Author: Arnes Biogradlija

The transition of regions’ carbon-intensive economies towards more sustainable forms of power generation will play a key role in reaching the Green Deal objectives. It will ensure that Europe has a just transition that leaves nobody behind. The European Commission initiated support for the transition of fossil fuel regions in 2017 with the launch of the coal regions in the transition platform. Since February 2020 this has been underpinned by the just transition mechanism, which provides financial support for these regions including through a new Just Transition Fund. Coal regions have clear reasons to see wind power as their future…

Scotland’s commitment to a world-leading target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 comes with the possibility to radically transform the Scottish planning system through the upcoming NPF4. Significant deployment of additional renewable energy capacity, well in excess of historical deployment levels, will be needed to achieve bold climate change ambitions. The declaration of a Climate Emergency has rendered existing policy frameworks for renewable energy technologies critically out of date, so it is imperative that Scotland takes the opportunity to shape NPF4 so that it establishes a planning system that enables Scotland to achieve its climate commitments in the only way possible…

The Carbon Trust has released the latest summary findings from the Floating Wind Joint Industry Project (JIP). The Floating Wind Joint Industry Project – Phase II summary report, outlines floating wind technology challenges prioritized by developers to accelerate the commercialization of floating wind.  The findings summarise the work undertaken as part of Phase II of the Floating Wind JIP, across four main themes: turbine requirements and foundations scaling, heavy lift offshore operations, dynamic export cables and monitoring and inspection. The report also includes new market projections from the Carbon Trust, forecasting 70GW of floating wind capacity installed by 2040. Floating wind is an…

In the first quarter of 2020, global demand for energy declined by 3.8 percent, with most of the impact felt in March as containment measures were enforced in Europe, North America and elsewhere. China, one of the countries most affected by the coronavirus, is the world’s leading manufacturer of many renewable energy technologies, such as solar panels, wind turbines and batteries. Given that coronavirus has disrupted deliveries from China, renewable energy companies are unable to reach deadlines for installing equipment. BYD, one of the largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, was unable to complete production of new rechargeable battery models due…

Nordex Group will equip its first Finnish wind farm, named Juurakko for the German project developer VSB, with the manufacturer’s latest 5 MW turbine technology for light-wind sites. As of spring 2022, the Nordex Group will install seven N163/5.X turbines on the west coast of Finland near the town of Kalajoki. The Group will also be responsible for full servicing of the turbines on the basis of a Premium Service contract for a period of 20 years. The N163/5.X turbine model is specifically designed for sites with lower wind speeds and can be operated in different power modes within the…

Ailes Marines has awarded a contract to SMC (Specialist Marine Consultants) to provide vessel inspection services for the construction of offshore wind farm St-Brieuc in France. SMC will provide the project with up to 3 local French AVIs (Accredited Vessel Inspectors), improve local expertise and cooperate with both SMC and Ailes Marines commitments to build local content and skills sets within the region. The French AVI’s of SMC will be assisted by robust back-office support system of the organization, professional marine consultants and additional AVI’s. “SMC are extremely pleased to be able to support construction of the St Brieuc offshore…

A Copenhagen Power Partners affiliate, a fund management firm with seven renewable infrastructure funds and more than €10 billion in management investments, has entered into a tax equity funding agreement with Bank of America for a Texas utility-scale solar project. The Greasewood project is a 347MWdc/255MWac solar facility located in Pecos County, Texas. Within the ERCOT market, the project stands out for having three long-term power purchase agreements with investment grade municipalities and a hedge arrangement with a major US financial institution, resulting in a highly contracted revenue profile. Building started in October 2019, and it is expected to enter…

Energiequelle will begin construction works on its second project in Finland this week. The Konttisuo wind farm, which is being constructed at the border between South Ostrobothnia and Central Finland 20 kilometers southeast of the municipality of Soini, will contain seven Nordex turbines with a total capacity of 29.96 MW. Infra Builders Oy was hired by Energiequelle to build the roads, foundations, park cabling and the associated transformer station. Infra Builders Oy will now begin the construction of the road and then the building of the first foundations will proceed. The N149/4.0-4.5 turbines will be supplied as a cold climate…

Solar Energy and Duke Energy Renewables have reported that the 280-megawatt (280 MWdc/200 MWac) Holstein solar project in Nolan County, Texas has began commercial operation. The 280 MWdc Holstein Solar project includes more than 709,000 solar panels across approximately 1,300 acres in Wingate, Texas. The facility will power the equivalent of 40.000 households. Throughout peak construction the project hired as many as 400 employees. “We are bringing our utility-scale project development expertise to forge a new energy model in Texas. In a state with no solar mandate, and where competition is purely on price, our success with Holstein and our other…

As elsewhere across Europe, offshore wind development is driven by significant political commitment, and the Irish Government’s Climate Action Plan commits to having at least 3.5 GW of offshore wind in Ireland in the next ten years, which will help renewables account for 70% of electricity generation by 2030. Partrac has been involved in a variety of supporting roles with 3 of the Irish offshore wind projects currently under development, utilizing both metocean survey and consultancy expertise. Partrac roles in assisting the development of the Irish offshore wind sector to date include: Scoping and planning of Hydrographic and Metocean Surveys.Deployment…