Exploring this week’s industry updates with ?????? ???????????????? as we delve into the latest developments in clean energy. The Prime Minister and Welsh First Minister have outlined a joint vision to transform Britain into a clean energy superpower, focusing on investment in homegrown energy to drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance energy independence. Ofgem is introducing a new approach to its Strategic Innovation Fund, aiming to accelerate progress towards net-zero by 2030. GRIDSERVE is expanding its sustainable EV charging solutions globally, while successful initiatives like the Solar Together scheme continue to promote solar adoption. Let’s explore the key trends and developments that are shaping the future of renewable energy. ??????
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Catch up on the latest news, policy changes and trends.
- Prime Minister and Welsh First Minister announce vision to make Britain a clean energy superpower - The Prime Minister and Welsh First Minister will supercharge efforts to make Britain a clean energy superpower, by investing in homegrown energy to grow the economy, create jobs, boost skills, and strengthen our energy independence. Visiting a wind farm in West Wales which benefitted from Welsh Government funding, the Prime Minister and First Minister will pledge close cooperation to unleash the benefits of a publicly owned energy company, in the pair’s first official visit since the appointment of the First Minister.??Read the full article here.
- Ofgem announce new approach to Strategic Innovation Fund to drive progress to net zero by 2030 - Ofgem has announced the introduction of a new process which gives innovators more opportunities to apply or re-apply to the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) and gain funding quicker than ever before.?SIF projects support efforts to end the era of high energy bills, excessive carbon emissions and energy insecurity by accelerating the transition to clean, homegrown energy. The changes, which follow extensive engagement with stakeholders, will make the SIF more flexible and create more opportunities to apply for funding. Read the full article.
- GRIDSERVE Expands Globally with Sustainable EV Charging - GRIDSERVE, a leader in sustainable energy and EV infrastructure, has announced the launch of GRIDSERVE GLOBAL, a bold initiative to extend its cutting-edge EV charging solutions worldwide while bolstering its grassroots operations in the UK. The move comes when the global shift towards EVs and renewable energy accelerates, underscoring the need for reliable and innovative infrastructure to support this transformation. With its proven success in the UK and ambitious global expansion plans, GRIDSERVE will play a pivotal role in the future of electric mobility by creating GRIDSERVE GLOBAL. It is already a household name in the UK, with nearly 1,500 charging bays installed at more than 190 locations, making it a key player in the country's transition to EVs. Read the full article.
- Solar Together scheme returns following success in Warrington - After 95 residents installed solar panels through last year's group-buying scheme, the scheme returns to offer high-quality installations from trusted suppliers to those who missed out. The Solar Together scheme, powered by iChoosr and facilitated by the council alongside Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester Councils, brought together residents who were interested in installing solar panels, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging in the sub-region. Read the full article.
- Nearly 60% support new UK solar farms - A recent poll shows strong public support for the government's clean energy policies, including the Great British Energy plan, but less support for cuts to winter fuel payments. The survey, conducted by YouGov for the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), also shows that 68% are in favour of the ‘Great British Energy‘ initiative and 60% back lifting the ban on onshore wind. Read the full article.
- Decision looms on plans for solar panel farm - Plans for a solar farm in East Sussex are set to go in front of councillors on Tuesday. Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee will consider proposals to build a solar farm, battery energy storage system and associated infrastructure, on land south of Cross Levels Way, in Eastbourne. Planning officers have recommended the project is approved, subject to conditions, but 114 letters of objection have been submitted due to concerns around the archaeological, ecological and visual importance of the site. Read the full article.
- Solar 21 Tackles UK Government over ‘cost implications’ of planning delay on Energy Park project - Solar 21 has voiced its frustration at British government delays to a key planning application that could hinder its ability to repay substantial sums to Irish investors. In a letter to Britain’s Planning Inspectorate, the troubled Irish renewables investment firm said the continued delay it is facing to get a planning decision on its proposed North Lincolnshire Green Energy Park project is having “significant” cost implications and creating uncertainty for its investors. The firm is currently attempting to pay back more than €250m to its Irish investors through a scheme of arrangement agreed last year in the High Court. Read the full article.
- Councils withdraw from solar farm legal action - A legal challenge against an approved solar farm project will end after two councils withdrew from the action. The 2,500-acre Sunnica Energy Farm on the Suffolk/Cambridgeshire border was approved last month by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband. Suffolk County Council, West Suffolk Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and East Cambridgeshire District Council had planned to undertake a judicial review proceeding against the plans. Read the full article.
- UK reaches 250,000 certified heat pump installations - According to the latest data from MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable energy installations, the UK has now reached 250,000 all-time certified heat pump installations. It is a major milestone in the UK’s adoption of small-scale renewables, and the latest data highlights that uptake is gathering pace.?From January to July 2024, more than 30,000 certified heat pumps were installed in homes and small businesses across the UK, which is a 45% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and puts 2024 on track to be a record-breaking year for the technology as more people transition to cleaner, greener heating solutions.?Read the full article.
- Europe's biggest solar farm 'could desecrate fens' - Campaigners opposed to a large solar energy project have warned it would cause significant damage to communities and the landscape of southern Lincolnshire. The Meridian Solar Farm could become the biggest development of its kind in Europe, generating electricity for more than 200,000 homes, if it gets the go-ahead from the UK government. David Vernon, of developer Downing Renewable Developments, said it had met hundreds of residents and stakeholders during a consultation and the project would deliver significant benefits at both a national and a local scale. Read the full article.
- PowerGreen, Close Brothers team to fund UK solar and storage businesses - PowerGreen has partnered with asset finance provider Close Brothers Asset Finance to offer bespoke funding for UK businesses installing solar and battery storage. The collaboration aims to provide UK businesses with tailored financing options for solar and battery storage solutions. This is expected to accelerate the transition to renewable energy within the commercial sector. Read the full article.
