News Archive September 2015

Van Oord has successfully installed the two Offshore High Voltage Stations (OHVS) and first 77 transition pieces at the Dutch Gemini Wind Park. The realisation of the large offshore wind project construction is proceeding as planned.

US: AMSC Receives $40 Million Follow-On Order From Inox Wind

Vast Majority of Order Expected to be Delivered by the End of the Fiscal Year

Global: Joint IEA-NEA report details plunge in costs of producing electricity from renewables

Analysis shows nuclear energy competitive with other baseload power sources

Sweden: Vestas wins 33 MW turbine order

Allianz Capital Partners has placed an order with Vestas for the Mombyåsen project in Sweden. The order takes Vestas’ firm order intake on the V126-3.3 MW in Sweden close to 200 MW.

Germany: The last load out of Gode Wind

The Gode Wind 2+1 project has been well under way for almost 1½ year now, and on 31 August 2015, the last load out took place at our facilities in Aalborg, Denmark.

DONG Energy and ESG have just completed one of the most comprehensive pile testing campaigns ever. Initial results show great cost reduction potential for the offshore wind industry.

UK: ABS Group Named Preferred Supplier for the Project Certification by Navitus Bay Development Ltd. for the Navitus Bay Wind Park

Navitus Bay is located off the Dorset and Hampshire coasts of England and west of the Isle of Wight.

UK: Boltight aquired by NORD-LOCK GROUP

Boltight Limited, the specialist hydraulic bolt tensioning company, has today been acquired by Nord-Lock Group (Sweden), a world leader in bolt securing systems.

It will mean faster and more efficient attention to the wind farms in the area, which currently total 792 MW in 264 turbines / The center, located in Mossoró (Rio Grande do Norte) will allow the company to offer the best possible service to its customers

New Filings Detail Nearly $1 Billion in Customer Savings and Economic Benefits / NextEra Energy Estimates Per Residential Customer Savings of Roughly $345-$475 for the First Five Years

400 megawatts rated output, supplying the power required by 445,000 households / 80 turbines in water 40 metres deep and 140 kilometres distant from the German coast

US: Third city is running on 100% renewable energy

Ten years ago, the plan was officially adopted, now Aspen, CO, can announce enforcement: Since last week, the city is supplied with 100% renewable energy sources.

Uruguay: Vestas secures 70 MW order

The order for 35 units of the V110-2.0 MW model is Vestas’ first contract with Abengoa.

France: Elicio appoints Greensolver for turbine due diligence

Agreement sees Greensolver advise on 18 MW project using latest Gamesa G97 turbines

nkt cables is pleased to announce two important new Management appointments intended to drive excellence in our Finance & Support and Human Resources functions.

Europe: Alstom technology enabling a single European electricity market

Alstom has delivered its e-terramarket calculation software to The Central Western European (CWE) Flow Based Market Coupling project.

Infinis Energy plc and Drax Group plc have today initiated proceedings for a judicial review of the notice period given by HM Treasury when removing the exemption from the Climate Change Levy (CCL) for electricity generated from renewable sources.

Germany: Global Marine signs energy contract

Two big names with a shared heritage in submarine cabling are collaborating on a new project for the Wikinger Offshore Wind Farm in the Baltic Sea.

Kenya: ABB microgrid solution to boost renewable energy use by remote community

ABB PowerStoreTM technology to stabilize power supply from wind/diesel hybrid plant in the city of Marsabit

2014 saw record high wind output in the U.S., most notably when wind energy provided large amounts of extremely valuable power that helped keep the lights on during extreme cold in January 2014.

UK: MPI Workboats steps up presence in Sheringham Shoal windfarm

Following a successful first half to the year for MPI Workboats, the company has recently increased its presence on the Sheringham Shoal windfarm.

Event: EWEA 2015 in Paris

EWEA is glad to announce that EDF Energies Nouvelles, ENERCON and GE Wind Energy will be the three ambassadors of EWEA 2015 Annual Event.

The Netherlands: Site data wind farm zone Borssele I & II ready for developers

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) and BLIX have finalised the preliminary work for Borssele I and II.

Global: ELA Container GmbH Offshore is traveling around: A full exhibition calendar for September

The SPE Offshore Europe in Aberdeen and the HUSUM Wind in Husum are about to begin

Windpark Kalkriese GmbH & Co. KG has placed an order for 12 V126-3.3 MW for a 39.6 MW wind park in Lower Saxony. The project will use Vestas’ patented Large Diameter Steel Towers to achieve higher hub heights and increased annual energy production.

