News Archive December 2015

The German offshore company EMS Maritime Offshore GmbH (EMO) is equal to assume two important missions during the construction phase of the 332MW offshore wind farm Nordsee One.

US: ACCIONA Windpower will supply turbines for Building Energy’s 30 MW wind project in Iowa

The contract includes the supply of ten AW125/3000 turbines and operations and maintenance services for ten years

Certification confirms that wind turbine component is designed, documented and manufactured in accordance with design assumptions, applicable standards and technical requirements for safety, function and quality

EDF Energies Nouvelles has announced winning a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) under an auction organized by the Brazilian government for 117 MW of wind power capacity to be installed via its local subsidiary, EDF EN do Brasil.

Germany: RWE is building the innovative, decentralised energy group of the future

Renewables, grids and retail activities are being transferred into a new subsidiary and listed on the stock market

UK: Understanding the impact of Offshore Wind Farms on human well-being

The offshore wind industry has a broadly positive impact on human well-being, conclude two new reports.

Accio Energy announced that it was awarded $4.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).

Global: Demogravi3 is EDP's new offshore wind project

EDP has just been granted European funding to develop new technology for offshore wind power.

The two firms have pledged to jointly foster sectoral technological and industrial development in Mexico in order to boost wind power generation

Acquisition strengthens the Industrial Technology division and boosts the corporate objective of further expanding ZF's non-automotive business

Knorr-Bremse PowerTech announces that it will deliver “Green Line 1000” reactive current converters to a major wind farm operator, TECNEIRA – Tecnologias Energéticas S.A.

The new report by Timetric’s Construction Intelligence Center (CIC) shows that nuclear power is set to lose its leading position in Europe’s power generation projects due to a growing demand to shift into renewable energy.

The study will include simulation and estimation of technical availability, both time and production based, as well as down time identification and the related root cause analysis.

Again Paris is at the center of the world's attention. This time, fortunately, not because of an attack, but because of the climate summit COP21. It is about not much less than the future of our planet. Because we only have one.

The order for 11 V126-3.3 MW turbines was placed by new customer VR Energieprojekte Dötlingen GmbH for a community wind power plant in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Very good news for all the HighStep Fans: Leitwind, one of the leading European manufacturers of wind turbines of the megawatt class, decided to equip five wind turbines in Poland with the HighStep Rail instead of a conventional ladder or hoist.

UK: Dogger Bank lidar confirms technology meets met masts for wind data collection

“No break in wind collection, significant increase in heights measured, dramatic cost-savings for offshore energy.”

France: 39 major French companies take concrete action to combat climate change

French Business Climate Pledge

Scotland: Wind energy developer prepares for major research programme

Vattenfall requests views on Ourack Wind Energy Project assessment scope.

A few weeks ago WindMW and EMO had jointly presented their site surveillance concept for the O+M phase to German BSH and WSV and have obtained approval and appreciation for their innovative solution and thorough preparation.

Germany: Siemens AG relies on ELA Offshore Wastewater Tanks

Numerous ELA Tank Containers have now been in use for over a year

Scotland: Siemens to supply offshore wind turbines to world's largest floating wind farm

30 MW “Hywind Scotland” project with five Siemens turbines of Six-Megawatt-class / Collaboration on floating wind turbines started in 2009

UK: RES awarding Nordex UK two new contracts for a combined 42.5 MW

UK wind farm developer RES has awarded Nordex two new contracts for a combined 17 wind turbines with a to-tal capacity of 42.5 MW.

60 megawatt (MW) wind farm to be built in Petchaboon, Thailand / Contract with Khao Kor Wind Power Co., Ltd. includes 24 of GE’s 2.5-120 wind turbines / Project will aid Thailand in reaching goal of 25 percent renewable energy by 2021

In 2015, 3.6GW of offshore wind capacity is expected to be added to the global electricity grids and by the end of the year, total global grid-connected offshore wind capacity will stand at 12.4GW.

Europe: Ambitious UN climate deal could be investment opportunity for European wind industry

National climate pledges in emerging markets and an ambitious deal in Paris could spark an export boom for the European wind industry.

