Policy, investment and markets News for October 2010

Policy, investment and markets News Archive

juwi-Group sets up renewable energy subsidiary in India

Renewable energy project developer, the juwi-Group, has established a subsidiary in India.

£200m investment to commercialise UK research

A network of Technology and Innovation Centres will be created to drive growth and bridge the gap between universities and businesses, helping to commercialise the outputs of Britain’s research base.

New contracts to boost Chinese wind industry

Spanish wind farm manufacturer Gamesa receives new contracts in China to supply 197 wind turbines with a combined capacity of 251 MW.

Sunbelt countries could have 1.1 TW solar PV by 2030 Sunbelt countries could have 1.1 TW solar PV by 2030

The solar photovoltaic (PV) market in 66 Sunbelt countries identified by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) could have 1.1 TW installed solar PV capacity by 2030.

Solar PV panel production above 15 GW in 2010

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panel production could grow 92% in 2010, eclipsing the previously estimated 15 GW, according to GTM Research.

REC’s Q3 2010 net loss narrows 11%

REC ASA’s net loss from total operations in the third quarter (Q3) 2010 narrowed 11% to NOK896 million as revenues soared 83% to NOK3783m.

Networks, not solar, driving rising electricity costs Networks, not solar, driving rising electricity costs

Australia’s Clean Energy Council says the cost of supporting residential solar power is a drop in the ocean compared to billions of dollars in network costs that are driving big increases in electricity prices in New South Wales, Australia.

Vestas’ Q3 profit falls 23.6% - lays off 3000

Vestas says 3000 jobs could be axed – mainly in Denmark – as the wind power market fails to recover according to expectations.

Gamesa opens global offshore wind headquarters in London

Gamesa will locate its global offshore wind headquarters in London with plans to invest up to €150 million by 2014.

EHA, HyRaMP call for coordinated build-up of sustainable hydrogen infrastructure in Europe

The European Hydrogen Association (EHA) and the European Regions and Municipalities Partnership for hydrogen and fuel cells (HyRaMP) have called for accelerated support from the EU, national and local governments to ensure a sustainable build-up of hydrogen infrastructure in Europe.

BHEL secures major turnkey solar contracts in India

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has won a major conract for setting up Grid-Interactive solar power plants of 1100 kW capacity on a turnkey basis, in the Lakshadweep islands.

UK renewables industry takes stock of spending review

After a tense few weeks amid headlines of doom and gloom for renewable energy development in Britain, the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) announcements made to date leave room for optimism.

Suntech and Calisolar to create Ontario operation

The two organisations have inked a letter of intent to construct a solar silicon manufacturing facility in the Canadian province, as well as set up a long term power purchase agreement.

WWEA: 16 GW of wind added in first half of 2010

The World Wind Energy Association expects global capacity to reach almost 200 GW in 2010 but calls for further improvements in national and International policies.

UTC buys remaining shares in struggling Clipper

Clipper Windpower has agreed to a US$223 million buyout by United Technologies Corporation as its struggles continue.

Report: energy storage market for wind will reach US$1.1 billion by 2015

The NanoMarkets report concludes that there will be a growing market for energy storage systems that will remove some of the major obstacles to wind generation and create a business opportunity for such systems.

What can the movie network and the U.S. Tea Party movement teach the solar industry?

See the latest blog from Navigant's renowned PV expert Paula Mints on our US website...

Yingli Green Energy to add 700 MW capacity

Projects will be located at Baoding headquarters and in Hainan province.

China’s future wind power could equal 13 Three Gorges Dams

China’s wind power can reach 230 GW of installed capacity by 2020, and its annual electricity output of 464.9 TWh could replace 200 coal fire power plants, according to China Wind Power Outlook 2010, a new report jointly released by Greenpeace, the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association (CREIA), and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).

Environmental champion Hermann Scheer dies Environmental champion Hermann Scheer dies

One of Germany's most outspoken environmental politicians has died, at the age of 66. Hermann Scheer, a Social Democratic member of the German parliament, was a leading campaigner for renewable energy, in particular solar power.

