News Archive August 2020

Texas: CMS Energy Acquires Majority Stake in Aviator Wind Farm

CMS Energy has purchased a 51 % stake in Aviator Wind, a 525 MW wind energy project in Texas that has signed PPAs with Facebook and McDonald's

NWB Bank Joins Financing of Cooperational Windpark Zeewolde

The Wind farm Zeewolde is a unique cooperation of 200 local farmers, inhabitants and entrepreneurs in the outskirts of Zeewolde in the Netherlands

Energy Transition Threatens Gas Power in Australia

The gas power generation is being displaced by wind and solar.

In mid-July, German wind turbine manufacturer Nordex announced that demand in turbines had slumped dramatically in the first half of the year, followed a few days later by an application for a million-euro guarantee. Now there's good news.

Greece Sets New Low Price Record

In the latest onshore wind auction, Greece has awarded contracts for 472 MW of wind projects

Schaeffler with Positive Operating Earnings

Despite a significant decline in revenue due to COVID-19, global automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler generated positive operating earnings in the 1st half of 2020

WESTKÜSTE 100: Ørsted and Partners Secure Funding for Renewable Hydrogen Project

The German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy has approved a grant to produce hydrogen by using renewable electricity

Hollandse Kust (north) Gets Solar Update

TNO will install a floating solar demo at the new offshore wind farm Hollandse Kust (north)

Vestas Secures Multibrand Servie Agreement

The agreement is Vestas’ first full scope multi-brand service deal in the Philippines

Murra Warra II Wind Farm in Australia: Powered by GE Renewable Energy

GE Renewable Energy has signed contracts for the construction and long-term operation of the 209 MW Murra Warra II wind farm in Victoria, Australia.

Statkraft and Bosch Sign PPA in Germany

Statkraft will supply around 570 GWh of green electricity for Bosch in Germany

Offshore wind energy has made a triumphant advance in recent years. And it has only just begun, as various new analyses show. Even the COVID-19 pandemic will not change this. Quite the contrary...

GE Allowed to Use Supercomputer for Offshore Wind Study

GE scientists have been authorized by the U.S. government to access one of world’s fastest supercomputers to advance offshore wind power

Diamond Offshore Wind and RWE Renewables Join Development of Floating Offshore Project

The University of Maine has been researching floating offshore wind since 2008 and gets support now.

Coal Faced Darkness during COVID-19 Lockdown

While renewable energies have reached new heights, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown, coal-based energy production fell to new lows.

U.S. Harbour Prepares for Offshore Wind Energy

The Connecticut Port Authority seeks a permit for river work at the New London State Pier to create a regional wind turbine generator port facility

Planned Joint Offshore Grid Would Bring $500M in Cost Savings for New York

A joint offshore grid connection brings cost savings for the state of New York

Four million Euro proceeds from oversubscribed capital increase

Strengthened financial basis for growth / Tariff for five Greek solar farms and two Irish wind farms secured in tenders

Enel Green Power Connects 51 MW Wind Farm in Spain

A wide range of innovative tools and techniques have been used to build this wind farm, such as drones for topographic surveying

Borssele III/IV Wind Farm Generates First Power

On 7 August 2020 early in the morning, Blauwwind consortium has produced the first power generated by the Borssele III/IV wind farm in the Dutch North Sea.

GE Renewable Energy Extends Supply Contract with Rotor Blade Manufacturer

TPI Composites has announced that GE Renewable Energy has extended two supply contracts in the U.S. and Mexico.

19 More Wind Farms for Ireland

19 new wind farms won contracts under the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme according to provisional results published last week which also showed wind energy prices falling sharply.

The 2019 report shows that US$ 46.6 billion, or 76 percent of total financing for the year, was devoted to climate change mitigation investments that aim to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and slow down global warming.

American Wind Week 2020

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is kicking off American Wind Week 2020

The commissioned report used extensive research on the outcomes of past policy, the current landscape of electricity in Northern Ireland as well as feedback from various stakeholders including national and local government, regulators and industry bodies.

As a part of the COVID-19 recovery plan, the government of Western Australia will drive more local manufacturing opportunities, to become more self-sufficient and create a pipeline of Western Australian jobs.

Turbine manufacturer Vestas released its interim financial report for the second quarter of 2020. The company performed well in a challenging environment and was able to increase revenue compared to the same quarter last year.

Restructuring at Dörken

Dörken has restructured itself. As of 1st of August 2020 there are two major operational units.

How can a vibration problem in a rocket reduce the cost of offshore wind energy? In the past, offshore wind technology often benefited from other industries and their developments and experience. In the early years that was mainly developements of the oil and gas industry. And now even NASA wants to help.

PNE Closes First Half of 2020 Successfully

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the developer presented successful results.

