Enel sets 120GW renewable energy capacity target by 2030

European energy company Enel has announced that it is planning to increase its renewable energy capacity to 120GW by 2030, as part of its 2021-2030 strategic vision.

The set target would be 2.7 times higher than the approximately 45GW currently installed capacity.

The company is planning to invest €70bn ($83bn) to achieve the target, which will be accomplished using its growing pipeline of more than 140GW.

The company will focus on adding 75GW of wind and solar generation capacity.

Enel also intends to invest €5bn for adding battery storage facilities as part of hybridisation. The addition will have the potential to reach a 20TWh capacity over the next decade.

Under its 2021–2023 Strategic Plan, Enel intends to make a direct investment of €40bn, of which €16.8bn will be used for the development of 15.4GW new renewable energy capacity.

During this period, the energy company aims to decarbonise its generation mix significantly by adding renewable capacity and through the closure of coal-fired power plants.

Ørsted unveils plans to develop offshore wind projects in South Korea

Danish power company Ørsted has announced that it intends to develop South Korean offshore wind projects off the coast of Incheon City, with a potential capacity of up to 1.6GW.

The projects in Incheon will have the capacity to power 1.4 million South Korean homes while offsetting nearly four million metric tons of carbon emissions annually.

Ørsted Offshore executive vice-president and CEO Martin Neubert said: “The prospects of contributing to South Korea’s transition to renewable energy is a great inspiration for Ørsted.

“With strong industrial capabilities, significant supply chain potential, and numerous sites with promising offshore wind conditions, South Korea has a fantastic starting point for becoming a leading offshore wind market.”

The offshore wind projects that Ørsted intends to develop will be situated more than 70km from the main parts of Incheon and at a location with shallow water depths.

Subject to various permits, approvals and final investment decision, the projects could be commissioned from 2026 onwards.

Victoria to invest $1.1bn in renewable energy hubs

Australia’s Victorian Government has announced plans to invest A$1.6bn ($1.1bn) for creating renewable energy hubs across the state.

The latest investment in the renewable energy sector is part of the Victorian Budget 2020/2021. It is expected to improve power grid infrastructure, decarbonise energy system and reduce emissions while supporting more solar homes in the state.

With this investment, the government aims to create new jobs in the state and help Victorian families decrease their energy costs.

Victoria Minister for Energy, Environment, and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said: “We’re driving our economic recovery from coronavirus with renewable, reliable energy that will save families money and support tens of thousands of Victorian jobs.”

“It’s a three-in-one investment – establishing Renewable Energy Zones will create local jobs, reduce power prices and advance our work to tackle climate change.”

In its budget, the state has allocated A$540m ($395m) for creating six Renewable Energy Zones and A$12.6m ($9.2m) to bring more than 600MW of new, clean energy online through a second renewable energy auction.

European Commission targets 300GW offshore wind capacity by 2050

The European Commission (EC) has unveiled its EU Strategy on Offshore Renewable Energy, which proposes to increase Europe’s offshore wind capacity to 300GW by 2050.

By 2030, the EC intends to enhance Europe’s offshore wind capacity from the existing level of 12GW to nearly 60GW as part of its strategy.

The EC aims to achieve this target with 40GW of ocean energy and other emerging technologies, including floating wind and solar, by 2050.

European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson said: “Europe is a world leader in offshore renewable energy and can become a powerhouse for its global development. We must step up our game by harnessing all the potential of offshore wind and by advancing other technologies such as wave, tidal and floating solar.

“This strategy sets a clear direction and establishes a stable framework, which is crucial for public authorities, investors and developers in this sector.

“We need to boost the EU’s domestic production to achieve our climate targets, feed the growing electricity demand and support the economy in its post-Covid recovery.”

Ørsted announces deal with US union for offshore labour

Danish wind farm developer Ørsted has announced a deal with a labour union to move construction workers into the offshore energy industry.

The company has made a national agreement with North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) to help train workers for its US developments.

An Ørsted spokesperson said that the company will work with the union to identify the required skills and match them to the available workforce. They said the agreement “sets a model for labour-management cooperation and workforce development”.

Ørsted, NABTU, affiliates, and councils have agreed to work together on long-term plans for the development of the wind developer’s projects. Ørsted aims for site- and state-specific programming to be ready when federal permits are obtained.

Ørsted employed 300 union workers at the Block Island Wind Farm in Rhode Island, the US’s first offshore wind farm. The company is currently developing the nearby Sunrise offshore wind farm, off the coast of Long Island, New York.

UK commissions research into space-based solar power stations

The UK Government has announced the commissioning of new research into space-based solar power systems, which would collect energy in space using large solar satellites.

The system will convert the collected solar energy into high-frequency radio waves and beam it back to ground-based receivers connected to the electrical power grid.

UK Space Agency chief executive Dr Graham Turnock said: “The Sun never sets in space, so a space-solar power system could supply renewable energy to anywhere on the planet, day or night, rain or shine. It is an idea that has existed for decades but has always felt decades away.

“The UK is growing its status as a global player in space and we have bold plans to launch small satellites in the coming years. Space solar could be another string to our bow, and this study will help establish whether it is right for the UK.”

The government will examine if this renewable technology could offer a resilient, safe, and sustainable energy source.

Frazer-Nash Consultancy is leading the study and will focus on the feasibility of such a system by considering the engineering and economics of the system.