Costs of developing clean energy capacity are falling and the industry is moving from being supported mainly by state subsidies to a more commercial footing where projects are supported by corporate backing, with EU, national or regional targets providing a foundation for the market. The US sportswear giant Nike has signed its first power purchase agreement (PPA) for renewable power in Europe, committing to buy 40MW of wind power from a 111MW … [Read more...]
South East and Eastern Europe PART II: EU can help bring far-ranging benefits of a meaningful energy transition
In Part 1 of this special report, Komila Nabiyeva demonstrated how investment conditions in South East and Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia make it almost impossible to justify development of renewables infrastructure on any great scale. That being the case, she calls on the EU to play a greater role. Their initiatives are already making a difference. This is encouraging because it shows that with more EU engagement, a more … [Read more...]
Electric buses: China leads through policy ambition but Europe could overtake
News comes of another renewables record for China. Shenzhen based manufacturer BYD has launched the world’s largest pure electric double decker bus fleet, to be delivered to the city of Xi’an. To illustrate China’s drive to dominate this market, they have already won the international tender to deliver 37 of a total of 68 new electric double decker buses to London, where the red double decker is an icon. That’s more than the remaining 31 that … [Read more...]
Special report: South East and Eastern Europe PART I – Subsidised fossil-fuel power blocking the way for renewables
Right on the border with Western Europe, countries in South East and Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia have enormous potential for renewable energy, but it remains largely untapped. A stark contrast to the situation a few kilometres further North and West. The region’s fossil-fuel and nuclear subsidies are among the highest in the world. The subsidies and accompanying low electricity prices translate to an unrealistic cost of … [Read more...]
Germany: wind installation growth beset by legal challenges
According to the German wind industry, new installations have ground to a halt due to a combination of red-tape holding up licences and because “almost every authorisation is sued”. A joint statement by the German Wind Energy Association (BWE) and VDMA Power Systems (the trade association for power systems) has called on the government to streamline licensing procedures and eliminate administrative barriers to new turbines, otherwise the … [Read more...]
Heat pumps vs boilers: renewables vs efficiency?
Heating and Cooling (H&C) is responsible for 50% of energy use in the EU and is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels. The opportunity to change your installed system won’t come up more than a couple of times before 2050 so the choice we make now has a large, lasting effect on the breakdown of the entire energy mix. H&C is the term used for the vast amounts of energy used to regulate the temperatures of the buildings we live and work … [Read more...]
Lithuania shows way to integrated EU energy future
As Lithuania and the Baltic Nations turn away from nuclear power and towards increased solar and wind energy production, one city is shifting towards a new energy future. Elektrenai, or Electricity City, once powered an entire nation. Its three, soaring red-and-white smokestacks were its pride and joy, and heralded in popular songs and propaganda films. The city around the power plant was built to house the workers who ensured enough oil and … [Read more...]
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