Ireland’s Transmission System Operator EirGrid has reported the results of the first auction round under the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS-1). The RESS-1 auction system is comprised of three different auction pots: a first pot for solar projects only, a second pot is for community projects and a third pot, the so-called “general pot” that features wind energy and solar projects.

Vestas = Intertidal Champ of Vietnam

Vestas surpasses 1 GW of order intake in Vietnam, winning its 8th intertidal project.

The large-scale deployment of very low/zero marginal cost wind and solar technologies, as well as increasing interconnection in the 2020s, is likely to have a depressive impact on wholesale power prices out to 2030.

DNV GL Acts as Technical Adviser in Spain

DNV GL successfully completed a technical due diligence

Apex Clean Energy Sells Third Largest U.S. Wind Farm

The 500 MW White Mesa Wind Farm in West Texas has been sold to an unnamed buyer.

News of the Day

The era of ‘negative-subsidy’ offshore wind power has almost arrived, a new study finds. Especially offshore wind farms in the UK will be subsidy-free in the near future.

Shifts in government policy to support more renewable electricity schemes as part of a green recovery would encourage private investment to drive innovation and could help provide confidence in the economy at a crucial time, the report by the National Infrastructure Commission notes.

Vestas Wins Another Order from China

Name and project remain undisclosed.

New Generation of Overspeed Protection System Introduced

Istec presents its SIL rated overspeed protection system: The SpeedSys 200.

Goldwind and juwi Work on Australian Hybrid

Goldwind will deliver wind turbines for the Esperance hybrid renewable system to be built in Australia

Poland: Minister Visits wpd Wind Farm

On 29 July, wpd Polska was able to welcome high-ranking visitors to the “Jarocin Kozmin” and “Kozmin Pilot” wind farms

North Carolina Taps into Offshore Wind Potential

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has identified and hired BVG Associates to help the agency assess North Carolina’s potential as an offshore wind industry hub.

U.S.: Wind Power Moves Forward

AWEA released the figures for the second quarter of 2020: Despite challenges from COVID-19, the wind industry continued to finish building wind farms.

Masdar Buys into U.S. Portfolio of EDF Renewables North America

Masdar acquires a 50 percent stake in a 1.6 GW clean energy portfolio.

The very confusing corporate network of wind turbine manufacturer ENERCON from Aurich, Germany, is being reorganised. To this end, existing production partners are to be integrated and two competence centres established in Germany. This will be accompanied by the loss of further jobs.

ABO Wind Stays on Course

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, ABO Wind exceeded the result of the same period of the previous year

GE Renewable Energy to Deliver Cypress Turbines for Lithuanian Wind Farm

It's the first subsidy free wind farm to be built in the Baltic States

Apollo Global Management Invests in US Wind

It's the private equity firm’s first foray into offshore wind development supporting the construction of an offshore wind farm off the construction of Maryland.

Siemens Gamesa Takes Over Senvion Duties

Siemens Gamesa secured a 184-MW, 10-year service deal for two Senvion project sites in North America.

Guide on Best Practices for Gender Diversity in Talent Recruitment Published

Gender diversity must be prioritised to ensure a just recovery from COVID-19. This includes more women joining the wind industry.

Wind Energy Expansion Is Crucial for Job Growth

With the right regulatory framework in place, wind energy promises immediate and lasting job creation to spur the EU economy.

California Needs More Diverse Electricity Mix

California renewable energy providers urge State investments in a more diverse, reliable mix of clean energy to prevent future capacity shortfalls

Scottish Power approves Hauff Technik Mechanical Press Seals (HRD)

We are proud to announce that Hauff Technik Mechanical Press Seals (HRD) are now approved for use by Scottish Power on their networks.

Vestas Replaces Senvion as EPC Contractor in Australia

Vestas has secured a 86 MW EPC deal with Nexif Energy to extend Lincoln Gap Wind Farm in Australia and replaces Senvion

MHI Vestas Signs Tower Supply Purchase Agreement in Taiwan

This purchase agreement covers complete tower supply for MHI Vestas’ Taiwanese projects: Changfang Phases 1 and 2, Xidao and Zhong Neng.

On this Saturday, humanity used up all the resources that would have been available to it for the entire year if it had used them sustainably. But for the first time ever, the day is moving to the back of the calendar. However, this is not due to humanity's environmentally conscious actions - but to the coronavirus.

Queensland Government Brings 1200 MW Forest Wind Farm One Step Closer

The Australian regional government of Queensland has passed a bill to bring the proposed Forest Wind Farm one step closer to construction.

Lobsters Not Impressed by Offshore Wind

A long-term study suggests wind farm construction and operation has no significant negative impact on the ecology of European lobsters.

Erebus Floating Wind Farm Wins Seabed Rights

The Crown Estate has awarded developer Blue Gem Wind the seabed rights to build the 96 MW Erebus floating wind demonstration project off the coast of Wales.

