Exploring this week’s industry updates with Eco Insights as we highlight the latest trends in renewable energy. The UK has become the first G7 nation to exit coal-fired power, marking the end of a 142-year history of coal-fired electricity. Solar & Storage Live 2024 in Birmingham showcased optimism in the sector, while Solar Energy UK has partnered with RePower Ukraine to deliver vital solar power systems to hospitals and critical infrastructure in Ukraine. The UK Solar Taskforce has also been relaunched, aiming to drive a 2GW solar energy expansion by 2030. Innovative technologies are reshaping the sector, with Statera Energy submitting plans for the UK’s first utility-scale green hydrogen project in Aberdeenshire, and FuturEnergy Ireland submitting a proposal for Europe’s first iron-air battery energy storage system in Donegal. On the project front, Low Carbon has commissioned four solar projects in the UK with a total capacity of 133 MW, and RWE has begun construction on additional solar farms while launching a new UK Solar Developers Charter to prioritize social and environmental well-being. Let’s explore the key trends and developments that are shaping the future of renewable energy. ??????
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?? Industry Updates:
Catch up on the latest news, policy changes and trends.
- UK Becomes First G7 Nation to Exit Coal-fired Power - The country has been burning coal to make electricity since 1882 but the last remaining plant, in Nottinghamshire, is being decommissioned as capacity from clean alternatives has allowed it. The closure of Uniper-owned Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottinghamshire brings to an end a 142-year history of burning the fossil fuel to produce electricity in the country. Read the full article.
- Key Takeaways From Solar & Storage Live, UK - Solar & Storage Live returned to the United Kingdom in September and there was some optimism at the show for an industry with plenty of untapped potential. The 2024 edition of the show was held last week at the NEC Birmingham, England. Read the full article.
- Solar Energy UK Backs Solar Aid for Ukraine - Solar trade association Solar Energy UK has signed an agreement with RePower Ukraine to aid the delivery of vital backup power systems for threatened hospitals and other critical infrastructure. RePower Ukraine was formed as a charitable foundation by Ukraine's largest solar energy companies in the wake of the 2022 Russian invasion, in order to counter its direst impacts. Earlier this year, RePower supplied a 24-kilowatt rooftop solar power system and associated 28.8 kilowatt-hour battery storage system for a district hospital near Kyiv. It was specifically designed to provide reliable power for the hospital's intensive care unit. Read the full article.
- UK Solar Taskforce Relaunches to Drive 2GW Expansion - The UK Government’s Solar Taskforce has held its first meeting since being reactivated, as part of efforts to accelerate the country’s shift towards clean energy by 2030. The taskforce, which brings together leaders from government, industry and regulatory bodies, aims to expand solar energy projects across the nation, enhancing energy independence and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Read the full article.
- Bluefield Solar Says it is Now Responsible for 5% of the UK’s Solar Generation - Bluefield Solar Income Fund (BSIF), an investor focused on large scale renewable energy assets in the UK, has released its annual results for the year ended June 2024, claiming that its operational portfolio is now responsible for 5% of UK solar generation. Read the full article.
- Companies Team-up to Make Heat Pumps and Solar Panels More Affordable for UK Homeowners - Leading renewable energy firm Scottish Power and Santander UK, have joined forces to make adopting energy efficient technology in UK homes more affordable. Santander UK will offer ￡500 cashback to its customers who take out a Santander loan to finance renewable energy home projects like heat pumps or solar panels. ScottishPower will also provide an additional ￡500 credit to those customers' energy accounts when they purchase and install solar panels at home through ScottishPower. Read the full article.
- Global Renewable Energy Employment Hits 16.2m as Solar Power Helps Lead Jobs Growth - More than 16.2 million people are now employed in renewable energy, with investment in solar power helping to drive robust jobs growth across the industry, according to a new report. The international Renewable Energy Agency's (Irena) annual review showed employment grew by 18 per cent year-on-year. Jobs growth was particularly strong in China, which now accounts for nearly half of all jobs in renewable energy (48 per cent). Solar photovoltaics (PV), a sector which includes power generated by solar panels, employed 7.1 million people, up from 4.9 million in 2022. Read the full article.
?? Innovative Technologies:
Discovering the cutting-edge technologies and innovations that are driving sustainability and reshaping the industry.
- UK Plans for Record-breaking Green Hydrogen Project in Aberdeenshire - Statera Energy has submitted plans for the UK’s first utility-scale green hydrogen project. Energy infrastructure operator Statera Energy has unveiled plans to develop Kintore Hydrogen, the UK’s first utility-scale green hydrogen project, located in Aberdeenshire. This project is designed to harness surplus renewable energy for green hydrogen production. Once operational, Kintore Hydrogen is expected to be the largest project of its kind in Europe. Read the full article.
- University of Houston Partners with Harris County to Create a Sustainable Energy Future - University of Houston researchers are partnering with the Harris County Office of County Administration’s Sustainability Office, the Harris County Energy Management Team and other county staff to develop a comprehensive baseline of energy use and energy-use intensity for county’s assets.? Once established, the baseline will enable the team to track progress and evaluate the effectiveness of energy-saving measures over time, laying the groundwork for programs aimed at reducing energy consumption, maximizing savings, and increasing the use of renewable and resilient energy sources in county-owned buildings and operations. Read the full article.
