State aid changes in Europe affects the renewable energy sector

While many news services reported this week on the new changes to state aid, ClickGreen provides important details on what the changes entail. Europe's new rules on renewable energy support: What it all means New state aid measures will affect the renewable energy sector What is the purpose of the guidelines? The Environmental … Continue reading State aid changes in Europe affects the renewable energy sector →

Viewing Germany’s renewable energy plan from across the Atlantic

While Europeans are watching with great interest about how Germany is managing its energy transition, so are Americans. Melissa Eddy writes in the New York Times about the latest developments on Germany’s renewable energy plan Germany Moves Forward on Renewable Energy Plan Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government approved legislation on Tuesday revamping Germany’s sweeping plan … Continue reading Viewing Germany’s renewable energy plan from across the Atlantic →

He huffed and he puffed and he blew the house price down . .

Siting wind turbines has been controversial in many countries. Patrick Collinson writes in The Guardian about new analysis that shows that windfarms can seriously affect the price of houses. This disputes the findings of a previous study. Many feel that this will fan homeowners' demands for compensation when windfarms are approved Windfarms can reduce house … Continue reading He huffed and he puffed and he blew the house price down . . →

EIB support for renewable energy in France

The European Investment Bank is turning into one of the largest financiers for sustainable energy. In 2013, alone, the EIB invested €19bn on climate change projects. The New Energy World Network reports on the latest loans for renewable energy projects in France. EIB to make €750m in loans for French renewable energy The European … Continue reading EIB support for renewable energy in France →

More on the impact of renewables on electric utilities

I’m not sure we can hear enough about how the electricity sector is affected by the low-carbon energy transition underway. Matt McFarland writes in the Washington Post about the good news and the bad news. Grid parity: Why electric utilities should struggle to sleep at night What’s good news for those concerned with climate … Continue reading More on the impact of renewables on electric utilities →

Update on Romanian renewable energy situation

Following last week’s post on the green certificates allocated in Romania, Balkans.com Business News reports that Romania has already passed its 2020 target set through the European Union. Romania overshoots target for renewable energy The share of electricity produced through renewable sources reached a level of 41 percent in 2013, overshooting the target of … Continue reading Update on Romanian renewable energy situation →

Renewable energy and the “old-guard” utilities

Renewable energy is not going away and in the US it is estimated that its market share could more than double between now and 2025. John Watling writes for The FInancialist, a digital magazine of Credit Suisse, about the increasing competitiveness of renewable energy and how it will affect the traditional electricity producers. He argues … Continue reading Renewable energy and the “old-guard” utilities →

Update on renewable energy support in Romania

Romania-Insider.com writes about the issuing of green certificates in 2013 in Romania. This has to be seen in the context of the government cutting incentives in 2013. Romanian electricity distributor Transelectrica issues 10 mln green certificates for renewable energy producers in 2013 Romanian state – owned electricity distribution company Transelectrica issued 10.1 million green … Continue reading Update on renewable energy support in Romania →

When should state aid be allowed?

The European Union, as almost anywhere, has to juggle many priorities at once. Obviously the EU has benefited from the internal market and that has meant a level playing field. Always vigilant, the European Commission has questioned the use of state aid for sustainable energy. Ewa Krukowska writes for Bloomberg news service about the possibility … Continue reading When should state aid be allowed? →

Reflecting on how to finance renewable energy development

Fierce Energy provided an excellent article by Lucas Porter, Patrick Hurley and Dan Bradley of Navigant about how to make renewable energy projects more viable. This is a concern that confronts all projects regardless where they are. Hopefully you will find this useful in your related activities. Renewable energy financing One of the most prominent … Continue reading Reflecting on how to finance renewable energy development →