http://www.reegle.info/ reegle.info, your search engine for clean energy provides up-to-date news on sustainable energy related topics en REEEP - The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership, Vienna International Centre, A-1400 Vienna, Austria REEEP - The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership, Vienna International Centre, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Copyright 2012 REEEP hourly 1 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z http://allafrica.com/stories/201205231069.html 2012-05-23T20:09:26Z [AIM] London, 23 May (AIM) - The Thai state oil company PTT on Wednesday put in an increased offer of 1.9 billion US dollars to buy the British company Cove Energy, surpassing an earlier offer of 1.8 billion dollars by Royal Dutch Shell. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205231001.html 2012-05-23T19:11:18Z [Egypt Online] Minister of Electricity and Energy Hassan Younis said that the electricity sector has started setting up the first Egyptian solar energy power plan that lasts till 2027 given the country's huge solar energy sources and long sunshine hours throughout the day. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/world%e2%80%99s-first-sustainable-cooking-fuel-facility-launched-in-mozambique/ 2012-05-23T18:53:45Z CleanStar Mozambique has launched the world’s first sustainable cooking fuel facility, which will produce two million liters per year of ethanol-based cooking fuel from surplus cassava supplied to the company by local farmers following CleanStar’s sustainable farming techniques. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/05/saving-birds-and-bucks-wind-states-its-case?cmpid=rss 2012-05-23T18:46:00Z Who says bipartisanism is dead in America? Look at the wind industry — which is struggling to save the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and the tens of thousands of jobs that have been created because it — and you'll see alliances coalescing around both sides of the issue. http://www.chinafaqs.org/blog-posts/5-myths-and-realities-about-us-china-solar-trade-competition-0 2012-05-23T18:04:25Z Melanie Hart and Kate Gordon (Center for American Progress) “The specifics of this case speak most directly to the U.S. solar industry, of course, but also to trade enforcement in general and the U.S. economy more broadly. In this column we will examine the five most common arguments we’ve heard from the antitariff contingent in the U.S. solar industry, and why we think these arguments don’t hold water—drawing larger lessons about the key role of trade enforcement to the health of U.S. companies and our economy.” Read the full article at the Center for American Progress… read more http://www.chinafaqs.org/blog-posts/op-ed-blinded-solar-light 2012-05-23T17:55:41Z Kelly Sims Gallagher and Kevin Gallagher “The Obama Administration’s preliminary decision to impose a 31 per cent tariff on solar panels imported from China is short sighted. The move could cause a trade war, hurt the US economy, jeopardize US security interests, and put the world further off course in terms of meeting its global climate change goals.” Read the full article at the Financial Times… read more http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523114839.htm 2012-05-23T17:48:48Z New research shows that a wind-driven "tumbleweed" Mars rover would be capable of moving across rocky Martian terrain -- findings that could also help with designing the best possible vehicle. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230896.html 2012-05-23T17:37:47Z [BuaNews] Pretoria - 49M, South Africa's biggest energy saving movement, has called on all South Africans to save energy this winter. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523102057.htm 2012-05-23T16:20:20Z Scientists have developed, using nanotechnology, a device with semiconductor materials which generate hydrogen independently in water using only sunlight.  This technology, which has been named artificial photosynthesis, was inspired by photosynthesis which occurs naturally. The device is submerged in an aqueous solution which, when illuminated with a light source, forms hydrogen gas bubbles. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230789.html 2012-05-23T15:56:48Z [Namibia Economist] As the country grapples with power shortages which are expected to increase this winter, power utility, Nampower says it is currently negotiating Power Purchase Agreements with three unnamed prospective wind energy developers. http://blog.reegle.info/blog/abu-dhabi-to-host-the-next-international-renewable-energy-conference-irec-on-15-17-january-2013.htm#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed 2012-05-23T14:31:15Z The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced today that it has teamed up with REN21 – the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century – to organize the next International Renewable Energy Conference (IREC) in Abu Dhabi on 15-17 January 2013. Next year’s IREC will combine efforts with the sixth edition of [...] http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/05/could-taiwan-be-the-next-big-solar-manufacturing-hub?cmpid=rss 2012-05-23T14:21:00Z Whether the U.S. DOCs ruling recommending 31% tariffs on Chinese solar cells will have a positive impact on Taiwan's solar cell industry, Maxim Group's Aaron Chew responds confidently, "Without a shadow of a doubt." Faced with 31% import tariffs on Chinese made solar cells, analysts say Chinese solar manufacturers are already turning to their neighbors across the Taiwan Straits to source solar cells. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230612.html 2012-05-23T13:26:32Z [This Day] Former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, has stated that from the stand point of economics, the proposed Train 7 of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in Rivers State would attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) estimated at over $8billion. http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_064/pn12_064.aspx 2012-05-23T13:24:00Z Energy Secretary Edward Davey today (Wednesday 23 May) published practical advice for energy consumers looking to get a better deal on their gas and electricity deals through ‘collective switching’, and guidance for organisations wanting to launch their own collective energy purchasing schemes. Businesses, consumer groups, local government groups, housing organisations, charities and energy regulator Ofgem also attended a round table meeting chaired by the Energy Secretary in Westminster to discuss how to help consumers club together to cut their gas and electricity bills. Edward Davey said: “I want to help make collective purchasing become a permanent feature of the UK energy market. This can be a really useful tool for consumers by making it easier to move to a better deal and to get real savings on gas and electricity bills, as well as helping boost competition. “Now I want to see more providers coming up with schemes with the scale and reach to help the most vulnerable consumers. Local authorities and housing associations could have real role to play here, helping their tenants cope with living costs.” Richard Bates, Director of Empowered Consumers at Consumer Focus, said: “Many consumers are put off by the prospect of having to switch energy by themselves. Collective switching – where an intermediary can do the hard work on their behalf - offers an alternative, straightforward way of switching. And because the intermediary can aggregate together consumer demand, it can give customers much more muscle in markets than they have when switching alone. “Other countries have already shown that collective switching can deliver significant consumer benefits, chiefly greater convenience and better value. There is real scope for similar schemes to be developed in the UK and we hope many organisations will be interested in finding out how this innovative model can work in their area.” The meeting, which was chaired by the Secretary of State, saw officials, industry and consumer representatives put their heads together on building momentum behind ‘collective purchasing’, whereby consumers sign up en masse with third party organisations to get better deals from energy suppliers. The roundtable heard presentations from Which? on their Big Switch scheme, which has almost 290,000 people signed up; Cornwall Together on their scheme involving the Eden Project, Cornwall Council and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly NHS among others to buy gas, electricity, and heating oil collectively and target fuel poverty; and iChoosr, which has pioneered collective switching for utility services in Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany. Organisations listed to attend included Age UK, BIS, British Gas, Charities Buying Group, Community Buying Unlimited, Cummunity Energy Extra, Consumer Focus, Co-op Energy, Cornwall Council, Cornwall NHS, Eden Project, Energylinx, Energy Extra, Energy UK, E.ON, First Utility, Green Energy UK, Hyde Housing, Incahoot, iChoosr, Local Government Association, MoneySavingExpert.com, MoneySupermarket.com, National Energy Action, National Housing Federation, New Local Government Network, Northern Housing Consortium, Ofgem, Peabody, Switchgasandelectrcity.com, TheEnergyShop.com, ThePeoplesPower, Unison, Unravelit.com, Uswitch, Which?. NOTES TO EDITORS The new collective purchasing factsheets produced by the Department of Energy and Climate Change in cooperation with Consumer Focus and Ofgem are available on the Collective purchasing and switching working group page. The Government has been working to build momentum behind collective purchasing for over a year, with the launch of the Consumer Engagement Strategy in April 2011 by (then Consumer Minister) Edward Davey; the creation of a working group in November 2011 on collective purchasing in the energy market; and ongoing work with Ofgem to reduce barriers to getting more collective switching schemes up and running. On 23 March 2012 Energy Secretary Edward Davey wrote to energy suppliers making clear that he wants to see them engaging positively on collective purchasing schemes: On 27 March 2012 Mr Davey hosted a first round table on collective purchasing, attended by Age UK, Consumer Focus, the Independent Suppliers Forum, the Energy Retail Association, ichoosr, the Local Government Association, Moneysavingexpert.com, moneysupermarket.com, uswitch, the National Housing Federation, Ofgem, the Eden Project, thepeoplespower, and Which?. On 30 April 2012 DECC published an update on the work of the collective purchasing working group On 30 April 2012 Ofgem published information to help suppliers and other parties that wish to participate in collective purchasing and switching schemes, including a summary of some of the relevant licence conditions. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230494.html 2012-05-23T12:30:52Z [Daily Trust] Lagos - Contractors handling independent power projects who inflate cost and fail to deliver by the end of June this year will have their contracts terminated. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230445.html 2012-05-23T11:59:38Z [Daily News] POWER project of between 100kW and 10MW are now allowed to feed the national grid, following the approval of Small Power Projects guidelines by the Energy and Water Regulatory Authority (EWURA). http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230433.html 2012-05-23T11:59:08Z [Ghanaian Chronicle] Work is progressing steadily on various projects initiated by the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Energy to ensure that the country's energy requirements are met. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230404.html 2012-05-23T11:57:41Z [Daily Trust] The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) yesterday said that the proposed hike in electricity tariff billed to take-off on June 1, will lead to inflation in the country. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230330.html 2012-05-23T11:27:42Z [Daily Trust] The Federal Government said it would utilise coal resource across the country to generate 30 percent of electricity by 2015. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230328.html 2012-05-23T11:27:35Z [Daily Trust] Lagos - The Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, (NDPHC), owners of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) has commissioned eleven injection sub-stations in Lagos metropolis. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230322.html 2012-05-23T11:27:18Z [Daily Trust] Lagos - The Eko Electricity Distribution Company said it has so far distributed over 100,000 pre-paid meters to its customers. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230315.html 2012-05-23T11:26:51Z [Daily Trust] Lagos - Schneider Electric said it has delivered 350 transformers to the government of Ogun State in fulfillment of the terms of its sales contract signed with the government. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230170.html 2012-05-23T09:44:08Z [Leadership] With the absence of steady power supply, the present government transformation agenda seeks to develop the solid minerals sector, with emphasis on coal as a complement to other power sources. Ruth Tene visited the Zuma Coal Mines and looks at the possibility. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=18347 2012-05-23T09:00:00Z The Department of Energy has announced energy efficiency standards for residential clothes washers and dishwashers that are expected to save consumers $20 billion in energy and water costs. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=18348 2012-05-23T09:00:00Z The Energy Department has announced that $500,000 is available this year to test in Hawaii the technical readiness of technologies that can harness energy from waves to supply renewable power to highly-populated coastal regions. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=18350 2012-05-23T09:00:00Z The U.S. Department of the Interior and its Bureau of Ocean Energy Management have announced a finding of "no competitive interest" for the proposed Mid-Atlantic offshore wind energy transmission line which could provide a backbone for offshore wind farms. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=18349 2012-05-23T09:00:00Z Winners of the indoor lighting category of the fourth-annual Next Generation Luminaires Design Competition, co-sponsored by the Energy Department, were announced recently at the LIGHTFAIR International conference in Las Vegas. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230062.html 2012-05-23T08:50:39Z [Daily Trust] The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), one of the successor firms of the unbundled Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), has increased capacity with the commissioning of new substations in Kano and Lagos states. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230040.html 2012-05-23T08:40:26Z [This Day] This is coming as some of the contractors handling the various projects, whose performances in terms of quality and pace of work are said to be below expectations, have been given up till next month to make significant progress or have their contracts revoked. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205230030.html 2012-05-23T08:35:51Z [This Day] The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Power and the Chairman of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof. Barth Nnaji, Mr Sam Amadi respectively to appear before it next week to explain the rationale behind the proposed hike in electricity tariff. http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_063/pn12_063.aspx 2012-05-23T02:01:00Z The latest North Sea licensing round for oil and gas drilling has broken all previous records for the number of applications received by the Government. A total of 224 applications have been submitted for the 27th Licensing Round covering 418 blocks of the UK Continental Shelf. It is the largest number since offshore licensing began in 1964 and is 37 more than the previous high total received in the last licensing round. Charles Hendry, Minister of State for Energy, said: “There remains an extraordinary level of interest in North Sea oil and gas and it is tremendous news for industry and for the UK economy. “We have been working extremely hard with the oil and gas industry to ensure the UK remains an attractive place to invest. The recent Budget was an important step to create a fiscal environment for North Sea development to flourish - providing energy security and jobs. “Now our task is to ensure this considerable level of interest continues and that we make the most of this valuable, British resource.” The UK’s oil and gas sector still provides almost half of the country’s energy and is by far the largest single industrial UK investor. Directly and indirectly it supports around 450,000 jobs in the UK. Notes for editors: Energy Minister Charles Hendry will be available for interview in Aberdeen on Wednesday 23 May. Call Cameron Ramos in DECC press office to arrange - 0300 068 5217. The 27th Round was launched in February 2012 and closed for applications on the 1st May. Before any licences are awarded, DECC will carry out a screening exercise on the areas applied for, to assess whether the activities likely to result from the issue of oil and gas licences will have significant effects on any protected nature conservation sites (called “Natura 2000 sites”).  Where such significant effects are likely, an “Appropriate Assessment” will be necessary and, unless the relevant derogation applies, these licences can only be awarded where we can be certain that there will be no adverse effects on the integrity of any Natura 2000 sites.  This is required under the provisions of the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations, 2001 which implement the “Habitats Directive”. Any licences that are awarded in the round will contain conditions to protect environmental interests, and the interests of other sea users. In addition, activities carried out under the licences will be subject to a range of legislation which is designed to protect the marine environment, including regulations which apply the Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats Directives to offshore oil and gas activities. For further information on the 27th Oil and Gas Offshore Licensing round, visit the Oil & Gas website http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5127/ 2012-05-23T02:00:00Z FedEx Express, part of the FedEx logistics group, is making significant progress towards improving the fuel efficiency of its fleet by 20%. http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5125/ 2012-05-23T02:00:00Z Solar photovoltaics are much closer to competitiveness with conventional electricity generation sources than policymakers realise, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5126/ 2012-05-23T02:00:00Z US renewables developer SolarReserve was another winner in South Africa’s latest tender to build 1 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2016. http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article/85105--eu-appeals-to-china-to-help-reach-global-emissions-agreement-to-end-airline-dispute 2012-05-23T00:59:53Z Source: AP - A European envoy held out a possible compromise in a dispute with China over emissions charges on airlines, saying Europe might alter its system if Beijing helps to negotiate a global agreement on controls. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/UPAs-green-delays-hit-growth/articleshow/13401688.cms 2012-05-23T00:59:52Z Source: Times of India - The UPA-2 government on Tuesday showcased several initiatives that have helped in sustaining the environment during its three year rule despite the fact that delay in environmental approvals have hurt project implementation and overall industrial growth. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-indonesia-emissions-norwaybre84l0h9-20120522,0,839205.story 2012-05-23T00:59:50Z Source: Reuters - Indonesia's progress in reforming its forestry sector will not be sufficient to meet its pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 26 percent by 2020, Norway's environment minister said on Tuesday. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/22/us-un-climate-idUSBRE84L0S520120522 2012-05-23T00:59:43Z Source: Reuters Point Carbon - A row over planning how to bind all emitters under a global climate pact from 2020 at U.N. climate talks in Germany is blocking negotiations to deepen nearer term emission cuts and raise cash to help poor countries cope with a warming planet, the EU said Tuesday. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/22/us-bavaria-emissions-idUSBRE84L0SN20120522 2012-05-23T00:59:32Z Source: Reuters - Bavaria's stock exchange will abandon its carbon emissions certificate trading operations in the EU-traded CO2 market on June 30 after volumes in Europe "plunged to practically zero" in recent months, it said on Tuesday. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Climate-change-hits-fruit-crops-hard-in-south-Gujarat/articleshow/13398258.cms 2012-05-23T00:59:25Z Source: Times of India - If the mangoes and the humble chickoos disappear from your fruit basket in coming years, blame it on nothing else but climate change. http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/indonesia-is-wilting 2012-05-23T00:59:17Z Source: AlertNet - http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/05/large-scale-molybdenum-electrodes-for-manufacturing-cigs-solar-cells?cmpid=rss 2012-05-22T21:58:00Z There is a growing demand for cost-effective and high-performance thin-film photovoltaic solutions, thanks to the falling prices of their crystalline silicon (c-Si) counterparts. Copper-indium-(gallium)-diselenide (or/and sulfide) (CIGS) technology is regarded by some as the most promising thin-film PV contender to the c-Si due to its high conversion efficiencies, potential cost effectiveness and incrementally improving manufacturability. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205221408.html 2012-05-22T19:08:37Z [Daily Trust] The House of Representatives on Tuesday summoned Prof. Barth Nnaji, Minister of Power and Dr Sam Amadi, Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), over the planned increase in electricity tariff. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205221402.html 2012-05-22T19:06:31Z [AIM] Maputo - The Italian energy company ENI is spending 200,000 US dollars a day on security for its drillship "SAIPEM 10000" off the coast of Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205221382.html 2012-05-22T18:58:28Z [New Vision] The rampant vandalisation of Umeme electricity transformers is a deliberate economic sabotage plot to oust the NRM government come 2016. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/05/foreign-dominance-of-us-clean-energy-market-spells-trouble-for-america?cmpid=rss 2012-05-22T18:44:00Z If you are a small player in the U.S. clean energy market, you are having a harder and harder time finding capital to continue to fund your business, despite that fact that your domestic market is seen as the one with the largest potential for growth. So what do you do? According to Third Way, a political think tank, you look to foreign investors. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205221271.html 2012-05-22T18:31:12Z [Daily News] THE Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Khamis Kagasheki, on Monday strongly deplored unsustainable harvesting of forest products and urged for increased conservation of the country's resources. