Latest News

News in Brief

05-09-08: Including news of an energy efficiency consultation in Scotland; First profits for a marine renewable investment group; Planning rejection for a Shropshire wind proposal; and, a new report on solar energy

Green guide "misleading" over solar payback claims

05-09-08: Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors accused of confusing consumers by solar panel producers after its new guide to energy efficiency in the home suggests solar systems take hundreds of years to pay back installation costs

ScottishPower underlines intent in offshore renewable energy

05-09-08: After government gives energy giant consent to build its first offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea, ScottishPower Renewables director speaks of further marine and offshore ambitions

Call to "significantly" increase EU spending on energy R&D

05-09-08:

International Energy Agency points out that European Union spending on low carbon energy research and development is just a fraction being spent in the IT sector, as it publishes first-ever review of EU energy policy

Government approves 650MW of offshore wind capacity

04-09-08: John Hutton approves 150MW re-submitted application for 30-turbine Ormonde wind farm, while Gordon Brown is expected to green light 500MW West of Duddon Sands project this evening

Farmers pointed to energy benefits under tougher nitrate rules

04-09-08: Next year will see farmers facing added restrictions on use of manures and nitrate fertilisers, but Defra says storing manures within anaerobic digestion systems could bring them benefits

Kent MP reassures constituents over Sheerness wind farm

04-09-08: Derek Wyatt says there is "no evidence" that low-frequency sound from wind turbines affects health as he continues to back 10MW proposal from Peel Wind Power

MEPs back use of "sustainable" hydrogen-powered road vehicles

04-09-08: Discussion by full European Parliament regarding type-approval rules for hydrogen-powered cars calls for investigation into how to set up pan-European refuelling network, plus sustainability requirements for hydrogen fuel

Low cost solar glazing project to receive £567,000 grant

03-09-08: Hertfordshire firm leads project to develop integrated solar glass for buildings, with work scheduled to begin in November.

Wind turbine firm Repower in talks over Suzlon takeover

03-09-08: German parent group of Repower UK, which has supplied 160 wind turbines to the British market in its five-year history, ordered to hand over control and profits to majority shareholder Suzlon

Glasgow research centre aims to produce fuels from sunlight

03-09-08: Solar and Bioenergy Research Centre launched at University of Glasgow targeting research in biological technologies to generate second generation biofuels from sunlight and carbon dioxide

Scottish Government study signals big potential for hydropower

03-09-08: Research commissioned by Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland suggests 657MW of financially-viable hydroelectricity schemes are possible, warns that planning and grid constraints could hit ambitions

News in Brief

02-09-08: With news of a biomass-powered swimming pool in Northumberland; A new control centre for UK wind farms; the biofuel company floated by a former England cricketer; and, new advice for retailers to cut energy bills

Trident to test wave power device off Suffolk coast

02-09-08: Essex firm Trident Energy to begin year-long test this autumn of "simple" wave power technology, six miles offshore in the North Sea, developers hope testing will lead to commercial-scale device

Dam completed for £150m Glendoe hydropower scheme

02-09-08: Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond visits 100MW hydroelectricity project being built for Scottish and Southern Energy next to Loch Ness, which will generate enough power for whole of Glasgow

RWE injects £6m into urban wind turbine company

02-09-08: London-based Quiet Revolution Ltd also raises a further £1m from private investors to expand production of its QR5 helical turbine, which has a 6kW rating and is designed to operate in turbulent conditions in built-up areas

Fuel poverty charity backs micro-wind turbine "challenge"

01-09-08: Energy Action Scotland supports pledge by Edinburgh firm Renewable Devices to donate a year's profits towards tackling fuel poverty if a corporation buys 250 of its small wind turbines

Plans go on show for £35m gasification plant in Chesterfield

01-09-08: "Favourable" response from public so far, according to developers seeking to attract other companies to locate around proposed 7MW energy-from-waste facility to benefit from low carbon energy

Testing begins on sea bed wave power generator

01-09-08:

London-listed investment firm Renewable Energy Holdings announces testing of its CETO II submerged wave power system off Western Australia, deal for further testing in Bermuda

North East to gain low carbon energy support unit for businesses

01-09-08: Regional development agency One NorthEast expands support available in Tees Valley with Renew, an intiative that will help firms get renewable and low carbon energy projects through consenting process

