Category Archives: OpEd

WindEurope tells Bulgaria to do the right thing on renewables before its EU Presidency starts next year

WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson spoke at an energy markets conference in Sofia on 16 May. It was a major event with the Bulgarian Energy Minister, government officials, industry and other stakeholders. Bulgaria has 700 MW of wind power installed today, covering 4% of its electricity demand. Bulgaria is the biggest exporter of electricity in Southeast … Continue reading WindEurope tells Bulgaria to do the right thing on renewables before its EU Presidency starts next year

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Spain returns to wind energy with record low prices

Wind energy was awarded nearly all of the 3GW available in the Spanish renewable energy auction whose results were announced on 17 May. The auction resulted in contracts for €43/MWh, the maximum discount rate allowed under the Spanish tendering system. This is the lowest level ever awarded in an onshore wind tender in Europe. The … Continue reading Spain returns to wind energy with record low prices

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WINDPOWER 2017: What’s happening in Congress?

This guest post was authored by J.C. Sandberg, Director, Global Government Affairs & Policy – Renewable Energy, GE Energy. Next Tuesday at 3:30pm, I’ll be moderating a panel at AWEA’s WINDPOWER conference entitled, “Making the Case for America’s Wind Industry in Congress: Opportunities and Challenges.” We all hear a lot coming out of Washington these … Continue reading WINDPOWER 2017: What’s happening in Congress?

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Five tips to have a fantastic first WINDPOWER

Next week I head to Anaheim, Cal. for my first WINDPOWER Conference! As part of AWEA’s conference team, I’ve had a front row seat to the incredible hard work that goes into this event. And as a marketing staffer, part of my job is to ensure the public knows about the conference and the dozens … Continue reading Five tips to have a fantastic first WINDPOWER

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Wind power offers Oklahoma schools a lifeline during budget cuts

The Oklahoman recently took a look at what the Sooner State’s growing wind industry has meant for rural school districts. Its findings: wind power has made a big difference. Oklahoma has faced steep cuts to its state education budget in recent years, but wind payments have helped bridge the gap for many small-town districts. “We … Continue reading Wind power offers Oklahoma schools a lifeline during budget cuts

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WindEurope encourage Lithuanians to pursue their ambitious plans for wind energy

A WindEurope delegation (CEO Giles Dickson, Kresten Ørnbjerg of Vestas and Aistis Radavicius of the Lithuanian Wind Association) met the Lithuanian Energy Minister on 12 May. We also met the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Energy Committee in the Lithuanian Parliament and the Chair of the Economy Committee.   We were encouraged to learn that … Continue reading WindEurope encourage Lithuanians to pursue their ambitious plans for wind energy

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Maryland makes a play for the offshore wind crown

The Maryland Public Service Commission greenlit two projects yesterday that put the state at the forefront of U.S. offshore wind development. The commission approved offshore renewable energy credits for 368 megawatts of capacity spread across two projects, proposed by U.S. Wind and a subsidiary of Deepwater Wind. The move will allow the financing of both … Continue reading Maryland makes a play for the offshore wind crown

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Global 100% Renewable Energy Platform launched

Today, representatives from major organizations from all over the world have gathered in Bonn to launch the Global 100% Renewable Energy Platform. During the launch event, some of the world’s most renowned experts on renewable energy presented solutions and strategies for achieving global 100% renewable energy, in line with the world’s climate change mitigation needs … Continue reading Global 100% Renewable Energy Platform launched

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Energy policy leader Amy Farrell to take helm of government and public affairs for wind energy industry

Tom Kiernan, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), today announced that Amy L. Farrell, a proven strategist and expert in energy, environmental and regulatory policy, has been named AWEA’s Senior Vice President for Government and Public Affairs. In this capacity, Farrell will oversee federal regulatory affairs, state policy, public affairs, and industry research. … Continue reading Energy policy leader Amy Farrell to take helm of government and public affairs for wind energy industry

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AWEA’s Community Engagement Seminar series