Discovering the cutting-edge technologies and innovations that are driving sustainability and reshaping the industry.
- Octopus backs ￡4.6m funding round for sailing vessels that produce renewable hydrogen - British clean tech startup Drift Energy has secured ￡4.65m worth of seed capital from Octopus Ventures to develop sailing vessels that will create green hydrogen at sea using deep ocean wind. The funding will come from the venture capital arm of Octopus Investments, along with support from climate tech investment programme Blue Action Accelerator. Drift Energy’s ‘hi-tech’ sailing vessels will harness ocean wind energy using underwater turbines to feed an on-board megawatt (MW) class electrolyser which will produce and store gigawatts (GW) of green hydrogen. This green hydrogen will be then transported to ports for storage and/or use. Artificial intelligence (AI) routing algorithms will be used to ensure vessel safety. Read the full story.
- UK energy company tries novel solution to renewables storage: free electricity - A UK energy company is trialling giving electricity away free to customers at certain times as a way of tackling the problem of how to store renewable energy when demand is low. Octopus Energy Group's plan is a response to the problem of curtailment, when more solar and wind energy is produced than can be loaded onto the power grid. Read the full story.
This weeks projects and initiatives that are making a positive impact.
- EDF Renewables UK to connect over 300 MW of BESS within 12 months - France’s EDF Renewables is currently constructing 313 MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the UK, planning to get them online during the next 12 months, the company's UK unit said on Tuesday. The capacity will come from six battery facilities, which together could provide enough power to meet the needs of over 400,000 houses for two hours, according to EDF Renewables UK. Among the projects currently under construction are a 57-MW battery in Essex and another 47.5-MW battery in Cornwall. Read the full article.
- AMPYR Distributed Energy makes major partnerships - AMPYR Distributed Energy has formed strategic partnerships with two firms to boost the rollout of solar energy projects. AMPYR has inked a ￡10 million framework agreement with Harvest Green Developments, allowing the two companies to work together to provide long term power purchase agreement (PPA) financing for businesses seeking to decarbonise their operations. As part of the deal, Harvest Green has sold its 1.4MWp solar portfolio to AMPYR. Read the full article.
- Sungrow teams up with SSE Renewables for 320MW BESS - Sungrow has signed a supply agreement with SSE Renewables for a major battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Yorkshire. Sungrow, a manufacturer of PV inverters and energy storage systems, has agreed to provide SSE Renewables with 320MW/640MWh worth of its PowerTitan liquid-cooled BESS units for its Monk Fryston project in the north of England. Once completed, this project will be connected to the UK’s highest voltage level grid, increasing grid flexibility in the local area. Read the full article.
- RWE progresses plans for 320MW solar NSIP in Yorkshire - German power producer RWE has concluded its statutory consultation on its 320MW Peartree Hill solar-plus-storage project in the East Riding of Yorkshire and is now reviewing community feedback. Due to its scale, Peartree Hill is a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP), meaning it must submit a development consent order (DCO) application. As part of this process, the National Planning Inspectorate will examine and recommend whether to approve or reject the development, with the Secretary of State having the final say. The proposed development will establish a grid connection via underground cables to the Creyke Beck Substation, transferring the electricity to the national electricity network. Read the full article.
- GB NRG completes 2MW PV installations for Crendon Timber Engineering - Solar installer GB NRG has successfully completed solar PV installations across Crendon Timber Engineering’s sites across the UK. All 15 of the timber manufacturing firm’s UK sites have been fitted with solar panels, which collectively generate 2MW of solar energy. One of the largest installations is at Crendon Timber’s East Harling site, which has been fitted with 250 400W panels, which collectively can generate 85,000kWh of power each year. This leads to an estimated CO2 saving of 19.5 tons every year. Crendon’s site in St Ives, Cornwall, is even larger, with 1,398 400W PV panels installed to total 573kW of capacity and generating 485,000kWh of power per annum, generating a CO2 reduction of 111.5 tons each year. Read the full article.
- Mitchells & Butlers celebrates onsite solar additions at more than 100 UK locations - Mitchells & Butlers has added onsite solar panels to more than 100 of its pubs, bars and restaurants across the UK, self-generating renewable electricity to cut carbon and energy costs. This week it confirmed that more than 100 sites including Vintage Inns, Harvester, and Toby Carvery locations now have operational rooftop solar arrays in place. Mitchells & Butlers’ head of building development and sustainability Ian Reeley said these projects have collectively generated more than 3MW of solar energy to date. Read the full article.
- New Forest solar farm plan approved - Plans to build a solar farm in the New Forest have been approved. The ￡8.5m proposal for land near Walkford Farm overcame resident and parish council objections to receive unanimous support from the district council’s planning committee. The solar panels will be in place for 40 years before the land, which is on the border of Bransgore and New Milton, is returned to agricultural use. In a report, external, council planning officers said the 29-hectare (72-acre) site would provide enough electricity for up to 5,000 homes a year. Read the full article.
Highlighting this weeks hottest jobs in the renewable industry.
- Solar Sales Engineer | Dorset | Up to ￡40k - View Job
- Renewables Sales Engineer | Dorset | Up to ￡40k - View Job
- Mechanical Engineer | Cumbria | Up to ￡30k - View Job
- Electrical Engineer | Cumbria | Up to ￡32k - View Job
- Retrofit Coordinator | Birmingham | Up to ￡45k - View Job
- Project Manager - Wind | Wadebridge | Up to ￡50k - View Job
For all the latest roles, updates and help with hiring specialist, cleantech talent check out Zero Global
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