Wind power business, technology & policy

Husum 2019: Germany heading for a "crash landing"

By Sara Knight, 13 September 2019

At a trade fair like Husum Wind 2019, every exhibitor has a story to tell. But with the German industry facing a cliff edge, could those stories and their innovations, start looking elsewhere?

Prediction vs reality: assessing wind yield forecasts

Despite all the work that goes into finding a suitable location for a wind farm, assessing the wind resource and designing the best layout and technology to suit site conditions and maximise power yields, actual output can still fall short of expectations. Windpower Monthly investigates the reasons.

SGRE unveils 'world's largest' blade rig

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) is building what it claims is the world's largest blade testing rig at its facilities in northern Denmark.

US solar relief extension would 'devastate' wind

Onshore wind power will be disadvantaged when its key support mechanism in the US expires next year, while solar PV retaining a tax deduction will make it more competitive, analysts believe.

Neoen unveils 1.8GW wind-solar-storage hybrid

French developer Neoen is planning a major hybrid project in South Australia with up to 1.8GW of wind and solar plus a storage component dwarfing the world's current largest lithium-ion battery.

Denmark allows taller turbines

The minister of business affairs has altered an executive order lifting a height restriction meaning local authorities can permit turbines with a tip height of above 150 metres.

'Extraordinary' effort needed to meet Paris goals

"Extraordinary policy action" is needed to encourage the roll-out of technology needed to transform the world's energy system and limit global warming to below 2C by mid-century.

Statkraft enters Chile wind with triple acquisition

Norway's Statkraft plans to invest $180 million building three wind farms in central Chile.

EU's new energy commissioner starts with a 'full in-tray'

European Commission president-elect Ursula von der Leyen has nominated Estonian diplomat Kadri Simson to the role of energy commissioner in the next administration. Trade body WindEurope said there is a lot of work to do.

More News and Analysis

Husum 2019: Germany's gloomy reality

By Sara Knight, 9 September 2019

"If this goes on, we'll have phased out wind energy long before lignite and coal."

Spotlight on PNE after Morgan Stanley offer

By Sara Knight, 6 September 2019

Developer PNE Group may soon be swallowed up following interest from a major global infrastructure investment company on the back of a promising growth strategy. Sara Knight takes a look at the numbers.

Profits tumble at major OEMs in first six months of 2019

By David Weston & Craig Richard, 2 September 2019

Four of the major OEMs reported lower profits, or even losses, during the first six months of the year, as the industry prepares for a busy second half of the year.

Community investor schemes gaining ground in offshore

By Jan Dodd, 2 September 2019

In early July, Belgian developer and owner-operator Parkwind launched an initiative to raise up to €20 million from private individuals to support its offshore projects.

WindEconomics: Longer lifespan cuts levelised energy cost

By David Milborrow, 2 September 2019

GE Renewable Energy recently secured certification for one of its 2.7MW turbines for 40 years. As GE said, this would help lower the levelised cost of energy, although others pointed out that some investors might not be enthusiastic about factoring a 40-year life into their financial calculations.