World:
¶ Electric car sales (including plug-in hybrid electric cars) in the UK surged over 300% in 2014, as compared year-on-year against 2013, according to the most recent figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. EV sales in the UK rose from just 3,833 units in 2013 to 15,361 units in 2014. [CleanTechnica]
¶ In the UK, National Grid is announcing the results of a sealed-bid auction for the new Contracts for Difference mechanism to subsidise low carbon energy generation projects in the years ahead. CfDs provide a different structure than the subsidies that have moved the UK so far, and some say they are not as good. [Scotsman]
¶ The city of Munich is claiming that a giant wind farm being built off the coast of North Wales will contribute to its renewable energy targets, after it acquired a £660 million stake in the scheme. This leaves the UK with the question of how it can apply power from Gwynt y Môr to its own renewable targets. [Business Green]
¶ The IKEA Group is continuing to make progress on its path to receiving 100% of its energy needs via renewable energy sources by the year 2020, as the recent announcement that it had acquired a new wind energy project in Poland demonstrates. The specifics of the deal haven’t yet been publicly revealed. [CleanTechnica]
US:
¶ The oil and gas industry sponsors and spins research to shape the scientific debate over horizontal hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. That’s the conclusion of analysis by the non-partisan group, Public Accountability Initiative, of more than 130 documents distributed to policymakers by industry representatives. [Huffington Post]
¶ Federal regulators are close to approving construction of Michigan’s first new nuclear power reactor in more than a quarter century, although it’s an open question if it will ever get built. Changes in the energy market over the past 6½ years have dimmed the possibility of a nuclear power revival. [Detroit Free Press]
¶ A broad political coalition, from liberal environmentalists to tea-party conservatives, has banded together in Florida to press for something that ironically is in short supply in the Sunshine State: solar power. The group launched a campaign to place a pro-solar initiative on the state’s 2016 ballot. [Fox News]
¶ A new report produced by the Wind Energy Foundation, Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and Washington-based consultants David Gardiner and Associates said “significant cost declines” for electricity generated by wind and solar power is spurring development in Nebraska and nationwide. [Grand Island Independent]
¶ Illinois legislators introduced a bill to spur new growth in the clean energy industry, creating an estimated 32,000 jobs annually, once proposed clean energy standards are implemented. Illinois already has 100,000 clean energy jobs. The bill is endorsed by the recently-formed Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition. [Energy Collective]
¶ In 2013, solar installations accounted for 31% of all US electric power installations, and 2014 was a breakthrough year for utility-scale solar. Growing advantages in pricing and purchase agreements have been cited. Among area projects are several in conjunction with Oneida County, New York government. [Rome Sentinel]
¶ Southern Company subsidiary Southern Power today announced the acquisition of two solar PV projects totaling 99 MW in Georgia. They are the 80-MW Decatur Parkway Solar Project and the 19-MW Decatur County Solar Project. Southern Power is acquiring them from Tradewind Energy, Inc. [Sowega Live]
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