Germany: Siemens choose SMC for Marine Co-ordination at Gode Wind

Specialist Marine Consultants Ltd (SMC) are providing offshore Marine Coordination for Siemens on Gode Wind 1 & 2

The business will also supplement existing well established operations in Houston, Texas with additional facilities in Europe and the Far East.

Belgium: FLiDAR NV acquired by AXYS Technologies

AXYS Technologies Inc (AXYS) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the FLiDAR NV shares.

The U.S. wind energy industry announced, on the eve of National Wildlife Day, a best management practice establishing a new voluntary operating protocol, which is expected to reduce impacts to bats from operating wind turbines by as much as 30 percent.

Canada: Grand Opening of 270 MW K2 Wind Power Project

Facility generating approximately $15 million in funding for community initiatives over the next 20 years

Swedish wind power company Nordisk Vindkraft and Stadtwerke München of Munich, Germany, inaugurate 48 wind turbines at the Sidensjö Wind Farm

336MW RWE Innogy Galloper Offshore Wind Farm / VBMS (UK) Ltd. to install 56 array cables and contracts JDR Cables for cable manufacturing / Construction due to commence Q4 2015

South Africa: ACCIONA Energía puts its first wind farm in South Africa into commercial operation

It consists of forty-six 3 MW wind turbines of ACCIONA Windpower technology, with a total capacity of 138 MW (135.2 MW net)

The 50 MW Melowind wind farm is able to generate over 200 GWh of wind power a year / Enel Green Power invested approximately 98 million US dollars in construction of the new wind farm

EDF Energies Nouvelles is announcing a strong growth in its Operations & Maintenance (O&M) business for renewable energy facilities – both for its own account and for third parties.

Dublin-headquartered renewable energy group, Gaelectric, announces that it has raised an additional €28m in debt financing from Proventus Capital Partners II AB.

DBB Jack-Up Services A/S and MHI Vestas Offshore Wind A/S extend their framework agreement for offshore wind operations and maintenance services by another two years.

A second independent study by the CSIR found that renewable energy from South Africa's first wind and solar projects created R4 billion more financial benefits to the country than they cost during the first six months of 2015.

Business energy specialist GDF SUEZ Energy UK has agreed a new Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Community Windpower to buy all the electricity and green benefits generated by the new Aikengall II wind farm.

Poland: Senvion commissions 18 of its MM100 turbines

Senvion, one of the world’s leading wind turbine manufacturers, has commissioned 18 of its wo-megawatt (MW) turbines with Martifer Renewables S.A., Poland.

In Husum, ex-Minister for the Environment, Jürgen Trittin, praises the "success story of Butendiek" / 288 megawatt wind farm provides renewable energy from the North Sea to around 370,000 households

Germany: softEnergy at the HUSUM WindEnergy 2015

Hall 4, booth 4B11

Germany: Nordex shifts into higher gear

New business increases to more than 260 megawatts in July/August in Germany

The Switch, a leading supplier of megawatt-class electrical drives for wind energy, marine and industrial applications, announced today the official opening of its new global headquarters in Helsinki.

Germany: WWEA invites all visitors of HUSUM Wind 2015

Attend the Event "International Dialogue - Trends in Community Power – the Future Role of SMEs and Energy Cooperatives"

Siemens at Husum Wind 2015 in Hall 2, Stand A10 / Slogan: "WINDforce: Adding Value to Your Wind Business” / Digitalization and automation makes technology even more efficient

Alstom is pleased with the decisions of the European Commission (EC) and US Department of Justice (DOJ) authorising General Electric to acquire Alstom’s Energy businesses with commitments.

21,7 GW of new installations in the first half of 2015, after 17 GW in 2014 / Worldwide wind capacity has reached 392 GW, 428 GW expected for full year / China close to 125 GW of installed capacity / Newcomer Brazil: fourth largest market for new wind tur

Block Island failed to reach a momentum: The offshore wind energy industry in the US is still not in full swing. Several projects in various stages of development have repeatedly struggled with obstacles.

From 15 th to 18 th September 2015 the Husum Wind 2015 will take place: the LEINE LINDE SYSTEMS will present the first time the new GSR slip ring, a generator slip ring for various double-fed asynchronous.

