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 →

Irish Minister criticises EU plan to phase out feed-in tariffs for mature players

Even when renewable energy technologies are considered mature, the Irish argue that there is still need for cost-effective support, according to article written by Valerie Flynn in the Irish Times. The minister makes a good argument, but will it be listened to? EU to change renewables subsidy Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte has criticised a … Continue reading Irish Minister criticises EU plan to phase out feed-in tariffs for mature players →

Will the sun’s effects tower over London?

Londoners could soon be in awe at how Big Ben chimes. Serious consideration is now being given to using solar panels on the famous clock face, writes Jessica Shankleman for BusinessGreen, part of the Guardian Environment Network. This could change how we think of foggy, drizzly London. Solar-powered Big Ben mulled in plan to … Continue reading Will the sun’s effects tower over London? →

Women finding opportunities in Scottish renewable energy sector

ClickGreen provides an interesting article showing that there is a greater proportion of women working in the renewable energy sector in Scotland than in the oil, gas or nuclear energy sectors. It would be interesting to know if this is true in other countries. And it would be good to know how many women are … Continue reading Women finding opportunities in Scottish renewable energy sector →

No time to delay . . .

Achim Steiner, head of the United Nations Environment Programme, is worried about any delays to a shift to a low carbon economy. Suzanne Goldenberg writes in the Guardian about Steiner’s recent comments about is worry that transition fuels, including the rush for shale gas, will have a serious impact on the transition to renewables. Achim … Continue reading No time to delay . . . →

Solar developments in California

All watchers of the solar industry at some point turn to what is going on in California. Such is the case today with the article written by Diane Cardwell for the New York Times. Interestingly, Cardwell describes an incubator-accelerator programme that is designed to attract and nurture other solar start-ups. It is certainly worth following … Continue reading Solar developments in California →