U.S. Tops in Wind Energy

According to a statistic released by the American Wind Energy Association, the U.S. is not the leading country in wind energy, passing Germany, after a record breaking year of wind energy market growth. The national trade association of country's wind industry says in 2008 the industry had another record growth year - the third record year in a row and generated more than $18 billion in revenues.

"Wind energy installations are well ahead of the curve for contributing 20% of the U.S. electric power supply by 2030 as envisioned by the U.S. Department of Energy," Executive Director of the American Wind Energy Association, Randall Swisher, said on December 26.

At the end of September, the U.S. had over 21,000 megawatts of wind capacity up and running, doubling the capacity from 2006. 21,000 megawatts of capacity are expected to generate over 60 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in 2009, enough to serve over 5.5 million American homes. This means that in 2009 wind power is estimated to displace the burning of 30.4 million short tons of coal - enough to fill a coal train that would stretch 2,000 miles from Washington, DC to the middle of Utah. AWEA also calculates the 60 billion kilowatt hours of electricity generated by wind power next year will displace 91 million barrels of oil, or 560 billion cubic feet of natural gas- about nine percent of the natural gas used for electricity generation in the United States. The U.S. Department of Energy reported that wind power could provide 20 percent of U.S. electricity by 2030, supporting 500,000 jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much taking 140 million vehicles off the road, and saving four trillion gallons of water.

As part of the $700 billion financial bailout law passed in October, production and investment tax credits that benefit the wind industry and other renewable energy industries were approved by Congress and singed into law. The tax credit package will extend the renewable energy production tax credit for one year and the investment tax credit for eight years.

In 2008, the wind industry and environmental groups forged a new alliance. On November, 20 conservation and environmental groups and wind energy companies announced the creation of the American Wind Wildlife Institute to facilitate timely and responsible development of wind energy while protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat. AWWI to serve as example for other energy sectors by proactively addressing potential biodiversity impacts as wind energy is more widely deployed.

"Climate and energy are the issues of our time," said Julia Levin, global warming director at the National Audubon Society and the first chair of AWWI's board of directors. "AWWI will play a crucial role in developing the science, mapping and other tools needed to accelerate properly sited wind power development and begin reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions." "The expansion of wind power in the United States is essential to reduce heat-trapping emissions and limit the impacts of global warming on our nation's wildlife," said Dr. Peter Frumhoff, AWWI board member and director of science and policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists. "Our new institute will work to ensure that wind power and wildlife can both thrive."

The seven nonprofit founding organizations of AWWI represent more than 4.3 million members nationwide and include: Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Soceity, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club and Union of Concerned Scientists. The remaining 13 founding AWWI members are wind industry businesses. They include: AES Wind Generation, BP Wind Energy, Babcock & Brown, enXco, Clipper Windpower, E.ON, GE Energy, Horizon Wind Energy, Iberdrola Renewable Energies USA, Nordic Windpower, NRG Systems, Renewable Energy System Americas and Vestas Americas.

Source: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2008/2008-12-26-01.asp Date:26-12-08

India State Hikes Wind Power Rate To Attract More Investors

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has proposed a sharp increase in the wind power tariff to attract more private investors and tap the state's wind power potential. Though Tamil Nadu with an installed capacity of 1400MW accounts for 43% of the total wind power generated in the country, it has failed to draw more private players because of the low tariff. Tamil Nadu offers a low price for wind energy from private investors compared to states like West Bengal.

Wind turbine manufacturers, wind energy developers and wing energy generators have periodically made representations to the TNERC urging it to refix the tariff in view of input costs such as capital costs, interest rates and maintenance costs in increasing in the last two years.

Despite being a significant wind power producer, Tamil Nadu has been showing a declining trend when it comes to augmenting its wind energy sources. In fact, there is fear that investment have been shifting from Tamil Nadu to other states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka which offer a more competitive price.

Tamil Nadu's wind power mills are situated in three major passes in the western ghats - the Aralvaimozhi, Sencotta and Palghat passes. "Various factos like constraints on evacuation of wind energy and frequent load shedding affected investments. The industry has been quite unahppy with the tariff, which was fixed during May 2006 at Rs 2.90 paise. As many businessmen came forward seeking tariff revision, we decided to put forth a proposal" said a TNERC official, who did not wish to be named.

The revision of tariff is expected to bring in more players and investments to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore. "With the demand-supply gap standing at 2000 MW, we need more power plants. It is unfair to put the entire burden on the government. Though Tamil Nadu has an edge over States like Gujarat and Karnataka which contribute only 11% to the national wind power generation, the tariff remained a stumbling block," said the official.

Meanwhile, industrialists foresee a better investment scenario if the tariff is revised. Raj Kumar Khemka, vice chairman of NPEC said that the decision would encourage more investments. He said more independent power projects would come up even in areas with low wind velocity.

Said Ramani, the task force member of the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association: "The size of our business is about 600 MW throughout the state. Though there will be a slight fall in investments due to the economic meltdown, we are sure of good growth during the financial year 2009-2010."

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/State_hikes_wind_power_rate_to_attract_more_investors/rssarticleshow/3848227.cms Date:17-12-08

Suzlon to up its stake in German wind power firm

Suzlon Energy, the world's fifth leading and India's largest wind turbine manufacturer, Tuesday announced that it will invest about 270 million euros (about $369 million or Rs.17.56 billion) to hike its stake in German wind power company REpower Systems AG.

Suzlon will pick up a 22.4 percent stake that Martifer Group of Portugal holds in REpower, which will up its holding in the German firm to about 91 percent.

