wind energy

UN News has published a feature looking at how the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy is changing the idea of energy security. The piece argues that the recent global energy crisis pushed countries to rethink dependence on imported fuels, and that expanding wind, solar and other renewables can reduce exposure to price shocks and supply disruptions while supporting climate goals.

New figures on global electricity generation show coal remained the largest source in 2024, producing about 34% of the world's power, while wind and solar together reached 15%, up from just 4% a decade earlier. The data, presented as charts mapped onto the world map, are drawing attention to the slow pace of the energy transition despite rapid renewables growth.

Growth in solar and wind power is limiting the use of natural gas in the United States even as overall electricity demand increases. The finding suggests renewables are increasingly meeting new consumption needs that would previously have been covered by gas-fired generation, a notable shift in the US energy mix.

As solar and wind replace conventional power plants, grids lose the natural inertia that traditionally kept frequency stable, raising concerns about blackout risks. UK-based Reactive Technologies is addressing this by sending sonar-like pulses through the grid to measure live inertia directly, revealing risks that standard models miss. The company has received €19 million in backing from the European Investment Bank to expand the approach.

Thailand's Electricity Generating Public Company (EGCO) has closed the purchase of a 49% stake in a 339-MW portfolio of solar and wind assets in the United States. The deal adds US renewables capacity to the Thai power producer's portfolio, reflecting continued foreign investment in American clean energy infrastructure. Further financial terms and project details were not disclosed.

French renewable energy company JP Energie has announced acquisitions totalling 202 MW of wind and solar capacity. The company is expanding its renewables portfolio across France through a series of project purchases. Details on the individual assets, sellers, and financial terms have not been disclosed, but the move underlines continued consolidation in the country's fast-growing wind and solar sector.

Suzlon Energy shares are in focus among Indian investors, with coverage centring on the company's order book, manufacturing capacity and wind energy operations. Analysts and market watchers are weighing the renewable energy firm's growth pipeline against its stock performance on the NSE, where it trades under the ticker SUZLON.

A new Visual Capitalist graphic ranks how much clean energy countries have added since 2015, charting the global shift toward renewables over the past decade. The comparison is drawing attention as readers weigh which nations have expanded solar, wind and other clean sources fastest and whether the pace matches climate goals set under the Paris Agreement.

A new commentary argues that the relationship between solar power, wind power, battery storage and politics has become complicated. The piece examines how political factors shape the deployment of renewable energy technologies and storage. It is drawing attention among readers following the clean energy transition, where policy decisions increasingly influence how fast solar, wind and battery projects can move forward.

Seven communities in Arizona have moved to restrict new solar and wind energy projects, reflecting growing local resistance to renewable development in the state. The restrictions come as clean energy proposals face increasing opposition from residents concerned about land use, aesthetics and other local impacts, a trend being watched closely in a region with major solar potential.

Japan holds vast potential for offshore wind power, but its plans to build a major industry have underperformed. Rising costs and environmental concerns have slowed development, dashing earlier expectations that offshore wind would become a cornerstone of the country's energy transition. Industry observers point to emerging, cutting-edge technologies as a possible way to address at least some of the obstacles holding projects back.

An energy commentary argues that wind and solar power have an important role to play but should be described as energy diversification rather than an energy transition, since they add to the energy mix rather than fully replace conventional sources. The piece challenges the framing of the shift to renewables that dominates energy policy debate.

El Niño is intensifying storms across the Pacific, with warmer ocean surface waters feeding more energy into weather systems. Coverage explains how the climate pattern strengthens hurricanes and atmospheric rivers, raising concerns about heavier rainfall, stronger winds, and greater flood risks for coastal communities along the Pacific rim and beyond.

Japan's wind power industry is losing momentum, prompting questions about whether new technology can revive its growth. The Japan Times examines the challenges facing the sector and how innovations might help get wind energy expansion back on track as the country pursues its renewable energy goals.

Ocean Breeze Energy has acquired the Alpha Ventus offshore wind farm, according to an announcement carried by Ocean Energy Resources. Alpha Ventus, located in the German North Sea, was the country's first offshore wind farm, making the change of ownership notable for the offshore wind sector. Details of the transaction, including the price and the seller, were not provided.

Romania's newest wind farm is considering adding solar panels and battery storage as the country grapples with an energy crunch. Hybridising the site would let it generate power around the clock and ease pressure on Romania's grid, which has faced supply strains and price volatility. The development reflects a broader push across Central Europe to expand renewables amid high energy costs and reliance on imports.

Abigail Spanberger, Virginia's governor, has put forward an energy strategy centred on nuclear power alongside expanded solar and wind generation. The plan is being framed as a bid to make Virginia a leader in clean energy, drawing attention to how the state will balance growing electricity demand with emissions goals.

Attention is turning to proposals to develop the North Sea as a central hub for Europe's green energy supply. The idea centres on scaling up offshore wind and related infrastructure in the basin shared by countries including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, and Norway. Discussions focus on how coordinated investment and cross-border grid connections could turn the region into a backbone of European decarbonisation efforts.

Pennsylvania State University is hosting a talk on October 2 examining how artificial intelligence can offer insights into climate change impacts on renewable energy. The event will bring together researchers to discuss how AI tools can help predict and manage climate-related challenges facing solar, wind and other renewable power sources.

Law firm Norton Rose Fulbright advised the New Development Bank on a RMB950 million financing for the Serra da Palmeira wind project in Brazil. The deal, denominated in Chinese yuan, reflects the bank's continued funding of renewable energy infrastructure in emerging markets and growing use of local-currency financing for clean energy projects.