Wind energy business & policy in your region

News and in-depth analysis of wind power, wind farms and wind industry companies and policy around the world.

North America

Benefits of upgrading US grids far outweigh costs

By David Weston, 16 May 2019

"Some of our transmission lines are over 100 years old. Think about that -- we're charging iPhones and powering smart TVs with infrastructure built when large portions of the country still didn't have access to the electricity needed for a simple light bulb," said AWEA's Amy Farrell, as the trade body called for greater investment in grids to help reduce bills.

US utility suffers cyberattack

By Ros Davidson, 9 May 2019

A 'distributed denial-of-service' (DoS) attack was launched against an unknown utility on 5 March, the Department of Energy revealed in its most recent Electric Emergency and Disturbance Report.

PG&E power deals ruling set for judicial decision

By Ros Davidson, 8 May 2019

A judge overseeing the bankruptcy of PG&E Corp will now have to rule on who has jurisdiction over the utility's contracts with renewable energy providers.

Great lakes project delayed as it tackles freezing water

By Ros Davidson, 1 May 2019

Icebreaker, the $126 million 20.7MW project in Lake Erie, will not come online until 2022, two years later than the original commissioning date.

South America

CIP targets Asia and Latin America with new fund

By Craig Richard, 15 May 2019

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has established a new fund with a primary focus on greenfield renewable energy projects in Asia and Latin America.

Wind boom could be shortlived as economic crisis hits

By Tom Azzopardi, 25 March 2019

Argentina's Renovar programme has made the country a promising emerging market, but now recession and a lack of grid capacity are starting to take hold.

Brazil announces biannual tenders to 2021

By Craig Richard, 12 March 2019

Brazil has scheduled the first energy auction under president Jair Bolsonaro for 27 June, the first round of biannual tenders to be held through to 2021.

Wind farms to provide peak supply in Colombia

By Craig Richard, 5 March 2019

Wind and solar projects have been contracted to provide firm energy to the Colombian grid during peak hours for the first time, the country's energy minister said.

Middle East & Africa

Iran looks at alternative models as sanctions cut off financing

By Jan Dodd, 29 April 2019

Faced with renewed US trade sanctions, Iran "would be better off forgetting wind energy", unless it seriously ramps up deployment, according to Hashem Oraee, president of the Iran Wind Energy Association (IRWEA).

Battle rages over wind-powered blockchain site

By Jan Dodd, 16 April 2019

The future of a 900MW wind project with the sole purpose of producing energy to power data- and cryptocurrency-mining centres in southern Morocco is in doubt due to a legal battle between the two main partners.

Saudi Arabia to 'lead Middle Eastern wind power'

By Craig Richard, 8 April 2019

Saudi Arabia is due to become the Middle East's largest wind power market in the next decade, according to new analysis, with the desert kingdom accounting for nearly half of new additions in the region by 2028.

Eskom warned against contract renegotiations

By Craig Richard, 18 February 2019

Debt-ravaged state utility Eskom is considering renegotiating contracts with companies successful in South Africa's first two renewable energy tenders, according to reports.

Europe

Portuguese parliament slams excessive payments to generators

By Richard Weyndling, 17 May 2019

The Portuguese parliament has approved a report calling for the government and regulators to curb excessive profits of electricity generators, including a €950 million alleged over-payment to EDP for guaranteeing supply from its Sines coal-fired plant.

Acciona trials solar modules to power wind turbine

By Craig Richard, 16 May 2019

VIDEO: Acciona has installed flexible carbon-based photovoltaic (PV) modules on a turbine in Spain in an attempt to make wind power more efficient.

RWE prepares for renewables growth with €5 billion loan

By Craig Richard, 15 May 2019

RWE has secured a €5 billion credit line as it prepares to take over E.on and Innogy's renewable energy and gas storage businesses.

Nordex ramps up production ahead of busy H2

By David Weston, 14 May 2019

German turbine manufacturer Nordex has increased its manufacturing output ahead of a busy second half of the year, after installations in Q1 halved compared with 2018.