Policy, investment and markets News for December 2012

Policy, investment and markets News Archive

UK: E.ON scales back Rampion offshore wind proposal

E.ON has reduced the footprint of its proposed Rampion offshore wind farm off the south coast of the UK, in an effort to appease local concerns about the visual impact of the project.

UK government slashes RO PV support by 20%

The UK government has reduced the support for solar PV under the Renewables Obligation (RO) – the support mechanism for large renewables projects from 2013-2017 - by 20%.

Fraunhofer Centre granted funding for US solar cost-cutting drive

The Fraunhofer Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) is to receive project funding from the US government to develop “plug and play” PV technology as part of a national drive to make solar energy affordable.

EIB grants €50 million for 120MW Zambian hydro plant

The EU’s long-term lending arm, the European Investment Bank (EIB), has granted €50 million ($65 million) to support a new 120 MW hydropower plant and long-distance transmission line in Zambia, with the aim of supplying power to southern Africa.

Sunway scales back solar production to ward off losses

German solar manufacturer Sunways Production is to reduce the production and development activities at its plant in Arnstadt, in an effort to bring the business back to breakeven point once more.

Photon Energy targets African market with solar arrays

UK-based Photon Energy is aiming to claim its share of the African market for solar power, with an agreement to collaborate with Tanzanian company Comfix Engineering.

Turbine installation complete at first phase of London Array

Turbine installation at the first 630MW phase of the London Array offshore wind farm has been completed with the installation of the 175th and last turbine, developers E.ON and DONG Energy report.

French companies ally to optimise offshore wind turbine foundations

French firms Areva and STX France have signed a cooperation agreement to advance wind turbine foundation technology, as part of on-going efforts to bring down the cost of offshore wind.

Today’s Top 10: A wish list for the renewable energy market in 2013

Guest Blog by John Peters, Managing Director, Engage Consulting

PV prices to continue falling – US report

The price of solar PV systems is to keep on falling according to a joint report from the US government’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Berkeley’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL).

Editor's Blog: Now the campaign really begins ...

HURRAH! THE UK’s Energy Bill has finally landed – following months of delays and turbulence caused by conflicting interests within Government departments. And so now, the hard work begins.

UK commits £113 million to African renewables

The UK government has committed £113 million for renewable energy in Africa, as part of a package to help developing countries tackle climate change.

Top 5 stories: November

What were you all reading over the past month?

Silfab and Heliene join forces in Ontario PV drive

Ontario-based solar PV manufacturer Heliene is to join forces with Italy’s Silfab in a manufacturing joint venture targeting the larger solar developers in Ontario, Canada, the companies have announced.

Two new sustainability white papers available

They are available free for download from our partner Schneider Electric...(free registration required).

Renova Energia and GE sign $394m wind turbine contract

GE has signed a $394 million contract with Brazilian wind energy developer Renova Energia for the delivery of 230 of GE’s 1.68-82.5 wind turbines.

GWEC: India could see 89 GW wind capacity by 2020

India could have 89 GW of installed wind capacity by 2020 up from 18GW at present, helping to fight a growing power shortage in the country, according to an industry outlook report released on Thursday.

UK onshore wind secures record project finance in 2012; but vulnerable to EMR, says report

Onshore wind projects in the UK have defied the credit crunch by securing record number of project finance deals in 2012, according to a report from financial consultancy Mazars.

US and German integrators lead utility-scale solar development

Solar firms from the US and Germany are leading the field when it comes to installing utility-scale solar capacity, according to a list published by solar data company Wiki-Solar.

New blog: tragic fall of a solar icon - Sharp sells itself piece by piece

Forget Solyndra, Q-Cells and the rest. The fall of Sharp is equally as depressing.

Narec's wind and tidal energy technologies take step forward Narec's wind and tidal energy technologies take step forward

The UK-based technology company opens two new facilities for the development of offshore renewable energy technologies.