News, comment, trends and opinion for renewable energy professionals

The New York Times reports on the challenges facing the Biden administration's ambitious offshore wind energy plans, noting that an old shipping law, as well as opposition from homeowners and fishing groups could present serious obstacles. Amanda Lefton, director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which leases federal waters to wind developers is quoted as saying: “I think the clear fact that other places got a jump on us is important. We are not going to be able to build offshore wind if we don't have the right investments.”

 

New York Times

Australia’s New Energy Solar has announced a 167-MW DC asset sale in New South Wales, with the firm planning to focus its business entirely on the US. The company has signed binding agreements for the disposal of its 111-MW Beryl and 56-MW Manildra solar farms to the Australian arm of Thai energy group Banpu PCL for AUD288m.

 

Renewables Now

The location for the construction of a 270-MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) project from LOGZ Atlantic HUB SA has been approved by the local government of the Portuguese town of Palmela, with the facility to consist of 614,016 modules in an area of 133 hectares (328.6 acres).

 

Renewables Now

A floating solar plant in southeastern Albania, operated by Norway's renewable energy company Statkraft has begun commercial operations, with the company planning to install an additional three floating units with a combined capacity of 1.5 MWp at the site.

 

Renewables Now

A new virtual energy conference is to be hosted by Siemens Energy and partners on 15 - 17 June, to discuss European challenges and opportunities in moving towards a decarbonised energy system. Ariel Porat, Senior Vice President, Europe, Siemens Energy commented: “We are at a pivotal point in our energy transition. We need to take decisive action now to limit the impact of global warming and to keep within the 1.5°C limit defined in the Paris Agreement. To do this will take courage and will require all parties in the energy system to work together to make it a reality.”

 

Energy Global

Financial Review reports on the development of the new $2.3bn South Australia-NSW interconnector, quoting South Australian Energy Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan as saying: “We will export far, far more renewable energy into NSW than we will ever bring in. Project EnergyConnect will be critical to the next wave of renewable energy projects such as Neoen's Goyder South wind, solar and battery storage project, which stands to play a considerable role in South Australia's ambitions to reach net 100 per cent renewables by 2030."

 

Financial Review

Engie Energia Peru, a subsidiary of French energy utility group Engie has secured $150m (€123.4m) in financing for the Punta Lomitas wind farm project, Engie’s first in the South American nation. Siemens Gamesa is to supply 50 units of SG 5.0-145 turbines, with Spanish engineering and renewables group Abengoa selected to construct transmission lines for the facility.

 

Renewables Now

Vestas has announced the sale of the world’s largest wind turbine tower manufacturing factory in Colorado, which currently employs over 500 people and manufactures some 3,000 tower units annually. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tommy Rahbek Nielsen commented: “Across our global supply chain footprint, we are involving more partners to build on the foundations we have established for wind energy. This includes honing our own resources to where they can be most effective and transferring parts of our operational setup to be run by other industry leaders who can create more value and secure additional long-term jobs.”

 

Energy Live News

A portfolio of transformers for offshore floating use has been announced by Hitachi ABB Power Grids, with Bruno Melles, managing director of the transformers business at the firm stating: "Floating electrical systems are an important development in the offshore renewable industry, that will open up tremendous opportunities for clean power."

 

Renewables Now

The installation of 72 turbines at Kriegers Flak, which will be Denmark's largest offshore wind farm, has been completed. Catrin Jung, Head of Offshore Wind at Vattenfall commented: "We are pleased to see that the installation of the turbines has been successfully completed. Despite COVID-19, we have been able to deliver according to plan – actually a little ahead of schedule – which shows that our general strategy to prepare for the unforeseen has proved to be robust."

 

Energy Global

Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Ltd has announced that the UK power grid has received first power from the 950-MW Moray East offshore wind farm in Scottish waters. The facility, which is still under construction, saw electricity generated from the first machines among the 100-turbine power complex, with the export carried out on June 5.

 

Renewables Now

Reports suggest that US private equity fund Denham Capital is considering selling off some AUD1bn ($773.5m/€636.2m) in Australian and Asian assets, while US investment manager Elliott Management Corporation is seeking buyers for its Australian solar power generation portfolio of around 300 MW.

 

Renewables Now