The end of the moratorium on photovoltaic tariffs, which was decided on last December, is approaching. Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that manufacturers wishing to build plants on the ground or on larger areas of panels will have to answer calls for tenders. Individuals and small projects will see their tariff reduced by 20% in [...]

The Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) has given the green light for energy companies to explore FCS estates for potential renewable energy projects. Supported by both Friends of the Earth and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Scotland, the proposal could see the construction of an additional 200 wind turbines.   It is estimated that Forestry Commission land [...]

World renowned for its famous slate quarry, the village of Delabole in North Cornwall is also the site of the UK’s first commercial wind farm. Operations began back in 1991 with 10 turbines; the site has been officially relaunched by Energy Secretary Chris Huhne with the unveiling of four more power turbines.   Originally constructed [...]

EU Energy Commissioner warns Sweden and other EU countries not to push their environmental objectives too far. There is a risk of putting pressure on emission reductions targets beyond what the EU has established. The risk would be that businesses may be encouraged to establish themselves in Asia rather than Europe. EU Energy Commissioner Günter [...]

IKEA is investing hundreds of millions in a wind farm on the Raven Mountain in Dalarna, Sweden. This electricity production project must correspond to the needs of the 17 Swedish IKEA shops. “We must ensure a long-term access to sustainable energy and reduce IKEA’s carbon footprint” said Peter Agne Berg, President of IKEA AB purchase [...]

Connie Hedegaard, EU Commissioner for Climate Action, is seeking to slow down the rate of carbon trading in light of the recent thefts that forced the suspension of the market. The Commissioner has ordered a study into how delays can be introduced in carbon spot trading. It is estimated that carbon allowances worth almost €30m [...]

In June 2010 an application to erect 3 wind turbines in Eeklo, East Flanders, was submitted for approval. However, the plans have now been rejected after a public inquiry conducted by the local council as the local citizens voiced a host of concerns. Residents were concerned about noise disturbances and the shadows that the wind [...]

Renewable energy generation is picking up. Figures recently published by the European Commission show that Europe is on track to meet its 2020 goal of increasing the share of green energy in its fuel mix by 20%. And renewables will grow at a faster pace in the years leading up to 2020 than in the [...]

On February 8th 2011 EurActiv organized a debate in Brussels under the title: “Renewables; Fuelling Europe’s competitiveness and cohesion”. The debate, hosted in the European Parliament, was held in light of the EU’s 2020 energy strategy, which was endorsed by EU leaders at the first EU Energy Summit on 4 February in Brussels. Last week, [...]

A government spokesperson yesterday announced that a “funding totalling $120 billion will be needed for the production of 22,000 megawatts of electricity from renewable sources over the next twenty years” The Algerian government is committed to putting forward $60 billion towards the project, while hoping they can attract international partners to provide the remaining funds. [...]