Category Archives: OpEd

IRENA’s Top Ten News Pieces in 2022 Showcase Work on Global Energy Transition

Throughout the year, IRENA brings you the latest news on progress, impacts and solutions for the energy transition. Here are our top ten news pieces of 2022. Renewable Power Remains Cost Competitive amid Fossil Fuel Crisis The Renewable Power Generation Costs report shows almost two-thirds of renewable power added in 2021 had lower costs than … Continue reading IRENA’s Top Ten News Pieces in 2022 Showcase Work on Global Energy Transition

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EU wind installations up by a third despite challenging year for supply chain

The EU installed 15 gigawatts (GW) of new wind farms in 2022. That’s one third more than 2021. This increase in new installations is an encouraging result given the overlapping challenges the industry faced in 2022.  And the 15 GW installed are an important contribution to strengthening Europe’s energy security ahead of next winter. But … Continue reading EU wind installations up by a third despite challenging year for supply chain

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ACP Statement on Confirmation of 118th Congress

Following the swearing-in of the 118th Congress, the American Clean Power Association today released a statement from interim CEO and Chief Advocacy Officer JC Sandberg: “Congratulations to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and the 118th Congress. We anticipate that this new Congress will provide ample opportunity for bipartisan cooperation on advancing commonsense … Continue reading ACP Statement on Confirmation of 118th Congress

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French renewable energy law: MPs must rise to the challenge and help boost energy security

On 10 January France’s National Assembly is set to vote on a bill intended to accelerate the development of renewable energy projects.  But some Members of Parliament could be tempted to keep or introduce unhelpful amendments to the text causing the bill to slow down the uptake of renewables instead of speeding it up.  France … Continue reading French renewable energy law: MPs must rise to the challenge and help boost energy security

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ACP Statement on New Federal Guidance for Consideration of Climate Impacts in Environmental Reviews

The American Clean Power Association today issued a statement in response to the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) release of new guidance aimed at helping federal agencies better assess and disclose climate impacts as they conduct environmental reviews: “The American Clean Power Association supports the Administration’s new guidance assisting federal agencies in their consideration of potential climate … Continue reading ACP Statement on New Federal Guidance for Consideration of Climate Impacts in Environmental Reviews

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Wind energy and solar power set to power China’s next 40 years

The recently concluded COP27 international climate change summit in Sharm El Sheik offered world leaders, experts, and activists an opportunity to stop and take stock one year after a landmark agreement to “phase down” coal emissions. Already, there is reason for concern: A November 2022 report from the International Energy Agency found that, if nothing … Continue reading Wind energy and solar power set to power China’s next 40 years

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Clean Energy Companies are Investing in America

Federal incentives enacted into law this year represent a monumental investment in the?nation’s?energy transition?– an investment that will deliver clean energy, jobs, domestic manufacturing, and economic growth. Such incentives are set to double the size of the clean power workforce to 1 million, triple the amount of clean energy in the U.S. by 2030 and … Continue reading Clean Energy Companies are Investing in America

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EU Energy Ministers adopt emergency measures on permitting

EU Energy Ministers agreed to urgently speed up the permitting of renewables. The decision for emergency measures to accelerate permitting had been reached in November already but the final green light was given at the 19 December Energy Council in a package deal with the agreement on an EU gas price cap. Notably the emergency … Continue reading EU Energy Ministers adopt emergency measures on permitting

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The United Kingdom re-engages with the North Seas Energy Cooperation

The United Kingdom (UK) is re-engaging with the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC). At a signing ceremony on Sunday evening, the UK has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NSEC members the European Commission to this effect. This will help make the North Sea the renewables powerhouse of Europe. The NSEC is how North … Continue reading The United Kingdom re-engages with the North Seas Energy Cooperation

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The Netherlands hosts another successful wind power auction based on criteria other than price

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) published the results of “Site VI” of the Hollandse Kust West (HKW) tender. It is the second site in the HKW area. The winner is Ecowende – a joint venture between Shell and Eneco. They will be building the 756 MW project by 2026. This auction was a comparative assessment … Continue reading The Netherlands hosts another successful wind power auction based on criteria other than price

