Category: Europe


10 GW of new wind capacity in Europe in 2010 – says EWEA

June 16th, 2010 | Posted in Wind

According to the latest publication from the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), Europe is looking at 10 GW of newly installed wind energy capacity in 2010. Although 2009 was a record year for wind capacity installations for Europe (10.163 GW), making 39% of the total new installed power capacity in Europe, this year EWEA predicts an overall increase of 13% compared to 2009.

The year 2010 is the year of offshore wind capacity, with up to 1 GW of power to be added, an almost 100% increase compared to 577 MW of offshore wind energy capacity in 2009. Even though primary wind energy markets so far, like Spain, have experienced a drop in installed and planned capacity, other areas of the European Union, such as Bulgaria and Romania, will more than compensate for the decrease.

See more information on the EWEA site.

[source: EWEA]


AES Wind acquiring 353 MW of wind energy development rights in Poland

June 16th, 2010 | Posted in Wind

AES Wind Generation has expanded its wind energy portfolio by acquiring 353 MW of development rights in Poland from Polish wind developing company Jan Reichert. AES has acquired 51% stake in the project pipeline, and will take ownership of about 90-95%, once certain milestones have been reached by Jan Reichert. About 158 MW of the total capacity in the pipeline will enter construction stage next year, requiring about USD 80 million of funds from AES through the end of 2011. The entire project pipeline will require USD 175 million from AES, and is planned for completion by the end of 2014.

With this latest acquisition, AES has increased its project pipeline in Poland to 775 MW. Poland is regarded as one of the most attractive wind energy markets in Europe. AES' global wind development pipeline is close to 6000 MW, with about a third located in Europe.

[source: AES]

transpower orders offshore wind farm connections from Siemens

June 14th, 2010 | Posted in Wind

German transmission grid company transpower ordered offshore wind farm connections from Siemens. Under the deal, worth EUR 500 million, Siemens is to provide connection solutions for two North Sea offshore wind farms to the power grid. The Veja Mate and Global Tech 1 offshore wind farms, totalling in 800 MW of capacity, will be connected to the power grid via a HVDC carrying submarine cable.

The wind farms are located about 125 km off the coast, northwest of the island of Borkum. Siemens regards this project as a challenge, and will be using the world's largest Voltage Sourced Converter system, the company's HVDC Plus technology, capable of delivering 800 MW of power.

[source: Siemens]

Tidal current turbine to be installed near Scotland by Voith Hydro and RWE Innogy

June 14th, 2010 | Posted in Hydro

The new tidal current turbine is similar to this 110 kW predecessor already installed in South Korea.

RWE Innogy and Voith Hydro are going to jointly install a 1 MW tidal current turbine off the Scottish coast. The two companies have formed a joint venture company – Voith Hydro Ocean Current Technologies. The newly installed turbine is starting a two year trial operation period at EMEC (European Marine Energy Center, in Orkney) in 2011.

The installation of the turbine foundation will commence before the end of 2010. The foundation will be engineered, manufactured and installed by BAUER Renewables. The goal of this project is to accumulate important data and knowledge from the operational performance of this turbine in real-life conditions.

The project represents a total investment of about GBP 11.8 million, and is supported by the Brittish government by GBP 1.7 million, coming through the Carbon Trust Proving Fund. Investment costs are expected to decrease significantly over time as this technology is moved towards serial production.

The turbine itself is a direct-drive machine, eliminating the need for a gearbox and gears, otherwise prone to damage in harsh ocean conditions. The turbine is acnhored at the bottom of the sea, and uses sea water as lubricant for the bearings, reducing maintenance costs significantly. Its design is robust and environmentally friendly. An older, but smaller cousin of this turbine, a 110 kW machine, has already successfully been installed off the coast of South Korea.

[source: RWE]

Vestas gets first offshore service contract renewal – boosts self-confidence

June 10th, 2010 | Posted in Wind

North Hoyle offshore wind farm.

Vestas has received the first offshore service contract renewal for the North Hoyle Wind Farm, owned by NWP Offshore (RWE npower renewables owns a stake in this company). After the inital five-year service contract, the company decided to renew its arrangement with Vestas, expressing satisfaction with the prior service period.

The North Hoyle wind farm has 30 Vestas V80-2.0 MW units installed. It is located off the northern coast of Wales, and began commercial operation back in 2003.

