Feed in Tariff for the UK

FEED IN TARIFF 15th July 2009

The UK Government has now announced feed in tariffs for small wind turbines and photovoltaic solar panels:
36.5p/kWh for small solar photovoltaic systems up to 4kW, and 28p/kWh for systems up to 10kW.
23.0p/kWh for small wind turbines between 1.5kW and 15kW.

These tariffs will replace the current ROC system. Payments will begin on 1st April 2010, but all small wind and solar systems commissioned from now on will be eligible for both LCBP grants and the new feed in tariff.

Read more information on the tariffs click here.

Desert Power

I found this fascinating quote today:

One of the most ambigious renewable energy projects has had a sound start in Munich this week: Destertec. Within the next three years there are to be concrete plans for solar thermal plants in North Africa, the initiators, twelve major companies, said. Whilst there is still technical research to be done, the main objective now is the financing of the giant project that is to deliver up to 15% of European electricity demand within about 30 years, as well as to cover local demand. The investment will be around 400 bn. Euro until 2050.reegle.info, reegle Blog

You should read the whole article.

Desert solar takes leap forward
Regular readers of this blog will be familiar with the concept of harnessing huge amounts of power in the Sahara and connecting it to Europe’s electricity grid. Now the idea is taking its first step towards reality. A consortium of German investors led by Siemens AG (also turbine manufacturers) is looking to raise €400 billion to invest in the infrastructure that could provide 15% of Europe’s electricity by 2050. A Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) farm that would cover 50 square miles of Sahara desert could provide a constant source of clean energy and be transported to Europe through the new technology of highly efficient power lines.

"We want to start an initiative that would present concrete plans in two to three years time," said Torsten Jeworrek, the head of the consortium. They’re anticipating that 2 Gigawatts of electricity could be generated from Tunisia within five years, with the right political support.

It’s an exciting step forward for a project that could revolutionise our energy grid and might alter the balance of the world economy. No doubt there’ll be many obstacles to overcome, but it’s great to see the idea being taken seriously.

More info on this here.