Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK’s Post

It is not often that I get an opportunity to combine a work trip and a visit back to my home town of Waterford. However this week is different, as I will be attending the Power & Energy Conference 2024 in Waterford City's Tower Hotel. Ireland is slowly moving towards large scale adoption of offshore wind. The recently announced "Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy", outlines Ireland’s biggest industrial opportunity for decades. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications have provided a roadmap for Ireland to deliver 37GW of offshore wind by 2050. An ambitious plan that is not without its challenges. In addition the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP), is Ireland’s first ever spatial plan for renewable energy at sea. Outlining 4 locations for development, all off the coast of Waterford. During the conference I will be chairing a panel session discussing the plans for offshore wind, identifying constraints and solutions that will ensure Ireland maximises its potential in delivering social, economic and environmental benefits for Ireland. Please get in contact if you are attending the event or if you have issues, concerns or solutions you want me to raise during the conference. #GlobalMaritime #IrishOffshoreWind #Waterford #PowerandEnergy2024

On this week's episode of Ours to Protect, I spoke to Pat Keating, CEO of Shannon Foynes Port to learn about the plans to develop the Atlantic floating offshore wind industry. With the largest wind resource in Europe off the west coast, the estuary plans to become a global renewable energy hub over the coming decades. The episode examines how the plans will play a vital role in decarbonising Europe, while also transforming the Midwest region. #Ourstoprotect #renewableenergy https://lnkd.in/eT8ZQUsU

"... on average between 33% and 50% of new [offshore wind] capacity in Europe has been financed through this mechanism over the past 15 years, in several countries bordering the North Sea. Stabilising the revenue profile of renewable power projects through the use of CfDs...is also important as these projects have a different risk profile than fossil-fuelled power projects, with relatively high upfront costs that can leave the project exposed during its operational cycle if wholesale power prices are lower than expected." https://lnkd.in/eXvn-xWU #ContractsForDifference #CfDs #renewableenergy #hydrogen #energytransition

This week's federal budget in Australia furthered the country's energy transition and emphasised our goal of becoming a leading global renewable energy superpower. Read GHD's comprehensive analysis to explore the implications of the budget announcements on the energy transition: https://lnkd.in/ev9bjEB3 #GHD #PowerofCommitment #FutureEnergy #FederalBudget

Excited to speak at the Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum policy conference - 'Next steps for onshore wind in the UK' on Thursday, Sept 26th! To bring communities along with us as we advance onshore wind development in the UK, three crucial steps are essential for success: 🗣️ 1) Early and meaningful engagement 💰 2) Benefits tailored for and by communities 🤝 3) Shared ownership Join us to explore the next steps for this vital renewable energy sector. Register now to be part of this important conversation. Looking forward to sharing ideas and hearing diverse perspectives! We have some exciting Regen projects coming soon related to the above: ⭐ A paper on the potential for shared-ownership ⭐ A renewable energy myth-busting guide ⭐ A paper making the case for local energy #WEETFevents #RenewableEnergy #CommunityEngagement #OnshoreWind

Whatever your political persuasion, you cannot deny the incredibly ambitious target that we, as the power sector, now face: Clean power by 2030. Putting aside how this target is actually defined (still unclear!). ‘Are you joking?!’ I would have said a couple of years ago, if you’d have suggested this as a credible target for the UK. However, today, I now see the value in a stretching target as a ‘north star’- it sends a strong signal that this government is committed. Committed to working in partnership with industry to develop and deploy technologies - such as wind and solar - that will help save consumers money and protect them from volatile energy prices. I recall in 2006 as a young assistant economist in government, learning that the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, as part of wider EU target had committed the UK to a target of 15% renewable energy consumption across heat, power and transport by 2020. ‘Surely this is a mistake! Doesn’t he realise this would require about one third of electricity coming from renewables by 2020? The maximum we can achieve by then is probably 20%!’ As it turns out, the UK generated about 45% of its electricity from renewables in 2020 - far exceeding expectations. Why? Because after 2006 the public and private sector worked in partnership to deliver accelerated deployment. The governments of the day supported by providing a stable policy framework - most notably the CfD. I can’t think of a more exciting time to be in clean power and I am looking forward to working with this government as #teamRWE to deliver this new challenge!

Hull is stepping up to the plate after Donald Trump's criticism of the UK's renewable energy policies! Local leaders are inviting him to see firsthand the positive impact of offshore wind developments in the region. With wind power creating jobs and boosting the economy, Hull is ready to showcase how green initiatives are transforming lives. As debates around energy policy continue, it’s clear that a balance between traditional and renewable sources is essential for a sustainable future. 🌬️💚 #RenewableEnergy #OffshoreWind #Hull https://lnkd.in/e-SEKNWM #SolarPower #RenewableEnergy #GreenTech #SustainableLiving #EcoFriendlyInnovation

Yesterday, the British people went to the polls and have elected a new government. The past 14 years have seen significant strides forward in the decarbonisation of the UK’s power sector, with RWE playing our part through investment in renewable energy.   Looking ahead, the new government has set the stretching target of achieving clean power by 2030. This will require an acceleration in the deployment of all renewable technologies and the decarbonisation of firm, flexible generation.   RWE looks forward to working with the new government to meet this challenge, in line with our ambition to invest €8bn net in new green energy infrastructure between 2024 and 2030.

Communities across the country will benefit from £9 million Scottish Government funding for measures to help cut energy costs and support the development of locally-owned renewable energy projects. Read more ➡️ https://buff.ly/3EjRskr

This is good news and much needed - reforms to the CfD for renewable energy as part of the Clean Power Plan published today