Scottish energy giant SSE today sounded a ‘vote of confidence’ for Peterhead Power Station giving the go-ahead to £15 million upgrade works. http://www.energyvoice.com/2013/12/sse-gives-15-million-peterhead-upgrade-go-ahead/
French law lays out an obligation for energy suppliers to purchase electricity at a feed-in-tariff above the market rate. This extra cost to the supplier is then fully passed on to the energy consumer. http://www.windpoweroffshore.com/article/1225645/french-offshore-tariff-ruled-illegal
A company working on one of Scotland’s largest wind farm projects has been fined £32,000 after a worker lost a leg in an accident. http://news.stv.tv/scotland/257635-gallagher-groundworks-ltd-fined-after-gregor-steele-loses-leg-in-accident/
A NATURE charity has stepped up its opposition to a huge new wind farm earmarked near Strathy by highlighting the threat it claims the venture would have on one of the area’s rare but not popularly highlighted birds. http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/News/Rare-bird-prompts-RSPB-to-step-up-objections-20122013.htm
Scotland has accused the UK government of being “hell-bent on ploughing billions of pounds” into nuclear power stations but restricting support for renewables, after three of its offshore wind farms were left off a list for fast-tracked funding yesterday. http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2320193/scottish-minister-accuses-uk-of-choosing-nukes-over-wind
Up to £110 billion of private sector investment in the electricity sector is set to be unlocked with the publication of the Electricity Market Reform Delivery Plan. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-energy-reforms-to-support-250000-jobs-keep-bills-down-and-produce-cleaner-energy
A university hopes to cut its energy costs by building a £25m “green” centre. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-25448039
THE region’s more remote and rugged areas need protection from further wind farm developments and blanket afforestation. http://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/roundup/articles/2013/12/20/482864-wild-land-protection-from-wind-turbines/