Kazakhstan becomes top uranium supplier to US nuclear reactors
Kazakhstan became the leading supplier of uranium for the 100 operating US nuclear power reactors in 2014, according to US Energy Information Administration.
Renewables/Energy Transition
ABB launches inverter extensions at solar trade show
Power technology giant ABB will showcase its most powerful central inverter to date at a solar industry event next week.
Here’s what the G20 nations are pledging on climate change
The United Nations last December set a deadline of Oct. 1 for countries to submit pledges on what they’re prepared to do to rein in fossil-fuel emissions as part of their contribution to a new deal to fight climate change.
Energy customers face Halloween price hike fright
Energy customers are facing a potential “Halloween horror” from rocketing bills - as 12 fixed dual fuel deals are due to expire at the end of October.
Fusion reactors hailed as future of nuclear energy
Fusion reactors could become an economically viable way of generating electricity within decades and replace traditional nuclear power or fossil fuels, scientists have said.
Renewables to lead world power market growth to 2020 says IEA
Renewable energy will be the largest source of new power generation capacity worldwide over the next five years, installing 700 gigawatts, which is more than double what utilities produce today in Japan, the International Energy Agency said.
Trade body warns solar jobs could be at risk
Over 100 jobs could be at risk in Aberdeen due to proposed cuts to the feed-in tariff for solar energy projects, a trade body has warned. The Solar Trade Association warned the jobs of up to 27,000 people employed in the solar energy sector and its supply chain are under threat around the UK, with as many as 2,400 of the 3,000 solar jobs in Scotland at risk. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) proposed at the end of August to cut the tariff paid for electricity generated by solar rooftop panels by 87% - from 12.4p to 1.6p.
Approval for solar park at site of exploratory oil drilling scheme
Plans for a community-owned solar park to help power a village which was at the centre of Britain’s biggest anti-fracking protests have been approved. Campaigners said the 5MW solar park would not only match the electricity demand of Balcombe in West Sussex but also the nearby village of West Hoathly. In the summer of 2013, thousands of protesters descended on Balcombe after energy firm Cuadrilla started exploratory drilling for oil, sparking fears that it would go on to frack there.
Ice-cream firm Mackies launches Scotland’s largest solar farm
A Scottish ice-cream firm has joined forces with Absolute Solar and Wind to create Scotland's largest solar farm. The 7000-panel facility in Aberdeenshire, which is capable of producing enough electricity to power 485 homes, is now ready to be connected to the national grid. A fourth 400kw wind turbine and a new biomass energy plant have also been constructed at the site as part of Mackie's plan to become a carbon-neutral business.
Renewables saved one million tonnes of CO2 per month in 2014
Output from the renewable energy sector saved about one million tonnes of carbon emissions each month last year, figures show.
Trade body warns UK Government plans could see less spending on solar
Findings from a trade body claim the UK Government plans to spend less on solar energy over the next three years than previously estimated. Fresh analysis from the Solar Trade Association said recent proposals by the government, published in response to the Fee-in Tariff review, would see a maximum of £7million of support spent on new solar deployment. Spending will fall from a current rate of less than £70million per year to £2million per year - a 98% cut in the total budget.
Availon wins servicing contracts for 48 European turbines
German wind turbine servicing specialist Availon has signed new contracts with undisclosed clients to service 48 wind turbines totalling 78MW.
Intelligent Energy reports strong growth
Technology group Intelligent Energy has reported that strong revenue growth is expected to continue through the second-half of the year.
Government continues support for Scottish solar projects
The Scottish Government has confirmed solar PV projects below 5 Megawatts will continue to receive support following the UK Government’s decision to close the Renewables Obligation.
Updated: Peterhead CCS can kick start other projects in UK
The £1billion Peterhead Carbon Capture and Storage project can help kick-start other CCS projects in the UK and make a significant contribution to reducing CO2, according to a leading industry expert.
Climate change poses risk to financial stability, says Mark Carney
Climate change and increasingly severe weather pose a grave risk to financial systems and long-term prosperity, the governor of the Bank of England has said.
New UK solar project will power 1,400 homes
A new 5MW solar project that can provide power to 1,400 homes has been switched on in Bedforshire, England.
Atlantis chief joins ocean energy industry body
The boss of global tidal developer Atlantis Resources has joined the board of the industry group promoting renewable ocean energy.
Rame grows strongly on Chilean renewable sector
Rame Energy, the UK-based power producer, reported grew its revenue more than six fold in the first half of 2015 as projects in Chile came on stream.
Campaigners fight Loch Ness windfarm scheme
Campaigners fighting for a moratorium on new windfarm schemes at Loch Ness and the Great Glen have accused planning authorities of failing to fully investigate the damage they could do.
Gannets could be at increased risk from UK windfarms
Gannets are at much higher risk from offshore wind farms being built on the UK’s coastline than previously thought, a new study has warned.
Camco exceeds expectations with clean energy
Renewable project developer Camco Clean Energy said its focus away from its legacy carbon business was bearing fruit with its energy storage venture helping it perform above expectation.
Mytrah ahead of plan with Indian wind project
Indian renewable power producer Mytrah has commissioned the first phase of its wind energy project in Rajasthan ahead of schedule.
Call for Grangemouth CCS to come back to table after Drax pullout
A decision by Drax to pull out of a £1billion carbon capture and storage (CCS) competition means a rival project at Grangemouth should get a shot at the funding, an industry specialist has claimed.
REG pushes forward with new windfarm projects
Renewable Energy Generation said it is making progress on four new British onshore wind projects with a combined output of 26 megwatts.