Renewable Energy

The 84-turbine site off Massachusetts will be capable of generating power for 400,000 homes and businesses

Joe Biden’s administration has approved the construction of the US’s first large-scale offshore windfarm, with 84 turbines to be erected off the coast of Massachusetts.

The approval of the project, which will generate about 800 megawatts of energy, enough to power around 400,000 homes and businesses, is a boost to Biden’s agenda of ramping up renewable energy production across the US in order to confront the climate crisis.

New wind and solar power projects in China, Europe and the US spurred 45% rise in capacity

The world’s renewable energy industry grew at its fastest pace since 1999 last year, despite the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and may have established a standard for growth in the future, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The global energy watchdog revealed that the delivery of renewable energy projects, including windfarms and solar power projects, grew by 45% last year in a step change for the global industry.

Keith Pitt, the minister for resources, water and northern Australia, has refused to say a battery, no matter the size, is able to back up a windfarm. Sky News reporter Tom Connell was pressing the minister on the reasons for his rejection of funding for a green energy hub in north Queensland, with Pitt claiming one of the reasons was that it would not provide dispatchable power.  Pitt said: ‘What I can tell you is that intermittent wind and solar is not dispatchable.’ After several rounds of questioning, a perplexed Connell asked, ’I just don’t understand why you won’t agree that a battery can back up a windfarm?’ The exchange prompted some commentators to compare it to a Clarke and Dawe skit.

The UK has enormous capacity to increase its energy supply from offshore wind. Australia too has vast potential for wind and solar power

Wherever you are on the planet, the last 12 months have been very difficult.

In seeking the strongest economic recovery from the pandemic, it is understandable that many on the centre-right in particular want to focus on boosting existing industries. But when it comes to the energy sources of the future, investing in coal power would be an expensive mistake, not just for the environment but for the economy too.

Related: Morrison government to pledge another $58.6m to ‘gas-fired recovery’ in budget

The UK is adding jobs in the low carbon sector ... Australia too can create thousands of jobs

Related: The government’s embrace of ‘clean hydrogen’ helps no one but the fossil fuel industry | Richard Denniss

Electrification of cars and home boilers best choice to fight the climate crisis, say scientists

Using hydrogen-based fuels for cars and home heating risks locking in a dependency on fossil fuels and failing to tackle the climate crisis, according to a new analysis.

Fuels produced from hydrogen can be used as straight replacements for oil and gas and can be low-carbon, if renewable electricity is used to produce these “e-fuels”. However, the research found that using the electricity directly to power cars and warm houses was far more efficient.

Related: Ban new gas boilers in UK from 2025 or risk missing net zero target, says CBI

Related: Hydrogen fuel bubbles up the agenda as investments rocket