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ACP Statement on Building American Energy Security Act of 2022

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement from JC Sandberg, ACP Interim CEO and Chief Advocacy Officer in support of the Building American Energy Security Act of 2022: “This permitting reform proposal would speed our country along the road to energy independence. Burdensome rules and regulations on energy generation and transmission are … Continue reading ACP Statement on Building American Energy Security Act of 2022

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The WindEurope Annual Event will be back in Bilbao in 2024

WindEurope today announced that the WindEurope Annual Event 2024 will take place in Bilbao on 19-21 March 2024. It’s the third time Bilbao is hosting a WindEurope Annual Event after 2019 and 2022. Wind energy is an important element of Spain’s economy, providing 24% of total electricity consumption and growing. Spain is now also about … Continue reading The WindEurope Annual Event will be back in Bilbao in 2024

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Clean Energy Industry Sees Massive Investments Since August?

$40 billion in investments, 20 manufacturing facility openings that will create 7,000 new jobs, and over 13 gigawatts of new clean energy capacity announced. In just the last three months, over $40 billion of new grid-scale clean energy investments have been announced, a new report shows – the same amount as the total investment estimated … Continue reading Clean Energy Industry Sees Massive Investments Since August?

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Renewables Can Diminish Expensive Kyrgyz Energy Imports

Rising fossil fuel imports are adding to the financial burdens of Kyrgyztan’s energy sector, according to a new report published today by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). ‘Renewables Readiness Assessment: The Kyrgyz Republic’ identifies concrete actions that can help address the country’s energy challenges, develop a more diverse energy sector and improve the livelihoods … Continue reading Renewables Can Diminish Expensive Kyrgyz Energy Imports

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California as a global leader in floating offshore wind technology

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) commended the Department of Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for holding a historic and successful wind energy lease sale that will position California as a global leader in floating offshore wind technology. The offshore wind energy lease sale conducted by BOEM generated $757.1 million in … Continue reading California as a global leader in floating offshore wind technology

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IEA predicts renewable energy to overtake coal by 2025

A report by the International Energy Agency says energy insecurity amid war in Ukraine is spurring a renewable power surge. Experts predict the sector will soon surpass coal as the world’s largest electricity source. The global capacity for producing renewable energy will soar by some 75% in the next five years, the International Energy Agency … Continue reading IEA predicts renewable energy to overtake coal by 2025

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IRENA Members Address the Geopolitical Challenges of Energy Transformation

“It is abundantly clear we need to understand the geopolitical implications of the energy transition, so that we can proactively shape its outcomes,” remarked IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera at the opening of the sixth meeting of the Collaborative Framework on the Geopolitics of Energy Transformation. The virtual meeting was attended by nearly 40 participants … Continue reading IRENA Members Address the Geopolitical Challenges of Energy Transformation

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France launches two new offshore wind tenders

Having just opened its first offshore wind farm (St Nazaire, 480 MW) France has launched tenders for two new ones. They’re bottom-fixed and will have a total capacity of 2.5 GW. The first wind farm will be 35 km off Oléron island in the Atlantic (Nouvelle-Aquitaine). It will have a capacity of about 1 GW. … Continue reading France launches two new offshore wind tenders

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What is the wind industry doing on skills and education to deliver a fair transition?

On 16 November WindEurope Deputy CEO Malgosia Bartosik spoke at the European Employment & Social Rights Forum, organised by the European Commission. She presented some of the initiatives taken by the wind industry to ensure that it has the right talents to deliver the energy transition. Europe wants 510 GW of wind energy by 2030, … Continue reading What is the wind industry doing on skills and education to deliver a fair transition?

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Emergency measures on permitting are a step backwards

EU Energy Ministers are set to adopt emergency measures this Thursday 24 November. That sounds good. However, as they stand, these measures constitute a step backwards in the simplification of permitting. In a letter to Ministers, leading wind industry CEOs call for urgent changes. Permitting is the main bottleneck for the expansion of renewables. 80 … Continue reading Emergency measures on permitting are a step backwards

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