As per the new terms, Suzlon will pay Martifer in three tranches with the first instalment of euro 65 million ($89 million or Rs.4.23 billion) being paid this month.

The next instalment, of euro 30 million ($41 million or Rs.1.95 billion), will be made in April 2009 and the final one of euro 175 million ($239 million or Rs.11.38 billion)the following month.

Suzlon's acquisition of Repower Systems is aimed at tapping the European and North American wind energy markets. Said a Suzlon spokesperson: 'REpower complements us in both extending our geographical presence and widening our product portfolio. Suzlon is strong in the South European market with medium capacity onshore wind power plants, and REpower has strong offshore capabilities in Northern Europe.'

While Suzlon's largest on-shore wind turbine is of 2.1 MW capacity, REpower's wind turbines are in the range 2.2 MW to 5 MW.

'REpower will also benefit from the deal as it can capitalise on Suzlon's integrated supply chain and manufacture or source wind turbines faster and at cheaper rates,' the spokesperson added.

Suzlon's script was trading up by 7.17 percent following the announcement.

Source: http://www.calcuttanews.net/story/442664 Date: 16-12-08

Suzlon Energy sells 10% Hansen stake to Ecofin

The world's fifth largest wind turbine maker, Suzlon Energy, has agreed to sell about 10% of its equity stake in gearbox designer Hansen Transmissions to Ecofin, a London-based investment firm which specializes in the utility and infrastructure sectors. Suzlon says the sale is part of its strategy to finance future growth plans. Suzlon has taken the step in view of the tight liquidity situation and its obligation to buy the stake of Portuguese company Martifer in REpower, Germany.

Suzlon is the largest shareholder of Hansen and part of the advisory board. After the stake sale, Suzlon will retain a voting right and economic interest of about 61 percent in Hansen. The company has not disclosed the value of the transaction but it is believed to be in the neighborhood of 77 million euros.

"It's an asset sale that the company is doing and this is in line with the plan to raise funds," said sources close to the company. Suzlon has been targeting to raise funds that would part finance its move to raise its stake in Repower. The Tulsi Tanti-controlled company had earlier postponed a Rs 1,800-crore rights issue in October due to bad equity markets.

Suzlon's transaction to sell the stake would reduce its shareholding in Hansen to about 61.28%, while Ecofin will have voting and economic interest in Hansen of about 11.62%. Suzlon has also granted Ecofin the right to nominate one director on the board of Hansen.

Suzlon has acquired the Belgium-based manufacturer of gears for wind turbines in May 2006 for about Rs 2,500 crore (€465 million). It floated Hansen on the London Stock Exchange in December 2007 and raised about €400 million.

The transaction is also subject to conditions, Suzlon's statement said. Ecofin has undertaken to Suzlon that it won't dispose shares acquired from Suzlon until after June 30, 2009. The lock-up is renounceable only in certain circumstances, the statement added. Ecofin will get 67,010,421 shares representing 10 per cent equity interest in Hansen through AE-Rotor Holding, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Suzlon, which is currently holding the shares. Ecofin already holds 1.62 per cent of Hansen shares.

Suzlon Energy has been trying to increase its shareholding in REpower to more than 90% that would allow it to transfer the wind energy technology to India, for use in forthcoming projects. Suzlon currently accounts for about 10.5% of the global market share of the wind turbine market.

Last month, Suzlon bought the first tranche of Protugal major Martifer group's stake in REpower Systems for Euro 65 million that has taken Suzlon's holding in REpower to 73.71%.

Suzlon had earlier agreed with Marifer on a revised payment schedule to buy Martifier's 22.4% stake in REpower. The company was to acquire Martifier's stake via three tranches and by paying Euro 65 million in December 2008, Euro 30 million in April 2009 and finally Euro 175 million in May 2009. By the end of three tranches, Suzlon's ownership level in REpower would go up to about 91%

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Power/Suzlon_Energy_sells_10_Hansen_stake_to_Ecofin/rssarticleshow/3926826.cms Date: 02-01-9

China Passes India in Wind Power

Wind installation in China grew substantially by the end of 2008, surpassing the Indian market - the largest wind power market in Asia.

According to a new research report "Wind Power: Opportunities in Emerging Markets" by RNCOS, wind power installation is rapidly increasing in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and posted a stupendous growth rate of more than 127% by end of 2007. With this enormous growth, the Chinese wind power industry is expected to soon leave India behind, the largest wind power industry in Asia.

The National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC) of PRC initiated the wind industry commercialization in 2003 through the concession programs, speeding up wind power installation in the country. Later, a Renewable Energy Law was introduced in 2006 which, together with other measures such as pricing policy, obligation on grid companies to purchase renewable electricity, and cost distribution, boosted the development of renewable energy in China.

The introduction of the Renewable Energy Law provided legal guarantees and clear policy direction for the development of wind industry in China. Also, the government is providing a growth platform for domestic players by mandating the use of at least 70% components sourced from the domestic market in wind power projects that gives sufficient opportunities for further growth to domestic turbine market. As more and more domestic players will go for wind turbine installation, its cost will drop significantly in future due to high price competition, says the RNCOS report. The increasing preference for large turbines is also expected to drive the wind power installation in China at a rapid pace in coming years.

For more information visit: http://www.rncos.com/Report/IM158.htm Date: 05-01-09

GE Drivetrain Technologies Signs LOIs with A-Power

GE Drivetrain Technologies, a unit of GE Transportation, and A-Power Energy Generation Systems (Nasdaq: APWR) announced today that they have signed two Letters of Intent (LOI), one for GE Drivetrain Technologies to supply A-Power with 2.7 megawatt (MW) wind turbine gearboxes and a second to establish a Joint Venture partnership for a wind turbine gearbox assembly plant.

