The cost of generating power from renewable energy sources has reached parity or dropped below the cost of fossil fuels for many technologies, the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) has revealed. Irena’s “Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2014” report concludes that biomass, hydropower, geothermal and onshore wind are all competitive with or cheaper than coal, … Continue reading Renewable energy costs in 2014: Wind energy and solar power now cheaper than fossil
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Rebound in clean energy investment in 2014 beats expectations
Surges in investment in offshore wind energy in Europe, and solar power in China and the US, helped to drive the 2014 global clean energy total up 16% to $310bn. Clean energy investment rose for the first time in three years in 2014, overcoming a slump in oil prices that unsettled the outlook for the … Continue reading Rebound in clean energy investment in 2014 beats expectations
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2015 will see nuclear power dream fade as wind energy and solar power soar
Governments are still spending billions on nuclear research, writes Paul Brown – but 2015 looks like being an unhappy year for the industry as it continues to shrink while renewables grow, amid massive delays and cost over-runs. With nuclear power falling ever further behind renewables as a global energy source, and as the price of … Continue reading 2015 will see nuclear power dream fade as wind energy and solar power soar
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6 Reasons 2014 Was a Good Year for Climate Action
Here are six reasons to be optimistic under even the most climate-denying Congress: 1. The price of solar and wind energy has fallen below the price of conventional fuels, pushing utilities to switch to alternative fuels. The New York Times reports that “The cost of providing electricity from wind and solar power plants has plummeted … Continue reading 6 Reasons 2014 Was a Good Year for Climate Action
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Deal reached at UN climate change talks in Peru
The U.N. weather agency said last week that 2014 could become the hottest year on record. More than 30 hours behind schedule, delegates from more than 190 countries agreed on what information should go into the pledges that countries submit for the expected Paris pact. They argued all day Saturday over the wording of … Continue reading Deal reached at UN climate change talks in Peru
Continue readingTowards the climate conference PARIS – mapping the way towards 100% renewable energies
The COP20 Presidency has branded the related WBA/WWEA Side Event of 5 December as “Lima Climate Action Highlight” and will showcase a summary during the COP20 High-level Session on 11 December. Regions, cities and communities leading the transformation towards 100 % renewables Regions, cities and communities demonstrate that the transformation to a 100% renewable fuelled … Continue reading Towards the climate conference PARIS – mapping the way towards 100% renewable energies
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Fossil fuels should be ‘phased out by 2100’ says IPCC
That is the central message of a stark new report from the UN-backed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The United Nations’ expert panel on climate science on Saturday finished a report on global warming that the UN’s environment agency said offers ”conclusive evidence” that humans are altering the Earth’s climate system. The document, which combines … Continue reading Fossil fuels should be ‘phased out by 2100’ says IPCC
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Heads of State miss the chance to back renewable energy in Europe
The European Council’s decision to set an EU-binding target of 27% showed a lack of ambition to improve Europe’s energy security. Governments also ignored calls from the renewable energy sector and European business leaders for a nationally-binding target of at least 30%. Thomas Becker, chief executive officer of the European Wind Energy Association, said: … Continue reading Heads of State miss the chance to back renewable energy in Europe
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Wind power is more cheaper than gas
It’s no surprise that if environmental costs are considered, renewables—particularly wind power—are a far better bargain than coal power. But it might surprise many that according to a new such analysis, nuclear power lags far behind wind energy and even hydroelectric power in its economic impact, at least in the European Union. Energy costs are … Continue reading Wind power is more cheaper than gas
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Renewable energy can supply 100% of world’s power by 2050
A global low-carbon energy economy is not only feasible – it could actually double electricity supply by 2050, while also reducing air and water pollution, according to new research. “Our analysis indicates that the large-scale implementation of wind, [solar] PV, and CSP [Concentrated Solar Power] has the potential to reduce pollution-related environmental impacts of … Continue reading Renewable energy can supply 100% of world’s power by 2050
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Solar power, wind energy cost may fall to level for coal by 2020s