Today, the Federal Constitutional Court published a Senate resolution regarding constitutional appeal against the provisions of WindSeeG (file no. 1 BvR 1679/17).

U.S. and Norway Strengthen Offshore Ties

Activities outlined in the MOU framework include the exchange of scientific and technical information, and cooperation regarding research and development technologies.

Japan Will Become Trend Market for Renewables

Wood Mackenzie predicts, Japan to exceed 2030 renewables target supported by US$100 billion investments

Atlantic Shores Launches Study on Migratory Birds

Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind wants to gather data on the endangered species of Red Knots to help inform developers

Virginia Pushes for Energy Transition

Governor Ralph Northam is accelerating Virginia’s transition to clean energy by signing the Virginia Clean Economy Act

Knud Erik Andersen, CEO of European Energy, says: ”I am very pleased that after eight years, we can finally make the step from the applications phase and into the development phase with our two nearshore wind power parks Omø Syd and Jammerland Bugt."

The World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) wants to examine the role of women in renewable energies in cooperation with the Association for Renewable Energy of the German State North Rhine-Westphalia-Landesverband Erneuerbare Energien NRW (LEE NRW).

wpd windmanager Continues Growth

On course for growth: wpd windmanager GmbH & Co. KG continues to push the expansion of its business activities – with new locations, new target markets and new services.

German Research Facility Produces Wind Energy

The Forschungszentrum Jülich has installed an Antaris small wind turbine at its rooftop

GE Renewable Energy Plans Largest Wind Turbine Rotor Test Rig

The test facility is planned at LM Wind Power’s WMC Technology Center Netherlands in Wieringerwerf

Study: How the EU Can Achieve a Climate Target of -55% by 2030

The European Union can significantly increase its climate protection target for 2030, German think tank Agora Energiewende says.

Paint It Black

Simple measures can make wind turbines more bird friendly.

Brazilian Energy Company Invests in Wind Projects

The renewable energy group Omega Geração is buying a 50 percent stake in wind farms owned by the French EDF Renewables Group in the Brazilian state of Bahia.

RWE Supply & Trading markets the entire electricity production of the Waddenwind onshore wind farm, which was developed by a group of local farmers in the province of Groningen.

The University has won a $775,000 grant from the Department of Defense to create a wind energy siting solution to mitigate the effects of location decision on military training, readiness and research, covering both offshore and onshore wind projects.

JERA is planning to construct an offshore wind farm off Ishikari Bay, Hokkaido, Japan and has submitted its Planning Phase Environmental Impact Statement to the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry yesterday.

Saipem to Develop Italian Offshore Wind Farm

Saipem will co-develop a 450 MW wind farm in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Ravenna.

wpd Finishes Next Step for Guanyin Offshore Wind Farm in Taiwan

During the last days a strong group of contractors has signed supply agreements with wpd on the 350 MW Guanyin project off the coast of Taoyuan (Taiwan).

The job market in the energy industry is changing. More and more jobs in fossil energy production are being lost, while new jobs are being generated in the renewable energy sector. How do the affected workers deal with this?

How Much Green Hydrogen Is Enough Green Hydrogen?

While some member States such as the Netherlands, Germany and Portugal, are showing increasing willingness to support renewable hydrogen, some key barriers remain to be tackled.

Vallourec Receives Important Approval for X100 Steel Grade

The tubes made of the steel are a smart solution for the construction of Jack-up rigs and Wind Turbine Installation Vessels (WTIV) for offshore wind farms.

WFO Publishes Global Offshore Wind Report’s HY1 2020 Update

Continued growth of the global offshore wind industry during 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic

GE Renewable Energy will deliver 25MW multiple hour duration Energy Storage Systems, to be integrated with Wykes’ Solar PV plant at the Chelveston Renewable Energy Park, in the UK

UK: Wind Sets New 60% of Power Record

On Wednesday 26th August wind power was generating 60% of Britain’s electricity.

Fred. Olsen Windcarrier on Winning Streak in Taiwan

The company has been awarded its third contract in Taiwan

Verizon Signs Four New Renewable Energy Purchase Agreements

Communications company Verizon has signed four more long-term renewable energy purchase agreements (REPAs) totaling more than 450 megawatts of renewable energy capacity

Siemens Gamesa Unveils New Strategy

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy has outlined its path to long-term sustainable profitable growth at its virtual Capital Markets Day yesterday.

Vestas Secures Large Order in Brazil

Turbine manufacturer Vestas will install 409 MW if wind turbines in the projects Ventos do Piauí II and Ventos do Piauí III, in Serra do Inácio, in the state of Piauí,

Prysmian Group has further strengthened its commitment to Sustainability with the definition of a new set of three-year targets (2020-2022), in the framework of the UN SDGs (UN Sustainable Development Goals).

Next Generation Testing Facility

ORE Catapult and Advance Northumberland plan to develop a new prototype turbine test facility in the parish of East Bedlington,