Solarbuzz reports record levels of PV equipment spending

Quarterly manufacturing capacity added during Q3 2010 broke through the GW barrier for the first time, driving PV equipment spending to a new quarterly high, according to the Solarbuzz PV Equipment Quarterly.

Gamesa and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding team up on offshore wind turbine technology Gamesa and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding team up on offshore wind turbine technology

Spanish wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa and the shipbuilding division of US defence company Northrop Grumman Corporation have signed an agreement to launch Gamesa’s first prototype offshore wind turbine in the USA, and to jointly develop new offshore wind systems.

Wind power to provide a fifth of world’s electricity by 2030

Wind could meet 12% of global power demand by 2020, and up to 22% by 2030, according to a study published today by the Global Wind Energy Council and Greenpeace International.

China overtakes U.S. to become largest energy user

International Energy Agency (IEA) calculations based on preliminary data show that China has now overtaken the U.S. to become the world's largest energy user.

80 MW Solar PV project completed

First Solar and Enbridge have completed the 80 MW Sarnia Solar Project, a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility in Ontario, Canada, said to be the biggest in the world.

First Solar announces 380 MW increase in orders for 2011

The company reports that it has signed agreements with 7 key customers for a 380 MW increase in orders for 2011 over previously announced volumes.

Pressure mounts on UK Government over potential renewables betrayal

Politicians, environmental campaign groups, unions and academics are among those to have called for the protection of the UK’s solar power industry in an open letter to Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne.

UK solar market ro reach 60 MW by year end

Ofgem's prediction that the UK solar market is likely to reach 60 MW by the end of 2010 and 250 MW in 2011, has spurred Solar Power UK to extend its programme.

Wood Group acquires stake in renewable specialist SgurrEnergy

International energy services company Wood Group has acquired a significant equity stake in renewable energy services consultancy SgurrEnergy.

Controversy over high subsidies to UK wind power

A difference in opinions has become apparent as the Renewable Energy Foundation (REF) oppose RenewableUK’s claims that very high subsidies to wind power are justified because the industry contributes to the UK’s security of supply.

Solarbuzz looks at increased UK solar PV demand

Market-research group Solarbuzz looks at the solar photovoltaic (PV) feed-in tariff (FiT) in the UK and the following surge in solar PV units installed.

Goldwind hopes to raise HK$7107m in IPO

Goldwind Science & Technology Co Ltd has announced its proposed listing on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (SEHK) aiming to raise HK$7107 million.

Global solar PV demand up 54% in Q2

Solar energy market research company Solarbuzz says global solar photovoltaic (PV) demand escalated to 82 GW in Q2, up 54% quarter on quarter.

LM Wind Power expands site in Brazil

Independent manufacturer of blades for wind turbines, LM Wind Power, plans to expand its manufacturing base in Brazil.

UK feed-in tariffs to be axed? Business leaders outraged

Growing speculation that the UK feed-in-tariffs (FITs) for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are to be cut has forced over 60 Chief Executives to write to cabinet ministers fearing that investors will flee.

£32bn needed to securing UK’s energy future

Both M&C Energy Group and the trade association RenewableUK have raised concerns regarding the state of the National Grid and its ability to sustain the UK’s plans for growth in renewable power generation.

German solar PV degression could reach 13%

The German Federal Network Agency has published figures for newly installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacities for June, July and August, and EuPD Research says it expects that the degression will reach its maximum limit of 13% at the turn of the year.

UK renewable energy generation fell 12.1% in Q2 2010

Renewable energy sources in the UK produced 4.72 TWh in the second quarter (Q2) of 2010, down 12.1% from the same period last year, according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) quarterly Energy Statistics.

GE and Harbin tap into US$13bn Chinese wind energy market

GE and Harbin Electric Machinery Co Ltd (HEC) have set up a joint venture (JV) to manufacture and supply wind turbines to customers in China.

German solar PV market reaches 4.8 GW this year

Registered solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in Germany have reached 4.8 GW in the first 8 months of 2010, up 327% on the same period last year, according to IMS Research.