Ask any wind farm developer, and they’ll tell you the most successful projects are in communities that want them. And a lot of communities do, as there are wind farms in 41 out of 50 states, supporting well-paying jobs and investing billions of dollars in rural communities. But how can we help ensure that happens? … Continue reading AWEA’s Community Engagement Seminar series

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WindEurope tells gas industry how best to integrate variable renewables

WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson addressed the European gas industry at their annual “FLAME” event in Amsterdam today. He said the wind industry was working towards the long-term goal of 100% renewables but gas would have a role to play in the transition. On the role of gas in balancing wind, he said 5 things are … Continue reading WindEurope tells gas industry how best to integrate variable renewables

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Commission clears French support mechanism for small installations 2 minutes before midnight

On Friday 5 May, the European Commission approved France’s support mechanism for onshore wind plants of less than 6 turbines. France was a dynamic market in 2016 with 1,561 MW installed. But activity in 2017 was plagued by uncertainty around the onshore wind support mechanism which was under European Commission scrutiny. The Commission’s approval, clearing … Continue reading Commission clears French support mechanism for small installations 2 minutes before midnight

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Austrian winds of change

WindEurope seized the latest EUFORES parliamentary workshop in Vienna to advocate for more ambition on renewable energy. Member of European Parliament Claude Turmes (Greens – Luxembourg), Members of the Austrian Parliament, and stakeholders from the Austrian and European energy sector discussed opportunities and challenges of the European Energy Union. Austria has a renewable energy share … Continue reading Austrian winds of change

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The latest major American city to pledge 100 percent renewables: Atlanta

This week, the Atlanta City Council passed a measure to power the city entirely on renewables by 2035. The move also requires the the transition of all city operations – including powering public buildings – to 100 percent renewable energy by 2025. In doing so, Atlanta became the 27th city – the first in Georgia … Continue reading The latest major American city to pledge 100 percent renewables: Atlanta

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California legislative leaders call for 100 percent renewable energy

Yesterday, the leader of the California Senate, Kevin de Leon, proposed a bill that would transition California to 100 percent renewable retail electricity. That would improve upon the state’s existing renewable energy standard, which calls for 50 percent renewables by 2030. Under the new legislation the state would hit that target five years early, and … Continue reading California legislative leaders call for 100 percent renewable energy

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Block Island to start getting power from wind turbines

Block Island on Monday will formally throw the switch on a first-time connection to the New England energy grid through a new cable to the mainland, and begin receiving power from the country’s first five offshore wind turbines. In an interview Friday, Block Island Power Co. chief executive Jeff Wright said the event will end … Continue reading Block Island to start getting power from wind turbines

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WindEurope promotes wind and e-mobility with Enercon at Hannover Messe

Today at the Hannover Messe (the world’s largest trade fair), WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson gave a lecture at the Enercon stand on EU energy policy and wind. He explained the goals and achievements of EU energy policy thus far, the challenges currently facing the wind industry Europe and how the right EU policies could help … Continue reading WindEurope promotes wind and e-mobility with Enercon at Hannover Messe

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WindEurope calls on EU Member States to adopt new environmental rules for coal and lignite plants

On 28 April the European Commission will seek the support of EU Member States for new environmental standards for large industrial plants including coal and lignite plants. EU Member States will meet in the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) Article 75 Committee and vote on the adoption of the revised Best Available Techniques reference (BREF) document … Continue reading WindEurope calls on EU Member States to adopt new environmental rules for coal and lignite plants

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From atop a turbine “none of this looks like a partisan issue”

I’m jealous of John Rogers. John is a Senior Energy Analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists, and he recently visited an upstate New York wind farm, where he got to climb to the top of a wind turbine, something I’m still waiting to experience. More importantly, John learned how the Maple Ridge wind farm … Continue reading From atop a turbine “none of this looks like a partisan issue”

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California State Senate leader to keynote WINDPOWER 2017

Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de León, the California Senate’s most powerful member and legislative champion of the state’s hallmark 50 percent renewable energy standard law passed in 2015, will provide a keynote address at North America’s largest wind power trade show on Tuesday, May 23, in Anaheim. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) announced … Continue reading California State Senate leader to keynote WINDPOWER 2017

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