Johnson warns of "profound" climate threat to energy sector

29-08-08: London Mayor Boris Johnson says renewable energy generation will benefit from hotter summers and windier winters - but the rest of the energy sector in and around the capital is likely to suffer

News in Brief

29-08-08: Including news of planning approval for a 1GW CHP plant on Teesside; A biomass open day in Aberdeenshire, and a visit by Scotland's energy minister Jim Mather to Stornoway

E.ON appeals against Midlothian wind farm rejection

29-08-08:

Energy giant E.ON launches an appeal of a decision by Midlothian Council to reject a proposed 45MW wind farm put forward for a peat bog at Auchencorth Moss

Helius in talks to sell £200m biomass plant on Humber

29-08-08: Grimsby firm Helius Energy to sell controlling stake in 65MW biomass power plant it has permission to build on Humberside, looking to develop second major biomass plant in west of England

Good Energy growth safeguards plan to repower wind farm

28-08-08: Wiltshire-based renewable electricity supplier Good Energy reports an 18% growth in turnover despite "difficult times" in the wholesale energy markets

E.ON prepares to restart Blyth offshore wind farm

28-08-08: UK's oldest offshore wind farm expected to return to service within a few weeks, with operator E.ON confident of completing replacement of damaged transmission cable soon

Property experts investigate impact of Severn tidal scheme

28-08-08: Interim report expected to be presented to ministers next week, as consultancy DTZ looks into the potential impact of a Severn Estuary tidal power generation project on local businesses and development

Fresh planning bid for £80m biomass plant in Lincolnshire

28-08-08: Cardiff firm Eco2 sends in revised planning application after having original 40MW proposal rejected by planners last month, firm will appeal original decision regardless of revised bid

Reports of fresh wind turbine threat to bats "misleading"

27-08-08:

Newly-discovered danger to bats posed by wind turbines not applicable to UK bats, conservation experts say, as UK wind industry pledges to look into the findings of the Canadian research in question

Scottish island to develop 900kW wind project

27-08-08: Scotland's environment secretary hails contribution of remote communities towards combating climate change, announcing £62,000 plan to reduce Barra's carbon footprint

Biofuels subsidies “should be stopped” according to think tank

27-08-08: "David Cameron's favourite think tank", Policy Exchange, says UK biofuel support should be abandoned, with funding better used preventing deforestation; Biofuels firms dismiss report as "misunderstanding"

Preparations underway for 90MW Teesside Offshore Wind Farm

27-08-08: Consultancies Garrad Hassan and Bomel Ltd will work to draw up contracting strategy to plan every step of EDF Energy's developing 30-turbine project off the coast of north-east England

Wind powered vehicle attempts speed record

26-08-08: Two British pioneers attempt to break 116.7mph land speed record for wind powered vehicle as part of "Greenbird" project

Industry meetings to discuss £10m fund for anaerobic digesters

26-08-08: Potential applicants for capital grant scheme invited to London workshops to discuss way forward, as minister describes technology as "the way forward"

UK ministers "undermining" Scottish renewable energy

26-08-08: Scottish Nationalist Party criticises decision by Westminster government to refuse subsidies for renewable energy generators in Scottish islands, who face "crippling" transmission fees

Aquamarine Power appoints Martin McAdam as new CEO

22-08-08: Edinburgh-based marine energy company Aquamarine Power appoints ex-Airtricity chief operating officer Martin McAdam as CEO

Advice issued on transporting carbon, as CCS rules are shaped

22-08-08: Health and safety chiefs publish interim guidance for developers of carbon capture and storage systems on how to transport "dangerous" carbon dioxide in pipelines, before more considered guidelines are finalised

Renewable power for PFI housing scheme in North Tyneside

22-08-08: Project thought to be largest-ever public sector housing scheme to use renewable energy throughout is awarded £100 million in Private Finance Initiative credits

Planned Vestas research role for Isle of Wight wind farm

21-08-08: Cornwall Light & Power to re-submit plans for three-turbine wind farm at Cheverton Down, which is to offer "non-disruptive" research capability for turbine provider Vestas

Lib Dem “Apollo project” calls for UK renewables expansion

21-08-08: Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg announces proposals to expand the renewable energy market to make the UK carbon neutral, and a net exporter of renewable energy by 2050.

Student designs £20 wind turbine made from scrap

21-08-08: A Portsmouth student has designed an affordable wind turbine made entirely from scrap materials that he says he will develop for use in the Third World.

