Category Archives: OpEd

Rebound in wind energy financing in 2023 shows that the right policies attract investors

Investments in wind energy in Europe more than doubled in 2023 compared to 2022, driven by record financing of offshore wind projects. An easing of inflationary pressures, greater certainty in electricity markets, and improved tariff indexation by Governments created a more favourable investment climate. Despite a tightening of financing conditions, Europe invested a record €48bn … Continue reading Rebound in wind energy financing in 2023 shows that the right policies attract investors

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Spanish Government and wind industry sign Spanish Wind Charter at WindEurope 2024 in Bilbao

At WindEurope’s Annual Event 2024 in Bilbao, Spain’s Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge Teresa Ribera, the President of the Spanish Wind Energy Association Juan Diego Díaz today signed the ‘Spanish Wind Charter’. The Charter identifies actions to accelerate the expansion of wind energy in Spain – and to maximise its social … Continue reading Spanish Government and wind industry sign Spanish Wind Charter at WindEurope 2024 in Bilbao

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European wind power records in 2023

In one of the latest editions of Windletter, specifically No. 72, Sergio Fernández Munguía has discussed the issue of wind energy in the year 2023 after the report published by the wind energy employers’ association in Europe, where the data and statistics of the sector are collected in 2023 and some future forecasts are made. … Continue reading European wind power records in 2023

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Spain wastes 2.1 billion in photovoltaic and wind energy due to lack of demand and networks

Last year, Spain added a renewable generation capacity of 8,400 megawatts to its electricity grid, made up of 5,899 megawatts of wind and photovoltaic energy, and around 2,500 photovoltaic megawatts for self-consumption. This dynamism in the renewable sector has not been accompanied by similar growth in grid infrastructure, resulting in areas where local grids lack … Continue reading Spain wastes 2.1 billion in photovoltaic and wind energy due to lack of demand and networks

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Relationship between climate change and social acceptance for wind power

Do climate change concerns influence social acceptance for wind farms? Here’s what we found out when we surveyed thousands of Europeans. In 2023, our planet experienced its hottest year since records began ‘by a huge margin’ (WMO). As each month came, records tumbled. Behind the sometimes abstract numbers were very real consequences: wild-fires, floods, devastated … Continue reading Relationship between climate change and social acceptance for wind power

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American Clean Power Statement on State of the Union

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement from ACP Chief Executive Officer Jason Grumet after President Joe Biden delivered his annual State of the Union address: “Tonight, President Biden underscored our nation’s record-breaking production of clean, secure American energy. Clean energy is powering more American homes and businesses than ever before and … Continue reading American Clean Power Statement on State of the Union

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Record Year for U.S. Clean Power Installations in 2023

Solar photovoltaic, storage drive historic level of installs. Energy storage rising star, closing in on new natural gas installations. Clean energy pipeline swells to all-time high, signaling robust future. The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released its Clean Power Annual Market Report today, highlighting a landmark year for U.S. clean energy with more capacity installed … Continue reading Record Year for U.S. Clean Power Installations in 2023

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AEE warns about the repeated situation of legal uncertainty that affects the development of wind power in Galicia

Galicia lives immersed in a situation of uncertainty and defenselessness, regarding wind development, as a consequence of the massive judicialization of projects that have the mandatory environmental impact declaration (DIA) and the corresponding construction permit. The Superior Court of Xustiza of Galicia has just announced the suspension of 13 new projects based on “prevalence, prevention … Continue reading AEE warns about the repeated situation of legal uncertainty that affects the development of wind power in Galicia

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Dismantling myths surrounding wind energy

Pedro Fresco presents his book Energy Fakes and dismantles some common myths about wind energy. The myths and mythologies that surround wind energy are not much different from those spread about photovoltaics. Renewable energies, in general, are the target of certain groups with political, economic, or personal interests who do not want a transition to … Continue reading Dismantling myths surrounding wind energy

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ACP Statement on New York Offshore Wind Contract Awards

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement from Anne Reynolds, ACP Vice President for Offshore Wind, after the State of New York announced offshore wind solicitation awards: “We applaud the Hochul Administration for their steadfast support of clean, renewable offshore wind power. These awards for the Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind 1 … Continue reading ACP Statement on New York Offshore Wind Contract Awards

