Category Archives: OpEd

The Spanish wind energy sector contemplates the future with optimism

The wind farm projects of renewable energy auctions in Spain have been an opportunity for the growth of the wind turbines sector and a positive socioeconomic effect for Spain. These are some of the conclusions that emerge from the Wind Yearbook 2019, presented by the Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE) in the framework of WindEurope … Continue reading The Spanish wind energy sector contemplates the future with optimism

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King Felipe VI of Spain: wind energy is transforming Spain and Europe

His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain made an official visit to the 2019 WindEurope annual event in Bilbao today and delivered the keynote speech at the official inauguration. The King’s speech focused on the economic benefits that come with addressing the challenge of climate change, which he described as “very alarming”. The King identified … Continue reading King Felipe VI of Spain: wind energy is transforming Spain and Europe

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Draft National Energy & Climate Plans won’t deliver 32% renewables target

Europe’s draft National Energy and Climate Plans are insufficient to deliver the EU’s 32% renewables target for 2030, according to analysis released today by WindEurope at its annual event in Bilbao. The analysis shows that some EU countries are pledging to deploy good volumes of wind in their Plans. But the Plans are badly lacking … Continue reading Draft National Energy & Climate Plans won’t deliver 32% renewables target

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Renewable energy capacity reached 2,351GW by the end of last year

IRENA’s annual Renewable Capacity Statistics 2019, the most comprehensive, up-to-date and accessible figures on renewable energy capacity indicates growth in all regions of the world, although at varying speeds. Renewables now account for a third of all power capacity installed around the world. That’s according to new data released by the International Renewable Energy Agency … Continue reading Renewable energy capacity reached 2,351GW by the end of last year

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Research Projects Funded through the Wind Energy Wildlife Research Fund

Leaders of the Wind Wildlife Research Fund announced that the Fund, a new wind industry-led initiative to pool investment for wind-wildlife solutions, raised $828,000 to support and implement seven priority research projects in 2019. By investing in key research, the Fund aims to develop solutions to wildlife challenges, focus conservation efforts, expedite wind energy siting … Continue reading Research Projects Funded through the Wind Energy Wildlife Research Fund

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European Court of Justice rules feed-in tariffs do not constitute state aid

The European Court of Justice has decided in a landmark decision that feed-in tariffs as provided by the German renewable energy law EEG do not constitute state aid or, in other words, subsidies. The Court ruled: “According to the Court of Justice, the General Court was wrong to find that the funds generated by the … Continue reading European Court of Justice rules feed-in tariffs do not constitute state aid

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Rene Braud receives AWEA’s Andrew Linehan Award for Environmental Excellence

Rene Braud, Director of Environmental Policy and Compliance at Pattern Energy, was recognized Tuesday evening with the Andrew Linehan Award for Environmental Excellence at AWEA’s annual Wind Project Siting and Environmental Compliance Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rene Braud accepting Linehan Award. The Linehan Award is presented to leaders in the siting community who demonstrate … Continue reading Rene Braud receives AWEA’s Andrew Linehan Award for Environmental Excellence

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U.S. offshore wind energy generates $70 billion supply chain opportunity

America’s new offshore wind industry is taking off, and what we see now is just the tip of a vast clean energy  – and business supply chain – opportunity. A new white paper confirms this, prepared by the Special Initiative on Offshore Wind (SIOW) with analysis from the Renewables Consulting Group. The study projects the … Continue reading U.S. offshore wind energy generates $70 billion supply chain opportunity

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The Energy Transition Act will increase New Mexico’s use of clean energy

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham today signed into law The Energy Transition Act (SB489), advancing the state’s national leadership in renewable energy with a goal to source 50 percent of New Mexico’s energy from renewable sources by 2030. The law sets even higher goals for the future, targeting 80 percent renewable energy by 2040 … Continue reading The Energy Transition Act will increase New Mexico’s use of clean energy

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Wind energy at the heart of a future-proof energy system

On 19 March WindEurope co-signed the Marine Grid Declaration in Brussels, together with Transmission System Operators, NGO and other industry associations. The Declaration lays out principles specific to grid deployment in the marine environment, including promotion of environmentally-sound projects, early stakeholder engagement and knowledge sharing. The Declaration supports the smooth deployment of the offshore infrastructure … Continue reading Wind energy at the heart of a future-proof energy system

