30 Nov 2011
Argentines can expect to face increases of between a factor 2 and 3, or even more, on their energy and water bills, as the government starts eliminating the increasingly costly subsidies, now approaching as much as US$17bn per year, from various sectors including energy, water and transport.
What happened
With subsidies to the utility sector (among others) taking an increasing share of Argentina’s annual budget to maintain energy and water prices at the levels following the economic crisis of a decade ago, starting November 2, the country’s government, recently re-elected in a landslide vote, has issued a series of announcements to eliminate these subsidies.
Background
In the first announcement on November 2, the government announced that subsidies would...
24 Jan 2012
South Africa’s has kick started its plan to introduce 17,800MW of renewable energy by 2030,by announcing its first 28 successful renewable energy bidders. The government aims to make 42% of the country’s total energy renewable, within the next 20 years.However, South Africa relies heavily on its coal industry, making this a controversial issue...
What happened
Terence Creamer of the Engineering News writes that South Africa intends to secure 3,725MW from renewable energy sources from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) by 2016. The first round of bidding saw the announcement, by South Africa’s Energy Minister Dipuo Peters, of 28 successful renewable energy independent power producer (IPP) bidders.
Creamer goes on to say that with a potential capacity of 1,415MW, the bidders have until June 2012 to financially secure these...
24 Jan 2012
EU’s energy efficiency talks not so efficient; Russia faces competition as EU secures alternate gas supplies; more ambitious 2030 EU renewable energy target called for; TAP expected to come out tops in the South East Europe pipeline race
EurActiv: Energy efficiency talks focus on finance, deal uncertain
Ana-Maria Tolbaru writes that the EU’s 27 member states are unwilling to make a financial commitment to the energy efficiency directive. Martin Lidegaard, the Danish Minister for climate, energy and building, says that the binding 20% energy efficiency target and measures have also been snubbed.
The EU Council of Ministers wants targets to be measured “differently,” or include “opt-outs,”...
28 Feb 2012
Native American clean energy projects receive US$6.5m, from DoE.
What happened?
Energy.Gov reports that the US Energy Secretary announced that the US Department of Energy (DoE) awarded tribal clean energy projects US$6.5m. This will be split between 19 projects that will promote clean energy within their respective communities. (For a full report on the projects, see: Energy.Gov)
Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu said “The awards announced today will help Tribes … advance a sustainable energy future for their local communities, spur...
21 Mar 2012
With a government subsidy scheme on the cards, Brazil’s solar sector is set to soar.
What happened
Brazil’s government plans for a new incentive fund to boost solar energy growth, reports BNAmericas. The Ceará government confirms that the solar compensation scheme (FIES) is currently under construction.
The Brazilian MPX Energia S.A, a subsidiary of the EBX Group energy company, welcomes the proposed scheme, as it will help expand the company’s solar energy portfolio, writes BNAmericas. Markus Temke, MPX Operations Director, explains that Government...
18 Apr 2012
India cuts wind incentives … as Bangladesh launches clean energy watchdog … Maldivian renewable project unlikely to get off the ground … Sri Lanka hydro calls for support.
Bloomberg Business Week: India slashes wind incentive
Natalie Obiko Pearson said India scaled back on wind energy incentives. This move will likely halt new wind energy investment. According to India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the tax incentive drove 70% of the nation’s installations in the last fiscal year.
According to Pearson, “a tax break that allowed projects to claim an accelerated depreciation at 80% of the cost of equipment expired on March 31, when...
30 Nov 2011
The EU governments’ main focus over the last 3 years has been the economic crisis. This has forced the energy sector into the backseat.
What happened
The IEA announced, in its ‘State of the Energy World Report,’ that 2017 is the cut-off date to take drastic steps towards lowering CO2 emissions. Governments must strive to avoid the 2ᵒC increase in global temperature. The economic crisis has not helped to achieve this global goal. The EU has seen a decline in investment in the energy sector, for much needed infrastructure upgrades and the urgent establishment of renewables.
Background
The EU’s energy...
04 Apr 2012
Germany’s grid expansions lead to higher electricity bills ... EU cuts subsidies as renewable energy matures ... China’s low cost meters may threaten US and EU manufacturers ... Germany searches for ideal energy sources to replace nuclear.Germany’s grid expansions lead to higher electricity bills ... EU cuts subsidies as renewable energy...
German Energy Blog: BNetZA Reported to Expect Rising Electricity Costs Due to Higher Grid Costs
Matthias Lang of the German Energy Blog reports that Germany’s electricity costs will rise to pay for the country’s grid expansion. The German Grid Regulator (BNetzA) predicts an increase of 5-7% for household customers, and 8% for commercial customers.
Grid investments of around US$39bn to US$63bn (€30bn to €47.5bn) are expected. However, these figures do not factor in:...
16 Apr 2012
Co-ops help Latin American smart grid … while EARTH University inaugurates smart microgrid … and Celpe plans smart grid pilot on Fernando de Noronha … during Cemig smart meter pilot.
ECT.coop: Co-ops help Latin America smart grid
Victoria A. Rocha of ECT.coop writes that the NRECA International Foundation will use a US$1.2m grant from the U.S. State Department, plus matching funding of almost US$500,000, to help electric cooperatives and rural municipal utilities in Chile, Costa Rica and Brazil start smart grid tests. The projects will demonstrate advanced metering and communications systems for industrial and commercial customers.
Smart Grid Alliance for the Americas...
28 Mar 2012
Spain’s smart grid develops under Iberdrola initiatives...EU countries lag behind with smart meter deployment... Renewable Energy Corporation closes its Norway plant...Spain’s Iberdrola distributes 100 EV charging stations.
Engerati: Iberdrola’s Power Grid of the Future
Denise Philip of Engerati reports that Spanish utility, Iberdrola, choseseven manufacturers to supply one million smart meters. Valued at US$397m (€300m,) the order forms part of Iberdrola’s STAR (Remote Grid Management and Automation System) project, which will see investments of up US$2.6bn (€2bn) in smart grid schemes by 2018.The article touches briefly on Iberdrola’s other initiatives to develop Spain’s smart...
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