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ACP Statement on Major Milestone for Empire Wind

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement from Anne Reynolds, ACP Vice President for Offshore Wind, after the Department of the Interior approved the Construction and Operations Plan for Equinor’s Empire Wind project in New York: “This is a milestone for Empire Wind and domestic offshore wind as a whole. When it … Continue reading ACP Statement on Major Milestone for Empire Wind

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ACP Statement on BOEM Finalizing Oregon Wind Energy Areas

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement today from Anne Reynolds, Vice President for Offshore Wind, on the final designation of two Wind Energy Areas (WEA) off the south Oregon coast by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The designation allows BOEM to now invite leaseholder bids from offshore wind developers … Continue reading ACP Statement on BOEM Finalizing Oregon Wind Energy Areas

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Wind priorities: accelerate processing and take care of the value chain for sustainable and technologically autonomous energy transition

The Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE) celebrates a new edition of the ‘Wind and Market’ conference, with the participation of more than 200 experts to analyze challenges and opportunities facing a new period in the consolidation and advancement of renewable energies in the electrical system , in our economy and society.Regulation, planning, procedures and, ultimately, … Continue reading Wind priorities: accelerate processing and take care of the value chain for sustainable and technologically autonomous energy transition

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Wind energy permitting is improving but Governments still have work to do

Permitting remains a bottlenecks to the expansion wind energy in Europe. However, things are improving. Europe approved significantly more permits for new onshore wind farms in 2023 than in previous years. This is largely thanks to the new EU rules on renewables permitting. That said, Europe is still not permitting enough new wind farms to … Continue reading Wind energy permitting is improving but Governments still have work to do

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Net Zero Industry Act threatens to be a backward step for Europe’s wind energy industry

Wind is 19% of the electricity consumed in Europe. Nearly all of Europe’s wind turbines are made in Europe. Europe’s wind energy supply chain is big – over 250 factories spread across nearly every EU Member State. 300,000 people work in wind in Europe today. Europe’s wind supply chain has been struggling. Costs went up … Continue reading Net Zero Industry Act threatens to be a backward step for Europe’s wind energy industry

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Unprecedented renewables growth keeps 2030 tripling dream alive – IEA’s Heymi Bahar

The world added 50% more renewable capacity in 2023 than in 2022, with the next five years set to see the fastest growth yet. China and solar photovoltaic (PV) were the stars of the show. Energy Monitor interviews Heymi Bahar, co-author of the IEA’s Renewables 2023 report. Renewable energy around the world is expanding faster … Continue reading Unprecedented renewables growth keeps 2030 tripling dream alive – IEA’s Heymi Bahar

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ACP Statement on New Jersey Offshore Wind Solicitation Awards

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement from Anne Reynolds, ACP Vice President for Offshore Wind after the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced the procurement of 3,742 MW of offshore wind to Attentive Energy Two (1,342 MW) and Leading Light Wind (2,400 MW): “Governor Murphy’s leadership is positioning New Jersey … Continue reading ACP Statement on New Jersey Offshore Wind Solicitation Awards

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Wind energy offers many benefits to Portugal

Wind energy is a major source of electricity in Portugal, and the wind supply chain has a strong footprint there. Whilst offshore wind offers new perspectives, the speedy permitting and repowering of onshore wind farms remain key for the country to keep reaping the fruits of wind energy. Wind energy was the biggest source of … Continue reading Wind energy offers many benefits to Portugal

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Massive expansion of renewable power opens door to achieving global tripling goal set at COP28

World added 50% more renewable capacity in 2023 than in 2022 and next 5 years will see fastest growth yet, but lack of financing for emerging and developing economies is key issue Renewables 2023 Explore report Read the report At the COP28 climate change conference in Dubai, more than 130 national governments including the European … Continue reading Massive expansion of renewable power opens door to achieving global tripling goal set at COP28

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Things looking up again for offshore wind power in the UK

The UK went through a bad period on offshore wind. But several good things have happened in the last two months which restore confidence. The UK now looks like it will remain Europe’s largest offshore wind market. The UK has huge ambitions for offshore wind. They have 14.7 GW today which are producing 16% of … Continue reading Things looking up again for offshore wind power in the UK

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