All articles tagged with #wind farms
The cost of paying wind farms to switch off in Britain due to network constraints has reached nearly £1.5 billion in 2025, driven by expanding wind power and infrastructure limitations, leading to higher reliance on costly gas plants and increased energy bills, with calls for urgent system reform to unlock renewable potential and reduce costs.
Saudi Arabia is rapidly deploying renewable energy, aiming for 50% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, with significant projects like the world's largest wind farm and low-cost solar projects, supported by Chinese technology and investment, as part of its economic shift away from fossil fuels.
Orsted plans to raise $9.4 billion through a share offering due to industry challenges exacerbated by the Trump administration's skepticism towards wind energy, leading to a significant drop in its stock price and casting doubt on future offshore wind projects in the US.
The Trump administration has imposed new restrictions and reviews on wind and solar energy projects across the U.S., causing significant delays and potential halts in development, despite these sources providing a growing share of the nation's electricity and facing opposition from the administration's critics and some Republican officials.
The Michigan Legislature has passed a two-bill package that grants the state the power to approve large wind, solar, and energy storage projects, even if local communities oppose them. This move comes as Michigan aims to meet its renewable energy goals of 60% renewable and 100% clean energy by 2040. Proponents argue that local ordinances have hindered the expansion of renewable energy, while opponents argue that the bills strip away local control and decision-making authority. The Michigan Public Service Commission will now have control over permitting and zoning for utility-scale renewable projects, with a limited period for developers to work with local officials before state control takes effect.
The Michigan House of Representatives has passed legislation that would give the state permitting authority over large wind and solar projects, stripping local municipalities of standard zoning approval. The move is part of a broader effort to transition the state's energy systems to carbon-free power sources. Supporters argue that centralizing permitting authority will help overcome opposition campaigns that have derailed renewable projects in some communities. However, opponents, including local government officials, argue that communities should have the right to decide where and if such projects can be developed. The legislation must now pass the Senate before reaching Governor Gretchen Whitmer's desk.
Battles over renewable energy projects in Michigan may shift from being handled locally to being decided at the state level. Currently, local communities have the power to approve or reject large-scale wind and solar projects. However, proposed legislation would transfer the authority to the Michigan Public Service Commission. This has sparked controversy, with some residents concerned about the impact on their properties and local landscapes. Proponents argue that the state needs to streamline the approval process to meet energy demands and promote affordable and reliable homegrown energy. The legislation is still being debated and may undergo changes based on feedback.
European countries surrounding the North Sea, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands, alongside non-EU countries Norway and the United Kingdom, are set to pledge to expand renewable generation in the region to strengthen energy security. The aim is to curb reliance on Russian gas and reduce the use of CO2-emitting fossil fuels. The nine countries aim for a combined 120 GW of North Sea offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 300 GW by 2050, more than quadrupling the current 25 GW. The countries will commit to building wind farms rapidly, developing "energy islands," and working on carbon capture and renewable hydrogen projects in the region.
Russia has a fleet of disguised vessels in the North Sea, which are allegedly mapping key sites for possible sabotage of wind farms and communication cables, according to a joint investigation by public broadcasters in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The programme is reportedly controlled directly from Moscow and is being prepared in case of a full conflict with the West. UK officials are aware of Russian vessels moving around UK waters as part of the programme. The report raises the possibility that such vessels were linked to an incident south of Svalbard last year when an underwater data cable was cut.