Myths about renewables shouldn’t stop Puerto Rico from using them to make its grid more resilient in future weather disasters, because the world has changed– they’re reliable and save money now. That’s the gist of a recent “design charette,” a group planning event convened over the past two months by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) … Continue reading Renewables can help Puerto Rico keep its lights on
Continue readingCategory Archives: OpEd
As Clean Energy Package reaches end-game, a mixture of positive signals and worrying shortfalls for the wind industry
Yesterday’s Energy Council agreed general approaches on four key files of the EU Clean Energy Package. These will serve as the basis for negotiations with the European Parliament in 2018. As far as the wind industry is concerned, there was progress on some key issues but Ministers fell short on others. There is some good … Continue reading As Clean Energy Package reaches end-game, a mixture of positive signals and worrying shortfalls for the wind industry
Continue reading
Tax reform to allow continued wind power investment and job growth
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act near passage in Congress will allow the continued growth of American wind energy, and the investment, jobs, and other economic benefits it brings to rural communities. The bill to be voted on later this week preserves the orderly phase-out through 2019 of wind energy tax credits, ensuring stability for … Continue reading Tax reform to allow continued wind power investment and job growth
Continue reading
Corporate Renewable PPAs on the agenda in Rome and Warsaw
The Polish workshop was held in Warsaw and organised by the Polish Wind Energy Association. Even though corporate PPA talks are very much in the early stages of discussions, the industry in Poland is looking at the corporate PPA market as a way to support the development of wind energy in the country, particular following … Continue reading Corporate Renewable PPAs on the agenda in Rome and Warsaw
Continue reading
Wind energy’s contribution to Europe’s economy
Six MEPs were in attendance: Claude Turmes and Jakop Dalunde of the European Green Party; Jo Leinen, Arne Lietz and Jeppe Kofod of the Party of European Socialists; and Sean Kelly, of the European People’s Party. There was a great deal of interest in the report among the MEPs. The flagship report sets out the … Continue reading Wind energy’s contribution to Europe’s economy
Continue reading
What GateHouse Media missed in its report on life near wind farms
If all you knew about the beach was what you saw in the movie “Jaws,” you’d never go. Yet 58 million Americans a year go to the shore. Context matters. And that’s exactly what is lacking in a recent report by GateHouse Media that amplifies the complaints of a small number of the millions of … Continue reading What GateHouse Media missed in its report on life near wind farms
Continue reading
Words can fuel perceived health impacts of wind turbines
Do you have sores on your feet? Is your hair turning grey? You may live near a wind turbine. Or at least that’s what certain stories you can find on the Internet would have you believe – that wind turbines cause health problems. In reality, tens of millions of people comfortably live near wind projects … Continue reading Words can fuel perceived health impacts of wind turbines
Continue reading
Corporates call for greater government ambition on renewables ahead of EU Energy Council Meeting
Major multinationals and energy companies call for greater EU policy ambition to unlock the potential of renewables in Europe’s energy mix. Some of the world’s largest multinationals and energy companies today issued a joint declaration urging EU Member States to support a renewable energy target of at least 35% by 2030. The declaration was signed … Continue reading Corporates call for greater government ambition on renewables ahead of EU Energy Council Meeting
Continue reading
When fake news has real consequences: Words can fuel perceived health impacts
Do you have sores on your feet? Is your hair turning grey? You may live near a wind turbine. Or at least that’s what certain stories you can find on the Internet would have you believe – that wind turbines cause health problems. In reality, tens of millions of people comfortably live near wind projects … Continue reading When fake news has real consequences: Words can fuel perceived health impacts
Continue reading
San Francisco’s transit system announces wind energy deal
The San Francisco Bay Area’s rapid transit system took a big step towards ensuring a clean energy future, and it’s using wind power to get there. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)’s Board of Directors approved two 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) last week, one for 61.7 megawatts (MW) of wind and one for 45 … Continue reading San Francisco’s transit system announces wind energy deal
Continue reading
European Parliament sends strong signal to Council on renewables ambition
