BWEA - News '06

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News, Views and Press Releases 2006

Wind energy in the UK broke all records in 2006, making this the most productive and successful year for the sector since the country’s first commercial wind farm started generating 15 years ago. A record breaking 630 new megawatts (MW) of wind energy were commissioned in 2006: an increase of 50% on performance of 2005, which in turn saw a 100% increase on capacity commissioned in 2004.

21 December	The Year of the Renewables Revolution - 2006 a record breaking year for wind energy
21 December	BWEA launches new guidance on micro wind installations - aimed at potential consumers from the domestic, public and business sector
18 December	UK offshore renewables powerhouse a significant step closer - two new consents for offshore wind
14 December	Climate change at the heart of the planning system - consultation on new supplement to PPS1
13 December	BWEA briefing on UK wind capacity factors - putting it in perspective
5 December	Planning reform provides key to wind energy delivery - Barker Review published
17 November	BWEA and REA to stay separate - continued collaboration on common policy
9 November	Welcome first step in resolving planning delays - launch of new consultation on planning inquiries
30 October	Stern Review emphasises urgency of action on climate change - wind can lead the way says BWEA
16 October	Over 2,000 attend BWEA's biggest ever conference and exhibition in the UK
10 October	A strong wind of support in Glasgow - BWEA's biggest annual conference gets vote of confidence
9 October	Industry trade bodies promise engagement to get policy right
27 September	Welcome boost for public sector renewables development - £10m Defra funding for Carbon Trust's 'Partnerships for Renewables'
25 September	Securing our future - the UK's leading renewable energy event
20 September	Wind power key to fight climate change - one third of world electricity can be supplied by wind by 2050
5 September	Wind power ready to meet looming energy gap - global forecasts of oil and gas reserves overestimated
29 August	The power of the wind: a powerful attraction - over ten thousand people flocked to their local wind farm this August Bank Holiday
22 August	A strong wind in the right direction - 76% of the British public embrace the power of the wind
1 August	Renewable energy industry aims for a stronger voice - BWEA & REA exploring merger prospects
11 July	Green Paper gives amber light to renewables - BWEA cautious whether 'cocktail of measures' can deliver the goods on time
6 July	Green energy trade body responds to Executive planning guidelines - Renewables industry considers response to new planning framework for renewables
6 July	BWEA urges caution on RO debate - Carbon Trust report a welcome contribution
29 June	Marine power report points way to electricity from the sea - npower and BWEA issue 'npower juice Path to Power Report'
23 June	Microgeneration becomes law of the land - Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill receives Royal Assent
23 June	New hand at the helm - Maria McCaffery appointed as new BWEA CEO
7 June	The trials of climate change - RAF fly-pasts test new wind farm friendly radar systems
24 May	Renewables back on the agenda with a vengeance - 81% of public in favour of wind power
17 May	BWEA statement on Prime Minister's CBI speech - BWEA welcomes the Prime Minister's announcement of a 'big push' on renewables
16 May	Green DIY energy boost - Scottish Community & Householder Renewables Inititiative has been awared an additional £3 million
10 May	Stronger wind for renewables in Wales - BWEA establishes Wales Steering Committee and appoints a dedicated Wales Officer
27 April	Green light for Europe's largest wind farm - consent for ScottishPower's Whitelee
19 April	35-strong alliance issues joint manifesto for Government's Energy Review
13 April	Energy Review submission - BWEA calls on PM to commit to 20% renewables by 2020
11 April	Another UK first - the first wind farm to generate over 100 megawatts of power
5 April	Wind power intermittency blown out of proportion - new research shows no significant obstacle to development of renewables
4 April	BWEA endorses Wind Turbine Safety Rules - increasing best practice and guidance for growing sector
4 April	Offshore wind at a crossroads - new research released on first day of industry conference
30 March	Clarity on connecting offshore renewables welcome - results of offshore transmission consultation announced
29 March	Marine Bill balancing act must safeguard UK's offshore renewable strengths - Defra launches consultation
28 March	Industry response to Climate Change Review - disappointing for offshore wind
28 March	Government's Microgeneration Strategy launched - industry welcomes as a step in the right direction
27 March	Onshore wind to power over 3 million homes by 2010 - new research from BWEA shows onshore wind alone can meet half Government's 2010 target for renewables
22 March	Budget bonus for microgeneration - Brown announces additional £50 million for Low Carbon Buildings Programme
17 March	Good Day for the Future of the Planet - joint statement on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill passing Report Stage in House of Commons
15 March	Industry launches One-Stop-Shop for small wind - new online resource for public and businesses who want to install small scale wind
2 March	BWEA statement on Whinash decision - industry expresses disappointment over refusal of permission for Whinash wind farm in Cumbria
23 February	Tackling Europe's energy crisis: wind energy, the "NO FUEL solution" - new report outlines how wind can meet 1/5th of European electricity needs with no associated risks
20 February	Industry welcomes guidance on the preparation of renewable energy planning policy - TCPA launches guidance on implementing PPS22
17 February	Record year for wind energy: global wind power market increased by 43% in 2005
10 February	Power & Opportunity - review of BWEA's 3rd annual marine conference
1 February	BWEA Press Statement - CEO Marcus Rand moving on
1 February	European record for wind power: over 6,000 MW installed in 2005 - wind energy has surpassed EC White Paper targets for 2010
25 January	Power & Opportunity: Britain can rule the waves - new report shows wave and tidal power could provide 20% of UK electricity
23 January	Put wind and renewables at heart of Energy Review - BWEA CEO speaks out as Government announces review of energy policy
17 January	Wind power being hit by 'long and damaging' planning delays - new report from Scottish Renewables

Click here to see press releases from 2005.

BWEA press releases are indicated by and those of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) by together with joint releases from our colleagues in the other renewable energy trade associations.