Maguire: Wildfires are a threat to the US power sector in multiple ways.
Wildfire season in the American West was seen as a major threat for years. It affected homes, forests, and utilities. As smoke from fires blankets vast swaths across the country, this is also becoming a challenge for the power sector. The U.S. grid has changed. The U.S. grid is changing. Smoke from wildfires interferes with all of these. Smoke is unlikely to derail America’s renewable-energy growth…
Seven countries warn EU against changing the energy market design
Seven EU member states, including the Netherlands, Sweden and Belgium, warned the executive of the bloc 'on Thursday' against interfering in the system that determines Europe's energy price. Officials at Brussels are scrambling to reduce bills. This year, energy prices are a major political issue in Europe. Industries have warned that they can't compete with the lower-cost companies from China and the United States.
Portugal's EDP CEO: Data centre boom in Iberia to be supplied by EDP
EDP, Portugal's largest utility, is stepping up to meet the demand for data centres in Iberia. The company was attracted by electricity prices that will remain low in comparison to other parts of Europe. He said that over 18 gigawatts in data centres in Portugal and Spain are in development or pipeline, "supporting the strong electricity demand in Iberia", driven by structural factors, not temporary ones.
Contact Energy, NZ to raise $317 Million to fund renewable energy projects
New Zealand's Contact Energy announced on Monday that it will raise NZ$525m ($317m) in new equity to fund an array of renewable energy projects. The company is accelerating its growth as part of its long-term, "Contact31+" strategic plan. Contact stated in a press release that the fundraise included a fully-underwritten NZ$450,000,000 institutional placement as well as a non underwritten retail offer?of up NZ$75,000,000.
Maguire: Maguire, China's renewables boom has boosted it to a rare clean-capacity club.
In 2025, the world's largest polluter will have crossed a crucial energy transition threshold by installing more clean power than fossil fuel production capacity for the first. Global Energy Monitor data shows that China will have 1,494 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy generation capacity operating in 2025. This compares to 1,420 GW?of fossil fuel-fueled capacity. China now draws 51% of its energy from clean sources…
Maguire: Maguire, China's renewables boom has boosted it to a rare clean-capacity club.
In 2025, the world's largest polluter will have crossed an important energy transition threshold by installing more clean power generation capacity than fossil fuel generation capacity. Global Energy Monitor data shows that China will have 1,494 gigawatts (GW) of clean power generation in operation by 2025. This compares to the?1,420-GW capacity powered by coal, gas, and other fossil fuels. China has now a 51% share of its energy fleet that is derived from clean sources.
France's new Energy Law slashes Renewable Targets, Eases Pressure on EDF
After years of debate, France has finally passed a new law on energy that reduces its "wind and solar" targets and removes the mandate for EDF (the state-owned firm) to shut down nuclear plants. We need to stop the internal family fighting. "We need both renewables and nuclear," said Roland Lescure, finance minister. After almost three years, the law will be passed by decree after bitter debate among legislators. It also reverses an earlier legal mandate that required 14 reactors to close.
Minister: Warming weather helps reduce Ukraine's energy shortage
Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine's Energy Minister, said that the warming weather after the ice-breaking frosts in Ukraine has?significantly?reduced a power shortage caused by Russian attacks on?Ukrainian?power?grids. Shmyhal told the parliament's Energy Committee that the current power shortage totaled 4.3 to 4.5 Gigawatts compared to up to 6 Gigawatts during a colder spell, Interfax Ukraine reported. As of today, February 12, the forecast maximum consumption is 16,4 gigawatts.
France Slashes Renewable Energy Targets in New Law
France set out a new energy law after years of wrangling on Thursday which slashes its wind and solar power targets and drops a mandate for state-run firm EDF to shutter nuclear plants."We need to stop our internal family squabbling. We need both nuclear and renewables," finance minister Roland Lescure told reporters.The law, to be pushed through by decree on Friday after almost three years of bitter disagreement among lawmakers…
Minister says massive cyberattack in December on Polish power system failed
The last week in December, Poland's electricity system was hit by its biggest cyberattack for years. It also followed a different pattern. Milosz Motyka, a reporter, said that the failed attack was meant to disrupt communication between renewable installation and power distribution operators. Motyka stated that "the command of the cyberspace forces diagnosed the strongest attack on the energy infrastructure in years" during the last days if the year.
