Policy, investment and markets News for January 2011

Policy, investment and markets News Archive

China: 248 GW of wind power in 2010

China is expected to have reached a total installed wind power capacity of 248 GW in 2020 representing a compound annual growth rate of almost 23%.

Spain generated 3% of its electricity from solar in 2010 Spain generated 3% of its electricity from solar in 2010

Despite the reductions in support for solar system, Spanish solar systems now deliver electricity in the TWh range making solar bigger than hydro or coal, and Spain now produces more wind and solar power than California.

Conergy sells heat pump business to SmartHeat

Conergy has agreed to sell its solar heat pump subsidiary Güstrower Wärmepumpen to SmartHeat.

UK offshore wind transmission projects bidders announced

Ofgem E-Serve has announced the 8 qualifying bidders competing to provide high-voltage transmission links for three UK offshore wind projects.

Allianz invests over €1bn in wind and solar power

Allianz has invested over €1 billion in 30 wind farms and solar parks in Germany, France and Italy since 2005.

Feed-in tariffs drive nearly 2 GW of solar PV in Italy

Italy has officially reported that 1850 MW of new solar photovoltaics (PV) systems were installed in 2010, substantially exceeding industry estimates.

Global energy industry down, renewable energy up

The potential investment value of new power projects globally fell 53% in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2010 compared to Q3, according to the EIC Monitor, whereas renewable energy projects have seen growth in number of projects and potential investment value.

French solar bubble bursting?

France imposed a three-month stop to new solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in December, to end what the Government has called a ‘speculative bubble’.

Launch of renewable industry group in Northern Ireland Launch of renewable industry group in Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Renewable Industry Group (NIRIG), a representative body for the renewable energy industry, has been officially launched.

Energy research Centre of the Netherlands lays off 96

The Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) has to dismiss 96 employees following the Dutch Government’s decision to discontinue a research subsidy of €8 million from the start of this year.

Wave and tidal energy spend to hit US$1.2bn by 2015

Global spending on wave and tidal energy may reach US$1.2 billion over the next five years, according to energy business analyst Douglas-Westwood.

German solar industry agrees solar PV tariff reductions

The German Government has reached an agreement with the country’s solar industry to tailor solar photovoltaic (PV) feed-in tariffs to installed capacity.

Gamesa still no. 1 wind turbine provider in Spain

Gamesa maintains its number one position in the Spanish wind market with a 2010 market share of 50.18% – an increase from 2009’s 34.4%.

Gamesa offshore wind technology centre to Scotland

Spanish wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa plans to set up its offshore wind technology centre in Glasgow, Scotland, creating 130 jobs.

Consumer label for wind energy

A global consumer label identifying corporations and products made with wind energy is being put together by businesses and non-profit organisations under the name WindMade.

UK lags behind Germany in renewable energy race

The UK is lagging behind Germany in the race to benefit from green and renewable business opportunities, according to the Carbon Trust.

Turkey adopts limited feed-in law

Turkey has revised its limited feed-in tariff law for renewable energy with the adoption of a similarly limited policy.

UK Green Investment Bank to drive renewable energy, not nuclear

The UK Government has come under criticism for potentially funding the development of nuclear power through the Green Investment Bank.

Narec launches renewable energy consultancy

The National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) and Ashberg have launched Narec Capital, will work as a consultancy providing access to Narec’s intellectual property and engineering capabilities and giving relevant information to potential investors and insurers.

Solar PV installations reached 17.5 GW in 2010 Solar PV installations reached 17.5 GW in 2010

New solar photovoltaic (PV) installations grew by 130% to reach 17.5 GW in 2010 and growth is set to continue in 2011, says analyst IMS Research.

Production resumes at Skykon's Scottish wind turbine factory

The wind turbine factory in Machrihanish in Argyll has resumed production after parent company Skykon filed for bankruptcy.

Solar energy benefits most from UK feed-in tariffs

Solar has taken the lead in the UK renewable energy market as a result of favourable feed-in tariffs, according to a new report by technology analyst Greenbang.

UN's Ban Ki-Moon to speak at World Future Energy Summit

Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will address Heads of State and international delegates.

MASDAR PV abandons plans for UAE solar manufacturing hub

The Government's national clean energy organisation said a lack of local demand for renewable energy was to blame.

UK-China MoU on low-carbon energy

The UK and China have entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop partnership schemes for promoting low-carbon growth in China.

LDK Solar ups outlook

LDK Solar Co Ltd has upped its outlook for the fourth quarter 2010 and fiscal year 2011.

UK regulator reveals feed-in tariff generator details

Ofgem has published the first database showing the location and capacity of registered renewable energy feed-in tariff generators in the UK - but not how much electricity they produce.

Turkey implements feed-in tariff, Spain cuts

While Turkey tries to catch up with the international renewable energy industry by introducing its first, well thought-out feed-in tariff, Spain has reduced solar funding on the quiet, says EuPD Research.

Solar PV module capacity outpaces demand Solar PV module capacity outpaces demand

Solar photovoltaic (PV) module production capacity increased almost 70% in 2010, reaching nearly 30 GW by year end and will continue to grow, but installations are to slow down, according to IMS Research.

Green patents times speed up in UK

Green patent applications in the UK are being processed four times faster following fast-tracking green patent applications.

REpower reduces 2011 outlook – looks to Asia

REpower Systems AG has reduced its outlook for 2011 now expecting performance of €1.25-1.35 billion from the previous estimate of €1.5-1.6bn.

Germany's solar subsidies subsiding – where to next?

As Germany winds down its solar subsidies, industry players will be scrambling to find the next big growth market, says Lux Research.

Renewable energy meets quarter of Scottish electricity

Renewable energy met 27.4% of electricity demand in Scotland in 2009, according to Government statistics on renewable energy generation.

Ultra Electronics acquires US solid oxide fuel cell developer Adaptive Materials

UK-based Ultra Electronics Holdings has acquired Adaptive Materials Inc, a solid oxide fuel cell developer in the US, from its founders, Dr Aaron and Michelle Crumm, for $23.0 million.

SolarWorld offer for Solarparc

SolarWorld AG has published the offer document for the voluntary public take-over of all shares of Solarparc AG as announced on 15 November 2010.

EU to exceed 20% renewable energy by 2020

The EU could exceed its 20% renewable energy target by 2020, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

UK renewable energy supplies up 23% in Q3 2010

The supply of renewable energy in the UK rose 23.1% to 6.98 TWh in the third quarter 2010/2011 compared to the same period last year.