Latests news from Windpower Monthly

Polish utility Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) has secured environmental permits for two offshore wind farms with a combined capacity of more than 2.5GW.

UK energy regulator Ofgem has launched a review of current practices for connecting offshore wind farms to the onshore grid as the government plans to increase its ambition for the sector.

The governments of the Netherlands and Germany have signed up to conduct a study looking at the potential of hydrogen production in the region.

Offshore contractor Van Oord will jointly develop what could be Estonia’s first offshore wind farm with its owner Saare Wind Energy after the government appeared to drop its opposition to the 600MW project.

Siemens Gamesa (SGRE) has lowered its guidance for its 2020 financial year after the early arrival of winter weather prevented the manufacturer from carrying out installations at five wind farms in northern Europe.

A strong fourth quarter gave the US its third-strongest year for installations as developers added 9.1GW of projects to the grid, according to industry group the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

Ørsted wants to become a carbon-neutral company by 2025, before removing all carbon emissions across its supply chain and energy trading by 2040.

Onshore wind projects cornered Italy’s first joint wind and solar tender, securing a 20-year fixed-price tariff for 495MW out of the 500MW of capacity on offer.

GE Renewable Energy recorded a loss of $666 million for the financial year, having posted negative results in all four quarters of 2019.

Germany's onshore wind installations in 2019 have dropped back to the pre-2000 level when the industry was in its infancy. Denmark didn't fare much better.

Brazil needs to tighten its permitting and regulatory structures and ensure its ports, grid and vessels are sufficient to facilitate project development if the country is to launch its offshore wind sector, according to a government roadmap.

When Enercon’s Hans-Dieter Kettwig said in November 2019 the company ‘is recording significant losses for the first time’, it was approaching the end of its second loss-making year.

A start-up has raised €8 million to build France’s first wind-powered hydrogen plant in northwest France, with plans to deploy its concept to offshore wind by 2025.

A range of new permitting proposals for onshore wind projects in Norway have been widely accepted by the country’s trade association but more dialogue is needed to ensure the industry’s full support.

Statkraft and utility Envos have signed an agreement with carmaker Daimler to supply 100% renewable electricity using a new concept that combines wind, solar and hydropower to match the demand.

Marine engineers Deme Concessions is working with the Port of Oostende and the Flemish government’s investment vehicle to commission a commercial scale offshore wind-powered hydrogen plant by 2025.

Siemens Gamesa, Ørsted and vessels supplier Esvagt are exploring how drones could be used to transport tools and spare parts to offshore wind farm technicians working on turbines.

Vestas plans to pilot new safety initiatives using predictive analytics and augmented reality this year, with a view to cutting its rate of recordable injuries by more than half by 2025.

Local utility Stadtwerke Rostock and transmission operator 50Hertz will be using the oversupply of wind power in northern Germany to generate heat for the Rostock district.

EDP Renewables (EDPR) and Engie form a 50:50 joint venture (JV) targeting offshore wind, having first announced their plans for the partnership last year.