Global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power celebrated the start of construction of two wind farms in South Africa’s Northern Cape which have a combined generation capacity of 280 megawatts.

Global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power announces the signing of a Grid Connection Agreement for the 225 megawatt Ayitepa wind farm in Ghana.

DONG Energy signed an agreement to divest 50 per cent of the 330MW German offshore wind construction project, Gode Wind 1, to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a leading global, independent private equity infrastructure investment fund.

US: Vestas wins new service agreement featuring broad asset management responsibilities

Agreement with Renewable Energy Trust Capital (RET Capital) highlights Vestas’ increased flexibility and scope in service offerings.

The 20MW Gass wind farm, located in Dumfries and Galloway, was granted full planning permission at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Planning Committee meeting on 26 August 2015 following a recommendation for approval by the Planning Officer.

With a two-thirds reduction in the cost of wind energy over the last six years, the renewable Production Tax Credit is on track to achieving its goal of a vibrant, self-sustaining wind industry.

A new self-supported wind measurement tower from windhunter allows for high quality wind measurements according to IEC-61400-standard even at cramped sites or under conditions and circumstances where guy wires can’t be used.

US: Vestas receives first order from Xcel Energy for 200 MW project in North Dakota

The order consists of 100 V100-2.0 MW of which Vestas has installed more than 3 GW across the globe.

Germany: Nordex unveiling the N131/3300 – the turbine tailor-made for light-wind German regions

The N131/3300 is a new version of the N131/3000 from the Generation Delta range.

US: Wind energy industry applauds California’s move toward 50% renewable energy by 2030

Assembly passes landmark legislation to diversify state’s energy portfolio, now heads to State Senate

Prysmian Group presents biggest European optical fibre plant in France in a meeting with “Agence du Numérique – Mission Très Haut Débit” / The facility in Douvrin has benefitted from a significant investment plan

Siemens banks on sales partners / Focus on proximity to customers – primarily in German onshore market / First sales partnerships include Glücksburg based Nadeva Wind GmbH

Global: Successful first IEC classification test for SoDAR AQ510 Wind Finder

SoDAR AQ510 Wind Finder achieved a major milestone towards full IEC compliance by performing the first IEC classification.

Deutsche Windtechnik has further consolidated its international course with the conclusion of new service contracts throughout Europe

Germany: Senvion presents its highest yield onshore wind turbine

Senvion, one of the world's largest manufacturers of wind turbines, will be presenting its highest yield onshore wind turbine for low-wind locations at HUSUM Wind.

Germany: ACCIONA Windpower enters the German wind turbine market

It has opened a sales office in Mainz and is currently taking part in Husum Wind 2015, the German trade fair for the wind power industry.

Europe: EWEA appoints Giles Dickson as new CEO

The European Wind Energy Association has appointed Giles Dickson as its new Chief Executive Officer.

UK: Kent offshore wind farm all powered up

Vattenfall, the European energy company, generated low carbon power from all of the turbines at a Kent offshore wind farm for the first time on Saturday 12 September, 2015.

Superconducting power cable represents world first for European high-voltage grid / Cable may be suitable for integration of high-voltage infrastructure in urban areas / Demonstration project comprises two to four kilometres of underground 150 kV HTSC cab

The firm and unconditional order consists of 12 V100-2.0 MW for the Phu Lac wind park in the Tuy Phong district of southeastern Vietnam and will be the largest Vestas-supplied wind park in Vietnam.

Global: Vestas introduces new larger-rotor, higher performing 3 MW turbine variant

The V136-3.45 MW turbine increases energy output and reduces both levelised cost of energy and sound emissions in low-wind conditions.

TÜV SÜD PMSS recently finished work for Fishermen’s Energy in the United States in connection with their Atlantic City Wind Farm Demonstration Project off the coast of New Jersey.

New 3 MW Platform Offers Up to 20 Percent Higher Annual Energy Output than GE’s 2.5-120 and Combines a Larger Rotor Diameter, Improved Load Management Systems and More Efficient Drive-Train Technology over Predecessor Models

Germany: Senvion erects its 2,000th onshore wind turbine in Germany

Senvion, one of the world's largest manufacturers of wind turbines, erected its 2,000th onshore wind turbine in Germany.