Tidal power standard to bring device testing into line

21-08-08: Hopes that new BSI standard covering the measurements and analysis of tidal power performance will boost investors' confidence in fledgling tidal power industry

Sainsbury’s to use landfill gas to power delivery lorries

20-08-08: Following successful trials, supermarket chain Sainsbury's is set to run delivery vehicles on a combination fuel made from standard diesel and bio-methane collected from a landfill site in Surrey

Broadview to test potential for wind farm in Leicestershire

20-08-08: Small wind farm developer founded by two former Powergen executives wins planning permission for anemometer mast to assess site at Low Spinney for possible six-turbine wind farm

Shares in UK’s largest wind farm co-operative on offer

20-08-08: Local residents in northern Scotland set to be offered chance to buy up to £1.8million of shares in latest community wind farm from energy co-operative Energy4All and developer Falck Renewables

High energy prices help reinvigorate Scottish hydropower

20-08-08: ScottishPower announces £20 million investment programme in historic Cruachan, Galloway and Lanark hydroelectricity schemes, justified by current state of wholesale electricity market

E.ON to build £300m wood-burning power station in Bristol

19-08-08: Power giant submits scoping report concerning intention to build 150MW plant at the Port of Bristol, with full planning application expected next year

News in Brief

19-08-08: With news of a fund for energy research, new directors for Energy4All, a grid connection expert joining Entec, a battle over a wind farm in Dorset, and news of the emissions trading scheme

£12.4m bid to develop "smart energy grids of the future"

19-08-08: European project could see energy consumers given access to real-time electricity prices to decide when to consume power - and when to sell generated power back to the grid

ABPmer to map UK fishing grounds to aid offshore wind farms

19-08-08: Southampton-based marine research firm to use fishing industry data to create GIS information suitable for use locating windfarms under Crown Estate's Round Three offshore wind programme

KPMG issues warning over Carbon Reduction Commitment

18-08-08: Management consultancy says organisations caught by the forthcoming emissions reduction scheme should start measuring their emissions early to prepare for scheme in 2009

Neptune tidal power device to be tested at EMEC

18-08-08: UK marine energy firm Aquamarine signs contract to begin testing tidal stream technology at EMEC from 2010, becoming Scotland's first company to station both tidal and wave devices at the site.

Foundations laid for wind-to-hydrogen "mini grid" in Yorkshire

18-08-08: January start date expected for Hydrogen Mini Grid System, a commercial building using a 22kW wind turbine and fuel cell system for periods of low wind speed

UN experts publish global standard on biofuels sustainability

18-08-08: Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels releases draft version of new global standard for biofuels production - but identifies problems determining indirect impacts of biofuels

Vestas to test "world's longest" turbine blades on Isle of Wight

15-08-08:

Danish firm announces investment in Isle of Wight blade production facilities including switch to making blades for 2MW and 3MW turbines - but it's bad news for company's Cambeltown factory in Scotland

Ofgem refuses guaranteed access for renewable energy

15-08-08: Regulator says guaranteeing priority access to clean energy could be against European competition law as it explains rejection of industry "connect and manage" proposal

"Radar" device set to improve positioning of wind turbines

15-08-08: Researchers at the University of Salford looking into radar-like SODAR technology to improve the way local wind conditions are measured when assessing sites for possible new wind farms

Snap consultation on cutting emissions from existing homes

15-08-08: UK Green Building Council holds two-week industry consultation from Monday on how to reduce carbon footprint of existing housing stock, to feed into government's expected Low Carbon Homes Strategy

Strong results for Statkraft as it gains foothold in UK renewables

14-08-08: Norwegian hydropower generation giant reports "strong" financial performance in the second quarter of 2008, notes growing presence in UK renewable energy market

British Energy eyes up "pivotal" role in nuclear's next generation

14-08-08: As ageing fleet of nuclear power plants takes huge bite out of British Energy's profits, generation giant looks ahead to possible acquisition and new nuclear agenda in UK

"Huge interest" building in £10m renewable energy prize

14-08-08: Scottish Government, which is offering the international prize fund for a team of researchers achieving a clean energy "revolution", consults experts to help define the prize criteria

Siemens in £66m connection deal for Greater Gabbard

14-08-08: Already providing 140 turbines for the massive wind farm off the Suffolk coast, German engineering giant wins deal to build substations and connect Airtricity's project to the grid