Under the supply agreement, GE Drivetrain Technologies will supply A-Power with more than 900 2.7 MW gearboxes beginning in 2010. ''We're excited about the opportunity to serve A-Power," said Prescott Logan, Business Leader GE Drivetrain Technologies. ''The speed and focus that A-Power has brought to building its wind turbine business, combined with the highly reliable design of its Fuhrlander 2.7 MW turbine, position A-Power well for long-term success in China and the broader global market.''

Added Logan: ''Our agreement with A-Power is part of our larger strategy to build our customer base through key strategic partnerships, expand into new geographies, and develop innovative drive train systems that leverage GE Drivetrain Technologies' more than 100 years of designing and manufacturing electromechanical drives.''

The companies' joint venture agreement creates a wind turbine gearbox assembly business that will be majority owned by GE Drivetrain Technologies and operate under the name GE Transportation. The new assembly plant will bring multi-megawatt gearbox capacity to China and serve as GE Drivetrain Technologies' Southeast Asia manufacturing center from which it will serve its customers in the region beginning in mid-2010.

The Joint Venture company will take advantage of A-Power's knowledge of the local market, as well as of GE Drivetrain Technologies' process and quality expertise.

Establishing a joint venture with a strong partner such as A-Power is consistent with GE Transportation's approach to the global market. ''GE's successful history of conducting business in China is based on our belief that we must operate as a local company,'' said Tim Schweikert, President of GE Technology Infrastructure in China. ''We appreciate the value of a local perspective as we bring advanced wind drive train technology to the forefront in China.''

The combination of these two agreements fits well with A-Power's business strategy and complements investments that it has already made to build a world-class wind turbine business. "Our gearbox supply agreement and JV partnership with GE Drivetrain Technologies represent another significant building block in the foundation of our wind turbine business,'' said John S. Lin, Senior Vice President, Director, Chief Strategy Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer of A-Power. "We are pleased to partner with a company such as GE that brings global quality standards, renowned engineering expertise, proven design, and a commitment to a local supply chain.''

These agreements support China's initiative to increase wind energy output from one gigawatt in 2005 to 30 gigawatts by 2020 and are the basis for additional future investments by GE Drivetrain Technologies in its local supply chain and advanced wind turbine drive train products, such as its IntegraDrive geared generator.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/prnewswire/feeds/prnewswire/2009/01/12/prnewswire200901120909PR_NEWS_USPR_____CNM034.html Date: 12-01-09

Rajasthan to attract $16.04 billion investment in renewable energy

The state of Rajasthan in India is set to attract an investment of $16.04 billion in renewable energy sector, with 14 companies proposing projects to tap power from wind and biomass. Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation (RREC) Chairman and Managing Director Rajeev Swaroop said that the state government has signed memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with 14 power companies to set up power plants in the field of wind biomass energy.

There would be five wind energy projects in Jaisalmer, Barmer and Jodhpur with a generation capacity of 1,600 MW while 8 biomass projects would be set up in Sirohi, Baran, Tonk, Alwar, Sawai Madhopur, Kota, Naguar, Hanumangarh and Jalore districts.

Rajasthan, at present, has an installed capacity of 490 MW in wind energy and 46.3 MW in biomass. With the commissioning of proposed projects, the installation capacity would increase to 2,150 MW in renewable energy sources.

Wind energy has been the world’s fastest growing renewable energy source growing at a rate of 28% in the last decade and has emerged as an option for grid quality power generation.

Source: http://www.livemint.com/2008/12/02145410/Rajasthan-to-attract-Rs8000-c.html Date:02-12-08

Report Positive on China Wind Power

According to a report by Emerging Energy Research, China's plans to reach 100 GW of installed wind power generation capacity by 2020 are unlikely to be detailed - or even side-tracked - by the current global financial crisis. In the new assessment, China Wind Power Markets and Strategies, 2008-2020, Emerging Energy Research reports that despite inevitable slowdowns in market elsewhere, China's wind initiatives are so large in scale and so well supported by the government that the country's new renewable energy goals are likely to be met well before the 2020 target.

Discussing the report's findings before a special briefing session sponsored by EER during the Global Wind Power 2008 Conference & Exhibition in Beijing, EER Wind Research Director Keith Hays told an audience, "From planned projects to operational capacity, China is on track to become the single largest market for wind power by 2011. In just two years, China will account for more than 17 percent of the world's installed wind generation capacity, financed by an investment of more than $20 billion."

EER Analyst Caitlin Pollock, principal author of the China Wind Market study, echoed Hays' analysis in a discussion of the recently completed research. "China will lead the global wind market in annual installations by 2011 with an estimated 10 GW/year," Pollock said. "This is an initiative supported by strong political will, improving incentives, and vast natural and industrial resources. Chinese utilities, such as Longyuan and Datang, are now among the world's largest wind asset owners. And, while most of the newly emerged suppliers will fall victim to industry consolidation, according to Pollock, "China's wind technology incentives are forced on building an industry that can compete on a global scale...it's not just the domestic market that is driving China's investment strategies."

EER's new study, China Wind Power Markets and Strategies, 2008-2050, was completed following three months of in-market, primary research and interviews by EER's Asia research team with dozens of Chinese independent power producers (IPPs), utilities, component and turbine manufacturers, and government and provincial ministries. As part of the study, three forecasts (conservative, baseline, and aggressive) for China's wind market was developed, detailing wind energy capacity additions through 2020.

Despite the near-collapse of financial markets elsewhere and broad-based concern over the potential impact on funding for energy development projects, EER's analysis sees China's government wind energy priorities and the country's ravenous energy demand as drivers that will keep China on track to surpass its target of a 15 percent renewable energy capacity by 2020.