Today the European Parliament’s Industry & Energy (ITRE) and Environment (ENVI) committees voted their position on the Energy Union Governance Regulation, steered by MEPs Claude Turmes and Michèle Rivasi from the Greens/EFA party. The vote comes just a week after the ITRE committee called for raising the EU’s 2030 renewable energy target to 35% instead … Continue reading European Parliament sends strong signal to Council on renewables ambition
Continue reading
Google powers up with wind energy from Iowa, South Dakota, Oklahoma
Never one for small acts, Google recently announced that it will be buying a massive combined 536 megawatts (MW) of new wind capacity from four U.S. wind farms. Here are the details on Google’s latest deals: One 200 MW power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with EDF Renewable Energy for the entire output of the planned … Continue reading Google powers up with wind energy from Iowa, South Dakota, Oklahoma
Continue reading
Digitalisation and regional cooperation can help reconcile grids and markets
On 5 December, WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson took part in a high-level discussion on ‘Grids and markets for the Energy Union’ at ENTSOE’s 2017 annual conference. The event gathers European TSOs, policy-makers and industry representatives. Dickson shared the stage with MEP and rapporteur on Market Design Initiative Krisjanis Karins, Eurelectric Secretary General Kristian Ruby, Chair … Continue reading Digitalisation and regional cooperation can help reconcile grids and markets
Continue reading
A powerful ethical argument for wind energy
Vestas are championing renewables and sustainable business practices to help transform the world’s power supply. Outside of his professional life, energy for Clive Turton means being able to surf, compete in triathlons and raise a family in the healthy outdoors. But as Asia Pacific President for Danish renewables company Vestas, his passion for energy comes … Continue reading A powerful ethical argument for wind energy
Continue reading
Clean energy leaders statement on passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in US Senate
Joint statement by: Gregory Wetstone, President and CEO, American Council on Renewable (ACORE) Tom Kiernan, CEO, American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Matthew Mallioux, Director, American Conservation Coalition (ACC) Heather Reams, Managing Director, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Mark Pischea, President, Conservative Energy Network (CEN) Mark Fleming, President and CEO, Conservatives for Clean Energy (CCE) … Continue reading Clean energy leaders statement on passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in US Senate
Continue reading
Tens of thousands contact Congress: don’t let tax reform hinder wind energy’s growth
The Senate is set to vote any moment on a tax reform plan that could threaten our country’s progress in renewable energy. Right now, a new wind turbine is put in the ground every 2.5 hours. That means factory and construction workers are clocking in each morning to good-paying jobs. Where are those turbines being … Continue reading Tens of thousands contact Congress: don’t let tax reform hinder wind energy’s growth
Continue reading
Hedging emerges as potential solution for wind energy resource risk
By 2030 only 6% of Europe’s wind energy capacity will be unexposed to market risks through support schemes, down from 75% today. This means that the transition to auctions allocating renewable energy support comes with more exposure to price risk. One new way to address uncertainty on project revenues is hedging against volume risk. This … Continue reading Hedging emerges as potential solution for wind energy resource risk
Continue reading
Europe’s €36bn industrial success story: but for how long?
The European wind industry contributed €36bn to the EU’s GDP in 2016, supports 263,000 jobs and generated €8bn of exports outside of Europe. These are the main findings of a new report, ‘Local Impact, Global Leadership’ carried out by Deloitte for WindEurope and published today. The report also outlines what the wind industry saves Europe … Continue reading Europe’s €36bn industrial success story: but for how long?
Continue reading
European Parliament paves the way for increased ambition on 2030 renewable energy laws
WindEurope today congratulated the Industry Committee of the European Parliament for backing a binding target of at least 35% renewable energy for 2030 and more stringent renewable energy laws. Members of the European Parliament voted this morning on the Committee’s position on the post-2020 Renewable Energy Directive, steered by Spanish MEP José Blanco López. The … Continue reading European Parliament paves the way for increased ambition on 2030 renewable energy laws
Continue reading
The outlook for wind energy in Europe
Political frameworks and technological developments are key to wind energy success in Europe. This was the main message in a wide-ranging, high-level panel discussion at the WindEurope Conference & Exhibition this morning in Amsterdam. The session, which addressed the outlook for wind in Europe and future business models, was chaired by Dagmara Koska, Member of … Continue reading The outlook for wind energy in Europe
Continue reading
