Analysts from UBS and Citigroup, two of the world’s largest investment banks, believe the growth of solar power, in combination with advances in batteries and electric cars, will cause a huge disruption in the energy industry. UBS believes centralised fossil fuel generation  will become “extinct” sooner than most people realise. Citigroup predicts renewables will replace coal and gas in power generation, which will free up the use of gas as a … [Read more...]
France announces $13.4 billion energy plan
Tax credits and low-interest loans will be used to generate about €10 billion ($13.4 billion) for a new energy plan in France. About half the money will be loaned by Caisse des Depots et Consignations, a government-owned lender, and some will also come from non-state banks. French President Francois Hollande wants France to reduce its reliance on atomic power from 75% to 50% by 2025. Such an investment is necessary to help with … [Read more...]
Do we need capacity markets? Do we need Russia?
There are two major issues on which the future of the energy sector hangs, notes EP editor Karel Beckman: 1) Â how far will the renewables revolution go in combination with climate policy; 2) how will growing geopolitical tensions, especially relations with Russia, affect markets? Karel asks whether we need capacity schemes, indicates how utilities could get back on a growth path and how (not) to deal with Russia. … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Energy efficiency – European Commission introduces ambitious 2030 target
Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, spokeswoman of the European Commission, discusses the Commission’s Energy Efficiency Communication with viEUws.eu. On July 23, the European Commission adopted the Energy Efficiency Communicationwhich introduced a new energy efficiency target of 30% for 2030. Energy efficiency is one of the key pillars of the European Union’s energy and climate strategy for 2030, on which European leaders aim to agree in October. The … [Read more...]
Get this: Germany does not have generous subsidies for renewables
In an otherwise well-written and informative article on the recent decision by the EU Court of Justice on renewables policy, Energy Post repeats the unfounded notion that Germany has generous subsidies. This is wrong – and the difference matters: the German system of feed-in tariffs favours small companies and cooperatives. Now, the EU wants to kill feed-in tariffs, ostensibly because of the cost – but what’s at stake is freedom. … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Top 5 Environment – All you need to know for the Italian EU Presidency
In this special briefing, viEUws.eu's leading environment journalist Sonja van Renssen picks out the top 5 environment issues that will be discussed by the EU institutions under the Italian Presidency. A first priority is the circular or zero waste economy, after the European Commission unveiled a new policy package on 1 July that pushes for higher recycling targets and the total elimination of landfill Green growth and jobs will be high on … [Read more...]
An economic disaster in the making: how Europe is losing its energy efficiency lead
A European building retrofit programme could reduce Russian gas imports by 80%. A 40% energy saving target could  remove the need for Russian gas altogether. Yet the EU currently seems unwilling to impose the measures necessary to step up energy saving. As a result, European industry is rapidly losing its international lead in efficiency, which is crucial to its international competitiveness. What is more, European companies active in energy … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Circular economy: “France aims to lead by example” stresses French Sustainable Development official
In an exclusive interview with viEUws at Green Week 2014, Jean-Paul Albertini - French Executive Commissioner for Sustainable Development at the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy - talks to viEUws.eu's leading environment journalist Sonja van Renssen about the implementation of circular economy in Europe. Albertini discusses the benefits which a circular economy could bring to Europe. He claims that such an economy … [Read more...]
The days of solar power may be closer than you think
Many people are unaware quite how close we are to reaching a critical milestone in the industry. Within a fairly short space of time, solar generated electricity will be fully cost competitive with coal-powered electricity -- at least if the governments of the world's two largest energy consuming nations have their way. … [Read more...]
UN starts new hub to bring investment and innovation in clean energy to Asia and the Pacific
A new regional hub launched by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), will help mobilize investment and innovative solutions to bring clean, modern energy to those who do not have it in Asia and the Pacific. The "Asia-Pacific Sustainable Energy for All" hub will gather governments, investors, … [Read more...]
“Retroactive amendments to Czech law threaten renewable energy sector”
The Czech Photovoltaic Industry Association and the Alliance for Energy Self-Sufficiency have expressed their fears about planned retroactive changes to legislation guaranteeing support for renewable energy in the Czech Republic in letters addressed to the European Commission and Members of the European Parliament and have asked for an independent assessment of related materials and documentation. Suspicions about retroactive changes of the … [Read more...]
Global Cumulative Wind Power Capacity to More than Double by 2020, Led by China, says GlobalData
Despite an overall slump in installations in 2013, the global cumulative wind power capacity will more than double from 319.6 Gigawatts (GW) at the end of 2013 to 678.5 GW by 2020, says research and consulting firm GlobalData. The company’s latest report* states that China, the largest single wind power market responsible for 45% of total global annual capacity additions in 2013, is expected to have a cumulative wind capacity of 239.7 GW by … [Read more...]
US Environmental Protection Agency EPA proposes first guidelines to cut carbon pollution from existing power plants
At the direction of President Obama and after an unprecedented outreach effort, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has on June 2 released the Clean Power Plan proposal, which for the first time cuts carbon pollution from existing power plants, the single largest source of carbon pollution in the United States.Today’s proposal will protect public health, move the United States toward a cleaner environment and fight climate change while … [Read more...]
Heat pumps: waiting for the final push
As gas faces a reputational challenge from Ukraine, electric heat pumps are emerging as a promising alternative source of heating. Heat pumps can also make an important contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Oddly enough, although heating and cooling accounts for 45% of the EU’s final energy consumption there is no EU-wide heating and cooling strategy. Some countries such as UK and Italy are introducing support for individual … [Read more...]
Let’s glocalize! Global meets local in municipal green bonds
Local authorities are taking an increasingly active role in bringing about a clean energy future. Their biggest worry: how to finance their efforts. One way is outsourcing to energy service companies, another is crowdfunding. But perhaps the most effective method to raise substantial money is by giving out municipal bonds. Clare Taylor takes a look at the blossoming municipal bond market for sustainable energy projects in Europe and the US and … [Read more...]
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