Source: http://www.emerging-energy.com/ Date: 20-11-2008

Taiwan Wind Energy Growth

Taiwan's wind power generation may grow to 3,000 MWs by 2020 due to increased government attention to clean or renewable energy. Many experts believe Taiwan, with some of the world's best engineers and advanced technologies, could emerge as an important player in the clean energy field.

Karen Ma, a researcher with the Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center of ITRI's Industry and Technology Intelligence Services (IEK-ITIS), said that as wind power is considered by the government to be the most important renewable energy, the country's wind power installation capacity will be increased to 3,000MWs in 12 years.

He forecasted that increased wind power generation is expected to indirectly generate commerce worth over US$6.12 billion in the country by 2020. Ma also predicted that by 2009, China is expected to replace the United's States as the world's largest country in terms of wind power installation capacity.

Up to this year, Taipower, the sole electricity supplier in Taiwan, has installed more than 100 giant wind turbines in 13 wind farms along Taiwan's west coast, with a capacity of 420 MW a year -- enough power to power 105,000 households and prevent the emission of 250,000 tons of carbon dioxide a year. Taipower began to harness wind energy in 2002 and plans to establish 200 wind turbines in Taiwan and Penghu by 2010.

Taiwan's coastal areas are ideal for the development of wind power because they have six months of strong northwest winds each year, with an average wind speed of five to six meters per second. The Bureau of Energy under the ministry of Economic Affairs has targeted renewable energy as a way to meet 10 percent of Taiwan's electricity needs by 2010, with wind power to make up 80% of renewable energy resources.

In the long term, Taipower plans is to build an additional 546 wind turbines between 2010 and 2020 in shallow waters off Taiwan's west coast and Penghu, with a total capacity of 1,980 MWs at an estimated cost of NT$200 million each. Out of the 546 windmills, 176 will be built off the Penghu Islands, and the electricity generated by these units will be transmitted to Taiwan through a 40-kilometer undersea cable.

Source: http://www.chinapost.com.tw/business/asia/b-taiwan/2008/11/13/182937/Taiwan%E2%80%99s-wind.htm Date: 13-11-2008

Germany leads Europe's wind and solar energy revolution

European leads the world in production of wind power and Germany leads Europe. The 20,000 windmills that line the landscape generates 8% of Germany's electricity, power 10 million German homes and save an estimated 42 million tons of carbon dioxide. The northern state of Schleswig-Holstein's 2600 wind turbines fill one third of its electricity needs by utilizing just 1% of its land mass. Over 84,000 people nationwide have found employment within the wind industry. Germany plans to build an additional 30 offshore wind farms, with some 2,000 windmills in the North and Baltic Seas.

To the north-west, several European power companies are constructing the world's largest wind farm 12 miles off the British coast, near where the Thames flows into the North Sea. The ambitious $2.7 billion project will consist of 341 turbines occupying an area of 90 square miles. Together with the output from a second wind farm being built off the coast, the 440 turbines will power a third of London's three million households. And it's all renewable energy, resulting in a decrease of over two million tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year.

Further south, the world's fastest-growing producer of wind power is Spain. In March 2008, wind power produced an average of 28% of all electricity consumed nationwide and over 40% during peak moments. Portugal is building $1.3 billion worth of wind turbines around the country, enough to power 750,000 homes. Swedish power company Vattenhall is building northern Europe's biggest wind turbine park in the Baltic Sea, between Sweden and Germany. Denmark already gets about 20% of its total power from wind energy, led by the existing largest wind energy installation in the world at Nysted. Here, 72 turbines generate enough power for 110,000 households.

Three fifths of the world's 74,000 megawatts of wind power are generated within Europe. Meanwhile, the US lags with only a third of Europe's wind power capacity. It is afflicted by an antiquated power grid conceived 100 years ago to share power across small regions, not nationally. It's difficult to move large amounts of power overlong distances, such as from the lightly populated plains states to the heavily populated coasts.

Extracts from: http://www.wavemagazine.net/econ/energy_efficiency.htm Date: 15-11-2008

Quiet wind-turbine comes to U.S. homes

The turbine, with a 7-foot diameter, also has two fins to direct the turbine to face the wind. It can turn 360 degrees and shut down if the wind is too high.

It can generate 1.5 kilowatts with 14 mile-per-hour wind and about 2,000 kilowatt-hours over a year, the company said. U.S. households typically consume between 6,500 and 10,000 kilowatt-hours in a year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

At a cost of $10,000 installed, it's a bit lower than the typical per-watt cost of solar electric panels. But state rebates, the cost of electricity, and the wind or solar resource make a big difference on the actual up-front cost. Cascade estimates the payback on the upfront cost can be as low as three years, but that it varies widely.

Small wind recently benefited from the extension of renewable energy tax credits, which gives consumers a $1,000 tax credit for residential systems and $4,000 for commercial buildings.

Cascade, which is based in Grand Rapids, Mich., has installed 9 Swift turbines in the U.S. and has a backlog of 25 orders, according to Jessica Lehti, the company's senior product marketing manager.

The mix of customers is spit in half between residential and commercial customers. Even with the economic downturn, the company expects that it can sell to customers who purchase renewable energy products for both economic and environmental reasons.

Cascade, which specializes in plastics, has partnered with the Scotland-based Renewable Devices, which originally designed the Swift. Cascade is selling the product in the U.S.

The company says the turbine is best suited for places with average winds and needs to be placed two feet above the roofline.

Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10075828-54.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0 Date: 27-10-08

Wind Industry Installs 1,400 MW in 3rd Quarter of 2008

The U.S. wind energy industry installed 1,389 megawatts (MW) this quarter, bringing to 4,204 MW the total of wind power projects completed in what is expected to be another record year, the American Wind Energy Association announced in its 3rd quarter market report.

With even more reported under construction, the industry is on track to surpass the banner year of 2007, when 5,249 MW were installed, with a total of about 7,500 MW this year. 7,500 MW would generate enough electricity to power equivalent of about 2.2 million homes.

In welcome news for the economy, the industry is also aggressively expanding its manufacturing base in the U.S., creating jobs and fostering investment and growth even in a difficult financial climate. AWEA’s report tallies the opening of eight new wind turbine component manufacturing facilities this year, the expansion of nine facilities and the announcement of an additional 19 facilities. As a result of recent manufacturing investment, AWEA estimates, the share of domestically made components in wind turbines has risen from about 30% in 2005 to 50% today. The new facilities will create an estimated 9,000 jobs.

“The convenient truth here is that wind power provides a stimulus for our economy, as well as a climate change and energy security solution,” said Randall Swisher, AWEA's executive director. “The market, in spite of all its turmoil, clearly points to wind power as one of the most attractive energy options available today. But if we are to keep this momentum going, the new President and Congress will need to put in place what the majority of the American people support but the country still lacks: a long-term renewable energy policy.”

Texas, repairing the benefits of its excellent wind resource and a proactive transmission expansion policy, added 693 MW - the most wind power capacity of any state in the 3rd quarter. Texas moved into the 6 GW category, which propels it into the ranks of global leaders. Only Germany, India and Spain had more wind energy capacity installed at the end of last year.

The state with the fastest wind power capacity growth was West Virginia, which more than tripled its existing capacity with the addition of a 164-MW project; another 100-MW project is scheduled to come online in West Virginia by the end of the year.

Utah added its first multi-turbine project, the 9-turbine Spanish Fork Project.

The Dakotas: Acciona Energy, a wind turbine manufacturer, brought its first U.S. turbines online at a 120-turbine project straddling the North Dakota / South Dakota border.

Based on projections for the remainder of the year, 2008 will mark the fourth year in a row that new wind capacity installations have set records, but that is not expected to continue next year. With some 8,000 MW already under construction for completion this year or next, the wind industry remains relatively strong. But because of the late extension of the wind production tax credit and the evolving financial crisis, new construction starts are expected to slow in 2009.

Source: http://www.RenewableEnergyWorld.com/rea/news/story?id=53932&src=rss Date:24-10-08

Britain has enough offshore wind farms to provide power to 300,000 households.

Britain now has enough offshore wind farms to provide power to 300,000 households. The UK has become the world's leading producer of offshore wind power, toppling Denmark from the top spot. The completion of the latest wind farms off the Lincolnshire coast has take the industry past 3 gigawatts capacity mark.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced the news in a video message to the British Wind Energy Association's (BWEA's) conference this week. Total wind capacity from onshore and wind farms at sea is enough to provide power for the equivalent of 1.5m homes, the British Wind Energy conference was told.

In the message he told delegates at the conference that Britain has know for a long time that it has the best wind energy resources in Europe. He added that the UK is well on its way to making full use of the wind around its shoreline. Brown anticipates that by 2020 the North Sea will be to wind power production what the Gulf of Arabia is to oil production.

The prime minister also pledged that the economic crisis wouldn't derail Government plans for cleaner and cheaper forms of energy. "You may have heard some people say that these difficulties economic times should or will reduce the Government's commitment to building a low carbon economy. They should not and will not," he said.

Within ten years offshore wind farms in Europe will be producing 40GW of power and about 50 percent of the total will be in British waters. Mr. Brown told the conference that there was a potential ￡100bn market for renewable energy which would create huge opportunities and create 160,000 jobs.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/10/22/eawind122.xml Date: 22-10-08

Hyundai Buys Into Wind Power

Korea based Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), the largest shipbuilder in the world and a major engineering conglomerate, is set to enter the global wind energy market. Hyundai signed a deal to build wind turbines designed by American Superconductor (AMSC), a leading U.S. energy technology company.

American Superconductor Corporation has licensed two of its proprietary wind turbine designs to South Korea-based Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. Under the terms of the contracts, AMSC’s wholly owned AMSC Windtec™ subsidiary will license designs to HHI for its proprietary 1.65 megawatt (MW) and 2 MW doubly fed induction wind turbines. HHI plans to commence production of 1.65 MW wind turbines by the end of 2009 and will initially target the United States market. HHI’s marketing and sales rights for both wind turbines extend to dozens of countries around the world.

In addition, to receiving upfront license fees, AMSC will receive royalty payments for the first several hundred 1.65 MW and 2 MW turbines that are sold and has also a deal to HHI with some of the components featured in the turbines. Resembling the push of its rival engineering giant General Electric (GE,) HHI is investing heavily in breaking into the booming market for renewable energy technologies. HHI is a global leader in turnkey power plants and offshore projects, and a major global supplier of high voltage electrical equipment.

“Having dominated the shipbuilding market and built a very strong presence in the broader power, offshore and industrial sectors, we view renewable energy as one of Hyundai Heavy Industries’ next great growth opportunities,” said Young N. Kim, Senior Executive Vice President & COO, HHI Electro Electric Systems. “Wind power is being adopted at a rapid pace worldwide as nations seek to enhance their energy independence and reduce carbon emissions. After an extensive global search, we selected AMSC Windtec based on the strength of its technology and its ability to create the fastest, most effective pathway for HHI to enter the global wind market.”

