Good results from Dutch investment tax

Ulrika Lomas of Tax-News.com presents some important results showing that an Energy Investment Allowance has had a significant impact on investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Netherlands. Dutch Investment Tax Boosts Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency The Dutch ministry of economic affairs, agriculture and innovation has recently announced that the government’s tax … Continue reading Good results from Dutch investment tax →

Spanish government to raise cash from renewable energy as austerity measure

Undoubtedly, Spain is going through hard times during this economic crisis. Now the government has decided that it can no longer leave the renewable industry alone. Gone are the lucrative subsidies that built the industry. Now, renewables is being called upon to help dig Spain out of the austerity morass, as described in the following … Continue reading Spanish government to raise cash from renewable energy as austerity measure →

Feed-in tariffs and German policy

Everyone in Europe is watching Germany so carefully because it has taken a bold stance to decarbonise its economy while at the same time phasing out nuclear and endorsing its commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency. This article from Renewable Energy Focus provides some insight into the “politics” of trying to achieve all these … Continue reading Feed-in tariffs and German policy →

Sustainable development in the Paris region

Paris is taking a very progressive approach on sustainable development. You can see from the “Neighbourhood” that there are good things going on in the EiD “quartier.” This article from Agence France Presse presents a new roadmap that the regional council has recently published. Sustainable Development: the Ile de France presents its roadmap PARIS … Continue reading Sustainable development in the Paris region →

Climate change will reduce renewable energy capacity

We seldom think that climate change will actually affect renewable energy production. This article from the Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development was released before the Rio + 20 Conference. Climate change will reduce renewable energy capacity, warn scientists Scientists fear climate change impacts will reduce Latin America's capacity to produce renewable … Continue reading Climate change will reduce renewable energy capacity →

Czech solar energy industry must struggle with retroactive change in support

Many countries have had to re-think their policies to support the deployment of renewable energy technologies. This article from CleanTechnica.com provides important information on developments in the Czech Republic. Czech Solar Energy Industry Must Struggle with Retroactive Change in Support June 11, 2012 By Zachary Shahan CleanTechnica.com I received the following news release just … Continue reading Czech solar energy industry must struggle with retroactive change in support →

Germany’s energy revolution hits potholes

We can expect more of this type of article as Germany implements its decision to completely phase out nuclear energy. No one said it would be easy and it won’t. But hopefully the drive and determination of the Germans will inspire others. There are lessons for all of us. Germany’s Energy Revolution Hits Potholes … Continue reading Germany’s energy revolution hits potholes →

Communication on renewable energy from the European Commission

The European Commission has tabled a much-awaited 'communication' looking at the EU-wide prospects for renewable energy. EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger published the policy "blueprint on the post-2020 strategy for renewable energy" on Wednesday. EU energy ministers will discuss the new proposal at a Council meeting on June 15th. The Commission's idea is that renewables, … Continue reading Communication on renewable energy from the European Commission →

Renewable energy can supply 40 % of demand in Ireland

This is a very good article on the renewable scene in Ireland from the Irish Independent newspaper Renewable energy can supply 40 % of demand By Peter Flanagan Tuesday May 29 2012 IRELAND could get almost half of its energy from renewable sources and eventually become a net exporter of energy under plans revealed … Continue reading Renewable energy can supply 40 % of demand in Ireland →

Discussing Germany’s nuclear exit

This is an important article by Damian Carrington of the Guardian on the costs of Germany’s phase out of nuclear. This is important because there is so much mis-information around. For all countries, watching this “experiment” in Germany and learning lessons from it will be essential. There is a need for more than just a … Continue reading Discussing Germany’s nuclear exit →