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People prefer living near wind turbines over other energy sources

Here’s an indisputable fact: We need electricity to power our modern world. That means building facilities to generate that electricity, some of which will inevitably be located near homes. Now, a new study finds that 90 percent of respondents would prefer to live near a wind farm over any type of centralized power plant, whether … Continue reading People prefer living near wind turbines over other energy sources

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The top 10 countries in the world by wind energy capacity

Wind energy is a well-established source of renewable energy, but what countries have the highest wind energy capacity in the world? Wind power has become an important source of energy generation around the world, with global capacity reaching over 600GW in 2018. The construction of new wind power varies year to year and by region; … Continue reading The top 10 countries in the world by wind energy capacity

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#FridaysforFuture: Young people are right. Time for a new culture and for 100% renewable energy to save the planet

Stefan Gsänger, Executive Committee Member of the Global 100% Renewable Energy Platform Global100RE, and Ruslana, Ambassador for Global100RE, declare on the occasion of today’s worldwide #FridayforFuture demonstrations: “Young people in more than 100 countries around the world are demonstrating today for our future. They are deeply concerned that climate change will destroy the earth and … Continue reading #FridaysforFuture: Young people are right. Time for a new culture and for 100% renewable energy to save the planet

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Recapping an impactful Wind Power on Capitol Hill

Last Wednesday was an important day for American wind power at the federal level. Over 160 members of the U.S. wind industry met with almost 250 House and Senate legislators and their staffs. That’s like meeting with nearly half of all of Congress. How did 160 people accomplish this impressive feat? By participating in Wind … Continue reading Recapping an impactful Wind Power on Capitol Hill

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Norway preparing to expand its offshore wind energy supply chain

This week WindEurope attended the Offshore Wind Days 2019 conference in Oslo. Organised by Norwegian Energy Partners, this event gives global participants two days to discuss and analyse offshore wind market developments and supply chain challenges both in Europe and beyond. Day 1 set the scene for offshore wind on both a European and global … Continue reading Norway preparing to expand its offshore wind energy supply chain

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The American Wind Energy Association recognizes industry leaders in operations and safety

Invenergy, Apex Clean Energy, Planet Windpower, Wanzek Construction and Acciona were honored last week at AWEA’s O&M and Safety Conference. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) last week recognized five accomplished individuals and companies as part of its Safety and Health Excellence Recognition and Excellence in Operations programs. Each year, these programs recognize industry leaders … Continue reading The American Wind Energy Association recognizes industry leaders in operations and safety

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The largest wind energy conference in the Western Hemisphere is coming to Houston

AWEA’s 2019 WINDPOWER Conference will highlight how wind and its growing list of partners and allies can, together, power the future with cost-competitive, clean energy. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) WINDPOWER Conference is coming to Houston, the energy capital of the world, from May 20-23. 2018 was a historic year as wind power surpassed … Continue reading The largest wind energy conference in the Western Hemisphere is coming to Houston

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Castilla y León leads the wind power generation ranking of the Autonomous Communities

The potential of wind energy in Spain is reaffirmed with the data broken down by Autonomous Communities for 2018. The energy transition is a reality in most of the Autonomous Communities thanks to the installation of wind turbines during the last two decades. Faced with a national goal of reaching a 74% renewable contribution to … Continue reading Castilla y León leads the wind power generation ranking of the Autonomous Communities

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GWEC and World Bank Group announce plans to cooperate on development of global offshore wind power markets

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and the World Bank Group (WBG) have announced plans to work together on efforts to develop offshore wind in emerging markets. This follows the World Bank Group’s launch of a new program to fast-track the adoption of offshore wind energy in developing countries, supported by funding from the government … Continue reading GWEC and World Bank Group announce plans to cooperate on development of global offshore wind power markets

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WindEurope elects Vattenfall wind energy chief, Gunnar Groebler, as new Chair

WindEurope’s Board of Directors has elected Gunnar Groebler – Senior Vice President, Business Area Wind at Vattenfall – as the association’s new Chair. The Board, made up of corporate members, national associations and other organisations appointed Groebler for an 18-month term. Commenting on his appointment, Gunnar Groebler said: “It is an honour for me to … Continue reading WindEurope elects Vattenfall wind energy chief, Gunnar Groebler, as new Chair

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