A global climate agreement at COP21 is important. DONG Energy believes that we will see a major breakthrough within the next decade where green energy becomes cheaper than black energy, if political leaders, the industry, regulators and investors provide a final push.

Germany: 8.2 Consulting AG sells its shares in HPC

8.2 Consulting AG, the company for technical consulting for renewable energies, withdraws from the Hanseatic Power Cert GmbH.

Denmark: ESVAGT and MHI Vestas Offshore Wind sign 10-year SOV contract

ESVAGT to build new vessel to support MHI Vestas Offshore Wind technicians maintaining turbines off the Belgian coast.

US: Vestas acquires US independent service provider UpWind Solutions

The acquisition accelerates Vestas’ profitable growth strategy and strengthens Vestas’ ability to service non-Vestas turbines.

Despite comprising over 300 million inhabitants and representing 4.9% of the world’s GDP 17 UNECE countries in South and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia represented only 0.5% or USD 0.9 billion of global renewable energy investment in 2014.

Germany: International Wind Engineering and Grid Integration from a Single Source

BBB and FGH to offer joint engineering solutions

EDF Energies Nouvelles is announcing the commissioning of the Waainek wind farm of 24.6 MW in installed capacity by InnoWind, its South African subsidiary. / In South Africa, the Group has now installed three wind farms totalling more than 100 MW.

Denmark: 100 MW to get city carbon neutral

K2 Management has been awarded with a contract from Sønderborg Forsyning.

Taiwan: Ducorit grout used for Taiwanese Met Masts

Offshore grouting in Taiwan

Four gigantic wind turbines tower in Osterild where the Danish test centre for wind turbines is located. Blue Water has handled the transport of all the turbines which are the largest in the world.

Germany: Siemens presents new technology for converter stations

In Munich today, Siemens will present its "full bridge technology," which will be used in the latest generation of converter stations.

The President of the European Committee of the Regions, Markku Markkula, and the European Commission's Vice-President, Maroš Sef?ovi?, have said that cities and regions are key partners in efforts to limit the rise in the Earth's temperature below 2°C.

UK: Bernard Jenkin MP opens new CWind headquarters

The new Colchester head office of offshore wind services provider CWind Ltd was officially opened by Harwich and North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin on Friday last week.

International renewable energy organisations have come together at COP21 in Paris to demonstrate that reliable 100% renewable energy is not only possible, but that systems already exist today with significant potential for expansion.

Bloomberg has agreed to buy over 25% of the energy generated by the Arkwright Summit Wind Project (total 79MW) in Chautauqua County, NY.

Assisted by academic research the on-going engineering of lightweight-optimized structures for wind turbines will be advanced together with the project partner Lehrstuhl für Technische Mechanik/Dynamik of the University Rostock.

As part of its continuing development in Poland, EDF Energies Nouvelles is announcing the commissioning of the Rzepin wind farm (58 MW) by its local subsidiary, EDF EN Polska.

Spain: ACCIONA pledges to be carbon neutral by 2016

Chairman and CEO of ACCIONA, José Manuel Entrecanales, announces the pledge at the UN Climate Summit in Paris (COP 21)

The accreditation reinforces Vestas’ position in the country by fulfilling the local content rules set by the Brazilian development bank (BNDES) that qualify for the bank’s financing lines.

Romania: Nexans to increase wind power potential in Romania

Nexans is to supply 140km of high temperature conductor cables to carry renewable energy from EnergoBit’s new Babadag III Wind Farm

Researchers at Robert Gordon University (RGU) are developing a software tool which aims to dramatically cut maintenance costs for offshore wind turbines.

Tomorrow, the results of nearly two weeks of negotiations at the World Climate Summit COP21 will be presented in Paris. Signs allow for cautious optimism, which is supported mainly by the current CCPI 2016. The annual report which is compiled i.a. by German Think Tank 'Germanwatch' was presented for the 11th time earlier this week to support the negotiations. It is available online.

Ingeteam Wind business unit celebrated today its 20th anniversary, an important company milestone marking two decades of growth and success in the global wind industry.

