Corporates that leverage their purchasing power for renewable energy could create a “domino effect” that improves the energy efficiency of supply chains to create more clean generation capacity, a new report from SmartestEnergy has found. “Procurement of renewable energy by corporates is already having a tangible impact on the increasing proportion of low-carbon generation in the energy mix. By encouraging their suppliers to also choose renewables they can rapidly multiply their own contribution to climate change.” The number of brands pursuing the transition to 100% renewable energy has been driven by the RE100 initiative, which currently consists of 111 members. At a global level, renewables account for nearly 17% of electricity capacity, a near 10% increase over the last decade.
Edie 2nd Nov 2017 read more »
The renewable energy market in Scotland is in transition as projects started under the last subsidy regime are completed. The end of the Renewable Obligation Certificate (ROC) scheme by the UK Government has had a major impact, according to Andy Macfarlane, partner at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie. “Lots of big onshore wind projects are coming to an end after ROC and [for] those lucky enough to get a contract for difference in the first couple of rounds,” he says. “There was a rush by developers to meet the deadline and all those involved pulled out the stops to get the necessary subsidy. A lot of our work has been finishing those projects but we’re confident there will still be good work for high-quality, experienced firms, even in a smaller onshore wind market. We are also diversifying into areas like energy stor age and have put a lot of effort into skilling up in that area.” Macfarlane continues: “There is still development activity in onshore wind, from bigger, slower businesses waiting for the market to equalise and from independents who saw the no-subsidy days coming.
Scotsman 2nd Nov 2017 read more »