The Korean company is also working on its second solar cell manufacturing plant in Eumseong, south of Seoul, Korea, which is expected to boast an annual capacity of 300MW.

The deal with American Superconductor comes just days after the conglomerate announced that it has received $30m order to supply 7MW of photovoltaic solar cells to Italian solar panel from Albatech. HHI is in the midst of investing approximately $1 billion to expand its renewable energy business. In addition to producing wind turbine generators and complete wind turbines with AMSC Windtech's assistance, the company is constructing its second solar cell-producing plant, which can produce 300MW annually, in Eumseong, south of Seoul, Korea.

Source: http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/081015/20081015005151.html?.v=1 Date: 15-10-08

Global Wind Power To Grow By Over 70% by 2012

According to the "Global Wind Power Report 2008" released by Research and Markets, the global wind industry is estimated to grow by more than 70% and reach 160 gigawatts by 2012. The report states wind is the world's fastest-growing energy source with an average annual growth rate of 29% over the last ten years, while power generation costs of wind energy have dropped by 50%. This represents a twelve-fold increase from a decade ago, when world wind-generating capacity stood at just over 7.6 gigawatts.

Since emerging as a fuel source a decade ago, wind energy has grown rapidly into a mature and booming global industry. The power generation costs of wind energy have fallen by 50%, moving closer to the cost of conventional energy sources. The future prospects of the global wind industry are very encouraging and it is estimated to grow by more than 70% over the next five years to reach 160 gigawatts by year 2012.

Global Wind Power Report 2008 analyzes this industry, starting from the basics to what is driving this industry. The report starts off with a brief overview of the global energy market which contains data on global energy statistics, outlook for the industry, the growing focus on renewable energy worldwide, and of course, the potential of wind energy. The report then moves on the discussing the basic technology behind wind turbines. The section looks at component and principles of wind turbines and the various types of wind turbines available today.

Further, the report discusses in details the global wind industry with current wind turbine installations, recent industry developments and future prospects of the technology. The document also presents insights into the factors that are encouraging this industry along with challenges that need to be addressed for future growths. A detailed cost analysis is presented to give current and future generation costs and its costs are compared with other technologies.

The Research and Markets report further investigates developments and trends in various countries across the world. For each of these countries, report covers current development, factors driving growth, policy to support wind energy and future prospects of wind energy in that country. Brief profiles of leading vendors and developers including - Suzlon, Enercon, Gamesa, Ge, Nordex AG, Siemens, and Vestas - is also presented. The report also presents a study of some recent and important wind power projects across the globe.

For more information, pls visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/a1c452/global_wind_power

Source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/27159236/ Date: 13-10-08

British Columbia's First Wind Farm

British Columbia's first commercial wind turbine has been erected on a ridge west of Chetwynd for the Dokie Wind Project, and construction is advancing at the Bear Mountain Wind project site outside Dawson Creek. British Columbia is making its debut as a wind energy producer, long after other provinces have begun harnessing wind to help light homes and industry. The Dokie Wind Project aims to produce power from seven turbines early next year, with 48 huge windmills spinning by the end of 2009 and phase two to follow at a nearby site.

Bear Mountain Wind near Dawson Creek is on time and on budget for completion of its 34-tower wind farm next November. Both companies should be at their full 100 megawatt capacity around the same time next year. Each will provide enough power for 30,000 or more average homes.

Despite British Columbia's reputation as clean, green and nuclear free, there are already dozens of wind farms in the Maritimes, Quebec, Ontario, across the prairies to Alberta and even one in Yukon. It wasn't until the B.C. government required BC Hydro to reach self-sufficiency with new clean energy from independent sources that investors turned to this province.

Bear Mountain was conceived by a local cooperative in Dawson Creek. It's now 100 per cent owned by Calgary-based AltaGas Income Trust, which is diversifying its natural gas production with power projects, including B.C. run-of-river and its first wind farm.

David Huggill, Canadian Wind Energy Association policy manager for Western Canada, says there are several factors making wind a better investment in B.C. One is a recognition that wind and hydro work well together, with utilities able to hold back water when the wind is blowing. Another is that the best hydro sites are now being developed and both their construction cost and environmental impact are better recognized.

Once it has an environmental certificate to proceed, "a wind farm can be on the ground and generating power to the grid within two yeas," Huggill said. "I think you'd be hard pressed to find a hydro project that could match that kind of time frame."

On the horizon is another incentive, wind projects as a carbon offset for energy companies such as AltaGas. AltaGas expects to gain revenues from offsetting greenhouse gas emissions, but until a carbon market evolves in Canda, projects like Bear Mountain have to stand on their own.

B.C. Energy Minister Richard Neufeld said BC Hydro's latest call for clean power produced bids that average around $75 a megawatt hour, with wind on the high side compared to run of river. Tidal and wave generation, by comparison, is estimated to cost $250 to $400.

Source: http://www.windenergynews.com/content/view/1430/43/ Date: 15-10-08

U.S. – Offshore Wind Investment

Even with today's credit crunch and falling energy prices, money continues to flow for new U.S. wind farms. Offshore wind has particular potential for rich rewards in the wind energy business. Atlantic coast and other offshore wind locations promise clean, ample energy in areas that fetch some of the highest electrical rates in the U.S. So while offshore turbines are expected to cost 50% to 70% more to build than land-based systems, they may generate 100% more revenue.

Major onshore wind developers are also dividing into the offshore wind craze in some capacity: Babcock & Brown, Energias de Protugal (EDP Group), Iberdrola Renewables, FPL Group, Inc and Gamesa, among others.

