Charging Forward: Ibrox battery approval, Swansea grid park and a Finnish sand battery that could ‘redefine’ energy storage
Energy Voice takes a look at major developments in the UK energy storage sector in the latest edition of Charging Forward.
Wales
Energy firms turn to apprenticeships for future workforce as RWE recruits 16-strong cohort
Offshore wind giant RWE has recruited its biggest-ever cohort of wind turbine technician apprentices.
AR6 delivers six tidal stream projects with UK pipeline ‘confidently growing’
Six UK tidal stream projects have secured funding as part of the sixth Allocation Round (AR6) renewables auction in an “important step forward” for the sector.
Welsh wind development held back by outdated planning system
Onshore wind and solar developer Bute Energy has warned that numerous planning barriers are preventing growth in the Welsh renewable energy sector.
Key role for Wales in making Britain an energy superpower
Sir Keir Starmer said his hopes of making Britain an “energy superpower” will include a key role for Wales, ahead of a wind farm visit with the new First Minister.
New publicly owned Welsh renewable energy body to drive onshore wind
The Welsh Government has launched Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, a publicly owned renewable energy developer for Wales.
Welsh economy to be ‘transformed’ as two freeports are given green light
Two freeports are to be created in Wales for the first time in a bid to boost the country's economy, the UK and Welsh governments have announced.
Celtic Freeport: Might South Wales become floating turbine manufacturing hub for UK?
Having a bold vision between people with the chutzpah and drive to turn that into reality is a very scarce commodity in the British Isles.
Wales looks to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2035
Welsh ministers have unveiled plans for the country to meet 100% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2035, as well as a new £1m offshore wind fund.
Aberdeen’s Apollo win hydrogen study with Wales and West Utilities
Aberdeen-based, Apollo, has been awarded a contract to provide feasibility engineering to a proposed hydrogen pipeline from Pembroke to the Swansea Bay area.
Concerns for UK coastline as Eni oil pipeline spills 500 barrels into East Irish Sea
Concerns have been raised for the UK coastline after a 500-barrel oil spill into the East Irish Sea from a pipeline operated by Eni.
RES granted Llanbrynmair wind farm approval after 12-year wait
Developer Renewable Energy Systems (RES) has been granted planning permission for the proposed 90-MW Llanbrynmair wind farm in Powys, mid-Wales, after more than a decade of legal challenges.
Energy predicament: Scotland vs Wales
How best to describe Scotland’s current energy predicament? Well, no-one can resist a football analogy - and inspiration duly came as I tuned in to the recent World Cup play-off draw.
France joins alliance snubbed by UK to end oil and gas era
France has joined a group of countries and states that support fixing a date to end fossil fuel exploration, putting its name to an initiative that was snubbed by the UK.
UK Gov to invest £160m to create floating offshore wind ports in Scotland
The UK Government has set aside tens of millions of pounds to build new large-scale floating offshore wind ports and factories.
Beer giant Budweiser drafts in Protium to decarbonise Welsh brewery
Budweiser Brewing Group has announced plans to use green hydrogen in order to decarbonise operations at its Wales brewery.
Decarbonisation – a collaborative systems approach
The UK has set the goal of reaching Net Zero by 2050. To achieve this outcome, the country must tackle both supply and demand, while also overseeing far-reaching changes in how energy is delivered. Crucially, we must do all of this working within the constraints and opportunities associated with our existing energy system infrastructure.
Competition watchdog warns of ‘postcode lottery’ for electric vehicle charging
The UK competition watchdog has published a review into electric vehicle charging, warning some parts of the country are at risk of being “left behind”.
Nova Innovation secures £1.2m in funding for ‘ground-breaking’ tidal energy project
Nova Innovation has secured £1.2 million in backing from the Welsh Government for its Enlli tidal energy project in north Wales.
Total enters floating wind market with first UK project
Total has agreed to buy 80% of the 96 megawatt Erebus floating wind project off Wales.
Reasons for optimism: Taking stock of carbon reduction achievements and possibilities
As we enter a new decade, I’m sure I’m not alone in reflecting on matters that are personally important, together with major issues that impact on society, the environment and the economy.
London finds no easy answers after once-in-a-decade blackout
When two U.K. power plants shut down almost simultaneously in London’s first major blackout for a decade, it triggered a storm of questions about how to avoid another failure.
Plans for nuclear plant in Wales put on ice
Japanese conglomerate Hitachi confirmed it will halt work on its nuclear power projects in the U.K. and said it will take a one-time charge amid a shift away from reactor sales.
ABB starts work on Welsh refinery decommissioning project
Engineering consultancy ABB has started work on a contract to manage the dismantling of a refinery in south Wales.
Electricity price at Welsh power station ‘should be below Hinkley Point deal’
The Government should negotiate a price for electricity at a planned new nuclear power station in Wales below that agreed for the delayed site at Hinkley Point, according to a committee of MPs.