Latests news from Windpower Monthly

Researchers have launched a 15MW reference wind turbine to help manufacturers assess performance and costs ahead of developing a prototype.

A private equity investor is bundling 20 oil and gas firms in its portfolio into a new industrial group to help them expand into other parts of the energy sector, including renewables.

Wind power installations slowed in Africa and the Middle East last year, according to Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) figures, but the industry body expects faster growth in the next five years.

Suzlon recorded another $100 million-plus loss in the third quarter of its fiscal year, while its debt grew, turbine deliveries ground to a halt and restructuring talks with lenders continued without resolution.

EDF Group has bought a 50% stake in the Codling offshore wind farm, clearing the way for its clean energy subsidiary to develop the 1GW Irish project with Fred Olsen Renewables.

Shell and EDP Renewables’ 804MW Mayflower Wind project will generate electricity for $58.47/MWh over its 20-year lifetime, marking a new benchmark for US offshore wind.

Vineyard Wind has been forced to put back the expected completion date of its first 400MW offshore wind project after US agencies finally issued an updated permitting timetable.

The electrification of transport, buildings and industrial sectors in Europe could help to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Europe by 60% between 2020 and 2050.

Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions remained static in 2019 with more renewables and nuclear output, and advanced economies switching from coal to natural gas.

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) seized new orders from embattled Senvion to surpass Suzlon as India’s top turbine supplier in 2019.

Engie has decided against reappointing CEO Isabelle Kocher when her contract runs out in May 2020, explaining that “further development of the group’s strategy requires a new leadership”.

The proposed takeover of Nordex by Acciona has been dropped after shareholders were left unimpressed by the Spanish firm’s offer.

Equinor plans to become a major offshore wind developer and grow its renewables fleet tenfold by 2026, which will help it to meet another new target of halving the net carbon intensity of its energy production by 2050.

Enercon has adapted its innovative climbing crane solution in order to install its EP3 and EP5 platforms with higher weights and longer blades.

The record 3.6GW of offshore wind installed in Europe in 2019 is well short of the ambition needed to fulfil wind power’s role in the European Commission’s Green Deal, WindEurope has warned.

Wind and solar plants in the European Union (EU) generated more electricity than coal-fired sites for the first time last year, while greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the power sector dropped more sharply than in any year since 1990.

Vestas CEO Henrik Andersen warned trade wars and tariffs continue to hinder the wind power industry, as the manufacturer revealed its profit margin shrank despite a record-high order intake and increases in revenue and operating profit in 2019.

Siemens has acquired Iberdrola’s 8.1% stake in turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE).

Combined installations in North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean increased 12% year on year to 13.4GW in 2019, according to new figures released by the Global Wind Energy Council.

Trade bodies WindEurope and RenewableUK have published a briefing about the impacts the UK’s exit from the European Union may have on the industry, but said the timeframe of a reaching a deal during the transition period was “extremely tight”.