While no pure-play wind companies trade in the U.S., there are a few ways for investors to tap into any future success in the emerging business. Utility giant FPL Group Inc. is the largest company developing U.S.-based manufacturer of turbines. Vestas, the world's leading manufacturer of wind turbines, and Nordex, another turbine marker, both trade on the Copenhagen Exchange. Mitsubishi, which trades in Japan, makes some of the largest turbines now in use. Several environmentally-oriented mutual funds and exchange traded funds also provide exposure to wind energy. One such vehicle is the First Trust ISE Global Wind Energy ETF. Babcock & Brown bundles up wind farms assets for its Babcock & Brown Wind Partners, a publicly traded wind energy fund in Australia.
Industry proponents also point out that the most convenient way for Americans to support wind power development is by participating in green power programs offered by utility companies. Usually more expensive now, green energy rates could become more competitive if the environmental costs of carbon emissions from coal-fired electric plants and other sources get factored into rates under cap-and-trade programs now underway in parts of the U.S. The cost of alternative energy will also come down as it gains in economies of scale.

In the global race to build offshore wind turbines to feed a power-hungry grid, Europe leads the U.S. by a score of 1,110 megawatts to zero. With the potential to supply as much as 20% of the U.S.'s growing and critical electrical power needs, proponents often refer to America as the Saudi Arabia of wind. But while giant turbines star in political ads this fall, the U.S. still gets only about 1% of its electricity from breezes.

That's starting to change as Texas, California, and many other states complete new land-based wind farms, prodded along by state-enforced renewable portfolio standards. With carbon emissions now auctioned off under the 10-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, wind power could soon offer an additional value as a carbon offsetting vehicle.

So far, U.S. offshore wind projects have been scuttled by community opposition, such as the notorious Cape Wind development about five miles off the Massachusetts shore, stymied for years by opponents that included some of the wealthiest residents along Nantucket Sound. Despite the chilly reception, Babcock & Brown moved to leverage its sizeable presence in the onshore market and moved to buy offshore wind developer Bluewater Wind of Hoboken, N.J., for an undisclosed sum in 2007. At the time, Bluewater Wind had been selected to negotiate a contract to provide power in Delaware.

The effort paid off this summer as Bluewater Wind inked the nation's first offshore power purchase agreement in a pact with Delmarva Power, a unit of Pepco Holdings Inc. With the project's 440-foot towers planned for construction some 12 miles out at sea, Armistead said the wind turbines will be much less visible than others already proposed around the country. The Delaware project and others will take another step forward after the end of the year, when the U.S. Minerals Management Service completes leasing rules for offshore energy projects.

Other projects off the Atlantic coast are also under review in New York and elsewhere, with participation from Bluewater Wind and others. Last month, the State of Rhode Island chose Deepwater Wind to develop a $1 billion wind farm off its coast. Deepwater Wind lists deep-pocketed investors such as First Wind, asset management giant D.E. Shaw and Ospraie Management, an alternative energy asset manager.
The economics of offshore wind development continue to make sense, although the cost of construction could range 50% to 70% higher than on-shore development. Babcock & Brown's biggest land-based project, Gulf Wind in Texas, will cost about $600 million to build 118 giant turbines to generate 283 megawatts of electric power. Factoring in the current U.S. production tax credit, and a cost of about $5 million for each giant turbine, Babcock & Brown will recoup its investment within seven to nine years.

The demand for such projects remains relatively strong, with the value of the electricity and power purchase agreements with utility companies forming the foundation. With offhshore wind, similar economics could make thebusiness viable, especially when factoring in the significantly higher price and demand for electricity on the Eastern Seaboard. Traditional oil and gas drilling rig operators may try to sell their wres to boost the offshore wind, since the industry plans to build in area less than 400 feet deep -- already in the realm of hte shallow water jack-up rig market. Oil services firm Vetgo Gray Inc. with plans to develop patents and methods for installing wind turbines on offshore oil rigs. A lot of oil service firms have old rigs that could possibly hold a wind turbine. The jack-up rigs can go in up to 400 feet of water. Some of the proposed offshore wind farms are only in 200 feet. Even if the old jack-up rigs aren't used, the offshore wind turbines will require some drilling to lay down undersea foundations. Offshore wind business could provide a lift for Hercules Offshore or Oceaneering International.

The U.S. has a long way to go to catch up to Europe, led by Britain and Denmark, which both boast more than 400 megawatts of offshore wind power. Still, the offshore wind power potential in the U.S. is impressive, as are the investment opportunities.

Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/energy-pioneers-eye-offshore-wind/story.aspx?guid={EF09C51D-AC5A-4306-8F7A-B736425C107D}&dist=TQP_Mod_mktwN Date: 08-10-08

Brazilian Wind Power Potential

Wind energy in Brazil could increase capacity by 1GW annually in the next 10 years, according to Lauro Fiuza Jr, president of Brazil's wind energy association ABEEólica. He believes the Brazilian government needs to come up with a long-term wind power program for that to happen.

Fiuza contends the program must include holding seperate wind power auctions, linking transmission lines directly to wind farms and ensuring the freedom to sell carbon credits and PPAs running at least 20 years.

ABEEólica believes a long-term policy would attract major companies to Brazil, increasing the sector's competitiveness. "Brazil has limited suppliers and its curcial to increase the number of investor to boost the sector," he said at an energy conference in Rio. "Current installed capacity in wind power in Brazil is only 256MW and the country has 143GW of estimated potential, not including offshore."

The belief in Brazil that wind energy is expensive is a major obstacle for the renewable soucr. "Wind power is less expensive than imaginable because it costs less than a third of a fossil liquid fuel-fired thermo plant," he said.

Brazil's government has said it will hold a wind power auction next year.

