The German government has approved on Wednesday a new solar tax, becoming the first European nation to charge owners of renewable energy plants for their own use of electricity, as part of Merkel’s plan to contain rising power bills. The changes would affect photovoltaics and are now partly being reported as a new retroactive solar tax. The cabinet is expected to officially sign off on the draft law in April before it goes to the Bundestag, which is expected to vote on it in June and could become law on August.
read more... 27/01/2014
Scotland established a target to cut carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2030, while pointing out the huge market for offshore wind beyond 2020, with First Minister Alex Salmond criticizing the U.K. government for disregarding such a target.
read more... 24/01/2014
British energy bills are expected to increase over £200 by 2020, unless energy efficiency measures are embraced, driven by costs of government green policies, according to a controversial report recently released by the energy supply Npower. It reiterated that households should take more initiatives to insulate their homes, cutting in such a way the bill to £1,240.
read more... 23/01/2014
The Scottish government has recently granted planning consent for the proposed Bhlaraidh wind farm near Invermoriston in the Highlands. The wind farm is to have a total of 32 turbines, with a generating capacity of up to 108 MW, enough to power about 50,900 homes in the area, having a total cost of about 166.3 million pounds.
read more... 21/01/2014
The Netherlands announced that it will curb gas production from the Groningen gas field by 15% to 20% per year amid concerns of local residents about earth tremors.
read more... 21/01/2014