Month: June 2024

Europe’s Green Surge: Wind and Solar Power Soar, Pushing Out Fossil Fuels!

The wind is blowing strong, and the sun is shining bright across Europe! A new report by Ember reveals a remarkable green transformation happening in the EU’s energy sector. Let’s dive into the details:

Wind and Solar on a Roll!

• Since 2019, wind and solar capacity has exploded a whopping 65%, adding a staggering 188GW of clean energy power.
• Wind farms are producing 31% more power, while solar panels have more than doubled their output, making them a major player in the energy mix.

Clean Energy Dominates!

• This surge in renewables has resulted in a 46% increase in wind and solar generation, pushing their share of the EU’s electricity mix to a quarter in 2023, up from just 17% in 2019.
• Thanks to this clean energy revolution, the overall share of renewables in the EU has jumped from 34% to 44% in just four years!

Fossil Fuels Feeling the Heat!

• As renewables take center stage, fossil fuels are getting squeezed out. The EU has witnessed a 22% decrease in fossil fuel generation since 2019.
• This impressive shift is driven by a significant drop in both coal and gas power generation.

Leaders in Green Innovation:

• Germany and Spain are leading the charge, contributing a combined 31% of the EU’s new wind and solar capacity.
• But the good news doesn’t stop there! More than half of the EU member states have at least doubled their wind and solar capacity, with some even tripling it!

Clean Power Spreads Across Europe:

• From countries like Slovenia, which quadrupled its capacity, to powerhouse Netherlands, which tripled it, the green wave is washing over Europe.
• Even Central and Eastern Europe are accelerating their transition. Hungary and Poland have seen significant increases in solar power, with Poland adding a whopping 9% of the EU’s total new capacity in the last four years.

EU Sets the Global Standard:

• This rapid clean energy growth has made the EU a global leader in clean electricity generation. With an emission intensity half the global average, the EU is leaving other major economies in the dust.
• Since 2019, the EU’s electricity has become even cleaner, dropping its emissions intensity by a significant 15%.

The Future is Green!

Europe’s commitment to renewables is paying off. With wind and solar leading the charge, the EU is not only reducing its reliance on fossil fuels but also significantly lowering its carbon footprint. This is a shining example for other countries to follow as we transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable future! #CleanEnergyWins #GreenRevolution #RenewablePower #TechForGood #InnovationInAction #FutureOfEnergy #CleanEnergy #ClimateAction #Sustainability 

Credit: [Image: Guillaume Perigois/Unsplash]

Europe’s solar scene just got a whole lot brighter! Renowned developer R Power has joined forces with Orix Group’s Elawan Energy to create a mega-solar joint venture in Italy. Get ready for a 2GW solar revolution that will change the energy landscape of the country!

Why the Buzz?

This dynamic duo aims to build a whopping 2GW solar portfolio in Italy over the next five years. That’s enough sunshine to power millions of homes and businesses! Here’s the secret sauce:

• Equal Footing: Both R Power and Elawan Energy will share the projects equally when they’re ready to be built, ensuring a balanced and efficient partnership.
• Financial Muscle: Elawan Energy brings the financial muscle, while R Power takes the lead on finding and developing these solar gems. They’ll even partially chip in for development costs – a true team effort!

What This Means

This isn’t just about big numbers. This joint venture is a game-changer for Italy’s renewable energy scene. Here’s why:

• Faster, Greener Future: By accelerating solar development, R Power and Elawan Energy are paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable Italy.
• Market Leadership: R Power is setting its sights on becoming a major player in the Italian renewable energy market, and this partnership is a big step forward.

Klaudiusz Kalisz, a member of R Power’s board, summed it up perfectly: “This joint venture is a pivotal step in our strategy to become a leader in Italy’s renewable energy market. Partnering with Elawan enhances our presence and marks a significant milestone. We look forward to making a substantial impact on a greener and more sustainable future for Italy.”

This partnership is a bright light for Italy’s solar potential. Stay tuned to see how they illuminate the path to a more sustainable tomorrow! #SolarPower #CleanEnergy #BuildingTheFuture

Credit: [Image: R Power]

GRS Powers Ahead with Two 105MW Solar Projects for BRUC in Spain

GRS, the solar EPC contractor of Gransolar Group, is embarking on an exciting venture, constructing two 105MW PV plants for BRUC in Archidona, Spain.