Source: http://www.windenergynews.com/content/view/1427/45/ Date: 09-10-08

New Jersey’s Big Offshore Plans

New Jersey’s Governor called for a tripling of the state’s commitment to develop offshore wind energy. “We will be changing the objective from 1,000 mega watts to 3,000 mega watts by 2020,” says Governor Jon Corzine. That would mean about 13 percent of New Jersey’s electricity needs would come from the ocean’s breeze.

Experts say all this make sense given the fluctuating cost of foreign oil and concerns over green houses created by burning fossil fuels. “We think this is a very important commitment when moving into alternative energies,” says Corzine.

Last week the State Board of Public Utilities granted $4million out of an earmarked $19 million dollars for developing wind energy to a joint venture of PSEG and Deepwater Wind called Garden State Offshore Energy. At least $15 million could still be up for grabs.

“We have the ability to build a second industry side by side ours,” says Daniel Cohen president of Fishermen’s Energy, a group made up by those who harvest the sea. He hopes today’s announcement means his company will get another serious chance to start building a wind farm. “We have the docks; we have the men, the employees who want to be re-trained. And we can deliver to the state a significant portion of that offshore energy,” says Cohen.

Cohen says Fishermen’s project could be built more quickly than others and nearly all the jobs it creates would be in South Jersey. Something he has discussed with the Governor. Several other groups join Fishermen’s desire to help kick start a massive wind energy industry, but the most concrete plans as of now are for 96 turbines from GSOE about 15 to 20 miles off the local coast.

Source: http://www.windenergynews.com/content/view/1426/43/ Date: 08-10-08

Bluewater To Erect Wind Turbine Park To Be Built Off New Jersey Coast

Bluewater invited to meet with officials about additional off-coast energy projects

New Jersey utility regulators chose a PSEG-backed wind-power venture Friday for a 350-megawatt offshore pilot project, potentially giving Bluewater Wind's Delaware startup a new neighbor in the booming industry.

Bluewater, a company that already plans to build more than 60 turbines off Rehoboth Beach, was a runner-up in the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities competition for up to million in state assistance.

Bluewater spokesman Jim Lanard said more offshore wind opportunities already have emerged in New Jersey and elsewhere. Gov. Jon Corzine's office, he said, invited the company to meet with energy officials after the utilities board meeting Friday "to talk about state policies that would support additional wind parks off the coast."

"We're feeling really optimistic and excited about the prospect of developing a Delaware and a New Jersey project, perhaps simultaneously, so that our mobilization of resources can provide the best economies of scale for ratepayers," Lanard said.

Meanwhile, the state of Maryland earlier this week collected formal "expressions of interest" for alternative energy projects to serve state and county government buildings -- including offshore wind. Bluewater submitted its entry Wednesday.

"This is a great day," said Jeff Tittel, chairman of the Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter. "We'd like to see at least another wind-farm project, or more. It's a lot cheaper than building a new nuclear plant."

New Jersey's utilities board chose Garden State Offshore Energy for that state's first ocean wind farm. The .1 billion plan by Garden State -- a joint venture of PSEG Renewable Generation and Deepwater Wind -- calls for 96 turbines off Atlantic City and Avalon, supported by the state's million startup subsidy.

Bluewater had proposed a 348-megawatt wind farm off Atlantic City.

"PSEG believes that to meet the challenges of climate change, we need to move forward in three areas -- expanding energy efficiency and conservation, investing in renewables and planning for additional clean central station power," said Ralph Izzo, chairman, CEO and president of PSEG. "We believe that offshore energy has great potential to bring clean energy and jobs to New Jersey."

PSEG spokesman Paul Rosengren said the wind farm's electricity would be sold to the regional market, or possibly to individual wholesale buyers, such as food-store chains hoping to market their businesses as environmentally friendly.

Corzine was expected to address the state's long-range energy plan separately as early as next week, possibly with an increase in the state's long-range wind goal, now set at 1,000 megawatts. Environmental groups have urged a 3,000-megawatt target by 2020. Current goals call for at least 20 percent of electricity needs to come from renewables by the same year.

Bluewater already has a contract to build an 0 milllion wind farm with a capacity of 200 megawatts in federal waters off Rehoboth Beach, with electricity earmarked for Delmarva Power. The company is seeking other business, including with Maryland, that could triple the size of the operation and expand to a second wind farm off Ocean City, Md.

Delmarva's contract with Bluewater includes assurances that the utility will get "most-favored" rates if an expansion creates lower costs for other buyers. Under the current deal, Delmarva customers will pay about extra per month over the 25-year life of the contract, compared with electricity from conventionally fueled plants.

Wind-power advocates have argued that rising fossil fuel costs and tougher pollution controls will drive up rates for regular plants, eventually making wind and other clean fuels more competitive.

Also in the running in New Jersey was Fishermen's Energy of New Jersey LLC, which planned to build eight turbines three miles off Atlantic City and 66 turbines six miles out.

In Delaware, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary John A. Hughes said he hopes Bluewater considers development of consolidated on-shore work and management centers for wind projects across the region. The wind company's parent, Babcock & Brown, already has made some commitments to making Delaware a hub for offshore wind enterprises.

"We can offer really advantageous shore facilities," Hughes said. "There's no particular reason to build two assembly sites capable of handling 400-ton objects 50 miles from each other."

Five countries currently have operating wind turbines offshore: Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Ireland. Germany also is developing offshore turbines.

Onshore turbines currently dominate the American wind market, producing 19,500 megawatts across 35 states, or about 1 percent of national electricity consumption.

Source: http://www.windfair.net/press/5318.html Date: 03-10-08