Wind power business, technology & policy

Total agrees Direct Energie deal

By Jan Dodd, 19 April 2018

FRANCE: Oil major Total is continuing its diversification into renewable energies, having signed an agreement to buy 74.33% of Direct Energie, France's third largest electricity supplier.

Seabirds avoid offshore turbines more than expected

UK: Seabirds are less likely to collide with offshore wind turbines than previously thought, according to a new study.

Element Power to revive North Irish Sea Array

IRELAND: Element Power has entered the offshore wind market by acquiring the up-to 750MW North Irish Sea Array (NISA) from previous developer Gaeelectric.

US annual growth down on 2016

UNITED STATES: The US's operating wind power capacity grew 9% in 2017, adding more than 7GW of new wind projects and bringing the country's total to just over 89GW.

Renewables policies needed for heating and transport sectors

WORLDWIDE: Renewable energy policies must focus on end-use sectors, not just power generation, a new report claims.

European wind investments up 9%

EUROPE: Investors in new wind farms got more for their money last year as auction systems and technological advances drove down costs, according to a new report.

SGRE muscles in on 2GW Wind XI cluster

UNITED STATES: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) has been awarded a 77MW order by MidAmerican Energy for a project in the developer's 2GW Wind XI cluster.

Vertical axis firm Nenuphar enters liquidation

FRANCE: The firm behind the Vertiwind vertical axis wind turbine, Nenuphar, entered liquidation this month, after failing to find the required investment.

Beatrice jacket supplier saved by Canadian firm

UK: New investment has been secured for under-threat steel fabricators Burntisland Fabrication (BiFab), the Scottish government has announced.

Taiwan sets out 5.5GW plan

TAIWAN: The ministry of economic affairs (MOEA) plans to select 3.5GW of offshore projects by the end of April, and auction a further 2GW later this year, it has announced.

Report reveals US offshore wind value

UNITED STATES: Offshore wind is more valuable than onshore in the north-east US, according to a new study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, funded by the US Department of Energy.