Green energy scheme needs a shake-up
Government consultations are 10-a-penny but a current one on amendments to the Contracts for Difference scheme, which subsidises renewable energy developments, is a potential game-changer in key respects.
renewables
Offshore wind growth key to future of basin
The growth of offshore wind development is “central” to the future of the southern North Sea, but won’t be “an easy thing to do”.
Turning crisis into opportunity
The deep and fundamental impact Covid-19 is having on the global economy is unprecedented, however, the shared global conviction to recover will be fast, and we expect that businesses which can pick up where they left off when things are safe will do so quickly.
ASCO using experience to help with transition
Global integrated materials and logistics management company ASCO has built a strong reputation leading the way for logistics shared service models in the oil and gas sector. With many similarities existing between offshore wind and upstream oil and gas operations, ASCO is now using its capabilities to support supply chain optimisation in the renewables sector. ASCO general manager Southern North Sea (SNS) Alisdair Duncan gave us an insight into how ASCO is drawing upon its 50-plus years’ experience in the oil and gas sector to service clients working in the SNS basin, where there is a growing emphasis on renewable energy.
Giant wind park starting up is another blow to nuclear industry
Sweden’s biggest wind farm began producing power this month, and the region’s nuclear reactors are feeling the heat.
CfD set to make a big difference for UK renewables sector
With the Government committing an apparent volte face on its renewable energy policy, the sector is now gearing up for what could be a whirlwind of activity when it comes to UK onshore wind developments.
Call to cancel new coal facilities globally as renewables ‘out-compete’ on cost
Coal power developers risk wasting hundreds of billions of pounds as new renewables are now cheaper than new coal plants around the world, a report warns.
Energy firm to lift lid on £15m battery project near Kintore
The company behind a disputed hydro scheme on the banks of Loch Ness will map out its plans for a £15 million energy storage project near Kintore later this month.
Putting decarbonisation plans into action
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the energy transition is defined as ‘a pathway toward transformation of the global energy sector from fossil-based to zero-carbon by the second half of this century’.
Interview: Shell’s chief technology officer says energy transition must make ‘economic sense’
Bringing about the energy transition needs to make “economic sense” and be socially and environmentally sustainable, according to Shell’s chief technology officer.
‘Significant support’ for Sir Ian Wood’s Energy Transition Zone plans
Oil and gas doyen Sir Ian Wood has urged the public and private sectors to work collectively and quickly to ensure “meaningful progress” is made while responding to the climate change emergency.
Race to the bottom: How a renewable fund failed in the ESG boom
It was a moment that should have been a win for environmentalists and sustainable-minded investors alike: a fossil fuel investment vehicle named for late oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens was transforming into a renewables fund to take advantage of interest in the energy transition.
‘Weaknesses’ in renewables market sink Subsea 7 to a loss
Subsea 7 has sank to a loss due to ‘weaknesses’ and reduced activity in the renewables and heavy lift markets.
Buffett touts wind energy following climate-change criticism
Warren Buffett, long under pressure from activists to detail how climate change affects his businesses, used part of his annual letter to shareholders to highlight how wind power generated by a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. utility shows the company is reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
Residents get set for fight to halt turbines
Residents of a Highland village are preparing to do battle over plans for a huge wind farm near Glen Affric.
NorthConnect: What’s in it for Scotland?
Towards the end of this year, a final investment decision is due to be taken on the NorthConnect project which by 2024 would import surplus hydro electricity from the Hardanger region of Norway into Scotland, at Boddam, via a 400-mile interconnector.
UK subsea engineering sector set for jobs boom, report says
“Rejuvenated” UK subsea energy engineering firms are preparing for a recruitment drive expected to deliver a major jobs boost for the sector, a new survey says.
Exclusive: Figures show ‘resurgence’ for oil and gas university courses in Aberdeen following downturn
University chiefs have hailed a “resurgence” in applications to oil and gas courses in Aberdeen following a sharp drop during the downturn.
Carlyle to invest $100m in US solar projects
Global investment firm The Carlyle Group will invest $100 million in solar power projects in the US.
Ofgem launches investigation into £1.3billion Western Link cable
Energy regulator Ofgem has launched an investigation into a £1.3billion subsea cable which transports renewable energy between Scotland, England and Wales.
Nearly half of fossil fuel bosses ‘believe gas and renewables are competing’ – DNV GL report
Almost half of senior bosses in the fossil fuels industry “believe gas and renewables are competing against each other”, according to a major new survey.
Let’s leave North Sea ‘small pools’ in the ground
I was recently reminded of a new year’s resolution that I made some years ago - one which I’m successfully keeping to this day. Back then, I committed to making the transition towards a greener, more sustainable personal lifestyle. But here’s the clever bit: I figured it would also be OK to carry on pretty much as before with all my current behaviours. So, no really big changes required and certainly no tough decisions to make. Now, maybe it’s just me, but expecting the oil industry to get right behind the energy transition whilst sticking with MER does feel kind of similar.
Vestas takes most radical step yet toward zero turbine waste
Vestas Wind Systems, the world’s largest maker of wind turbines, has pledged to eliminate all waste in the production of its machines by 2040 as part of its drive to hit carbon neutrality by the start of the next decade.
Fears wind farm ‘ring of steel’ is tightening
The return of proposals for a seven-turbine wind farm in Caithness have prompted angry and despairing responses from local residents who believe an industrial “ring of steel” is tightening its grip on their community.
Plan for second Clashindarroch wind farm
A Swedish energy firm has lodged plans for a second onshore wind farm in the north-east.