- FuturEnergy Ireland Submits Planning Application for Europe’s First Iron-air battery - FuturEnergy Ireland has announced its intentions to build Europe’s first iron-air battery energy storage system (BESS). The company has submitted a planning application for the proposed Ballynahone Energy Storage project to Donegal County Council. If approved, the project will be located next to Trillick Substation, near the town of Buncrana in County Donegal. The first and smallest project will have a 10MW/1GWh capacity, with later projects on the site having a maximum capacity of 8GWh. Read the full article.
?? Project Pipelines:
This weeks projects and initiatives that are making a positive impact.
- Low Carbon Powers up 133 MW Across Four UK Solar Sites - UK renewable energy company Low Carbon announced the commissioning of four solar projects with an overall capacity of 133 MW in the UK. The latest addition is the 49.9-MW Layer solar farm in Essex, which involves a newly constructed 132kV substation to facilitate grid connection. Since June, the company has also energised the 23-MW Crouch, 25-MW Maldon Wycke and 35-MW Links solar farms. Collectively, these assets are expected to power the equivalent of more than 38,000 homes. Read the full article.
- RWE Expands its Solar Footprint in the UK and Launches an Industry-leading Solar Developers Charter - RWE, the UK’s leading power generator, has announced the start of construction of a further four of its solar projects in the UK. It brings the total number to 11, and marks a further step in the growth of the company’s renewable energy footprint and support for the UK’s net-zero ambitions. At the same time, the global renewables leader has launched a new UK Solar Developers Charter, a unique move within the sector, and which demonstrates RWE’s dedication to placing social, economic, and environmental well-being at the heart of its development and construction activities. Read the full article.
- DLA Piper Advises BayWa r.e. on the Sale of Three UK Solar Projects to Octopus - Global law firm DLA Piper has advised BayWa r.e., a leading renewable energy developer, on the sale of three solar projects to Octopus Energy Generation, one of Europe’s largest specialist renewables investors. The solar farms, with a combined capacity of 222 MWp, are set to supply renewable power to approximately 80,000 households in the UK. Read the full article.
- Zestec Partners with Co-op to Deploy 30MW Solar PV Across up to 700 Sites - Zestec Renewable Energy, a power purchase agreement (PPA) provider, has announced a partnership with UK retailer Co-op to deploy up to 30MW of rooftop solar installations. Across Co-op’s 700 UK sites, solar installations will form part of the retailer’s efforts to achieve its ambition of net zero by 2035. Under the PPA model, Zestec will design, develop, fund, and actively manage rooftop solar PV systems meaning Co-op will not have to foot any upfront capital costs. Read the full article.
- BOOM Power Granted Planning Consent for 300MW/660MWh BESS - Developer BOOM Power has successfully landed planning permission for a major battery energy storage system (BESS) project on the Isle of Anglesey, Wales. The Carrog BESS is a 300MW/660MWh, two-hour duration project located at Carrog Ganol, near Cemaes. The developers emphasise that the 38.7-acre project site does not include any land designated as the best and most versatile agricultural land. The development will involve the installation of 158 BESS units plus two spares, as well as associated infrastructure. BOOM Power have not yet provided any indication of when construction will begin. Read the full article.
- Gore Street to Rollout Arenko Software Across 18 Projects Totalling 500MW - Gore Street Energy Storage Fund has agreed on a deal to use Arenko’s Nimbus software across its operational portfolio. Over the next six months, an initial 18 grid-scale battery energy storage projects with a capacity totalling just under 500MW will be onboarded onto the AI-enabled Nimbus platform. The first asset is expected to be fully integrated within a few weeks of the deal’s completion. Read the full article.
- Pacific Green Hits Major Milestones at 373.5MWh Sheaf Energy Park - Pacific Green has marked significant milestones in the construction of its 373.5MWh Sheaf Energy Park in Kent, England. The battery energy storage system (BESS) project, developed on the brownfield site of the former Richborough coal-fired power station, will serve as an essential asset for energy storage and transmission, supporting the Nemo Link interconnector with Belgium and the nearby Thanet Offshore Wind Farm. Read the full article.
? Talent Spotlight:
Highlighting this weeks hottest jobs in the renewable industry.
- Technical Sales Engineer | Swindon | Up to ￡45k - View Job
- Commercial Lead | Hybrid/Cork | Up to ￡75k - View Job
- Ventilation Engineer | Field Based North | Up to ￡30k - View Job
- Ventilation Engineer | Field Based Midlands | Up to ￡30k - View Job
- Part Time HR Assistant | Swindon | Up to ￡20,625k - View Job
- Land Planning Manager | Remote/Hybrid | Up to ￡80k - View Job
- Solar Site Supervisor | Chorley | Up to ￡50k - View Job
- Site Supervisor | Manchester | Up to ￡50k - View Job
- Solar & Comms Engineer | Germany | Up to $60k - View Job
- Solar & Comms Engineer | Milton Keynes/Nationwide | Up to ￡50k - View Job
- Electrical Project Engineer | Wadebridge | Up to ￡50k - 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 - Shaping the future #WithPurpose
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