[source: Vestas, image: -Bish-]

EnBW and Siemens Energy sign contract for Baltic 2 offshore wind farm

June 10th, 2010 | Posted in Wind

EnBW has ordered 80 3.6 MW wind turbines from Siemens Energy, for installation at EnBW's Baltic 2 offshore wind farm. This will be Germany's second offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea. The actual amount has been hinted to be in the triple-digit million range.

Baltic 2 is located about 32 km north of the island of Rügen, in the western Baltic Sea. Once completed, the wind farm will have 288 MW of installed capacity, capable of supplying about 340,000 average households with clean electricity. It is expected to come on line in 2013. The wind farm will be spread out over a 27 square kilometer area.

[source: Siemens]

Alstom launches ECO 110 3MW wind turbine

June 10th, 2010 | Posted in Wind

Alstom announced the official market launch of the company's new ECO 110 3 MW wind turbine, aimed at low to medium wind sites. The 110 meter rotor makes the new unit one of the largest in the world for onshore implementation. The new model is based on the company's PURE TORQUE rotor support technology, which protects the gearbox and drive components from shocks caused by load surges. By keeping the gearbox and other drive components detached from the support structure, the deflection loads are transmitted directly to the wind turbine tower.

ECO 110 has been designed to reduce installation and maintenance costs (one of the most significant factors for wind farm operators), while keeping the standard dimensions allowing transport using existing transport equipment and vehicles. Additionally, the rotors spin at up to 14 rpm, keeping the noise level very low.

[source: Alstom]

Iberdrola Renovables boosting its global position with EUR 9 billion over next three years

June 10th, 2010 | Posted in General Wind

Iberdrola Renovables announced plans to invest EUR 9 billion over the next three years in order to boost its global leadership position and expand international operations, focusing on profitable markets worldwide. Most of the company's growth is to come mainly from the US market, where the company will be investing EUR 4.9 billion, while other investments include EUR 1.9 billion in the UK, EUR 1 billion in Spain, and the remaining EUR 1.2 billion for investments in other parts of the world.

Iberdrola Renovables wants to accumulate about 16 GW of installed capacity by 2012, projecting a 15-20% earnings rise rate in this period. Investment and expansion efforts are going to happen in these key areas of the company's operations:

  • United States: the company wants to expand operations and increase installed capacity in eastern and south-eastern states.
  • Offshore wind: the company has a formidanle pipeline of projects in Europe – one of which is the Round 3 development in the UK, the 7.2 GW offshore wind farm off the east coast of England.
  • R&D&i: the company is going to be making further commitments towards researching new technologies and improving operating efficiency. One of the major projects will be renewables integration into power grids, improving tidal, biomass and marine energy operations.
  • Financial strength: maintaining financial foundations, improving efficiency, adapting investments to the economic environment, reducing the cost per MW installed.
  • Sustainability: a sustainable growth plan, which will create value for all the stakeholders.

[source: Iberdrola]

DONG Energy gets loan from EIB for London Array wind energy project

June 10th, 2010 | Posted in Wind

DONG Energy signed a loan contract with the European Investment Bank, under which the EIB is to provide EUR 250 million as a loan facility to the company for the purpose of financing of deliveries by Siemens Wind Power and Per Aarsleff. The loan represents a part of the total financing needed for the realization of the London Array project.

The first phase of London Array will have 630 MW of capacity, and is expected to come on line in 2012, and provide power for the 2012 Olympics to be held in the UK. Once completed, the London Array will be the world's largest offshore wind farm. The project is owned by DONG Energy, Masdar and E.ON.

[source: DONG Energy]

ADBA hosting first UK anaerobic digestion and biogas show – UK AD and Biogas 2010

June 9th, 2010 | Posted in Biomass

Due to the rising interest in the waste-to-energy sector and the government's continous efforts towards clean energy, the renewable energy industry is seeing unprecedented growth. In the UK, in particular, emphasis so far has been on wind and marine energy, but as of recently, biomass as a source of energy has become a very interesting field. Many case studies have shown that biomass energy conversion facilities can produce clean energy at a lower price than other renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) is hosting a trade show in Birmingham, UK, at the beginning of July, with the goal to bring together leading industry professionals, featuring workshops, seminars and key issues debates. The two day show will offer the general public, as well as industry professionals, a chance to get a more clear picture about the developments and plans in this energy industry sector.

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