Wind Developments

Wind Onshore - Bank Loans for onshore wind energy

2009-11-10T12:15:00.000-08:00

Published: 10 November 2009

A scheme to offer bank loans for wind onshore energy projects could allow up to £1.4bn of wind projects to begin construction over the next three years.

RBS, Lloyds Banking and BNP Paribas Fortis have begun offering loans of between £20m and £100m for eligible wind onshore projects to boost the UK’s renewable-energy portfolio.

Ed Miliband, energy and climate change secretary, and Alistair Darling, chancellor, will be hosting a forum to allow wind-farm developers and the banks to start brokering the deals.

Miliband said: ‘The UK now has 4GW of wind capacity and the pace of installation is picking up. It took us 14 years to build the first gigawatt and just one year to build the last, but we still need a six-fold increase in renewables by 2020 to hit our renewables target. That target is vital if we are to be on course to cutting emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.’

‘So we need to pull out the stops, including making sure the capital is there to build the wind farms in the first place. This partnership of the EIB with RBS, BNP Paribas Fortis and Lloyds Banking group will address that problem.’

As part of the scheme, the European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide up to £700m of the finance, with the remainder to be matched by the three banks.

Darling welcomed the EIB’s commitment to provide this funding for renewable projects and said that money would be vital to building the UK’s capacity in renewable energy as the government continues to push for a global agreement on climate change at Copenhagen.

Simon Brooks, EIB’s European vice president responsible for the UK, added: ‘The EIB's contribution to transforming wind-energy generation in the UK is a core element of our support for renewable-energy technology across Europe. We are sure that targeted support, following UK and European Union policy combating climate change, will facilitate rapid and sustained investment in the industry and promote continued transformation to a low-carbon economy.’

You could also read some of my other posts on Wind Developments

For Jobs in the Wind Onshore and Offshore sector, please visit Wind Energy Jobs

Wind Developments

2009-11-10T07:26:00.000-08:00

In the current economic climate, the wind energy market is probably one of the few industry sectors that are experiencing an increase trend in growth.

The ultimate question is, will the onshore Wind Developments sector crash when there are no more feasible sites for development? If so, how quickly will the remaining feasible wind sites be developed?

From a recruitment perspective, Wind Developers are in great demand for talented professionals who have a strong background in onshore Wind Developments. Feel free to view the number of positions I have open:

- Wind Developer
- Project Manager - Wind Developments
- Wind Development Jobs - Belgium

The obvious move would be for Onshore Wind Developers to do Offshore Developments and perhaps this is where the industry will equilise eventually?

If you are looking for opportunities in the Wind energy market, but none of the above roles are suitable, you can still register with us at: www.zenvik.com

UK Renewable Energy Industry

2009-11-05T02:51:00.000-08:00

UK's RE industry of growing importance

The UK energy industry employs around 140,000 people and accounts for 4.8% of GDP.

At this stage renewable energy contributes a smaller percentage to the sector in comparison to electricity and gas, but with the government predicting that renewables could provide up to 160,000 jobs by 2020 - this is set to increase quickly. In 2007 renewable energy use grew by 8.4%.

To register with Zenvik and be a part of this industry's growth, please register on our website: www.zenvik.com

Mapping Wind Resource in South Africa

2009-11-03T11:27:00.001-08:00

Mapping wind resources in South Africa
03 November 2009

Risø DTU has produced a detailed map of the wind resources in South Africa showing the best locations for wind turbines and is a prerequisite for funding wind farms.
The wind maps are produced by means of extensive measurements and software programmes developed in the Wind Energy Division at Risø DTU. Similar wind maps are now used in 30 countries around the world including. in Ireland, India, the Faroe Islands, Egypt and China. Right now a map is being prepared for South Africa.

The next step is now being taken as it has been decided where to locate 10 measuring masts along the coast to show the wind conditions at these sites. The 60 m high masts are to transmit data on wind and temperature during 36 months on locations where you would expect a high yield and where the measurements can be compared with the models. Both are necessary input for the verification of models.

Senior Scientist Andrea Hahmann, says: “The masts provide us with information about the wind; we will compare this knowledge with our modelled predictions, also taking into account our knowledge of the terrain and its obstacles, natural as well as man-made. The result is a map showing some red areas for the best suitable wind turbine locations.

"It is more expensive to establish a wind farm than to build a coal-fired power plant, and the banks will not finance a wind farm if you cannot tell how much energy you expect it to get out of it. That’s the way it is, even if you do not have to estimate fuel costs once the wind turbines are there," Andrea continues.

In November and January Risø researchers are visiting South Africa again to organise courses and seminars for the public on their technique and their wind map project. This should allow their results to be included in the development plans for wind energy in South Africa. And hopefully it will be possible to establish wind farms here in 2012.

Site: http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/4953/mapping-wind-resources-in-south-africa/

SA 500MW Wind Development JV

2009-11-03T11:03:00.000-08:00

Mainstream Renewable Power builds 500 MW wind in South Africa

02 April 2009

Mainstream Renewable Power has signed a joint venture (JV) deal with South African windfarm developer, Genesis Eco-Energy, to build an initial pipeline of over 500 MW of wind energy in South Africa by 2014.
The JV company plans to have two wind energy projects with a combined capacity of 70 MW ready for construction early next year. The deal involves a €850 million capital expenditure over a five year period and could see projects developed at the Eastern, Northern and Western Capes.

The 30 MW Jeffrey's Bay windfarm, near Port Elizabeth and a 40 MW project at Colesberg are both at advanced development stages and are expected to be fully operational early in 2011.

Mainstream Renewable Energy's Chief Executive, Dr Eddie O'Connor says: “Wind energy is very much an untapped resource in South Africa and this is a huge opportunity for us. The country is facing serious power shortages due to the lack of generating capacity.

“Right now there is less than 10 MW of wind energy in operation in South Africa, but with their excellent wind resource there's the potential for many thousands. We are confident that the South African Government will shortly implement appropriate policies to kick-start and support the wind energy market.”

Genesis Eco-Energy's Director of Operations, Davin Chown adds: “Our partnership will support the government’s drive to demonstrate tangible and meaningful progress toward the implementation of large scale renewable energy projects ahead of events such as the FIFA 2010 World Cup.

“It will also be an important boost to economic development, energy security, job creation and local industry development for the local and provincial economies in the target project areas. The projects will also significantly contribute to the country’s climate change mitigation strategy”.

Site info: http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/1002/mainstream-renewable-power-builds-500-mw-wind-in-south-africa/

Wind Development

2009-11-02T13:38:00.000-08:00

Wind Development is fast becoming the driving force for government and company objectives of creating a more sustainable future... Get in touch with Zenvik if you are looking to be a part of the growth of Wind energy - www.zenvik.com