New Zealand Government to support energy companies' investments in critical infrastructure
The New Zealand Government announced on Wednesday it will financially support investments by energy companies to build critical electricity infrastructure. The government owns 51% of the former state-owned power generators Genesis Energy Mercury and Meridian. New Zealand's energy prices are rising as the supply is tightening. This has put energy generators on the radar. In a press release, Finance…
Ember: Solar power tops EU energy mix for the first time in June
Data from the energy think tank Ember on Thursday showed that solar power became the largest source of electricity in the European Union for the first ever, surpassing wind and nuclear. Coal's contribution also fell to a record low. Solar power generated 22,1% of EU electricity in the last month. This is up from 18,9%% one year ago, thanks to record sunshine and ongoing solar installations that boosted output to 45,4 terawatt-hours (TWh). Nuclear was next at 21.8%, and wind made up 15.8%.
French sugar company Tereos wants to expand its power business in Brazil
An executive from Tereos, a French sugar company, said that the company plans to increase its client base in Brazil for power contract sales by tenfold over the next two years. The goal is to reach 1,000 corporate clients. Samuel Custodio is the head of power commercialisation at Tereos Brazil. He said that the growth would be driven by cross selling to existing sugar and alcohol clients, as well as to potential suppliers and partners, and acquisitions.
Octopus Energy, a British company, has bought a stake in the East Anglia One windfarm
Octopus Energy, a British company, announced on Thursday that its Octopus Energy Generation division had purchased a 10% share in the East Anglia One Wind Farm, which is one of the largest operating wind farms in the world, supplying electricity to around 700,000 households a year. The unit's fourth investment in an offshore wind farm in Britain and seventh in Europe, the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Iberdrola Gets Portugese Nod for Wind Farm Start
Iberdrola has received a production license from the Portuguese Directorate-General for Energy and Geology of Portugal (DGEG), taking another step towards the construction of the largest wind farm in Portugal.Located in the districts of Vila Real and Braga, in northern Portugal, with a total investment of around €350 million, this project reinforces Iberdrola's commitment to environmental goals, being the first to combine wind and hydro energy.
China will continue to implement low-carbon reforms according to the energy regulator
The energy regulator in China said that China would continue to phase out fossil fuels, and reform its electricity system. It issued a paper on Thursday listing achievements, but lacking new plans for China’s energy transition. Zhang Jianhua, the head of China's National Energy Administration, said that China will continue to reform its electric system, expand the market for spot electricity, promote green electricity trade and replace fossil fuels by renewable energy.
China increases coal mining to provide winter power: Kemp
China's coal production has reached record levels, and its imports have also risen. However, the surge in power generated by solar farms and hydro dams has reduced thermal generation. The reliability of electricity is dependent on coal-fired power generation, especially during the winter when solar and hydro output are lower and the system relies more heavily on fossil fuel. Even though wind and solar power have been deployed in record numbers…
China increases coal mining to provide winter power: Kemp
China's coal production has reached record levels, and its imports have also risen. However, the surge in power generated by solar farms and hydro dams has reduced thermal generation. The reliability of electricity is dependent on coal-fired power generation, especially during the winter when solar and hydro output are lower and the system relies more heavily on fossil fuels. Even though wind and solar power have been deployed in record numbers…
Vattenfall Shortlisted for 1 GW French Offshore Wind Tender
France has shortlisted Swedish utility Vattenfall and its two partners to bid in a tender to develop an offshore wind farm with a capacity of about 1 gigawatt (GW) off Normandy, the company said on Tuesday.Vattenfall and its partners - German wind farm developer wpd and French institutional investor Banque des Territoires - would participate in France's fourth offshore wind tender alongside five other groups…
innogy Applauds Ireland's Offshore Wind Push
innogy Renewables Ireland, the joint developer of Dublin Array Offshore Wind Farm, has this week welcomed the announcement by Ireland's Minister of State, Damien English TD, of a clear road map for the development of offshore wind energy in Ireland. The government earlier this week announced the seven offshore wind energy projects that have been designated as Relevant Projects. These are offshore wind projects that either applied for or were granted a lease under the Foreshore Act 1933…