News Archive October 2020

Ørsted Pushes U.S. Onshore Projects

While onshore wind farm Willow Creek Wind finished construction, the final investment decision on Western Trail Wind was taken.

National Grid: Integrated Approach Offshore Could Save Consumers £6 Billion

National Grid has published a new report.

Siemens Gamesa Wins Order from Pakistan

Eight new wind farms will see the light in Pakistan in the coming months. Siemens Gamesa will supply them with wind turbines.

Hywind Tampen: Construction Start at World's Largest Floating Wind Farm

The Hywind Tampen project will be the first floating offshore wind project to supply renewable power for oil and gas installations.

Safety Training Volumes Decreased During Lockdown

Courses in the first six months of 2020 were reduced by -15% versus the same period in 2019.

Hellenic Cable Wins Its Largest Ever Inter-Array Cables Contract

Hellenic Cables will supply British offshore wind farm Dogger Bank with inter-array cables

"As we look to the growth of the floating offshore wind sector, deployment in shallow waters will play a major role in meeting targets and, for this, innovation in the mooring space will be key,” says Principle Power.

Nexans’ Organized Its First Climate Day

Nexans unveiled its detailed roadmap of achieving its goal of carbon neutrality by 2030

A fleet of different vessels support a variety of activities around an offshore wind farm, from seabed survey, to installation of foundations, turbines, and substations, to subsea cable laying, to operation and maintenance over the lifetime of the farm. This new database provides an overview

The SOV will be engineered, constructed and operated by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) as an integral part of the O&M of the Revolution Wind, South Fork Wind and Sunrise Wind offshore wind farms in the northeast United States

Delta Wind Cluster: Repsol Commissions First Wind Farms

Repsol has connected the first Delta wind project wind farms to the grid in the Spanish region of Aragon.

'Green Ammonia' Project started in the Netherlands

Ørsted and Yara, the world's leading fertilizer company, have joined forces to develope a greener production of ammonia

Chile: Green Hydrogen Production Powered by Wind Energy

Enel Green Power and AME have announced plans to build the first green hydrogen production facility in Chile.

EU Invests in Energy Infrastructure Projects

Among the approved projects are the Baltic Interconnector and the North Sea Wind Power Hub for offshore wind energy

BayWa r.e. Appoints Independent Engineer for Amadeus Wind Project

Natural Power will serve as Independent Engineer on the 250-MW Amadeus Wind project in Texas in support of tax equity and construction debt financing.

MHI Vestas Picked for French Floater

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has been named the preferred wind turbine supplier for the EolMed floating project in France

Nordex Wins Major Contract

The German wind turbine manufacturer has received a major 297.6 MW order for 62 turbines from the U.S.

Block Island Wind Farm Cable Repairs Start This Fall

National Grid and Ørsted want to achieve greater burial depths of the cables beneath the ocean floor.

Ensuring the correct integration of the power converter with the electrical generator is key to maximize the performance of a wind turbine, especially in DFIG based topologies.

Siemens Gamesa Plants Trees

The wind turbine manufacturer is launching a global reforestation program that will help restore forested areas in the countries where the company operates.

Cranell Wind Farm Reaches Commercial Operation

The RWE wind farm, located in Texas, will have the capacity to generate enough electricity to power more than 66,000 homes

Climate Change Costs Explode

Economic and non-economic damage costs in a ‘business as usual’ scenario rise to US$31 trillion per year.

Positive Outlook for Energy Innovation

A survey launched by EIT InnoEnergy shows that more action is still needed

Research conducted by the University of Sussex Business School found that unlike renewables, countries around the world with larger scale national nuclear attachments do not tend to show significantly lower carbon emissions

Deutsche Windtechnik Wins U.S. Service Order

For the first time, Deutsche Windtechnik will provide service for Mitsubishi wind turbine generators.

ASP will serve as the turbine logistics and pre-assembly hub for the offshore wind farm Triton Knoll, with components expected to arrive from next month. Turbine tower sections, blades and nacelles will be marshalled and pre-assembled at ASP, before being loaded onto vessels for transport to the wind farm.

South African Wind Farm Nears Operational Mode

Mainstream Renewable Power's Perdekraal East Wind Farm just weeks from entering operation

WSP had previously completed design of wind turbine foundations for the project, but due to recent permitting changes, the turbine layout was modified by Vineyard Wind and required a re-design of the foundations.

GE Shakes Up Management

GE announced a series of changes to its senior leadership team.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson painted a green future for Britain in a speech at his Conservative Party Conference. But the workers concerned, of all people, don't seem to believe him.

Vestas Introduces Low-Wind Turbine for Indian Market

While the new turbine is globally applicable, it initially targets low and ultra-low wind condition projects in India and the U.S.

