• Politics

  Renewable Energy Sources Act

  Plans for a capacity market?

  Although the Bundestag only adopted the amended Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) in July, future changes to the act are already being discussed in Berlin. Following their summer recess, the German government will be considering the planned invitations to tender for green electricity projects, and the possible creation of a capacity market.

  30 Jul 14, Tim Altegör 0

• Politics

  Greenhouse gas emissions

  Australia abolishes carbon tax

  The conservative Australian government has repealed the carbon tax introduced in 2012. Prime Minister Tony Abbott cited job losses and rising enrgy prices as the main reason behind the controversial decision.

  24 Jul 14, Katja Dombrowski 0

• Politics

  European elections 2014

  The choice of the Europeans and the future of Europe

  The moderate political groups have lost many seats in the new European Parliament, whereas many Euro skeptic and populist parties all over Europe celebrate significant gain in popularity. The results of the European elections will have an important impact on the European energy and climate policy. In this regards a lot depends also on the composition of the new Commission, especially who the new Energy Commissioner will be.

  30 May 14, Andrzej Ancygier 0

• Politics

  UN Climate Summit

  A shambles of a conference

  At the UN Climate Change Conference in Warsaw, the Polish government managed to achieve the impossible by failing to fulfil even the muted hopes held at the start of the summit.

  28 May 14, Andrzej Ancygier 0

• Politics

  EU Law

  Confusion over French funding for wind power

  After carrying out a review of French funding for wind turbines, the European Commission announced at the end of March that the system is compatible with EU law. However, there is a high degree of legal uncertainty with repect to the EU guidelines on environmental and energy aid, that will come into force in July 2014.

  22 May 14, Jürgen Heup 0

• Politics

  Renewables funding

  The cap is coming

  In early April, six months after coming to power, Germany’s new coalition government reached an agreement on the reform of the country’s Renewable Energy Sources Act, and set out plans to “overhaul” the way it funds clean electricity. Renewables proponents fear the reform is putting Germany’s “Energiewende” at risk.

  22 May 14, Tim Altegör 0

• Politics

  France

  Scope for improvement

  France is at risk of missing its 2020 renewables targets. Although Paris is intent on pursuing large-scale projects, so far it has done little in terms of decentralised expansion. Meanwhile, nuclear power remains essentially unchallenged.

  12 May 14, Tim Altegör 0

• Politics

  NER300

  Price slump in carbon credits for climate protection

  Sales of 300 million carbon allowances to fund European climate-protection projects have ended. With roughly EUR 2 billion generated by the sales, the amount raised under the NER300 funding scheme was far lower than the issuing European Investment Bank had anticipated.

  5 May 14, Jürgen Heup 1

• Politics

  Renewable Energy Sources Act

  The cap is coming

  In early April, six months after coming to power, Germany’s new coalition government reached an agreement on the reform of the country’s Renewable Energy Sources Act, and set out plans to “overhaul” the way it funds clean electricity. Among other feature the bill is set to cap expansion in Germany’s onshore wind sector at between 2,400 and 2,600 megawatts.

  2 May 14, Tim Altegör 0

• Politics

  Burma

  Light at the end of the tunnel

  A new energy system is to boost Burma’s economic upswing. The Southeast Asian country hopes that renewables will supply the power it needs.

  10 Mar 14, Katja Dombrowski 0

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