Cemex reveals plans to make own alternative fuel from waste

13-08-08: Cement company seeking planning permission for a plant that would use household and commercial waste to make 150,000 tonnes a year of fuel for its Rugby cement kilns

UK's largest onshore wind farm in bid to attract tourists

13-08-08: ScottishPower starts work on a new multi-million pound visitor centre for its Whitelee Wind Farm south of Glasgow, roads used for construction to be turned over to hikers and cyclists

Shell scolded over "misleading" environmental claims

13-08-08: Advertising watchdog warns Shell over its vague and ambiguous use of the term "sustainable" in an advert timed to soften news of its record oil profits with environmental claims

Green energy plan for Glasgow shopping centre refurbishment

13-08-08: St Enoch's Centre to include greener energy systems thanks to partnerships with Carbon Trust, Gaz de France and new electric vehicle charging bays

CHP energy plan for "zero-carbon" Peterborough community

12-08-08: Preferred developers selected for a new "green" development of more than 300 homes in Peterborough, which could use anaerobic digestion to generate combined heat and power from food waste

Powys council reassures wind developers over planning "delay"

12-08-08: County council plays down suggestion of a councillor that it has stopped considering wind farm plans until the local road network is upgraded, but says transport issues are part of negotiations with developers

News in Brief

12-08-08: Including news of a £120m energy-from-waste contract for Costain; An investment in ex-Airtricity chief's new renewables firm; Lotus to develop biofuel engines; and, Climate Camp protesters labeled "downright silly"

16-year-old wind farm set for upgrade to triple power output

12-08-08: One of UK's oldest wind farms, at Goonhilly Downs in Cornwall, to be repowered to take capacity up to 15MW, after green light from government

Fuel suppliers failing to meet biofuel targets

11-08-08: Renewable Fuels Agency releases first monthly report on sustainability of British biofuels, which suggests insufficient biofuels being included in transport fuel, with just 19% "sustainable"

Scots could take on wave-testing role of troubled Wavehub

11-08-08: Government in Scotland talking to wave power industry about possible "next step" for developers after EMEC, with Cornwall's Wavehub in "question"

Scotland at risk of losing marine renewables race

11-08-08: Warning that if grid-strengthening projects like Beauly-Denny flounder, Scotland could lose thousands of potential jobs and an entire new manufacturing industry to Spain or Portugal

Nuclear authority "right" to withold report on radioactive waste

11-08-08: As it launches a consultation on how to communicate with public over a new radioactive waste  facility, Information Commissioner rules the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority does not have to publish draft reports

Transport for London scraps hydrogen car project

08-08-08: Procurement exercise for first 20 vehicles of a planned 60 vehicle programme shelved "indefinitely", although plans for introducing 10 hydrogen buses are still underway

REA "back on track" after suspected fraud incident

08-08-08: Lessons learned for UK renewable energy sector's largest industry association, after switching to an online banking system left it vulnerable to alleged fraudster

npower wins consent for wind energy and hydroelectric projects

08-08-08: npower Renewables gains planning consent for a 72MW onshore wind farm in Northumberland, and also green light for a 300kW hydroelectric project for the River Thames in Windsor

Hutton consents 315MW wind farm off Norfolk coast

08-08-08: Sheringham Shoal project now awaits only final investment decision by StatoilHydro, after energy secretary John Hutton approves planning permission

UK teams up with Spain to investigate renewable "smart" grids

08-08-08: Experts from NaREC and its counterpart in Spain to look into how localised "intelligent" electricity networks could offer renewable alternative to national grid power

Scotland's distillery industry ready to jump into biomass energy

07-08-08: As Diageo announces a £65 million biomass energy plant for its Cameronbridge production facility in Fife, other whiskey producers look likely to follow suit

Listed properties offered "invisible" solar panels

07-08-08: Heritage Solar Slate product launched with claims it is identical to ordinary slate roof tiles; Makers PV Systems install it in Grade One Listed building in Wiltshire

Fitness clubs fight the carbon flab with CHP generation deal

07-08-08:

Manchester firm ENER-G to install combined heat and power units for Next Generation and David Lloyd leisure centres to cut more than 16,000 tonnes of carbon a year

Warning over use of small wind turbines in cities

07-08-08: Report from Carbon Trust says urban-based small wind turbines may not reduce carbon emissions overall; New online tool to be launched soon to help developers check their sites