THE FRIDAY NOTE: UK solar cos beat DECC in FiT cuts case and the rest of the week's top picks

Jul 11, 2014 - In the past week 14 firms in the UK won a legal case against the government’s early cut of the solar feed-in tariff (FiT) in 2011, three top Scottish judges backed Viking Energy’s 370-MW onshore wind project in Shetland Island and the EU awarded EUR 1 billion to 19 green projects under NER 300.

The High Court on Thursday ruled in favour of 14 firms seeking EUR 166 million (USD 226m) in compensation from the UK government for the commercial damage it caused in 2011 by cutting early the FiT scheme. According to the claimants, the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) illegal actions have had “catastrophic” consequences as they undermined confidence, led to the loss of over 6,000 jobs in the sector and saw the local solar industry contract by 25%.

Another news from the court came on Wednesday when Viking Energy, the firm developing a 370-MW onshore wind farm in Shetland Islands, said that three top Scottish judges have supported the Scottish ministers' decision to approve its project.

More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/solar-cos-win-court-battle-with-decc-in-fit-cuts-case-429653

and at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/viking-lauds-major-court-win-for-370-mw-scottish-wind-farm-429521

OFGEM OKAYS 1.2-GW LINK FOR SCOTTISH RENEWABLES, NG SAYS RENEWABLES MAY HIT 77.8 GW BY 2030

Keeping the focus on the UK, on Friday energy regulator Ofgem approved UK utility SSE Plc’s (LON:SSE) subsea grid link project between Caithness and Moray in northern Scotland that is to connect 1.2 GW of renewable power plants. The new infrastructure is calling for an investment of EUR 1.5 billion.

On Thursday, the National Grid (LON:NG) said that the installed renewables capacity in the UK could reach 77.8 GW by 2030 under its most optimistic scenario, or could be as low as 37.5 GW under the weakest projections. The Gone Green scenario indicates that about 51 GW of wind farms could be operational in Britain and off its coasts by 2030. Solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity is expected to stand at 16.5 GW, while 6.9 GW will come from other renewable energy sources.

More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/ofgem-okays-1-2-gw-transmission-link-for-scottish-renewables-429769

and at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/national-grid-says-renewables-in-uk-may-hit-77-8-gw-by-2030-429734

EU BACKS 19 GREEN ENERGY, CCS PROJECTS WITH EUR 1 BN

The European Commission (EC) on Tuesday said it has awarded EUR 1 billion in financing to 19 projects under round two of the NER 300 programme. The funds will leverage about EUR 900 million more in private investment in the winning bioenergy, solar, geothermal, wind, ocean energy, smart grids and carbon capture and storage (CCS) schemes.

Among the awardees was the Eos concentrated solar power (CSP) scheme in Cyprus with a planned capacity of 50 MW. It received a EUR-60.2-million grant. Also, two floating wind projects in Spain totaling 51 MW will split up to EUR 67.4 million in funding.

More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/eu-backs-19-green-energy-ccs-projects-with-eur-1bn-in-grants-429391

at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/cyprus-csp-project-of-50-mw-nabs-eur-60-2m-in-eu-funds-429434

and at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/ecs-ner-300-backs-51-mw-of-floating-wind-projects-off-spain-429473

N IRELAND TO CUT SOLAR SUBSIDIES, CHINA TO DO THE OPPOSITE

Moving to the solar front, Northern Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) on July 4th unveiled plans to keep wind power subsidies unchanged until at least 2017 but said it would reduce solar project incentives under the Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) programme.

Far to the east the Chinese government is doing the opposite. It intends to boost by between 31% and 55% the subsidy for electricity produced by rooftop solar systems, the chief project officer of Hong Kong-based firm United Photovoltaics Group Ltd (HKG:0686) told a media teleconference on Tuesday. Under the plan, the increased support will result in rooftop solar plants receiving some up to EUR 0.118 in total revenues per kWh.

More details at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/n-ireland-to-cut-solar-rocs-keep-wind-rates-by-2017-429182

and at: http://renewables.seenews.com/news/china-may-hike-rooftop-solar-subsidy-by-31-55-429219

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.361)

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