The cost of solar energy and onshore wind power may fall to the same level as generation from fossil fuels by the 2020s, energy consultant Poyry Oyj said in a report. Solar plants in Spain may produce electricity competitive with coal and gas as early as 2021, in Portugal by 2022 and in parts of … Continue reading Solar power, wind energy cost may fall to level for coal by 2020s
Continue readingWind energy and solar power compete with coal, gas
Lazard said that solar energy and wind energy were already competing with fossil fuels on an unsubsidised basis. We’ve now gotten hold of the original report and are reprinting four graphs here, which we find quite stunning because it underlines how quickly the case for more fossil fuels is quickly being eroded. The first graph … Continue reading Wind energy and solar power compete with coal, gas
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Those renewable power lines more than pay for themselves
Today, Texas Comptroller Susan Comb’s office published a report attacking renewable energy in Texas. This unbalanced, misinformed report is simply a restatement of the flawed talking points pushed by the anti-renewables lobby and ignores key information about renewable power and its benefits for Texas. Texas’ wind energy industry has now invested more than $26 billion … Continue reading Those renewable power lines more than pay for themselves
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Obama Urges Action on Climate Change `While We Still Can’
President Barack Obama urged world leaders at a United Nations summit to reach a global agreement to combat climate change “while we still can.” Speaking before more than 120 officials, the president cited more frequent droughts and flooding in warning, “The climate is changing faster than our efforts to address it.” Obama took credit for … Continue reading Obama Urges Action on Climate Change `While We Still Can’
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Thousands march in New York City, around globe over climate change
Accompanied by drumbeats, wearing costumes and carrying signs, thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Manhattan and other cities around the world on Sunday to urge policy makers to take action on climate change. The crowds of marchers, which included actors Mark Ruffalo and Evangeline Lilly, wound through midtown Manhattan, joined along the way by … Continue reading Thousands march in New York City, around globe over climate change
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Renewable Energy Can Meet Global Demand And Cut Carbon Emissions Says IRENA
A plan to use renewable energy sources to meet the rising demand for cheap electricity and the need to reduce the pace of global warming, has been developed by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena). The organisation predicts that average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will reach 498 grams per kilowatt-hour (g/kWh) by 2030 if the … Continue reading Renewable Energy Can Meet Global Demand And Cut Carbon Emissions Says IRENA
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China is drawing 30 percent of its energy needs from hydropower, solar energy and wind energy
China’s demand for energy is unparalleled. The demand is met primarily with traditional raw materials such as oil, gas and above all, coal – the basis for 80 percent of China’s energy supply. The trouble is, the process of generating electricity through coal releases large quantities of CO2. And it is becoming increasingly difficult to … Continue reading China is drawing 30 percent of its energy needs from hydropower, solar energy and wind energy
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Total installed capacity of renewable energy (wind energy, hydro, geothermal energy, concentrated solar power, PV, reached 1,700 GW in 2013
The renewable energy share of electricity generation exceeded 22 per cent for the first time: with 16.4 per cent hydro, 2.9 per cent wind power, 1.8 per cent biopower and 1.1 per cent solar PV, concentrated solar power (CSP), geothermal and ocean. In a recently published report, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) traces the … Continue reading Total installed capacity of renewable energy (wind energy, hydro, geothermal energy, concentrated solar power, PV, reached 1,700 GW in 2013
Continue readingRenewable energy will be key to Paris climate change talks
As France prepares to host the make-or-break ParisClimate Conference in December 2015, and with expectations that the outcome will define global climate efforts in the future, renewable energy is increasingly taking centre stage in the climate discussion. REthinking Energy, a new report released by the International Renewable Energy Agency(IRENA) this week, underlines that renewables must … Continue reading Renewable energy will be key to Paris climate change talks
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EWEA calls on new Commissioner-designates to take the reins on Europe’s energy future
The European Wind Energy Association welcomes the announcement of Alenka Bratušek as Vice President- and Commissioner-designate for Energy Union and Miguel Arias Cañete as the European Commissioner-designate for Energy and Climate Action. This team will be responsible for implementing the European Commission President-elect’s vision of an energy union in Europe and establishing the region as … Continue reading EWEA calls on new Commissioner-designates to take the reins on Europe’s energy future
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