26-02-2024 - From Green Investment Market Under Threat to The Sahara Providing UK Energy.

Exploring this week's industry updates with ?????? ???????????????? as we take a look into the latest industry developments, from governmental strategies guiding energy policy to challenges facing the UK's Green Investment Market. Despite growth in the UK's net zero economy, concerns linger over policy reversals and competition. Were taking a look at the key trends and developments that have happened this week which promise to shape the landscape of sustainable energy. ??????

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?? Industry Updates:

Catch up on the latest news, policy changes and trends.

• The Government Release Strategy Statement For Energy Policy - The statement is meant to complement previous papers published by the government, like the Net Zero Strategy (2021) and the British Energy Security Strategy (2022), and provides guidance to the energy sector on the actions and decisions that are needed to deliver the government’s policy goals. Read the full story here.
• UK's Green Investment Market Under Threat - The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF), which brings together 300-plus members managing over ￡19tn in global assets under management (AUM), has released a report showing 63% of UK energy companies have moved, or plan to move, investments out of the UK to a market more supportive of their sustainability goals. Read the full story here.
• NIC Calls For Further Net Zero Support From UK Government - Ahead of the Spring Budget 2024, the National Infrastructure Committee (NIC) has called for “increased levels of investment” from UK government officials. In an open letter to the chancellor of the exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, and secretary of state for energy security and net zero, Claire Coutinho, the NIC chair, John Armitt, asked for quicker decision-making and further funding for renewable projects. Read the full story here.
• 9% Growth in the UK's Net Zero Economy - The UK’s net zero economy grew by 9% in 2023, a report has revealed, in stark contrast to the 0.1% growth seen in the economy overall. Nevertheless, the report pointed out that strong future growth from green businesses was being put at risk by government policy reversals, lack of investment and competition from the EU and US. Read the full story here.
• Miliband Vows to Prioritise English Onshore Wind - UK shadow energy secretary Ed Miliband has pledged to make overturning a de facto ban on onshore wind development in England one of his first acts in government if the Labour Party wins a general election this year.
• 39% Increase In Demand For Heat Pumps
• Controversy Over UK's Largest Solar Farm Project - Cleve Hill
• UK Set to Lead Europe in BESS Boom
• Salzgitter Signs Agreement with Octopus to Supply Green Electricity
• As We Transition Into Renewables Will the UK Face Electricity Blackouts?
• Project challenges in the UK solar industry

?? Innovative Technologies:

Discovering the cutting-edge technologies and innovations that are driving sustainability and reshaping the industry.

• Utilising the Sahara Desert to Aid UK's Power Demand - Britain plans to utilise solar farms in the Sahara Desert, aided by a 700ft ship, to connect Moroccan renewables to a substation in Devon, potentially meeting 8% of the UK’s power demand. Read the full story.
• Grant Awarded to Researchers to Develop Safer and Greener Batteries - Researchers at Aston University are currently?investigating how to make lithium-ion batteries, which are the most widely used in devices and electric vehicles, safer and less harmful to the environment using gel electrolyte materials. Read the full story.
• Recyclable ‘Water Batteries’ That Do Not Catch Fire or Explode - A worldwide team of researchers and industry colleagues, led by RMIT University, has developed recyclable ‘water batteries’ that will not catch fire or explode. Lead researcher Distinguished Professor Tianyi Ma stated that their batteries were at the forefront of an emerging area of aqueous energy storage devices, with innovations that significantly enhanced the technology’s performance and longevity. Read the full story.

?? Project Pipelines:

This weeks projects and initiatives that are making a positive impact.

• UK Could Secure Record Number of Offshore Wind Farms - A report by RenewableUK suggests that the UK could see a significant increase in offshore capacity through an upcoming government auction for contracts for difference (CfD).The report notes a record 14 offshore wind projects eligible for the auction, potentially adding nearly 10.3GW of new capacity. Read the full story here.
• Highfield Solar Secures Financing for 93 MW of Solar in Ireland - Highfield Solar has achieved financial close for a 93 MWp solar plant in Ireland, securing ￡56 million of debt financing. Installation of the project’s grid-connection infrastructure has already begun, with construction of the actual solar array to be finished by September 2024. Read the full story here.
• ￡21m Funding Boosts Seven UK hydrogen Fuel Projects - The UK Government is backing seven projects across the country with ￡21m in funding to advance domestic hydrogen fuel production. Announced at the government’s second Hydrogen Investor Forum, which explored the financial and net zero opportunities of the UK's hydrogen economy, the hydrogen fuel projects will be instrumental in powering local transport and business nationwide. Read the full story here.
• Renewable Power Bags 57MW Ready-to-build Project - Renewable Power Capital (RPC) has completed the acquisition of a 57MW ready-to-build battery storage project in the UK. With this deal, RPC adds its first shovel-ready storage scheme to its UK portfolio. Read the full story here.
• UK Government Adds ￡1 million Project to V2X Technology Programme - The UK government has added an electric heavy goods vehicle (eHGV) project to its funding scheme focused on supporting vehicle-to-everything (V2X) projects. The project, led by Kaasai Services Ltd and its consortium of partners, ZevHub Ltd and Project Better Energy Ltd, received ￡1,404,414 from the government to support its development through a trial and first roll-out. Read the full story here.
• Lhyfe Launces First UK Project for 20MW Green Hydrogen Plant
• Masdar Arlington, RPC Progress 112MW of BESS Projects in the UK
• 1GW of Solar Energised on Irish Grid
• Solar PV to Provide Up to 90% of Power for Haynes Motor Museum

? Talent Spotlight:

Highlighting this weeks hottest jobs in the renewable industry.

This Weeks hottest Jobs:

• BDM - Renewables | Coventry | ￡40k - ￡50k - View Job
• Senior Electrical Engineer | Cheshire | Up to ￡60k - View Job
• Technical Manager | Cheshire | Up to ￡65k - View Job
• Solar Supervisor | Tyne & Wear | ￡40k-￡50k - View Job
• Project Engineer | Swindon | Competitive package - View Job
• Design Engineer | Swindon | Competitive package - View Job
• Fusion Design Engineer | UK | ￡50K -￡70K - View Job
• Data Engineer | Cambridge | ￡45k - ￡55k + Package - View Job
• Chief Commercial Officer | Estonia/Remote | Competitive package - View Job
• Senior Solar Manager | Bristol/Hybrid or Remote | ￡50k-￡60k - View Job
• Senior Scientist | Cambridge, UK | Competitive package - View Job
• Contracts Manager | Crawley | ￡60k - ￡70k - View Job

For all the latest roles, updates and help with hiring specialist, cleantech talent check out Zero Global - Shaping the future #WithPurpose

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