GWh in 2011.

Toshiba Corporation has secured a contract from Abengoa subsidiary Abener Energía to supply equipment for a concentrating solar power plant in Mexico.

The wind energy contract is worth ?20 million and covers maintenance of 736 wind turbines at 24 wind farm plants in the provinces of Orense, Zamora, Salamanca, Toledo, Cuenca, Albacete and Murcia.

In 2011, 9,616 MW of wind farm capacity was installed in the EU, making a total of 93,957 MW of wind turbines and 6.3% of the EU’s electricity, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

This year, U.S. wind turbines will generate as much electricity as a train full of coal stretching from Los Angeles to London, with no air or water pollution, greenhouse gases, or hazardous waste.

The deal will see U.K. engineering specialist David Brown Gear Systems help SHI create cutting-edge offshore wind turbines. The U.K. is the global leader for offshore wind power with 1.3 gigawatts.

The Grattan Institute has studied the potential of wind power, solar energy (photovoltaic and concentrating solar thermal power), geothermal energy, bioenergy, nuclear and CCS to generate near-zero emissions power.

The Energy Department approved seven photovoltaic solar power projects last year with a combined capacity of 190.08 megawatts and investments of around $475 million. A photovoltaic project costs around $2.5 m per MW.

Suzlon Group-subsidiary, REpower Systems SE, announced cumulative wind energy orders of 151 MW across Europe and North America, excluding wind turbines orders announced separately.

The solar energy project consists of two 100 MW 656-foot tall solar thermal power generating units based on concentrated solar power technology.

Montealto and family Reyzabal have closed the financing of a wind farm. The wind turbines will be installed in Palencia. Montealto accumulated 1,440 megawatts (MW) in 70 projects in wind energy and solar power.

All major wind power manufacturers are or on their way: Fuhrländer, Enercon, Impsa, Vestas, Gamesa, Suzlon, Alstom, Goldwind, Sinovel, GE and Siemens.

BC has tremendous potential for wind farm development – but so far, BC Hydro’s preference has been for small-scale hydro projects in the private sector, as well as promotion of its $8-billion Site C hydro megaproject.

Concentrated Solar Power has distinctive environmental impacts: water issues; land use and visual impact; energy and materials use; emissions; and impacts on flora and fauna.

The governments of Colombia and Ecuador announced an agreement to study the feasibility of developing geothermal energy in a border area dotted with three active volcanoes.

The European Investment Bank will provide 1.1 million euros ($1.4 million) in geothermal energy grants in the Caribbean.