CWind, a leading provider of integrated services to the wind industry, announced that it is has been awarded a contract for the supply of temporary power supply services to Siemens at Gode Wind offshore wind farm (OWF).

UK: OMM signs frame work agreement with Prysmian

The 3 year FWA, which was finalised in July 2015, covers the supply of a range of offshore support services to compliment Prysmian's installation capability.

Germany: Last foundation installed at Gode Wind 1 and 2

At the two offshore wind farms Gode Wind 1 and 2, the last of 97 foundations has been installed.

Wind power can meet a quarter of Europe’s electricity demand by 2030 if Member States deliver on climate and energy pledges, according to the latest forecasts by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

Germany: 15 years of Deutsche WindGuard

Wind energy consultant Deutsche WindGuard celebrated its 15th anniversary on Wednesday afternoon at HUSUM Wind.

France: Nordex inaugurates its biggest wind farm de-veloped in-house in the country

75-megawatt project with H2air / French energy turnaround picking up speed

Americas: Bachmann Monitoring Secures Major Order in Central America

Condition Monitoring in Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica

Germany: From Tradition to Innovation - HUSUM Wind 2015

A stiff breeze is blowing between the tents and the sky looks as if it could open its gates every moment.

Cutting funding for wind energy research could leave untapped opportunities for new wind farm development and the economic benefits that come with it in all 50 states according to the letter, especially the Southeast.

The Green Investment Bank and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult have announced a three year agreement to work together to drive investment into offshore renewable energy.

The apprenticeship course, the first of its kind in Wales, takes three years to complete and was launched in partnership with Grwp Llandrillo Menai and was fully supported at its official opening by the First Minister of Wales Rt. Hon Carwyn Jones AM.

EDF Energies Nouvelles is announcing the commissioning of the Chaba wind farm in South Africa by InnoWind, its local subsidiary / To date, the group has installed two wind farms with a combined total capacity of 83 MW in the country.

US: RES Announces Entry into Distributed Energy Marke

Offering Integrated Solutions in North America

The Netherlands: Jan De Nul Group acquires jack-up heavy lift vessel

On Tuesday 15 September, Jan De Nul Group signed the taking-over of the offshore jack-up crane vessel Vidar, formerly operating for the German company Hochtief.

Fugro has been awarded the geotechnical investigation contract for Sites III and IV at the Borssele wind area, off the Dutch coast of Zeeland

Switzerland: ABB invests in most advanced cable-laying vessel for subsea installation and service

New state-of-the-art cable ship to boost capacity and flexibility; key ABB marine technologies on board

UK: Nordex received 15th order from its key account

Falck Renewables places order for 25-megawatt project in Scotland

US: BOEM Announces Major Step for Renewable Energy Offshore North Carolina

Agency Clears Environmental Review

Global: Just in time for Paris - Renewables to Replace Fossil Fuels by 2050

New Energy [R]evolution 2015 report released

Yesterday, a report was released which identifies the differences in subsidy schemes and tax regimes for offshore wind in France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands.

Europe: EBRD financing of renewables overtakes thermal power generation

34 per cent of EBRD’s annual investment in 2014 provided for sustainable energy and climate finance

Brazil: TerraForm Global Closes Acquisition of 294 MW of Operating Wind Assets from Renova Energia

Fully funded with a combination of TerraForm Global Class A common stock and cash allocated from the TerraForm Global IPO proceeds

The Netherlands: Eneco Luchterduinen wind farm increases Dutch offshore wind power by 56%

Green power for 150,000 households

France: Alstom hiring people at its Saint-Nazaire offshore wind turbine industrial facility

The plant has 73 operator positions to fill, as well as 6 quality inspector, 3 Team Leader and 3 technician positions.

UK: East Yorkshire communities boosted by £100,000 funding from E.ON

More than £100,000 has been donated to community projects across East Yorkshire through E.ON’s Humber Gateway Offshore Wind Farm Community Support Fund.

UK: Njord Offshore’s latest generation of Crew Transfer Vessels

Njord Offshore have taken delivery of Njord Magni – a 26m Quad IPS Crew Transfer Vessel.

Germany: Siemens to be climate neutral by 2030

CO2 emissions to be cut 50 percent as early as 2020 / €100 million investment in improving energy efficiency / Annual savings of €20 million expected

UK: Cefas leads development of underwater noise monitoring network

Underwater noise in the marine environment is the focus of a new UK-wide research partnership to monitor the ‘soundscape’ in UK waters.