Germany: seebaWIND becomes Deutsche Windtechnik X-Service

seebaWIND Service GmbH will trade under the new name of Deutsche Windtechnik X-Service GmbH as of 01 January 2016.

US: Block Island Wind Farm Caps Off Successful First Offshore Construction Season

All five jacket foundations now installed; turbine assembly and cable work the focus for this winter

South Africa: Noupoort wind farm erects first wind turbine

Noupoort Wind Farm (80MW), in South Africa’s Northern Cape, has announced that it has completed the erection of the first of its thirty-five wind turbines.

Britain’s leading green energy company Ecotricity has just raised £18.5 million from the third issue of its innovative ecobond concept, and will use the funds to build new green energy projects in Britain.

Global: Bridging the gap - DNV GL launches first standard for classification of offshore gangways

DNV GL published the first industry standard providing guidance on offshore personnel transfer by gangway.

Europe: EBRD's SEFFs provide long-term funding for green investments

The EBRD’s Sustainable Energy Finance Facilities are making a difference in 23 countries – and counting

The Goodwell wind farm, with a total installed capacity of 200 MW, is able to generate approximately 860 million kWh a year / EGP invested an overall total of approximately 310 million US dollars in the construction of Goodwell

Global: RWE and Bin Butti International Investment agree on cooperation

Joint activities planned in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Turkey / Focus on wind power, photovoltaics and energy Efficiency

Availon, the leading multi-brand independent service provider for wind turbines, announced today that the company managed to keep the US wind farms it has under O&M contracts at historical levels of availability.

The company will install 65 of its G114-2.0 MW turbines at La Bufa wind farm, located in the state of Zacatecas, in Central Mexico / The power generated by the wind farm will be supplied exclusively to Volkswagen’s factories in the cities of Puebla and Silao

The legally binding international climate agreement negotiated in Paris on 12 December offers a real glimmer of hope, though it will still not be enough to avert irreversible consequences from climate change.

Global: UN Foundation - Now We Must Move with Urgency to Deliver on Promise of Climate Agreement

United Nations Foundation Highlights Importance of New Global Agreement to Fight Climate Change and Calls for Urgent, Continued Action

Europe: Ambitious UN climate deal could be investment opportunity for European wind industry

National climate pledges in emerging markets and an ambitious deal in Paris could spark an export boom for the European wind industry.

SunEdison - J.P. Morgan Asset Management partnership, called Terra Nova Renewable Partners, acquires the Bingham and Oakfield wind farm assets for $209 million in equity / Enterprise value of the deal is $787 million

Global: "The very ambitious goals in the text now need to be matched with deeds"

GWEC CEO Steve Sawyer comments on the COP21 results.

Windfarm Åndberg in Lillhärdal, Härjedalen, has been authorized by the County Administrative Board in Västernorrland. The wind farm comprises of up to 57 wind turbines with a total height of 180 meters.

Southern Company subsidiary Southern Power today announced its first wind project, the 299-megawatt (MW) Kay Wind facility in Kay County, Oklahoma, is fully operational.

Global: IRENA Welcomes Paris Climate Agreement as 'watershed for the global energy transition'

Looks ahead to 6th Assembly to set global renewable energy agenda

Poland: Vestas signs first full scope lifetime service agreement in Poland

Vestas has won a 146 MW 14-year service renewal agreement covering four Polish wind parks.

The world’s most advanced, open access, offshore wind turbine dedicated to research / Unique opportunity for development of local skills and training programmes / Scottish renewables consultancy SgurrEnergy awarded O&M contract

Norway: Statkraft AS - Reduced investment plan means no more offshore wind

Statkraft AS has adjusted its investment plan to the new financial terms.

Thailand: Gamesa installs its first G114-2.0 MW in Asia-Pacific

These turbines, located in the Subplu1 wind farm, are part of Gamesa’s first project in Thailand.

Canada: Commissioning of the Frampton wind power project by Boralex

Boralex Inc. is pleased to announce commercial commissioning of the Frampton wind power project, located in Beauce, Canada, with an installed capacity of 24 MW.

