Policy, investment and markets News for June 2009

Policy, investment and markets News Archive

IRENA HQ heads to Abu Dhabi

At the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) second session of the Preparatory Commission in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, the Signatories designated Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, as the interim headquarters.

French candidate Hélène Pelosse appointed as the first Interim Director-General of IRENA.

Four candidates with strong backgrounds in the field of renewable energy were nominated by the Member States for the position.

Tanaka: renewables have a "key role to play"

Speaking at the Renewable Energy Finance Forum in New York City, International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka, said that renewable energy sources have a "key role to play with respect to both energy security and climate change".

UK government proposes US$100bn manifesto ahead of COP15 global climate talks

The UK has set out its official position ahead of the crucial COP15 summit in Copenhagen later this year.

Riverstone acquires Babcock & Brown’s North American Energy Group

Riverstone Holdings LLC and the management team of Babcock & Brown’s North American Energy Group today jointly announced the purchase of the wind development portfolio from Babcock & Brown LP to form Pattern Energy Group LP.

Obama Administration announces US$3.9 billion for smart grid technologies and transmission

US Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) is soliciting applications for US$3.9 billion in grants to support efforts to modernise the electric grid.

New report: "5 million US jobs possible in clean tech by 2020"

In a presentation before US policymakers and analysts, leading clean energy CEOs, venture capitalists and academics unveiled the “Gigaton Throwdown,” an assessment of the US’ clean energy potential.

China expects 20% of renewable energy by 2020

China could generate 20% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020, according to Zhang Xiaoqiang, Vice Chairman of China’s national development and reform commission.

SCE earmarks more green power development

Southern California Edison (SCE) has signed agreements with wind and solar suppliers for up to 960 MW of clean, renewable power.

Sharp encourages South Africa to include solar PV in renewable energy law

Sharp is urging South Africa to include solar photovoltaics (PV) into its recent renewable energy feed-in tariff.

Good times for sustainable water and wastewater treatment technology? Good times for sustainable water and wastewater treatment technology?

Despite the recession, Frost & Sullivan believe that there are huge opportunities for sustainable water and wastewater treatment. Is water the new oil? Or is investment in sustainable water and wastewater treatment money down the drain?

CENTROSOLAR closes solar module plant due to Econcern crisis

CENTROSOLAR is closing the solar module plant in Doesburg, the Netherlands, run by its 100% subsidiary Ubbink Solar Modules BV (USM), as a repercussion to the financing problems at renewable energy developer Econcern.

Transmission greatest barrier to US wind energy – industry poll

For the second year in a row, transmission / interconnection constraints were identified as the greatest barrier to wind energy development according to a poll conducted by wind measurement provider NRG Systems.

Economic crisis hits EU and US clean energy, but investment still up

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) says US$155 billion was invested in 2008 in clean energy companies and projects worldwide - not including large hydro – an increase over 2007, but growth is slowing with the economic crisis.

Consortium seeks US$425 million for CSP plant in Jordan

Jordan's BADR Investments is leading a consortium to raise up to US$425 million for a new 100 MW concentrating solar power (CSP) plant - one of the largest in the world - in Ma'an, southern Jordan.

Blair supports UAE IRENA bid

The United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s bid to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is a major boost for the developing world in the global quest for a sustainable future, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said.

Iberdrola sells 10% stake in Gamesa

Spanish energy company Iberdrola has sold a 10% stake in wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa for €391.7 million resulting in a capital gain for Iberdrola of €112m.

South Australia aims for 33% renewables by 2020

Premier Mike Rann has announced that his State Budget will outline plans to create an even greater renewable industry in South Australia, and to increase the state’s renewable energy production target to 33% by 2020.

NREL and Dutch Energy Research Centre team up on renewables

The US Department of Energy’s (DoE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) will cooperate on renewable energy research areas such as policy studies, energy analysis, wind energy and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy.

Energy Frontier Research Center established at NREL

The US Department of Energy’s (DoE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will be the home of the new Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC), which will pursue research on material discovery for energy.