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205221246.html 2012-05-22T18:20:11Z [Addis Fortune] Amidst the World Economic Forum Where the Global Political, Economic and Business Elite Came to Discuss Policy Directions, Two Men From Germany Came to Launch a Small, Sunflower Shaped Solar Powered Lantern, in Order to Promote and Look for Distributors. With the National Grid Serving Only 1.5 Million of Ethiopia's 80 Million Population, and Hence Alternative Energy Sources in High Demand, the Two Gentlemen Could Not Have Picked a Better Time to Promote Their Product Reports Elleni Araya, Fortune Staff Wri http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/ecn-and-itri-announce-mou-on-green-energy-cooperation/ 2012-05-22T18:09:21Z The collaboration will address the areas of wind energy, carbon capture, and bioenergy, and aims to increase information exchange, joint research projects and exchange of scientific personnel. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/cdm-executive-board-launches-call-for-ccs-experts/ 2012-05-22T17:54:07Z The CDM Executive Board is calling for experts on carbon capture and storage (CCS) to submit their applications to act as members of the CCS Working Group, launched by the Board to support it in its work relating to CCS methodological issues. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/pacific-island-leaders-call-for-support-to-address-climate-change-and-marine-protection/ 2012-05-22T17:50:44Z The Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries, which convened as part of the 68th session of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), was a follow up meeting to the July 2011 Rio+20 Pacific preparatory meeting, which had agreed that Rio+20 must highlight the special case of small island developing States (SIDS). http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/ebrd-supports-more-efficient-household-energy-use-in-moldova-through-new-facility/ 2012-05-22T17:50:39Z EBRD is launching a new €35 million MoREEFF to encourage households to make better use of the country’s energy resources and to reduce their household energy bills. Funds from EBRD’s MoREEFF will also be made available to other local banks. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/rock-band-launches-campaign-for-se4all-solar-power-in-ugandan-clinics/ 2012-05-22T17:46:38Z The rock band Linkin Park, working through its non-profit organization, Music for Relief, has partnered with We Care Solar, a non-profit that designs and manufactures a high-efficiency solar energy system that fits in a carry-on suitcase known as the Solar Suitcase. The band will also collect signatures and donations to support the goals of the UN Secretary-General’s Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) Initiative. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/undp-project-promoting-100-renewable-energy-in-tokelau/ 2012-05-22T17:18:24Z UNDP is supporting Tokelau to reduce its fossil fuel dependency and to obtain 100% renewable energy by the end of 2012. The project, apart of nearly eliminating fossil fuel use use and reducing carbon emissions, is also expected to generate employment opportunities and additional income for the local population. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2012/05/net-metering-a-cost-to-utilities-or-a-benefit?cmpid=rss 2012-05-22T17:12:00Z Utilities often claim that allowing customers to run their meter backward (by generating electricity on-site, e.g. from rooftop solar) can affect their bottom line because these customers don’t pay enough to cover the cost of maintaining the grid.  In at least one case, however, a utility’s cost-benefit analysis of net metering was http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2012/05/vermonts-first-in-nation-solar-registration-expanded1?cmpid=rss 2012-05-22T17:01:00Z Vermont’s pioneering solar registration program, which caught the attention of the national solar industry and policymakers last year, has been expanded. The program is providing a national model for reducing costly and time-consuming local solar permitting. A year after Vermont lawmakers initiated the program, Act 125 doubles the size of pr http://allafrica.com/stories/201205221142.html 2012-05-22T16:42:28Z [Focus] Last week, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) held a 4-day hearing concerning the management of the construction activities at Rukarara hydropower plant located in Nyamagabe, calling before them numerous officials ranging from Ministers to technicians. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/05/saving-money-gaining-energy-independence-energy-saving-performance-contracts-with-the-u-s-government?cmpid=rss 2012-05-22T16:17:00Z The U.S. federal government uses a lot of energy. In fact, it is the world's largest single consumer of energy. According to a recent government memo, the organization incurred approximately $20 billion in energy costs in FY 2010 alone. Of that, $7 billion was for energy consumption in federal buildings. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205221085.html 2012-05-22T15:50:42Z [ANGOP] Huambo - The Secretary of State for Energy, Joaquim Ventura, is paying since Tuesday morning a 24-hour visit to the central Huambo province, to check the pace of the conclusion works for the rehabilitation of Ngove dam. http://www.energy-enviro.fi/index.php?PAGE=5&NODE_ID=7&LANG=1&ID=4218 2012-05-22T15:01:01Z EBRD is boosting its efforts to improve energy efficiency and deal with the threat of climate change with new investment in projects worth up to EUR25 billion over the next three years. The new phase of the Bank's Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI) aims to deliver a considerable cut in carbon emissions. Many of the ERDB countries remain some of the world's most inefficient users of energy, but they also offer some of the best potential for cost-effective CO2 reduction. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205220955.html 2012-05-22T14:58:34Z [Daily Trust] Ilorin - The Muslim Congress (TMC) said that with the proposed electricity tariff increase, the Federal Government has not genuinely rescinded its agenda of fuel subsidy removal. http://www.buildup.eu/news/26660 2012-05-22T14:32:08Z Type of News | News from countriesAbstract : UNECE (The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) has just published this Action Plan (http://www.buildup.eu/publications/26632). It aims at assisting the Government of Montenegro in enhancing its energy-efficiency policy for residential buildings. It includes recommendations to ... http://allafrica.com/stories/201205220774.html 2012-05-22T13:46:52Z [The Star] The latest surge in power outages have been blamed on rampant vandalism of the Kenya Power transmission infrastructure and damages on the power lines by stormy weather as heavy rains continue pounding the country. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205220718.html 2012-05-22T13:32:21Z [AIM] Maputo - Zimbabwe has promised that by the end of the year it will repay its debt to Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), the company that operates the Cahora Bassa dam in the western Mozambican province of Tete. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205220648.html 2012-05-22T13:18:45Z [EA Business] Kampala - From January 2012 to date at least 67 transformers have been vandalized in Masaka one of the southern districts of Uganda. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205220628.html 2012-05-22T13:16:52Z [The Star] On paper, Africa's largest wind power project seems relatively straight forward - 365 wind power turbines to be erected over 24,000 acres in Turkana and a 400kilometre transmission line to ferry the generated power to connect to the national grid at Suswa. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205220603.html 2012-05-22T13:11:28Z [The Star] Kenyan electricity generating company KenGen plans to raise funds from private investors for a $686 million gas-fired power plant to run on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), Managing Director Eddy Njoroge said on Friday. KenGen, which relies largely on hydro power, said the plant would help meet growing demand for electricity and help prevent frequent blackouts in east Africa's biggest economy caused by generation shortfalls and an ageing grid. http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/wms_energybill/wms_energybill.aspx 2012-05-22T13:02:00Z Edward Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change I am pleased to be publishing a draft of the Energy Bill today, in order for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny to be carried out on it. The draft Bill includes measures necessary to reform the electricity market to deliver secure, clean and affordable electricity. At the heart of our Electricity Market Reform (EMR) measures are Feed-in-Tariffs with Contracts for Difference (CfDs), long-term instruments which will provide stable and predictable incentives for companies to invest in low-carbon generation. CfDs are more affordable than alternative incentives and will mean a better deal for consumers. Through the work on Final Investment Decisions (FID) Enabling we are committed to working with developers to enable some of this investment to come forward in advance of the CfD regime coming into force, and the Bill contains measures to support this process. This will be complemented by a Capacity Market that will, if required, provide security of electricity supply by ensuring sufficient reliable capacity is available. Measures relating to Conflicts of Interest and Contingency Arrangements will ensure that the System Operator which will deliver these schemes is appropriate. Renewables Transitional measures will ensure that existing investments under the Renewables Obligation remain stable. Finally, an Emissions Performance Standard (EPS) will limit carbon dioxide emissions from the most polluting fossil fuel power stations by setting appropriate standards for all new fossil fuel powered generation. Taken as a whole, EMR will enable large-scale investment in low-carbon generation capacity in the UK and deliver security of supply, in a cost-effective way. In addition to EMR, the Energy Bill will also improve regulatory certainty by ensuring that Government and Ofgem are aligned at a strategic level through a Strategy and Policy Statement (SPS), as recommended in the Ofgem Review of July 2011. The Bill also ensures that the Office for Nuclear Regulation will be fully able to meet the future challenges of regulating the nuclear industry, as the first new power plants since the 1980s are built. Finally, the Bill contains provisions that will enable the sale of the Government Pipeline and Storage System (GPSS). The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, at the Ministry of Defence is laying a separate Written Ministerial Statement today I am confident that measures contained in this Energy Bill will enable us to keep the lights on, bills down and air clean. I am pleased to commend it to the House today for PLS and will look forward to the publication of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee’s report. Energy Bill 2012 http://allafrica.com/stories/201205220546.html 2012-05-22T12:54:26Z [The Herald] ZESA Holdings has embarked on an operation to clamp down on illegal connections and dangerous wiring in rural and urban areas. The operation is aimed at curbing loss of revenue and electrocutions that are on the increase. The power utility is http://allafrica.com/stories/201205220381.html 2012-05-22T11:57:56Z [Namibian] LOCAL councils should first honour their financial commitments to service providers such as NamWater and NamPower before they spend money on anything else. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205220373.html 2012-05-22T11:57:11Z [Daily Trust] Traditional leaders are expected to help woo Nigerians to accept newly proposed power tariff, expected to take effect this June. http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_062/pn12_062.aspx 2012-05-22T11:47:00Z Keeping the lights on, consumers energy bills down and creating cleaner electricity to help tackle climate change, are the three goals of ambitious draft electricity market reform legislation published today. The reforms are designed to provide investors with transparency, longevity and certainty in order to attract £110 billion of investment to bring forward new low-carbon power generation for the 21st Century.  Over the next decade, around a fifth of existing power generating capacity will come off-line. Without these reforms, we could in the future see blackouts affecting millions of homes in some years.  We would also be more dependent on importing oil and gas from overseas, this could present geopolitical risks and make our energy supply unsecure. Demand for electricity will grow by 2050 as it is increasingly used to power our transport and domestic heating. This leaves the UK with an energy gap which needs to be filled. Secretary of State Edward Davey said: “Leaving the electricity market as it is would not be in the national interest. If we don’t secure investment in our energy infrastructure, we could see the lights going out, consumers hit by spiralling energy prices and dangerous climate change. “These reforms will ensure we can keep the lights on, bills down and the air clean. “The reforms will also be better for the economy, leaving us less vulnerable to rising global energy prices and supporting as many as 250,000 jobs in the energy sector.   “By reforming the market, we can ensure security of supply for the long-term, reduce the volatility of energy bills by reducing our reliance on imported gas and oil, and meet our climate change goals by largely decarbonising the power sector during the 2030s”. The draft Energy Bill proposes radical reform to the electricity market to attract the £110 billion required to build new low-carbon capacity. It will be designed to encourage a balanced portfolio of renewables, new nuclear and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), and to ensure that these technologies can compete fairly in the market-place. The main elements of the Bill are: National Grid is to be appointed as the delivery body for EMR, to provide analytical basis for Government decisions and to administer two new market mechanisms: A new system of low-carbon generation revenue support – a feed-in tariff with Contracts for Difference (CfDs). These CfDs will make investment in clean energy more attractive by removing long term exposure to electricity price volatility. They will stabilise returns for generators at a fixed level known as a strike price. It will also insulate consumers by clawing back money from generators if the market price is higher than the strike price. The first strike prices will be published within the Delivery Plan  in 2013.   A Capacity Market  will be established to reduce the likelihood of future blackouts by ensuring there is sufficient reliable capacity to meet demand, ensuring that consumers continue to benefit from reliable electricity supplies at an affordable cost. These mechanisms will be supported by: An Emissions Performance Standard (EPS) that will provide a regulatory backstop to prevent construction of new coal plants which emit more than 450g/kWh i.e. the most polluting form of electricity generation. The Carbon Price Floor – this was announced by the Chancellor in the 2011 Budget and was introduced in the Finance Bill. This provides a clear economic signal to move away from high carbon technologies by increasing the price paid for emitting carbon dioxide. It places an initial value on the price of carbon of around £16/tCO2 (2009 prices) in 2013, which will rise to £30/tCO2 (2009 prices) by 2020. With or without reform, household electricity bills are likely to increase over time, driven primarily by rising fossil fuel prices. However, electricity market reforms will help to reduce the amount that bills will increase.  As a result of these reforms, electricity bills are estimated to be, on average, 4% lower over the next two decades than they would otherwise have been.  Average bills for businesses and energy intensive industries will also be lower than without reform. Gas will continue to play an important role in the transition to a low-carbon economy, to provide flexibility and help maintain security of supply. A separate strategy on the role of gas will be published in autumn 2012. Notes for Editors The draft Energy Bill and accompanying further information can be found on the DECC website.  The full Bill, once introduced into Parliament, is expected to achieve Royal Assent in 2013, so that the first low-carbon projects can be supported in 2014. The Bill was introduced in draft to allow pre-legislative scrutiny. This will speed up its passage through Parliament and ensure for more robust legislation. This has been welcomed by the ECC Committee.  Government will consult on the first set of CfD strike prices in 2013 and will announce the prices in the second half of that year within the 2013-2018 Delivery Plan, giving developers up to a year of visibility of prices ahead of them coming into force in mid-2014.  All of the policies in EMR extend to Scotland and Wales. Energy policy is devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive which has agreed that extension of CfD, FID Enabling and EPS provisions will apply to Northern Ireland. The draft Energy Bill also contains proposals to: Create an independent, industry financed statutory regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation; Enable the sale of a Ministry of Defence asset, the Government Pipeline and Storage System (GPSS) and introduce a Strategy and Policy Statement which would set out the Government’s strategic priorities for the energy sector in Great Britain, describe the roles and responsibilities of bodies who implement or are affected by GB energy policy and describe policy outcomes which are to be achieved by the regulator and the Secretary of State when regulating the sector. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205220286.html 2012-05-22T11:32:08Z [This Day] As part of effort to ensure that communities in Ogun State enjoy stable power supply, the Ogun State Government has concluded arrangements to partner Energy Commission of Nigeria on the survey of energy demand and supply in 20 local government areas of the state. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205220271.html 2012-05-22T11:31:52Z [This Day] The lowest-paying customers, generally referred to as Residential 1 (R1) customers under the electricity billing system will no longer pay for monthly fixed bills, which are paid by electricity consumers, irrespective of whether there is power supply or not for the month. http://www.energy-enviro.fi/index.php?PAGE=5&NODE_ID=7&LANG=1&ID=4216 2012-05-22T10:40:47Z Technopolis Pulkovo - the new science and technology center in St. Petersburg - contributes to the evolution of the Russian economy from a raw-material-intensive to a service and knowledge-based model with a better capacity to generate successful innovation. The center, developed by the Finnish company Technopolis, introduces improved energy efficiency standards to the Russian commercial real estate sector and acts as a model for sustainable building. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205220084.html 2012-05-22T09:37:18Z [Daily Trust] Uyo - The Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Uyo Business Unit is suffering due to a debt profile of over N1billion owed it by electricity consumers in the state. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205220077.html 2012-05-22T09:32:53Z [This Day] The United States Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, (SEC) has ended its probe into activities of ERHC Energy Inc., a publicly traded American company with oil and gas assets in sub-Saharan Africa. http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5121/ 2012-05-22T02:00:00Z UK-based service provider CWind has become the 100th company to sign up to trade association RenewableUK’s Wind Energy Charter. http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5122/ 2012-05-22T02:00:00Z The UK government looks set to delay the next round of cuts to the feed-in tariff for solar photovoltaics until August. http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5123/ 2012-05-22T02:00:00Z New ‘common sense’ energy efficiency standards for washing machines and dishwashers could save US consumers $20 billion in energy and water costs. http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5120/ 2012-05-22T02:00:00Z Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas has won a major part of South Africa’s latest tender round for over 1 GW of new renewable capacity. http://www.euractiv.com/climate-environment/eu-confronts-post-2030-renewables-policy-vacuum-news-512860 2012-05-22T00:59:52Z Source: EurActiv - The EU is facing an energy policy vacuum after a firm set of policy goals for renewable energy, carbon cutting and energy saving expires in 2020. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/environmentalists-urge-obama-to-attend-rio-earth-summit/2012/05/21/gIQAuLqbfU_story.html 2012-05-22T00:59:42Z Source: Washington Post - The leaders of nearly two dozen environmental groups called on President Obama to attend next month’s Rio+20 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, underscoring the uncertainty that continues to cloud the historic meeting. http://www.rtcc.org/energy/bonn-2012-polish-chief-chruszczow-defends-climate-change-stance/ 2012-05-22T00:59:37Z Source: RTCC - Poland may not be the obvious choice as the bastion of green issues on the Continent. http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/southern-civil-society-shaping-climate-policy-report 2012-05-22T00:59:31Z Source: AlertNet - Development and environment groups in southern countries are having a growing influence on government policy to tackle climate change, and are helping get the concerns of the poorest and most vulnerable people heard at national level, according to a new report from a coalition of non-governmental organisations. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120522a5.html 2012-05-22T00:59:16Z Source: AFP-Jiji - Massive extraction of groundwater can resolve the puzzle over rising sea levels seen in past decades, Japanese scientists said Sunday. http://www.canada.com/business/Oilsands+emissions+transferring+pollution+other+industries+Kent/6654898/story.html 2012-05-22T00:59:07Z Source: Postmedia News - Some reductions in greenhouse gas emissions per barrel from oilsands facilities over the past 20 years have been achieved by new technologies as well as the transfer of some activities and their pollution to other industries, Environment Minister Peter Kent said in a statement tabled last week in Parliament. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205211633.html 2012-05-21T22:49:10Z [Ashden] Barefoot Power up for global green energy prize. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/05/yesterdays-solar-eclipse-tomorrows-healthy-solar-industry?cmpid=rss 2012-05-21T20:20:00Z There was a solar eclipse yesterday. The kind in the sky where the moon partially obscures the sun. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/ebrd-announces-new-energy-efficiency-phase-of-its-sustainable-energy-initiative/ 2012-05-21T19:27:45Z The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced investments in projects worth up to €25 billion over the next three years under the new phase of the Bank’s Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI). EBRD will seek to address energy security concerns and the uncertain financial and economic context for the region in the face of climate change. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/05/asia-report-solar-stocks-tumble-after-tariff-ruling?cmpid=rss 2012-05-21T19:02:00Z It was another rough week for China's once booming solar manufacturers, who are already reeling from overcapacity and major subsidy drawbacks in the European market. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/un-greening-the-blue-announces-un-headquarters-now-powered-by-renewable-energy/ 2012-05-21T19:01:00Z According to Greening the Blue, from now on, carbon emissions from electricity use on the main UN campus will be zero, and will cost only 1% more than conventional, or “brown energy.” The UN is also on track to reduce energy consumption by 50% following renovation of the Secretariat building. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205211609.html 2012-05-21T18:36:48Z [BuaNews] Pretoria - The names of 19 bidders - who have been selected as the preferred bidders for Window 2 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers (IPP) programme that will contribute to South Africa's energy mix - were announced on Monday. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/05/new-wind-prospecting-system-in-development-at-the-university-of-barcelona?cmpid=rss 2012-05-21T18:36:00Z The Faculty of Physics at the University of Barcelona (UB) has developed an innovative wind prospecting system designed to be used in marine environments. The project is based on a hot air balloon which has a module with meteorological sensors and other positioning systems that detect wind strength and direction at all times, regardless of the position of the balloon. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205211576.html 2012-05-21T18:09:37Z [New Dawn] The University of Liberia's A.M. Doegliotti College of Medicines has threatened to sue the Management of the Liberia Electricity Corporation for failure to provide electricity to the college. http://www.energy-enviro.fi/index.php?PAGE=5&NODE_ID=7&LANG=1&ID=4215 2012-05-21T17:34:02Z The Energy Efficiency Directive can form a valuable part of the foundation for growth and job creation in years to come - and will limit Europe's import of expensive fossil fuels, said Danish Minister Martin Lidegaard on Monday. Improving energy efficiency is a prerequisite for economic growth, he said. The Directive should be completed by the end of June 2012. Currently the Danish Presidency is negotiating the issue with the European Parliament. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205211467.html 2012-05-21T16:51:20Z [Daily News] FORMER professionals in energy and mining will from now on be fully utilised to ensure that the resources benefit many Tanzanians. http://blog.reegle.info/blog/carbon-sinks-still-absorbing-reason-to-cheer.htm#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed 2012-05-21T16:29:08Z Science News has released some news for all those concerned with climate change and global warming. It has appeared that, far from having reached their maximum capacity, the Earth’s ecosystems still soak up carbon. The new study even shows new calculations which suggest that total carbon sinks have increased roughly in line with rising emissions. [...] http://allafrica.com/stories/201205211339.html 2012-05-21T15:42:00Z [Sierra Leone Government] Sustainable renewable solar energy has been identified as an alternative source of energy and as pivotal to the realization of government's commitment to electrify every city and district headquarter, every home and business, village and chiefdom in Sierra Leone. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205211223.html 2012-05-21T15:03:13Z [Heritage] Program marking the official launch of the Community Energy Efficient Stove Project (CEESP) took place on Saturday, May 19, 2012 in 72nd Paynesville, outside Monrovia. The official launch of CEESP was carried out by the Center for Disaster Risk and Environmental Advocacy, Management and Research(CDREAM) and graced by several dignitaries, including Deputy Internal Affairs Minister for Operations, Ranny B. Jackson among others. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2012/05/germanys-storage-conundrum?cmpid=rss 2012-05-21T15:00:00Z Nobody is guaranteeing the success of Germany’s seminal energy revolution, not yet. As good as the timetable looks, there are still a lot of unknowns. One of the big items — but still nowhere near a solution — is creating new storage options for electricity. This is imperative because of the fluctuations inherent in renewable e http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2012/05/will-solarworlds-brand-be-helped-or-harmed-by-the-china-trade-dispute?cmpid=rss 2012-05-21T15:00:00Z When one thinks of the solar trade dispute that has led to a 31 percent-plus tariff on Chinese solar manufacturers, the first brand that comes to mind is SolarWorld, who publicly led the CASM Coalition and filed the complaint. Now that the decision is in, will SolarWorld’s leadership benefit its brand relationship with installers or hurt it? http://allafrica.com/stories/201205211126.html 2012-05-21T14:38:38Z [Egypt Online] Electricity Minister Hassan Yunis presided on 20/5/2012 over a general assembly meeting of the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company to address future activities and the 2012/13 budget whose investments are estimated to be worth 20 billion pounds from the total investments of the five-year plan LE90 billion to add 12000 megawatts to the national power grid. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205211117.html 2012-05-21T14:37:40Z [Namibia Economist] Phased renewables, for very rich environmentalists who can afford the installation and ignore the needs of the poor, is one way to go, but that doesn't satisfy all our power needs and it pushes manufacturing costs, way, way up there. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205211039.html 2012-05-21T14:19:33Z [This Day] The eventual buyers of the 17 successor companies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) will have to commit to undertake a mandatory annual structured training for its staff, THISDAY has learnt. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205211023.html 2012-05-21T14:16:50Z [This Day] As consumers await the take-off of a new electricity tariff regime from June 1, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said the yearly N50 billion subsidy, an intervention window provided by the Federal Government for the lowest-paying customers - Residential (R1); R2 and Commercial (C1) customers, will be removed from January 1, 2014. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210970.html 2012-05-21T14:02:07Z [Vanguard] No fewer than 30 electricity poles were destroyed by windstorm in Makurdi on Friday night. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210905.html 2012-05-21T13:54:38Z [Daily News] POOR working relations that wrecked the energy sector in the last ten years have frustrated efforts to produce and supply affordable electricity to consumers. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210886.html 2012-05-21T13:50:04Z [Leadership] Ahead of the planned increase in electricity tariff by June 1, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Commissioner in charge of Government and Consumer Affairs, Mr. Abba Ibrahim, has said that the Federal Government is not a business venture and cannot deliver steady power supply to Nigerians. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210706.html 2012-05-21T13:13:42Z [Vanguard] National Assembly Joint Committee on Power has ordered contractors working on two Distribution EPC projects of the National Independent Power Project, NIPP, at Eneka and Oyigbo area of Rivers State to stop work immediately due to what they termed poor quality of the jobs. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210691.html 2012-05-21T13:12:40Z [West Cape News] Unlike most of us, Ricardo Fortune does not have to worry about high electricity bills. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210669.html 2012-05-21T13:09:17Z [Vanguard] Awka - THE senator representing Anambra Central in the senate, Dr. Chris Ngige, has expressed optimism that power generation in the country would increase by about 50% by December this year. http://www.buildup.eu/news/26611 2012-05-21T13:08:08Z Type of News | News from countriesAbstract : The government has been urged to delay another round of deep cuts to the feed-in tariff for solar electricity, after new figures revealed the number of businesses and homes installing photovoltaic panels has crashed following the latest cuts to incentives on 1 April. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210579.html 2012-05-21T13:00:28Z [Leadership] No fewer than 30 PHCN wooden and concrete poles were destroyed by windstorm in Makurdi on Friday night. http://www.buildup.eu/news/26609 2012-05-21T12:58:00Z Type of News | News from the EUAbstract : Die Windenergienutzung steht vor einem Boom. Bis 2021 soll die Windenergie allein in Bayern bis zu 10 Prozent des bayerischen Stromverbrauchs decken. In Baden-Württemberg sind die Pläne sogar noch ehrgeiziger. Eine großartige Chance für Grundbesit-zer, Hersteller, Planer, Investoren, ... read more http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210557.html 2012-05-21T12:51:17Z [Zimbabwe Standard] TWO Cabinet ministers have questioned the manner in which the ethanol project in Chisumbanje in Chipinge was started in a new twist to the US$600 million venture. This comes as the promoters have been at the doors of the ministry of Energy and Power Development in a bid to force the introduction of mandatory blending and save the project from collapse. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210522.html 2012-05-21T12:40:02Z [The Herald] THE Motor Industry Association of Zimbabwe has added its voice to growing calls for the re-introduction of ethanol blending. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210504.html 2012-05-21T12:31:21Z [New Vision] IN preparation of a series of international conference papers on energy, a stark reality has presented itself. http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/eco_centre/eco_centre.aspx 2012-05-21T12:22:00Z Minister of State Greg Barker was in Norwich on Friday, 18 May to open Broadland District Council’s 500,000 Eco Community Education Centre. The new centre will play a key role in the council’s plans to deliver new and refurbished homes that are zero or very low carbon, by promoting new technology and new methods in green and ‘clean tech’ building systems. It will also help extend the Council’s work with NEET young people and modern apprentices, to make them work ready and employable. The centre has been built by a local developer and has made maximum use of local suppliers, materials, equipment and services. With high levels of insulation, an airtightness factor of <5, triple glazing, air source heat pump, solar PV, solar thermal and rainwater harvesting, the centre itself has high eco credentials. Greg Barker said: “I have learned today just how determined Broadland is to provide new homes that are not only desperately needed in the area, but also to make sure they are built to a very high energy and water-saving standard. “It's great to see a visionary local authority like Broadland working with world class companies like BRE to seize the opportunity around the Green Deal and low carbon housing investment to build a new 'cleantech' business strategy around local jobs and skills.” The minister unveiled a plaque marking the opening of the new centre, and saw an exhibition of a retro-fitting project to upgrade existing homes in Rackheath to higher energy-saving standards. Mr Barker also took part in a discussion with delegates from the Council and the construction industry on the challenges and opportunities presented by the Green Deal in the region. Further information Green Deal Broadland District Council  http://www.buildup.eu/news/26605 2012-05-21T12:07:25Z Type of News | News from the EUAbstract : For the fourth consecutive year, the “Energy Award powered by Joule & RENEXPO®” will be presented in collaboration with the German publisher Deutscher Landwirtschaftsverlag. Last year's award ceremony was incredibly well received. Several fantastic nominations showed the strong commitment of ... read more http://www.buildup.eu/news/26603 2012-05-21T11:57:43Z Type of News | News from countriesAbstract : The UK Government is to fund a £10 million, three-year, competition that will show how innovative technologies and processes can be used to make significant energy savings in non domestic buildings such as schools, shops, offices and hotels. read more http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210401.html 2012-05-21T11:57:31Z [Vanguard] Lagos - President of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies (AES), Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu, has advocated the need for the Federal Government to stop the importation of generating sets into the country, in a bid to address the epileptic power situation in the country. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210337.html 2012-05-21T11:45:48Z [Daily Trust] Lagos - Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, has said that the N50 billion power subsidy, free energy saving bulbs distribution and free meter access policies are meant to protect the poor. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210335.html 2012-05-21T11:45:45Z [Daily Trust] Port Harcourt - The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has said that the moves by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to introduce a new tariff regime for electricity consumers in the country beginning from next month is unfair. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210307.html 2012-05-21T11:41:27Z [Leadership] Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), is set to commit N450 billion in power projects in Nigeria and other investments in other sub-Saharan countries in the next one year. According to AFC, the potential investments being evaluated now by the corporation include some in the Nigerian power sector where planned privatisations later this year could open up opportunities for investment. http://www.buildup.eu/news/26596 2012-05-21T11:34:09Z Type of News | News from countries, News from European projectsAbstract : The International Construction Week in the ¨Feria de Madrid¨ ended May 11, with close to 400 companies presenting their innovations in Construtec, Veteco and Stone. The main protaganists of the week were the models of the 20 homes that are participating in the next edition of Solar Decathlon ... http://www.buildup.eu/news/26595 2012-05-21T11:32:59Z Type of News | News from countries, News from European projectsAbstract : La Semana Internacional de la Construcción en la Feria de Madrid finalizó el 11 de mayo, donde cerca de 400 firmas han expuesto sus novedades en Construtec, Veteco y Piedra.Los protagonistas de la Semana han sido las maquetas de las 20 viviendas que participarán en la próxima edición de Solar ... http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210129.html 2012-05-21T10:32:46Z [Daily Trust] Once again electricity supply nationwide is faltering; in most parts of the country, people now go for days without power supply. The power situation in some areas has declined to pre-1999 level, betraying the fact that the Roadmap Plan on power is not working, after billions of dollars was said to have been spent to improve generation and supply. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205210038.html 2012-05-21T07:59:32Z [Leadership] Stakeholders have decried the new tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC), saying that it will not be beneficial to the masses. http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5119/ 2012-05-21T02:00:00Z Computer giant Apple, which has come in for criticism from environmental group Greenpeace over its environmental credentials, is to power its new data centre entirely with renewable energy. http://tribune.com.pk/story/381422/for-a-green-economy-experts-stress-on-equal-gender-participation-renewable-energy/ 2012-05-21T00:59:53Z Source: The Express Tribune - After having provided recommendations to the government for formulating a national strategy on enviroment, the second day of the two-day conference on green economy concluded on Saturday. http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article3436479.ece 2012-05-21T00:59:52Z Source: The Hindu - Nearly 200 young people from 11 countries, including India, recently laid the foundation stone for a worldwide youth climate network within the ‘YouThinkGreen' programme at Wolfsburg in Germany. http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/qatar-national-convention-centre-records-robust-growth/ 2012-05-21T00:59:50Z Source: Breaking Travel News - Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) is poised to attract more international and regional events, QNCC’s Director of Business Development, Trevor McCartney said today. The award-winning Centre is a member of Qatar Foundation. http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=130218&date=2012-05-21 2012-05-21T00:59:38Z Source: Financial Express - It is heartening indeed to learn that Bangladesh has been nominated by the least developed countries (LDCs) to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to help vulnerable countries fight climate risks. http://summitcountyvoice.com/2012/05/21/global-warming-bonn-talks-focus-on-developing-climate-treaty-and-finding-equity-among-rich-and-poor-countries/ 2012-05-21T00:59:25Z Source: Summit Voice - Trying to follow the latest round of climate talks in Bonn, Germany is a reporter’s nightmare, with every press release filled with incredible amounts of bureaucratic jargon or technical information so dense that it’s almost impossible to follow — even for someone well-versed in climate science and policy. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/article3439451.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home 2012-05-21T00:59:17Z Source: The Hindu - The world is turning into a strange place of paradoxes. On the one hand, there are an estimated one billion (100 crore) people - representing 14 per cent of the global population of seven billion – undernourished, while on the other, millions suffer from chronic diseases due to excess food consumption http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18120093 2012-05-21T00:59:08Z Source: BBC - Scientists have identified thousands of sites in the Arctic where methane that has been stored for many millennia is bubbling into the atmosphere. http://rss.ecoseed.org/~r/latest-green-business/~3/IZ4FDSzt5zs/13041- 2012-05-20T22:39:40Z Wisconsin-based contractor RMT, Inc. is adding 555 megawatts worth of wind projects to their renewable energy portfolio in 2012. RMT, which specializes in the design and construction of wind and solar energy projects, currently has a renewable energy portfolio of around 5,000 MW. http://rss.ecoseed.org/~r/latest-green-business/~3/VWbXYt5Jvv4/13039- 2012-05-20T22:36:36Z The Chinese government is protesting the anti-dumping duties imposed on Chinese solar cell producers and exports by the United States Department of Commerce called the ruling unfair and unreasonable, and stating that higher tariffs could hurt efforts to promote clean energy. By deliberately provoking trade friction in the clean energy sector, the United States is sending the world a negative signal about trade protectionism, said Shen Danyang, spokesman for the countrys Ministry of Commerce. http://rss.ecoseed.org/~r/latest-green-business/~3/70jN3g-Un-c/13038- 2012-05-20T22:35:46Z EnergySource has completed their first 49.9 megawatt geothermal power plant in California. During the dedication ceremony for Hudson Ranch I, the first stand-alone geothermal plant in the Salton Sea area in 20 years, the geothermal company announced that the plant would now be known as the John L. Featherstone Plant in honor of the geothermal technology pioneer and founder of EnergySource. http://rss.ecoseed.org/~r/latest-green-business/~3/_lqoxMInlII/13037- 2012-05-20T22:34:31Z Mongolia has announced that it has started developing its renewable energy industry. According to Mongolian energy minister D. Zorigt, the development of the renewable energy industry has become the priority of the countrys energy sector. The energy minister made the announcement following the Mongolian Renewable Energy 2012 International Conference held Friday. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205200214.html 2012-05-20T20:09:27Z [This Day] The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Peter Idabor, on Thursday insisted that Chevron must pay an administrative fine of $3 billion to the federal government for the environmental disaster that accompanied the gas explosion in some communities in Bayelsa State. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205200163.html 2012-05-20T19:33:32Z [Vanguard] Most Nigerians have congratulated the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) over the recent introduction of per-paid meter as the new way of the payment of power bills. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205200141.html 2012-05-20T19:15:41Z [Vanguard] In 2005, a new phase of meter was introduced in the country as a way of addressing issues pertaining to electricity billing system in the country. While the deployment of the new pre-paid meter introduced in 2005 was still on in the Lagos district, further distribution had been suspended in the Ikeja distribution zone since July last year. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205200134.html 2012-05-20T18:02:55Z [Times of Zambia] THE Zambian Government has signed a US$30 million finance contract with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for upgrading of the Kafue-Livingstone electricity power transmission line. http://www.energy-enviro.fi/index.php?PAGE=5&NODE_ID=7&LANG=1&ID=4214 2012-05-20T17:53:10Z At the Camp David Summit, G8 Leaders recognized that universal access to sustainable energy is essential to global economic growth. They commissioned the IEA in cooperation with IRENA to synthesize recent analyses of renewable energy development and deployment policies. The leaders also urged improving appliances' energy efficiency and develop strategies to reduce short-term pollutants. G8 aims to develop mechanisms for following up actions over the course of 2012. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205190430.html 2012-05-19T20:19:14Z [The Star] PR guru Gina Din-Kariuki has been appointed to the board of CAMAC Energy Kenya as international energy firms heighten their interest in the country's oil and gas sector. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205190382.html 2012-05-19T19:25:07Z [ANGOP] Buenos Aires - Spanish firm Repsol has cancelled a contract to provide liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Argentina. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205190367.html 2012-05-19T19:08:51Z [Vanguard] When the government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo came with the readiness of combating the problem of energy in the nation, it generated loud ovation and the enthusiasm that descended on the country was that the problem of energy would soon be a thing of the past. http://www.energy-enviro.fi/index.php?PAGE=5&NODE_ID=7&LANG=1&ID=4213 2012-05-19T17:02:51Z Mongolia has begun developing its renewable energy industry which would be considered as the priority of energy sector's development, Mongolian energy minister D. Zorigt said, writes Xinhua. Mongolia's electricity consumption grows 8-10 percent annually and the wind power could provide substantial clean electricity for the country's rapid economic development. A 50-megawatt wind farm, the first for Mongolia, will start operation in November 2012. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205190046.html 2012-05-19T10:03:17Z [The Herald] HARARE residents could endure a bleak weekend without water, electricity and beer. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/05/18/korean-agency-offers-700000-green-school-project.html 2012-05-19T00:59:52Z Source: Jakarta Post - Marking its first ever joint cooperation with the Education and Culture Ministry and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is launching a Green School Action Project to help accelerate the development of environmental education in schools in Indonesia. http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Science%2Band%2BTech/Story/A1Story20120519-346912.html 2012-05-19T00:59:47Z Source: Reuters - Apple Inc plans to power its main US data center entirely with renewable energy by the end of this year, taking steps to address longstanding environmental concerns about the rapid expansion of high-consuming computer server farms. http://news.mongabay.com/2012/0519-imazon-sad-deforestation.html# 2012-05-19T00:59:38Z Source: mongabay.com - Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is lower in 2012 relative to the same period last year according to satellite-based data released by Imazon, an NGO. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180990.html 2012-05-19T00:59:25Z Source: The Daily Observer (Banjul) - Food and Agricultural Organisation of the UN-Gambia office has begun a four-day intensive training for local journalists and communication specialists to enhance their knowledge on 'Communication for Development' abilities and skills at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Bakau. http://www.afriquejet.com/germany-durban-platform-climate-talks-in-bonn-2012051838637.html 2012-05-19T00:59:17Z Source: AfriqueJet - Africa stresses ‘fair emission cuts’ as key to moving climate talks forward - African countries attending the opening of the 'Durban Platform' climate talks in Bonn, Germany, on Thursday expressed worry that there had been no change in proposed emission cuts, even though the current inadequate pledges risk 2.5-5C of warming. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/18/us-energy-summit-power-gas-idUSBRE84H0C020120518 2012-05-19T00:59:08Z Source: Reuters - To reach its strict climate targets and fulfill Chancellor Angela Merkel's nuclear exit plans, Germany needs to avoid coal and build a stack of gas power plants to secure clean energy supplies beyond 2020. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/05/49-9-mw-hudson-ranch-i-geothermal-plant-unveiled-in-calif?cmpid=rss 2012-05-18T22:04:00Z EnergySource hosted the unveiling of its 49.9 Hudson Ranch I geothermal plant, now renamed John L. Featherstone Plant – a geothermal innovator in the Salton Sea area, today in Imperial Valley, California. Commissioned on March 9th, it is the first geothermal plant to go online in the Salton Sea area in 20 years. Recognizing the area's huge potential capacity of reportedly up to two gigawatts, EnergySource expects to start drilling for its 49.9 Hudson Ranch II project this summer and hopes to start construction in 2013. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/05/will-chinese-solar-module-tariffs-restore-balance-to-the-industry?cmpid=rss 2012-05-18T21:55:00Z In the quest to "level the playing field," the 31 percent anti-dumping tariff announced Thursday was a good start, said SolarWorld President Gordon Brinser, but even more is needed to bring the industry back into balance. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/05/apple-to-power-3-data-centers-with-100-percent-renewable-energy?cmpid=rss 2012-05-18T18:47:00Z Greenpeace advocates gathered outside of Apple's Cupertino headquarters early this week dressed as iPhones and iPods, declaring their outrage about the company's lack of clean energy use. They projected social media messages from supporters on the side of the building: http://allafrica.com/stories/201205181244.html 2012-05-18T18:35:34Z [ANGOP] Luanda - The Angolan minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, said Thursday in Luanda that the investment of the new management boards for EDEL and ENE is intended to reduce the deficit in the supply of electricity and improve the services. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205181231.html 2012-05-18T18:27:12Z [The Star] Kisumu residents have opposed the construction of a gas plant in the area citing geological risks. The people of Nyalenda 'A' ward said the construction of the plant opposite Kasagam secondary school along the Nairobi-Kisumu highway will pose a great risk to the students and residents. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/world-bank-releases-2012-little-green-data-book/ 2012-05-18T18:26:12Z The Little Green Data Book published by the World Bank presents comparable information on environmental indicators from more than 200 economies. The data reflect indicators on agriculture, forests, climate, energy, water, sanitation, and ocean health, including a new series of data on marine resources. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/adb-announces-sale-of-clean-energy-bonds/ 2012-05-18T18:20:43Z The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised the equivalent of US$339 million with its second sale of Clean Energy Bonds, which are intended to support ADB’s ongoing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Asia and the Pacific. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/adb-supports-philippines-with-solar-powered-tunnel-lights/ 2012-05-18T18:20:41Z The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced it is providing technical assistance and grant funding for solar panel components for the Boni Tunnel lighting project that will generate 6,648 kilowatt hours per year, covering 19% of the total tunnel power demand and result in 51% energy savings. http://www.energy-enviro.fi/index.php?PAGE=5&NODE_ID=7&LANG=1&ID=4212 2012-05-18T17:40:02Z Earth's ecosystems keep soaking up more carbon as greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere, new measurements find, writes Science News. The research contradicts several recent studies suggesting that "carbon sinks" have reached or passed their capacity. By looking at global measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the new work calculates instead that total sinks have increased roughly in line with rising emissions. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/ieej-newsletter-highlights-japans-energy-discussions-and-reforms/ 2012-05-18T17:38:12Z The newsletter discusses Japan's energy mix options, the reform of its electric power system and what role nuclear and renewable energies should play. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/fao-asia-and-pacific-join-adb-energy-for-all-initiative/ 2012-05-18T17:38:05Z As part of its participation in the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Energy for All (E4All) initiative, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific has launched the Energy Smart Food for People and Climate Multi-Partner Programme Initiative, aiming to encourage action to improve energy efficiency, increase the use of renewable energy and improve access to modern and sustainable forms of energy. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/ecreee-and-partners-receive-grant-for-dry-concentrating-solar-power-project/ 2012-05-18T17:37:32Z The AUC has awarded the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) a three year grant worth €1 million for the dry concentrating solar research project to be conducted in collaboration with l’Institut International d’Ingénierie de l’Eau et l’Environnement (2iE) in Burkina Faso, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana, and SIREA-ENERGIE (SIREA) in France. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/in-shp-newsletter-highlights-small-hydropower-research-activities-and-regional-projects/ 2012-05-18T17:29:39Z The newsletter highlights recent achievements of the ICSHP, regional hydropower projects in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, and the upcoming first "World SHP Development Report". http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/eu-energy-commissioner-highlights-importance-of-eu-covenant-of-mayors-for-eu-china-mayors-forum/ 2012-05-18T17:29:18Z The experiences gained from the Covenant on energy efficiency and renewable energy policies are expected to provide critical input for the Forum, which will bring together EU and Chinese mayors to exchange best practices on urban energy policies. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/wbcsd%e2%80%99s-forum-highlights-the-role-of-business-in-addressing-global-energy-access-challenges/ 2012-05-18T17:29:15Z The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), together with the Guardian newspaper, sponsored an online discussion on the role of business in facilitating energy access, highlighting the need for business models that consider the financial as well as the social, economic and environmental bottom lines in order to ensure sustainable access to energy. http://energy-l.iisd.org/news/esmap-book-shares-experiences-and-lessons-from-india-on-promoting-improved-stoves/ 2012-05-18T17:22:44Z The World Bank administered Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) has published a book of case studies from across India describing various approaches, innovations, and actor roles involved in promoting the uptake of improved stoves across the country. It also offers lessons for other developing countries learned from experiences with India's national programme on improved cook stoves. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2012/05/energy-efficiency-what-are-the-laggards-thinking?cmpid=rss 2012-05-18T16:12:00Z Why do some states avoid creating policies that encourage consumers and businesses to save energy? What’s the psychology of the laggards? A new report by the American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy sheds some insight as it examines the states that consistently fall behind in the organization’s annual energy efficien http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180877.html 2012-05-18T14:35:44Z [ANGOP] Luanda - The definitive stabilization of power supply in the country will be materialised by 2016 when the main dams start injecting important energy capacity blocks. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180845.html 2012-05-18T14:26:25Z [BuaNews] Pretoria - The preferred bidders for the second window of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) will be announced next week, says Energy Minister Dipuo Peters. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180843.html 2012-05-18T14:26:24Z [BuaNews] Pretoria - Should a report find that fracking is possible in the country, South Africa should forge ahead with it as it could contribute to energy supply security, Energy Minister Dipuo Peters said on Thursday. http://www.energy-enviro.fi/index.php?PAGE=5&NODE_ID=7&LANG=1&ID=4210 2012-05-18T14:26:18Z China is preparing to run pilot carbon trading schemes beginning in 2013 in seven major cities and plans to introduce a national scheme by 2015. The outcome of the scheme could have a transforming effect on efforts to tackle climate change, experts say, according to UPI.com. If the Chinese scheme will be compatible with the EU's emissions trading system, it will give a strong boost for expanding carbon trade over the world. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180769.html 2012-05-18T13:12:01Z [Daily News] SOME 10,000 Mbeya residents are set to benefit from the 1.6 Megawatts of thermal power that Geothermal Power Tanzania (GPT) plans to generate in the next six months to support government rural electrification efforts. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180622.html 2012-05-18T12:14:14Z [Daily Trust] Kano - Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc has re-launched pre-paid metering program me in Kano state in its bid to eliminate the lingering problem of estimated billing and to achieve greater customer satisfaction. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180617.html 2012-05-18T12:14:09Z [Daily Trust] Chief Executive Officer of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Engr. Abdulganiyu Umar has assured that Dutsen- Alhaji community in the FCT would soon get new transformers to meet their electricity demands. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180589.html 2012-05-18T12:13:35Z [Daily Trust] Ilorin - The Commissioner in charge of Government and Consumer Affairs at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Dr. Ibrahim Abbah has said that Nigerians will no longer be required to pay for electricity metres with effect from on June 1, 2012. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180565.html 2012-05-18T12:12:07Z [Daily Trust] Federal Government yesterday commissioned a N1.62 billion state-of-the-art electrical laboratory and demonstration center at the Kianji regional training centre of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN). http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180277.html 2012-05-18T10:26:42Z [Leadership] It will be a complete disservice to the citizens and residents of Nigeria if the federal government actually increases electricity tariff on June 1 as announced. Government has failed to answer this question: what is the justification for the price hike when there is no improvement in the service provided? http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180238.html 2012-05-18T10:08:14Z [ANGOP] Luanda - The Angolan minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, met in Luanda with his British counterpart, Lord Jonathan Marland, with whom he discussed the possibility of cooperation in the sector. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180152.html 2012-05-18T09:20:35Z [Ghanaian Chronicle] The Supreme Court (SC), by a unanimous decision, ruled that the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) dated July 27, 2007 between the Government of Ghana and Balkan Energy Ghana Limited that gave the former a lease agreement on the Osagyefo Power Barge, is an international business transaction. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180107.html 2012-05-18T08:49:40Z [Leadership] As from June 1, 2012 electricity consumers in the country will no longer pay for electricity metre supplied to them by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180064.html 2012-05-18T07:59:01Z [IFP] Mr Eric. J Lucas, MP, IFP representative on the Energy Portfolio Committee, will address the National Assembly this afternoon. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180044.html 2012-05-18T06:11:07Z [Daily News] ACCORDING to Bariki Kaale, who is Energy and Environmental Specialist based in Dar es Salaam, Biomass fuels in Tanzania accounts for over 90 per cent of the total energy consumed, of which its supply is unsustainable. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205180041.html 2012-05-18T06:10:06Z [Observer] Prospects within Uganda's oil and energy sector continue to attract foreign interest, with the Uganda Investment Authority noting that a new crop of foreign investors - together with other players eying sectors like forestry - were licensed in the first quarter of this year, and are to create more than 6,000 jobs. http://energy-l.iisd.org/events/microgerar-workshop-on-distributed-electricity-and-microgeneration-in-brazil/ 2012-05-18T04:41:38Z This seminar is organized by the National Network of Organizations for Renewable Energy (RENOVE), with support from the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Avina Foundation and others. Under the theme "Renewable Energy and Eradication of Poverty," the seminar is RENOVE's initiative to foster debate on distributed electricity and microgeneration in Brazil. At the end of the seminar RENOVE and the Avina Foundation will present their proposal to form a Latin American Platform for Universal Access to Renewable Energy. http://energy-l.iisd.org/events/oceans-of-potential-conference/ 2012-05-18T04:38:54Z The “Oceans of Potential” conference is an initiative of Plymouth's marine science organizations and coordinated by Plymouth Marine Laboratory. It will bring together stakeholders from a broad range of disciplines to discuss the opportunities offered by oceans, including renewable energy, carbon sequestration, human health, bioengineering and new approaches to food production. Keynote speakers will include: Wendy Watson-Wright, Assistant Director-General, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Executive Secretary Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC); and Jacquie McGlade, Director of the European Environment Agency (EEA). The conference will include a public debate on ‘Sustainable fisheries in a changing world'. http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_061/pn12_061.aspx 2012-05-18T02:01:00Z The negative impact that spikes in global oil, gas and coal prices have on the UK could be reduced by over 50% in 2050 as a result of climate change policies, Edward Davey said today. The analysis, produced by Oxford Economics and commissioned by Government, shows how the UK’s sensitivity to oil and gas price shocks could be reduced by using low-carbon forms of electricity generation including renewables, new nuclear and through increasing energy efficiency.   Secretary of State, Edward Davey said: “Every step the UK takes towards building a low-carbon economy reduces our dependency on fossil fuels, and on volatile global energy prices. “Only last year, the impact of the Arab Spring on wholesale gas prices, pushed up UK household bills by 20%. “The more we can shift to alternative fuels, and use energy efficiently, the more we can ensure that our economy does not become hostage to far-flung events and to the volatility of market forces. “Of course, there are costs to building more low-carbon plant, but the gains are so much greater, and crucially they are lasting. “This is about building a more resilient economy and providing more stable energy prices for the generations that follow us”. Energy prices have been trending up over the past decade and are becoming increasingly volatile. Once the UK fully transitions to a low-carbon economy, the negative impacts of energy price volatility on these 4 factors are halved: Halving the impact of energy price volatility on disposable household income, and therefore reducing amount households would have to put aside to spend on energy bills. Halving the negative impact on the level of business investment. Halving the impact on inflation Halving the impact on levels of unemployment, which could rise through increased economic inactivity caused by high energy prices.   Climate change policies have the potential to mitigate against the volatility of fossil fuel prices, by reducing the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels.  Out to 2050, as the UK economy becomes less energy-intensive through improved energy efficiency and through reforms to the electricity market,   these impacts will be more than halved. Next week, the Government will publish the draft Energy Bill which will set out in detail how the UK’s electricity market can be reformed in order to keep the lights on, bills down and the air clean. It will set out how the UK can attract the £110 billion of investment required to build new low-carbon plant, by designing a more attractive market with stable returns for investors and fairer prices for consumers. The reforms will allow the UK to meet its climate change targets, an 80% reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050,  whilst incentivising the construction of a balanced mix of renewables, new nuclear and CCS. Notes for Editors DECC commissioned Oxford Economics to carry out the research in 2011 - download the 'Fossil fuel price shocks and a low carbon economy' report Two scenarios were analysed, a low carbon and business as usual (BAU) scenario which compared the impacts of a 50% increase in the global price of oil and gas on the overall UK economy and different components of the economy: consumption, investment, inflation, employment and sectoral impact. The draft Energy Bill will be published next week. This sets out Government’s proposed reforms to the electricity market. It is being published in draft so that it can undergo pre-legislative scrutiny. The draft Energy Bill will reach Royal Assent in 2013, with the first low-carbon projects being supported through it in 2014 The Electricity Market Reform White Paper published in July 2011 outlines Government’s proposals for transforming the power sector http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=22500 2012-05-18T02:00:00Z Telecoms giant O2 has joined forces with the Carbon Trust to measure the carbon footprint of its services - becoming, it has claimed, the first network operator to gain certification. http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5115/ 2012-05-18T02:00:00Z The Kingdom of Saudia Arabia has unveiled plans for a major solar energy strategy that will ultimately save up to 520,000 barrels of oil a day by 2032. http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=22502 2012-05-18T02:00:00Z A greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction scheme has seen Edinburgh Airport and Edinburgh Napier University become the first organisations to pass the standard. http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5114/ 2012-05-18T02:00:00Z The US authorities have hiked import tariffs on Chinese solar panels to 30% or more, after ruling that manufacturers have dumped cut-price panels on the market. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/may/17/canada-axes-green-advisory-body 2012-05-18T00:59:51Z Source: Guardian - The Canadian government is to mark the 25th anniversary of its green business advisers by shutting the agency down http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/world-warms-to-idea-of-climate-bonds/story-e6frg9if-1226359365922 2012-05-18T00:59:49Z Source: The Australian - AUSTRALIA is set to play a key role in the development of a new global-debt security, with work under way on an initiative to arrange a dollar "climate bond" in what could be a world first. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=42033&Cr=sustainable+development&Cr1= 2012-05-18T00:59:42Z Source: UN News Centre - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today asked young people from all over the world to “make some noise” to help accelerate progress on the negotiations of the United Nations Sustainable Development Conference (Rio+20) which will take place in Brazil next month.