LM Group Holding A/S (LM) is pleased to announce completion of the successful acquisition of the remaining interest in LM Wind Power do Brasil S.A from its joint venture partner.

US: Wind Energy to Power GM’s Texas Assembly Plant

Renewable power will be used to build up to 125,000 trucks a year

US: Detroit Zoo Goes to 100% Renewable Electricity

ITC Holdings Corp. provides support for renewable energy through 2018

On Monday, 14 December 2015, wind turbine manufacturer Lagerwey and Foundation Wiek-II signed the final contract for the supply of four wind turbines, each 2.5 MW, for wind farm Nijmegen-Betuwe.

It happened late last Saturday: French Conference President Laurent Fabius, who had led the climate change summit in the past two weeks, announced something historic to the world: The 196 attending delegations had been able to agree on a deal.

UK: MHI Vestas Offshore Wind receives 330 MW order from DONG Energy

DONG Energy and MHI Vestas Offshore Wind have again partnered for the supply of V164-8.0 MW turbines, this time for the Walney Extension West project in the UK.

Company to reinvest transaction proceeds into its industry-leading development pipeline / Invenergy retaining minority ownership, O&M provider role for U.S. projects

US: Wind on the Wires Statement on: Multi-year Extension of Production and Investment Tax Credits

Policy certainty is welcome news for Midwest wind and solar developers

Bilfinger Mars Offshore's new fabrication site is located in Szczecin, Poland and Blue Water has signed a five-year terminal contract covering all logistics on site, operation of a state-of-the-art gantry crane, handling of components and stevedoring.

Senvion, one of the world’s biggest wind turbine manufacturers, has signed its first UK contract with Fred. Olsen Renewables Ltd., supplying 30 Senvion MM series turbines to the Brockloch Rig Wind Farm

Germany: Jürgen Geissinger joins Senvion as CEO

Jürgen Geissinger has taken over the CEO role on 17 December 2015 and brings with him an outstanding track record of growing technology-based engineering companies

Brazil: Gamesa's G114-2.0 MW turbine obtains BNDES local-content certification

This certification reinforces Gamesa's positioning in this market, guaranteeing access to the bank's financing lines.

With the commissioning of the Mont Rothery wind farm, Senvion Canada Inc. is celebrating an installed capacity of over 1000 megawatts (MW) of wind power in Quebec within just five years.

The Crown Estate has published a study by the British Geological Survey (BGS) summarising the geological conditions of the Irish Sea that will provide a valuable resource for anyone considering development of offshore infrastructure in the region.

EDF Energies Nouvelles announces the commissioning of the Mont-Rothery wind farm in Quebec by EDF EN Canada, the Group’s local subsidiary.

Knockaneden wind farm, constructed and operated by Mainstream Renewable Power, has awarded €9,000 to local community initiatives in the third year of its annual community fund awards.

Germany: ELA Container Offshore GmbH looks back at the year 2015

Realization of numerous offshore projects since its founding in August 2014

By voting to pass the 2016 budget today, which includes a multi-year extension of the wind energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Congress secured stability for 73,000 American wind industry workers across all 50 states and private investors helping to grow American wind power.

Nordex SE is laying the foundations for the future, having agreed with 14 national and international banking partners on a new syndicated guarantee facility tailored to meet the requirements of its future growth.

Belgium: Ingeteam Service enters the Belgium market and experiences a 50% growth in Europe

Ingeteam's market entry into Belgium marks yet another step forward in its strategy to gain a firm foothold in northern Europe.

The company will install 48 Gamesa G114-2.1 MW turbines in Pauling County, Ohio / The power generated by the wind farm will be supplied exclusively to Amazon

Balfour Beatty has been awarded a £25 million project by DONG Energy to construct a new high voltage onshore substation, as part of the new Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm.

Three wind farms energised in counties Offaly, Roscommon and Derry / Acquisition of 42 MW Ballywater Wind Farm / Debt financing with BlueBay Corporate Credit I Limited (‘BICC’) increased to €45m