More and more companies publicly announce their support for campaigns to protect the climate. But emerging and developing countries are also entering the renewable energy sector.

The European Investment Bank also gave its support to a new climate action lending strategy, to strengthen the impact of its engagement for climate related investment and renewable energy.

Leading renewable energy consultancy, SgurrEnergy, attended the official opening ceremony of the 288MW Butendiek offshore wind farm, held in Husum on 8 September 2015.

Suzlon surpassed 2000 MW of installed capacity in Maharashtra with over 1900 wind turbines connected to the grid / Electricity produced by the wind turbines annually powers ~ 1.2 million households

The Energy Department today announced the selection of two organizations to develop larger wind turbine blades that can take advantage of better wind resources and can lower costs.

Energy Watch Group and Lappeenranta University of Technology analysis shows that the IEA has consistently undermined potential of solar and wind energy in the last decade.

US: Siemens to provide long-term service at Bison Wind Energy Center in North Dakota

Siemens will provide 10 years of service and maintenance for 149 D3-platform wind turbines

A year on from launching its revolutionary blade maintenance habitat at Renewable UK, GEV Wind Power’s cost-saving innovation has secured its UK patent and, from SGS BASEEFA, its certification (IPX5) for the waterproofness of its Habitat’s seal.

US: Interior to Auction 344,000 Acres Offshore New Jersey for Wind Energy Development, Advance President's Climate Action Plan

Thirteen energy companies qualified to bid in lease sale

Ofgem has appointed Balfour Beatty Equitix Consortium as the preferred bidder to own and operate the offshore transmission link to the Humber Gateway windfarm for the next 20 years.

In the latest prototype twin-blade turbines in the HUSUM wind test field and in the largest North Sea Wind Farm, Global Tech I the PLUG connection system from Pfisterer ensures safe power transmission in the low voltage range.

Jan De Nul secures first offshore wind contract with Nobelwind for its newly acquired jack-up heavy lift vessel Vidar

Global: Renewables and sustainable development are inseparable

The energy transition is a transnational project, which is gaining popularity in more and more countries.

Fred. Olsen Windcarrier has been contracted by Adwen for the transport and installation of 70 Adwen 5MW turbines, AD 5-135, at the Wikinger Offshore Wind Farm, with manpower supplied by related company Global Wind Service.

Scotland: Renewable energy hits new heights

Energy consumption below target level 7 years early

Europe: EC confirms eligibility of revised technical concept for new Danish-German offshore interconnector

Energinet.dk and 50Hertz plan to establish a 400 MW offshore interconnection between national power grids

Germany: Connex offshore-certified connection system for up to 550 kV and -50°C

The Connex dry-type, pluggable connection system can now be used for high voltages up to a maximum of 550 kV.

As offshore wind farms are being constructed on an ever-growing scale and increasingly being connected in ring configurations of high-performance turbines, the power that must be transmitted between the turbines and the substation is also rising.

India: ABB energizes first phase of India’s most advanced UHVDC power link

North East Agra power ‘superhighway’ is world’s first multi-terminal UHVDC transmission system, capable of supplying clean power to 90 million people

Global: Damen’s largest ever stock-vessel transport began in Shanghai

The Damen Shipyards Group is shipping a total of 22 vessels from several Damen shipyards aboard the heavy-lift vessel Happy Star.

Offshore wind farms which are to be built in waters around the UK could pose a greater threat to protected populations of gannets than previously thought, research led by the University of Leeds says.

The company reinforces its position in spot markets with new orders in three countries / These orders are linked with long-term operations and maintenance agreements / Most of the new orders placed are for the G114-2.0 MW-2.5 MW turbine

The Cuel Wind Farm, located in the Biobío region near the city of Los Ángeles, recently opened its gates to members of the local community from the Alena wind farm project which is currently being developed by Mainstream.

US: Pattern Energy’s 200 MW Logan’s Gap Wind Facility in Texas Starts Operation

Walmart to purchase majority of power at Pattern Energy’s fourth operational wind facility in Texas

China: Analysis on China’s move to “green dispatch”

China’s most recent climate commitments include “green dispatch” along with cap and trade and other actions.

Thailand: Vestas receives 126 MW order

The order will be Vestas’ first large-scale wind park in Thailand and one of Southeast Asia’s largest.