Category Archives: OpEd

Repowering and hybridization: the key to new energy efficiency

Plant hybridization is the new frontier of repowering and it entails the integration of different types of technology within the same site. In Italy this process has already seen the implementation of pioneering projects such as those at Venaus. In order to increase energy production, it isn’t always necessary to build a new power plant … Continue reading Repowering and hybridization: the key to new energy efficiency

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Ed Miliband vows to take on NIMBYs to build more wind and photovoltaic power

Ed Miliband has vowed to take on NIMBYs and build more wind turbines and photovoltaic (PV) power stations across Britain. The Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary claimed that increasing renewable energy supply was a matter of “national security”. Speaking at an Energy UK conference in London, Miliband praised how the price of wind and … Continue reading Ed Miliband vows to take on NIMBYs to build more wind and photovoltaic power

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Assessing the risks to US renewables

Cuts to tax credits and higher tariffs on equipment would slow the growth of wind, photovoltaic and storage. US presidential elections are not generally decided by the televised debates between the candidates. The encounters between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960, the first such televised debates, many have been the only ones that … Continue reading Assessing the risks to US renewables

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Draghi report: 6 key things for wind energy

On 9 September former European Central Bank Governor Mario Draghi released a report on Europe’s competitiveness. It’s right on the money on the energy transition – on the need for it and on what’s needed to deliver it. Mario Draghi was ready to do “whatever it takes” to preserve the euro in 2012. His report … Continue reading Draghi report: 6 key things for wind energy

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New study reveals that photovoltaic and wind power is now cheaper than coal and gas power plants

New research by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems reveals that solar photovoltaics — converting solar energy into electricity — produce cheaper electricity than coal or gas, even when combined with batteries. The Fraunhofer Institute has been collecting data on the costs of different energy sources, like wind, nuclear, and coal, since 2010. While … Continue reading New study reveals that photovoltaic and wind power is now cheaper than coal and gas power plants

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ACP and RENEW Northeast Statement on New England Offshore Wind Project Awards

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) and RENEW Northeast released the following statements from Anne Reynolds, ACP Vice President for Offshore Wind and Francis Pullaro, President of RENEW Northeast after Massachusetts and Rhode Island announced 3 offshore wind project contract awards totaling 2,878 megawatts (MW) of new offshore wind capacity. Massachusetts has chosen to contract … Continue reading ACP and RENEW Northeast Statement on New England Offshore Wind Project Awards

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Trump and Harris set out contrasting visions for US energy

Back in January, when I looked ahead to the US elections on 5 November, I predicted “plenty of twists and turns in the race”. That turned out to be something of an understatement. President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the running, leaving Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, transformed the contest. … Continue reading Trump and Harris set out contrasting visions for US energy

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UK awards 5.3 GW of new offshore wind and 990 MW of new onshore wind

The UK has announced the results of its latest auction for new wind farms (AR6). 6.3 GW of new wind capacity won Contracts for Difference (CfDs). 5.3 GW were offshore wind, including 400 MW of floating wind. 990 MW were onshore wind. This is good, not least after the UK didn’t get any offshore wind … Continue reading UK awards 5.3 GW of new offshore wind and 990 MW of new onshore wind

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Photovoltaic and wind power made electricity prices 40% lower in the first half of the year in Spain

The wholesale price of electricity in Spain during the first half of 2024 was up to 40% lower than it would have been without the investments in solar photovoltaic and wind capacity made since 2019, according to an article published in the Economic Bulletin of the Bank of Spain. The article, authored by Javier Quintana, … Continue reading Photovoltaic and wind power made electricity prices 40% lower in the first half of the year in Spain

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Trump appears to tie high bacon prices to ‘horrible’ wind energy

Donald Trump revived questions about his mental acuity after appearing to say that wind energy was to blame for the increased price and decreased consumption of bacon. Ex-president rails against wind power and laments decreased bacon consumption at Wisconsin rally speech. The former president’s bizarre remarks came at a town hall-style campaign gathering in Wisconsin … Continue reading Trump appears to tie high bacon prices to ‘horrible’ wind energy

