Belmont Strategy’s Post

Today the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) released the draft of its next edition of the Integrated System Plan. On ABC Radio's RN Breakfast program I provided some perspective on what the plan as laid out. Firstly AEMO is spot on that we face some significant challenges with the speed and scale at which we are rolling out new power generation capacity and the transmission lines to take their power to customers. But at the same time we've achieved far more than anyone thought possible if we took ourselves back to 2015. Back in 2015 we were just recovering from the shell shock that was Tony 'Climate Change is Crap' Abbott's Prime Ministership when renewable energy represented 15% of NEM power supply. Yet in just two years time from now (2025) we'll almost certainly hit about 50% renewable energy based just on projects already in construction and maintaining the existing rate of rooftop solar installs. So within ten years we'll have taken Australia's main electricity grid from 15% renewables (mainly hydro) to 50% renewables (mainly wind and solar). If you look back through history that is an extremely rapid fuel mix change for an electricity system. I note in the radio interview that it is likely to get harder moving forward and hitting the Federal Government's 82% renewables target by 2030 seems like a massive mountain to climb in a very short period of time. Yet we shouldn't forget that we've managed to do what just a few years ago many thought to be impossible. The task ahead is huge, but thankfully we have lots of smart "can do" people who recognise the challenges but are intent on solving them and proving the "can't do" people wrong again.

Wiltshire’s Good Energy offers customers stake in projects via new partnership Chippenham-based renewables provider Good Energy has become an official supply partner of Ripple Energy, which employs a cooperative renewable energy ownership model. The new partnership will provide Good Energy customers the option to buy into and own a portion of large-scale wind and solar projects. They’ll then earn back credit through the electricity generated by those same projects. Nigel Pocklington, chief Executive of Good Energy, said: “Good Energy are the specialists in microgeneration – helping hundreds of thousands of customers to generate their own clean power and source it from small-scale renewable generators. “By working with Ripple, we can offer them the chance to own their own portion of a large-scale renewable project and reduce their bills at the same time.” Sarah Merrick, founder and chief executive of Ripple Energy, added... Continue reading... https://lnkd.in/eFUfnCEJ #energy #technoloy #innovation #sustainability #ESG #climate #wiltsnews #wiltshour #businessnews #businessintelligence

Mainstream Renewable Power has signed two Wind Energy Service Contracts the Department of Energy Philippines for two onshore wind farms totalling 440 MW. Mainstream’s signed what is the company’s first fully-owned WESCs in the Philippines and provides it with exclusive development rights for two onshore wind projects, which are in the early-stages of development. The 100 MW Santa Ana Cagayan Wind Project will be located in the Municipality of Santa Ana, Cagayan Province, and the 340 MW Panaon Wind Project will be located on Panaon Island in the Leyte Province. “The award of these contracts represents an important milestone for Mainstream as we continue to grow our development footprint across the Philippines,” explained Eduardo H. Karlin, Mainstream’s General Manager for APAC. “We are committed to the Philippine market and are well-placed to be part of the country’s energy transition and assist the government in reaching their targets of 35% renewable energy by 2030 and 50% by 2040.” “With the Philippine economy now thriving, marked by good growth and optimistic forecasts, we are pleased with the positive response of foreign and local investors to pour in capital in our country’s renewable energy sources,” remarked Raphael P.M. Lotilla, Energy Secretary. “Mainstream will be bringing in financial muscle and technological heft to work with our world-class workers throughout the construction and operational phases of all these projects, which means more employment for our people and livelihood opportunities in these areas.” Christian Halaas Lyster, Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines, added: “We are pleased to see Mainstream taking advantage of the DOE’s efforts in creating conducive conditions for renewable energy development in the Philippines. Norway remains a committed partner to the Philippines in its shift to renewable energy.” #cleanenergy

Interesting read on the renewable energy targets within the EU, under the renewable energy directive. Encouraging to see the positive impact that this is having on creating sustainable jobs within the EU. According to Wind Europe’s competitiveness report in 2023, the wind industry provided around 300,000 jobs across the EU in 2022. Based on the REPowerEU targets, the volume of jobs is estimated to grow to around 936,000 by 2023! #renewables #renewableenergy #contractrecruitment #recruitment #staffing #aor #eor #payrollpartner #payrollservices #compliance #compliancepartner #umbrellacompany #europe #europeancomission #europeanunion #eu #greenenergy #cleanenergy #energy #sustainability #sustainableenergy #windenergy #windpower https://lnkd.in/eVCFmNrz

Scottish Renewables, supported by 67 organisations within the renewable energy sector, has issued a collective plea to the new UK Government to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects. This call comes ahead of Allocation Round 6 (AR6) of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, crucial for securing investments in low carbon electricity generation. https://lnkd.in/eUrKfY69 #energy #utilities #renewableenergy #CfD #contractsfordifference

In July 2024, Ireland recorded its third-highest wind energy generation for the month, according to Wind Energy Ireland's latest report. Despite a slight increase in electricity prices to €110.94 per megawatt-hour from €107.74 in June, the benefits of renewable energy are clear. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) announced that Irish wind and solar farms are expected to return nearly €17 million to consumers over 2024 and 2025. Solar energy is also playing an increasingly important role in Ireland's renewable mix, especially during the summer months. With more solar farms coming online, this contribution is set to grow rapidly. Recent investments in An Bord Pleanála have streamlined the planning process for renewable energy projects, sending a strong signal to the market that Ireland is committed to a sustainable future. 🌍 #RenewableEnergy #Ireland #WindEnergy #SolarEnergy #Sustainability #GreenFuture #EnergyTransition #ClimateAction

Ørsted invests in battery storage with Hornsea 3 wind farm. Energy giant Ørsted's investment in a Tesla battery energy storage system co-located with Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm aims to stabilise the UK energy supply. #offshorewind #windenergy #windpower #renewableenergy #renewables #netzero #sustainability #energystorage #energycrisis #climatechange

Bulgaria: Updates in the national regulatory framework for the renewables sector Recent updates to the national regulatory framework for the renewable energy sector have brought about several significant changes, primarily focused on reducing the time and complexity associated with project development. This includes simplifications in licensing, permitting procedures, and grid connection timelines. As of early 2023, adjustments to the Spatial Development Act have eliminated the need […] https://lnkd.in/d52nVfgc

Tripling Renewables by 2030 Requires a Minimum of 16.4% Annual Growth Rate The Renewable Energy Statistics 2024 released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) today shows that despite renewables becoming the fastest growing source of power, the world will now have to grow renewables capacity at a minimum 16.4% rate annually through 2030. https://lnkd.in/g6xrUZcW #netzero

Credit article to reNEWS - Renewable Energy News The German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) has launched its latest tender for onshore wind energy, aiming to secure up to 4093MW in each of the next four procurement rounds. The additional volume comes from the quantities not allocated in the previous year. Bärbel Heidebroek, president of the Federal Wind Energy Association, said: "BNETZA has now provided clarity on the volumes of the next four onshore wind energy tenders. "This makes it clear that almost 15,000 MW can be put out to tender this year. "This should provide a strong motivation for the industry to continue to seek new approvals at high speed. #Europe #FederalNetworkAgency #FederalWindEnergyAssociation #Germany #OnshoreWind #QEDGroup #QEDEnergy #PrimeDispute