These projects mark a significant milestone for GRS as they near the completion of around fifty large-scale photovoltaic projects across the Iberian Peninsula. Once completed, the Archidona PV plant will generate enough energy to power 40,000 homes, making it one of the largest projects GRS has undertaken in the Iberian market. This adds to their impressive portfolio, including Carmonita Norte (123MW), Desafío Solar (50MW), Las Naranjillas (50MW), and Insua (48.5MW).

GRS’s engineering, construction, and O&M teams are working in harmony with other Gransolar Group companies. PV Hardware (PVH) will supply and install 1,516 solar trackers, ensuring the plant operates at peak performance.

Partnering with BRUC, a leading player in the renewable energy sector with an impressive 8500MW asset portfolio in Spain, underscores the significance of this project. Luis Venero, chief executive of BRUC, expressed confidence in GRS, stating: “We trust in the quality and rigor of GRS to build the Archidona solar photovoltaic generation plants, which strengthen our presence in Andalusia. Along with our other ongoing projects, BRUC will have 2000MW under construction and operation by the end of the year, from a total portfolio of 8500MW in operation, under construction, and under development.”

### #SolarPower #RenewableEnergy #Spain #SustainableFuture #GRS #BRUC #SolarProjects #GreenEnergy #IberianPeninsula #PVHardware #CleanEnergy #Andalusia #SolarTracker #EnergyTransition

Credit: [Image: GRS]

Politicians are being urged to prioritise people-owned power ahead of the next election to help drive the UK’s transition to renewable energy, according to a new manifesto published by Ripple Energy.

Ripple Energy is bringing thousands of members of the public together to co-own wind farms and solar parks, powering their homes with up to 100% green electricity and saving thousands of pounds on their bills. Currently, nearly all renewable energy projects in the UK are owned by large businesses, utility companies, and banks. Ripple aims to change this dynamic by ensuring that “real” people benefit from their very own source of low-cost clean electricity, no matter where they live or whether they rent or own their property. By empowering members of the public and democratizing renewable energy production, Ripple argues that the UK can achieve greater sustainability, energy security, and economic stability. To support this significant shift in the UK’s energy future, Ripple’s People Power Manifesto makes four calls to action for the next UK Government:

1. 20% Consumer Ownership: Ensure that all new green energy projects offer consumer ownership as standard, aiming for 20% consumer ownership in all new wind farms and solar parks.
2. Energy Levies: Exempt consumers from paying energy levies on power generated from their own unsubsidized wind farm or solar park.
3. Tax Relief: Introduce tax relief on all energy bill savings from self-owned green power, aligning collective ownership with home solar.
4. Inclusive Ownership: Provide interest-free loans for low-income households to ensure a just and inclusive green transition.

Ripple Energy’s Founder and Chief Executive, Sarah Merrick, emphasized the importance of this transition:”The UK’s energy landscape is changing, and its ownership needs to change too. It’s time to put people at the heart of the transition to a greener, cleaner, and cheaper power system. Consumer ownership can be huge. The next Government really needs to scale it up and enable everyone to get involved. By embracing people-owned power, we can ensure that the benefits of renewable energy are shared by all, creating a more equal and sustainable future.” Since 2018, Ripple has delivered two consumer-owned wind farms. A single turbine at Graig Fatha in Wales is owned by 900 members of the public, and an eight-turbine wind farm at Kirk Hill in Scotland is owned by 5,600 people. Kirk Hill Wind Farm is currently the UK’s largest consumer-owned renewable energy site, with the eight turbines generating for the first time this month.

In addition, a solar park is under construction at Derril Water in Devon, and a 14-turbine wind farm was announced last month at Whitelaw Brae in the Scottish Borders, with members of the public able to purchase a share before 31st May 2024. With Ripple Energy’s vision, the UK can pioneer a new era of public participation in renewable energy, ensuring a cleaner, greener, and more inclusive energy future for all. #RenewableEnergyRevolution #PeoplePower #GreenEnergyForAll #SustainableFuture #EnergyDemocracy #UKRenewables #CleanEnergyNow #PublicOwnership #EnergyTransition #ClimateActionNow #GreenEconomy #CommunityPower #RenewableRevolution #GreenTech #EcoFriendlyLiving #EnergyJustice #WindPower #SolarEnergy #Empowerment #GreenInvesting #RenewableOwnership #ClimateChangeSolutions #GreenTransition #EnergyEquality #RippleEnergy #ConsumerEmpowerment #EnergyInnovation

Credit: [Image: Ripple Energy]