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Rostock: Regional development with wind energy

Wind energy brings jobs and value creation to deprived rural and coastal communities. Eastern Germany is a classic example of a region that has benefited. WindEurope saw this first hand on a recent visit to Rostock. And there are many more potential benefits for Eastern Germany. Worth bearing in mind as the region approaches big … Continue reading Rostock: Regional development with wind energy

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EU Wind Power Package is boosting the European wind supply chain

Last October the European Commission published its Wind Power Package which outlines 15 immediate actions to strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s wind supply chain. The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) are delivering on this. Most actions fall to the individual EU Member States which have made some progress. As a result, Europe’s wind … Continue reading EU Wind Power Package is boosting the European wind supply chain

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The challenges of photovoltaic and wind energy in Chile

Fifteen years ago, when the massive investment in solar and wind energy generation projects began to replace those produced with fossil fuels, it was not anticipated that their production would be greater than the storage and transmission capacity that the country has. The consequence: today part of a valuable cargo coming from the north and … Continue reading The challenges of photovoltaic and wind energy in Chile

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New UK Government shows impressive determination on wind energy

The new Labour Government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been in office for less than a month. Yet they have already initiated several significant reforms to accelerate the expansion of onshore and offshore wind. Just yesterday the Government raised the budget for the upcoming contract for difference auction round (AR6) to a record £1.56bn. … Continue reading New UK Government shows impressive determination on wind energy

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Re-elected EU Commission President commits to clean industrial deal

‘The future of our prosperity must be made in Europe’ – WindEurope welcomes EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s commitment to home-grown renewables as part of the agenda for her second mandate. It’s great she’s announced a new Clean Industrial Deal. Europe’s energy intensive industries want to decarbonise. And they want to do it … Continue reading Re-elected EU Commission President commits to clean industrial deal

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EU Elections 2024: WindEurope’s five asks for the next five years

‘The future of our prosperity must be made in Europe’ – WindEurope welcomes EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s commitment to home-grown renewables as part of the agenda for her second mandate. It’s great she’s announced a new EU Clean Competitiveness Deal. Europe’s energy intensive industries want to decarbonise. And they want to do … Continue reading EU Elections 2024: WindEurope’s five asks for the next five years

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ACP Backs Federal Grant to Boost Offshore Wind Investment in Coastal Maine and Massachusetts

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) supports a first-of-its-kind proposal by Maine and Massachusetts for the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. The states’ joint application seeks nearly $200 million to bolster critical port infrastructure essential for unlocking the potential of offshore wind in northern New England and is the only CPRG proposal focused on … Continue reading ACP Backs Federal Grant to Boost Offshore Wind Investment in Coastal Maine and Massachusetts

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EU Member States must take urgent action on NECPs and overriding public interest

On 30 June two significant deadlines passed. First, Member States had to submit their revised National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) to the European Commission. Second, Governments had to implement the permitting provisions under the new Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII). On both fronts Member States are lagging behind. They must take urgent action. Otherwise the … Continue reading EU Member States must take urgent action on NECPs and overriding public interest

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Offshore Wind Momentum Grows with Sector to Invest $65 Billion and Create 56,000 U.S. Jobs by 2030

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) today released the 2024 Offshore Wind Market Report, showing the clean power industry is projected to invest $65 billion in offshore wind projects by 2030, which will support 56,000 jobs in the United States. There are currently 12 gigawatts (GW) of projects with active offtake agreements, including 4 GW … Continue reading Offshore Wind Momentum Grows with Sector to Invest $65 Billion and Create 56,000 U.S. Jobs by 2030

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Immediate actions needed to unblock grid capacity for more wind energy

Getting access to the electricity grid is now the number one bottleneck to deploying renewables at scale. Across Europe hundreds of gigawatts of wind energy projects have applied for a grid connection permit and are waiting for an answer. The resulting grid connection queues have led to administrative overload and serious delays in the much-needed … Continue reading Immediate actions needed to unblock grid capacity for more wind energy

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