Tekmar Energy Scores Chinese Cable Protection Contracts

Tekmar Energy will provide cable protection systems for the Sheyang, Qidong, and Dalian Zhuanghe offshore wind farms in China.

Total Enters Eolmed Floating Wind Farm Project

The 30 MW project will accelerate the development of a floating wind technology.

New Belgian Government Starts Working

The new Government’s draft coalition agreement has a strong focus on climate and energy policies.

Statkraft Signs PPA to Provide Spanish Industry with Wind Energy

Fortia Energía, the power management platform for large industrial consumers and Statkraft have signed a long-term PPA

With tip height up to 250m and a swept area of more than 20,000m2, the V162-6.0 MW applies the largest rotor size in the Vestas portfolio to maximise energy production at low to medium wind sites.

Nordex Receives UK Order

The 62 MW wind farm will be built in a former coal mining region in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

MingYang and DNV GL Sign Agreement to Conduct Type Certification

MingYang’s recently announced product has a rated power of 11MW and a rotor diameter of 203-meter.

Statkraft to Start Construction of Ventos de Santa Eugenia Wind Project in Brazil

The 519 MW wind project entails 10 wind farms with a total ?of 91 turbines in the state of Bahia

South African Wind Farm Reaches Commercial Operation

Developer Lekela has announced that its Perdekraal East wind farm in South Africa has successfully reached commercial operations.

Iberdrola Starts Construction of First Large-Scale Hybrid Power Plant

After acquisition of Infigen Energy, Iberdrola starts constructing its first renewable energy project in Australia.

Analyses: More Clean Energy in California Needed Amidst Heat Waves and Wildfires

“The only surefire solution to preventing outages in the future is state leadership and action on clean energy," says AWEA-California

Western Australia Sets Sails for Green Future

“Western Australia has traditionally lagged behind the eastern states when it comes to renewable energy, but it’s really starting to make up ground", the Clean Energy Council says.

Demag: Maximum Safety When Turning Loads

Demag has introduced a new standard function for its Universal Crane product range

Dongfang Electric Wins Offshore Wind Order in China

Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC), China's state corporation, was awarded a supply contract by Fujian Energy Group for the Changle Waihai Area C offshore wind project in China.

COP Opens New Floating Wind Competence Centre in Scotland

Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP) announces that it has opened an office in Edinburgh, Scotland

The World Energy Outlook 2020, the International Energy Agency’s flagship publication, focuses on the pivotal period of the next 10 years, exploring different pathways out of the crisis.

API and KvejborgApS Team Up

New partners for 3D metrology in Denmark

Working on behalf of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Xodus and BW Research will deliver a comprehensive offshore wind supply chain assessment and gap analysis.

GE Upgrades DolWin 3 Converter Platform

Major advantages of the upgrades are stabilization of operation and reduced maintenance

Joint Venture for Taiwanese Wind Market

Fassmer and Taiwanese company Atech Composites have formed the joint venture FACT – Fassmer Atech Composites Taiwan Co., Ltd. The JV has already signed its first contract.

A nearly $20-trillion strong group of 137 financial institutions, including AXA Group, Legal & General Investment Management, Nikko Asset Management Co and Generation Investment Management, is asking companies to commit to climate action in line with 1.5°C and a net-zero future by setting science-based targets.

Netherlands-based Tetrahedron has developed an innovative crane that can make existing jackup vessels suitable for installing the next generation of wind turbines at sea

Pandemic Hits U.S. Renewable Workforce Hard

Nearly 500,000 people who worked in the renewable energy industry, lost their jobs in the U.S. since the pandemic has started. The recovery continues slower than originally anticipated.

Global wind and solar development company, Mainstream Renewable Power has closed a US$280 million "mezzanine" construction finance facility with leading alternative lender AMP Capital Infrastructure Debt Fund IV.

Second U.S. Offshore Wind Farm Ready to Start Commercial Operation

Dominion Energy's Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project has completed reliability testing

Research Programme for Advancing Robotics in Offshore Renewables Has Started

ORE Catapult and ORCA Hub join forces

Because of the designation of marine protected areas and the construction of offshore wind farms, areas with undisturbed seafloor are increasing. This provides an opportunity for restoring the oyster reefs in the North Sea.

GE Renewable Energy Wins Huge Indian Order

GE Renewable Energy won an order by SB Energy (SoftBank Group) to supply, install and commission 121 turbines of its 2.7-132 model, cumulating 327 MW

RWE Expands Renewable Energy Business in Asia

RWE has ambitious plans for further growth in the field of renewable energies

Eneco and Borealis Sign PPA für Mermaid Electricity

Eneco will supply green energy directly from Mermaid, the newly built offshore wind farm in the North Sea.

WindEurope Report: 'Wind Energy and Economic Recovery in Europe'

Investing in wind energy will help Europe’s recovery. Each new turbine installed in Europe generates on average €10m of economic activity.

