New capacity – but will maritime make it?
According to EWEA, over the last eight years, only new gas capacity has exceeded new wind power capacity in the EU.
Oil & Gas
Saving our energy skin – and that’s no exaggeration
EWEA is sticking to the target it set in 2003 of 180,000MW by 2020 and 300,000MW by 2030, 40% of which is expected to be offshore wind. It should be borne in mind that the European Parliament has, for many years, been calling for a mandatory 25% target for renewable energy by 2020, though the current firm commitment is 20% (equivalent to 30% of the community's entire electricity requirements).
European generating capacity now at all-time historic low
EWEA warns that spare electricity generating capacity is at a historic low across Europe (This applies to the UK, including Scotland) and the only way to fix the problem is to invest in new power plant before blackouts become endemic rather exceptional.
Time for Nimby brigade to wake up
AS IF the foregoing isn't enough to chew over, there is also the not-in-my-back-yard brigade to contend with - individuals, various NGOs and other organisations, poorly conceived national and local-government policy and planning decisions, and so forth. With 6,000MW of projects stuck in planning, the UK is a prime example of where there needs to be a big-time sort-out.
Energy sector showcase will be best yet, say organisers
All-Energy '08 will eclipse all previous versions of the annual showcase for the UK's renewable-energy sector when it takes place in Aberdeen this week, the organisers said yesterday.
Drilling services firm takes another step towards expanding role on global stage
THE Reservoir Group has moved a step closer to achieving its goal of becoming a global leader in downhole drilling products and services to the oil and gas industry.
Blank looks as fuel poverty bites
The world is facing an energy and climate crisis, of that there seems little doubt, though there is a body of opinion which claims these linked themes are hype and that there is no solid basis to either.
Marine renewable energy: the research agenda and Supergen
Momentum is building towards a new world of sustainable energy, one where there will be heavy emphasis on renewables. But while some technologies such as wind turbines and photovoltaics are increasingly commonplace, marine renewables remain in relative infancy.
Scotland urged to exploit its natural resources for energy
Renewable energy isn't just about wind turbines, hydro-dams and such like, there is also a much more prosaic, simpler dimension to this increasingly important sector - biomass.
Taming the mighty Severn – barrage debate rekindled
Academics don't agree on it; there's more than one than proposal, and no certainty that any or all of them will be built. And the cost could be £15billion or more. It is, quite literally, the largest renewable energy project ever proposed in the UK, and it has been around for years.
Climate change? We won’t stump up
The results of a recent newspaper poll said that people would not be prepared to pay taxes to help tackle climate change.
Building blocks of renewable energy
With the return of All-Energy I am delighted that Aberdeen City and Shire has another fantastic opportunity to shine in this fast-growing world of renewable energy.
Magnificent woman without a flying machine
Magnificent woman without a flying machine - All-Energy's Judith Patten and "hunk" skydive for charity. Judith's boundless enthusiasm has done much to make All-Energy the UK's top renewables show
Darling urged to use oil windfall to cut fuel tax
Pressure mounted last night on Chancellor Alistair Darling to use a windfall from North Sea oil returns to cancel a 2p-per-litre increase in fuel duties this autumn.
British Energy generating plenty bid interest
British Energy said yesterday it had received a range of proposals from several parties wishing to make a full offer for the nuclear-power firm.
Expert turns up heat for biodiesel plant
Scotland's first commercial-scale biodiesel plant capable of turning oilseed rape into fuel for cars could be built in the north-east.
Peterhead group close to clinching contracts in own North Sea boom
A consortium of north-east businesses set up to tap into the lucrative multibillion-pound offshore decommissioning industry is close to securing its first contracts.
Dana’s shares jump on East Rinnes oil find
Shares in Aberdeen oil and gas firm Dana Petroleum hit new highs yesterday after it announced another discovery in the UK northern North Sea.
Government to get tough over inactivity in North Sea
The UK Government plans to take a tough line with oil and gas companies which have held North Sea licences for many years without developing discoveries on the acreage.
New £1.5m base allows CIS room to grow
CRAIG International Supplies (CIS) announced expansion of its operations yesterday.
Expro opens training centre of excellence
INTERNATIONAL oilfield service company Expro opened a new Aberdeen training site yesterday, which will be used by its own staff plus those of customers.
OTC delegates head home in buoyant mood
Scottish business people are on their way home from the US after another successful visit to the world's biggest oil show.
Finding right staff still tough, say firms
MORE than 40% of oil and gas businesses say their biggest recruitment issue is the lack of skilled people.
Offshore workers ‘eyes and ears’ of industry
EVERYONE working in the offshore oil industry has a part to play in driving up safety standards, delegates at a conference in Edinburgh were told yesterday.
Call for extra incentives to tap gas fields
Alex Salmond has called for more incentives to encourage oil and gas production off the Scottish coast.