Renewable Connection’s Host Kent Event
Our colleagues at Renewable Connections had a fantastic day in sunny Kent, earlier this month, hosting a public consultation event about a proposed solar and battery energy storage project. If built the project has the potential to generate enough power for up to 15,000 UK homes. It was super to meet stakeholders and hear from local elected members, Parish Councillors, and residents and gather their views on the early stage proposals.
Fraser Shaw, Tim Spicer from DHA Planning, Phil Hale and Patrick Marks all representing the Renewable Connections Team
Renewable Connections are committed to engaging with local communities and hosting public consultation events, like the one in Canterbury, to receive feedback and comments from the residents that live locally to proposed projects. Their important feedback can help inform the final design of the projects.
For more information about the proposed site please visit our website
IEA’s Electricity Mid-Year Update
The increasing transition towards renewable energy sources is predicted to achieve a colossal milestone by 2025, with total renewable generation to overtake coal-fired output. The share of renewables in global electricity supply climbed to 30% in 2023 and is predicted to reach 35% by 2025.
Solar PV and Wind energy are at the forefront of this transition, together they are expected to provide more than 900TWh in 2025, equivalent to the electricity demand of France and Italy combined. Electricity generation from solar and wind is set to surpass that from hydropower by the end of 2024, marking a pivotal moment for the sector.
The International Energy Agency Electricity Mid-year report
Top October Article!
Ratcliffe-on-Soar, in Nottinghamshire, holds the UK’s last coal-fired powerplant that was closed down earlier this month, making the UK the first major economy and first G7 member to achieve a coal-power phaseout.
The shutdown has been hailed by green campaigners as a major achievement for the government in reducing the UK’s carbon emissions. From 1882 until the recent closure, the UK’s coal plants have burned through 4.6bn tonnes of coal and emitted 10.4bn tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), this is more than most countries have ever produced (Carbon Brief sources and analysis shows)
The phaseout was built on four key elements:
1. Availability of alternative electricity sources
2. Bringing the construction of new cola capacity to an end
3. Pricing Externalities, such as air pollution and CO2, tipping economies of scale in favour of alternative solutions
4. The government set a clear phaseout timeline a decade in advance, thus giving the power sector time to react and plan ahead
Ed Matthew, director at E3G, said, ‘The UK was the first country to build a coal-fired power station. it is right that it is the first major economy to exit coal power. This is true global leadership, lighting the path for other countries to follow.’
Carbon Brief Article
Guardian Article
Meet the Team!
Introducing Sophie Browning
Meet Sophie Browning, a passionate advocate for renewable energy with a strong academic foundation in sustainability from the University of St. Andrews, where she focused on energy-related courses. Her career began at SolarKal in New York City, a commercial solar advisory that streamlined project design, vendor selection, and contract negotiation, giving her an entry point into the solar industry.
Now, after over a year at PowerGreen, Sophie is deeply involved in designing solar PV systems, working closely with clients, and attending technical site surveys. She is helping businesses from food manufacturers, to schools, to airports, across the UK transition to renewable energy and generate additional revenue streams from on-site solutions.
Connect with Sophie Browning on LinkedIn to stay updated on her journey and follow PowerGreen for the latest in solar innovation.
Scottish Food & Beverage Manufacturing Expo!
This past month John, PowerGreen’s Senior Business Development Manager, had a change of scene, attending the Scotland Manufacturing and Food & Beverage expo, both held at the SEC, Glasgow. It was great to see well-known exhibitors and gain an understanding of their requirements when it comes reducing energy bills and increasing sustainability credentials.
If you didn’t get the chance to speak with John at the Expo email powergreen@renewableconnections.co.uk or call 02077492650 to get in touch with a member of our dedicated team.
Is your company compliant?
Sustainable Energy First, an energy and sustainability consultancy, have fantastic resources and information available for companies, including free helpful guides about the various compliance initiatives that qualifying businesses need to consider. Free Energy and Compliance Guides | Sustainable Energy First (sefirst.com)
As many readers will already be aware, solar can have a direct benefit to commercial organisations, helping them meet low carbon and energy targets:
ESOS – solar provides a clear route to energy saving
EPCs -Commercial buildings must comply with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards – MEES
UK ETS – solar power could provides a power source before other carbon emitting fuels to ETS costs
CBAM – many companies will be required to cut their carbon emissions for the 2027 deadline
Got to www.sefirst.com to find out more.
How PowerGreen are helping businesses
The PowerGreen team are helping commercial and industrial businesses across the UK to achieve their sustainability targets. By creating flexible, bespoke solar solutions we can support companies to meet their energy and ESG objectives, whilst reducing their long-term power costs.
Solar is a mature and reliable technology, assisting in accelerating the clean energy transition to help with the immediate climate and energy crisis. We are delighted to be working with many sustainability, commercial, financial and operations Directors across a range of business sectors, designing and delivering ground or rooftop solar projects to meet their needs.
Please contact us at powergreen@renewableconnections.co.uk to find out what we can do for your business.