EU Leaders Delay Agreement on 2030 Climate Target

Several countries still require more time and discussions about the implications of a higher climate target.

Complex Construction Work in Asturias

Iberdrola is undertaking four projects of 130 MW of power, which will triple its installed capacity in the region and allow the generation of employment for more than a thousand people

Offshore Renewables Sector with Significant Growth

Offshore renewables, including offshore wind, wave, tidal, ocean thermal, and floating solar PV, will witness substantial growth in capacity over the next decade, says IRENA.

Even safer and more intelligent, the new LDA/LAW Solution cordless torque wrenches from GEDORE Torque Solutions GmbH, the specialist in high torque wrench technology, made from lightweight high-performance aluminium, scores points with reliable documentation software, colour display, low weight and maximum performance.

wpd Develops Horse Heaven in the U.S.

The ‘hybrid system project’ combines wind energy, solar energy and storage technology.

Study: Wind Farms vs. Birds

A new study of birds at Klim Wind Farm in Northern Jutland in Denmark shows that birds are far better at avoiding turbine blades than previously thought, says Vattenfall.

Heerema Marine Contractors Finishes Hornsea 2 Installation

Heerema’s SSCV Sleipnir which is the world’s most sustainable SSCV, has completed its second project in the wind sector this season

UK Recovery: Investment in Green Jobs Helps Economy

A new report from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) suggests green jobs should be at the heart of the Covid-19 recovery

The Combined Grid Solution (CGS) connects two transformer platforms in the Baltic Sea on the Danish and German sides both to each other and to the existing land connections of the offshore wind farms. As a result, CGS can transmit offshore wind power to Denmark or Germany and can also be used for cross-border electricity trading.

"The Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act will help blow the wind into the sails of the American offshore wind industry, setting national offshore wind goals of 12.5GW on the outer continental shelf by 2025 and 25GW by 2030."

Wind energy accounts for 24% of the U.S. renewable energy consumption in 2019 and surpassed hydroelectricity to become the most-consumed source of renewable energy on an annual basis last year.

Van Oord is now a shareholder in Saare Wind Energy which is developing the Saaremaa offshore wind farm in Estonia. The collaboration with Van Oord allows Saare Wind Energy to intensify the development process, as financial support and knowledge are combined.

Like most other countries the Saudi Kingdom cannot escape global developments and is increasingly turning to alternatives to oil and gas. The focus is shifting to sun and wind for the desert state. A first step towards commercial wind energy production has now been taken.

EDPR Finds Partner to Develop Greek Wind Farms

EDP Renováveis (EDPR) and Greek nfrastructure group Ellaktor signed an agreement for the joint development of wind farms with a capacity of 900 MW in Greece

Report: Wind and Solar Lowest-Cost Sources of Energy in the U.S.

Wind and solar are clearly the low-cost power generation options available throughout the U.S., says a new report by Lazard.

wpd Reaches Financial Close on Five Polish Projects

wpd currently has five projects under construction in Poland, which were awarded to wpd in an auction in November 2018.

GE’s Haliade-X Offshore Wind Turbine Operates at 13 MW

During the following months, the prototype will undergo a series of tests to perform different types of measurements and obtain its type certificate

Cable Repair of Power Cable System between Norway and Denmark Finished

NKT has completed the cable repair of the high-voltage power cable system between the two countries

RenewableUK Publishes Member Values Charter

The document highlights the fact that RenewableUK’s four-hundred member companies are leading the transition to a future energy system powered by renewable electricity

Ørsted Announces New Offshore North America CEO

Ørsted today announced David Hardy as its new chief executive officer for Ørsted Offshore North America.

MIRA Acquires Romanian Assets from CEZ Group

A portfolio of Romanian power assets owned by CEZ Group has been sold to Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets

1.3 GW of New Wind to Come Online This Winter

"New capacity anticipated this winter is almost wholly attributed to the Contracts for Difference scheme", says Lucy Dolton, Analyst at Cornwall Insight.

Star Wars, Dunes and Offshore Wind Farms

At a windfarm far, far away, rare crescent-shaped dunes have been slowly making their way across the seabed.

GEO-NET: Sponor of Windaba 2020

The Windaba is the most important event of the South African wind industry, which is conducted as a pure online event this year due to the current pandemic restricitions.

Vineyard Wind Announces Bid in New York Auction

Vineyard Wind announced that the company has submitted bids in response to New York State’s second solicitation for offshore wind power.

Future Energy System to Include Hybrid Power Plants

A hybrid renewable power plant combines at least two renewable generation technologies sharing one single connection point to the grid and may include storage.

SCADA International launches Robotic Data Intelligence

When it comes to wind park operations, data is invaluable – indeed, it is utterly critical to a healthy business.

PNE Expands Internally Operated Wind Farms

"We will pursue this course consistently in the coming years," explains Markus Lesser.

Deutsche Windtechnik Wins Major ADLS Contract

German company windpunx has placed an order for the retrofitting of a large proportion of their managed wind turbines.

Global Offshore Installs New Cable Carousel at UK Port

The Port of Blyth has become an operational hub for Aberdeen-based Global Offshore in recent years.

Prysmian Group and Umicore will take part today in the “2020 World Optical Fibre and Cable Virtual Conference” with a joint presentation, to reinforce their partnership on the use of 100% sustainable, low environmental impact germanium for optical fibre production.

The Business Network for Offshore Wind today published its Transmission White Paper, which outlines transmission planning policy options needed to support the sustained growth of the U.S. offshore wind industry.

RWE Extends Onshore Wind Portfolio After Auction Wins

RWE has won two projects in Germany in the last tender and is expanding its onshore portfolio in Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the U.S. wind energy industry? The renewables were booming before the pandemic, but delays and lockdowns have slowed the whole sector down. Many people lost their jobs and the industry still struggles to get back on its feet.

New 3D Metrology Partnership Announced

Automated Precision Europe GmbH (API) announced a new partnership with MeetConsult B.V., offering closer customer proximity in the Netherlands and better solutions for 3D metrology tasks

Vestas Secures 50 MW Order

The la Bang 1 wind project will be located in Gia Lai province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, a region with generous wind resources and a growing pipeline of wind projects.

New IEA Report: Power Systems in Transition

Our electricity sector is changing dramatically - from the growth of variable renewable electricity, cyber threats and extreme weather events.

Gavin and Doherty Geosolutions Design Foundations for Vietnamese Offshore Wind Farm

GDG was commissioned to undertake concept foundation design for the first 200MW of Phase 1 of the Phu Cuong Soc Trang offshore wind farm in Vietnam

Japan Sets Goal to Become Carbon Neutral by 2050

2020 marks the five-year deadline for updating and increasing national climate commitments (known as NDCs) from the Paris Agreement, which was signed at COP21

Ørsted Finds Needle in a Haystack

Ørsted advances Nebraska wind project by acquisition and final investment decision of the 298 MW Haystack Wind project in Wayne County.

The sharp drop in energy demand due to the coronavirus pandemic will reduce the energy sector's emissions by about 2.5 years by 2050 in purely arithmetical terms, according to the latest BloombergNEF (BNEF) New Energy Outlook 2020 (NEO 2020). But even this 'support' is not enough to keep the temperature rise below 2 degrees.

Q3: Statkraft Publishes Results

The decrease in the results was driven by substantially lower Nordic power prices, partly offset by hedging activities.

The document, “Collaborating for Growth - Playbook”, contains case studies of leading companies in the offshore wind sector working closely with supply chain companies throughout the country.

Fugro Supports Offshore Foundation Installation

Fugro has used their integrated augmented-reality solutions to support Jan De Nul Group’s offshore installation of two monopiles in the U.S.

Enel Brings South African Wind Farm Online

The 140 MW Nxuba wind farm is ready for energy generation

GE Publishes Q3 Results

GE Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr.: "We are improving our profit and cash performance with organic margin expansion in every segment except Aviation, though orders more broadly remain under pressure."

Siemens Gamesa Powered by 100% Renewable Electricity Worldwide

Siemens Gamesa doubles its CO2 savings within just one year

RTS Wind Restructures Company Profile in the UK

RTS is adapting to the dynamic requirements of the wind energy industry

South Korea: Carbon-Neutral by 2050

South Korea’s announcement follows Japan’s recent pledge to become a carbon-neutral society by 2050.

RWE and Saitec Choose Supplier for Floating Wind Project

Spanish company Ferroval is responsible concrete precasting and assembly of the floater

Prysmian Publishes Q3 Results

Results improved in Q3 / High resilience of the Energy business / Positive performance of Renewables and Onshore Wind in North America

The strengthened partnership entails that Vestas will acquire MHI’s shares in the MHI Vestas Offshore Wind joint venture, and MHI will acquire 2.5 percent in Vestas and be nominated to a seat in Vestas’ Board of Directors.

DNV GL, the world's largest resource of independent energy experts and certification body, has awarded aerodyn engineering with a statement of feasibility for its double rotor floating wind turbine concept nezzy².

The governors of Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia today announced the formation of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Transformative Partnership for Offshore Wind Energy Resources (SMART-POWER) amongst the three states.

The EU wind supply chain largely relies on European suppliers. But global supply chains are also vital to the industry’s efficiency and flexibility in meeting project and installation deadlines and keeping its competitive edge against foreign competitors.

Rhode Island Wants 600 MW of Offshore Wind

Governor Gina M. Raimondo announced today that Rhode Island will pursue a competitive request for proposals