February 2010: Two new support mechanisms have been proposed, supporting the further deployment of renewable energy in the UK; Feed In Tarrifs (FIT), and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The FIT scheme begins in April 2010, with RHI beginning in April 2011.
The FIT scheme has two components; generation and export, with a total contract price for 500kW - 1.5MW wind turbines of £94 for generation + £30 for export; £124/MWh. This is reported as being index linked for 20 years, however this may exclude export - the documents issued by DECC are unclear on this issue. The price being offered is therefore similar to the best rate that was available during the high oil price spike of 2008; this makes the decision to choose between conventional contracts and the Feed In tariff more difficult. Should oil price rise and you have an oil-price linked contract, then better to stay with the old system. If oil price collapses, then go with FIT - more stable and bank-friendly. The Renewable Heat Incentive scheme will start in April 2011, with consultation underway: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/rhi/rhi.aspx.
The scheme is very interesting, as it is proposed that a typical 3 bed house should be given an annual payment of around £1200 per annum for 15 years if you use wood pellets for heating. The scheme has been backdated to July 09, and any project commissioned after that date will be entiled to receive the payment. Details of the scheme can be found in our advice pages.
December 2009: We have ended the decade with an extremely successful year. We have had a range of wind energy projects consented and we constructed and commissioned two wind turbines, one in Orkney, the other in Moray. The renewable energy industry continues to grow, and it is now largely recognised that wind turbines are an excellent way of providing both sustainable energy and economic benefits to the local community. The other success we have had this last year has been with our demonstration biomass heating scheme. There are now three Woodpecker boilers and a wood-pellet fired stove running in Orkney; wood energy for heating has become a reality and we are providing wood pellets for an increasing number of customers.
Balnamoon Renewables Ltd, Moray: The Enercon E48 wind turbine at Balnamoon is fully operational and is providing renewable-sourced electricity into the national grid at Keith in the north-east of Scotland. By the last week of December 2009 the turbine had produced 750,000 kWh of electricity, demonstrating the importance and reliability of wind energy. The project is now looking to expand upon this success, and we look forward to working with Balnamoon Renewables in the coming years.
Birsay Energy Ltd, Orkney: The Enercon E44 wind turbine on Birsay Moor in the West Mainland of Orkney was commissioned in October 2009, and although initially power-limited due to weaknesses in the local grid, the project has already produced almost 500 MWh of electricity, and the project is on track to achieve an annual production figure of 3.2 GWh. Orkney is an excellent area for the production of wind-sourced electricity, with annual production figures easily amongst the highest in the world.
Hammars Hill Energy Ltd, Orkney: Hammars Hill is the first Orkney windfarm open to local investors. This five turbine project has been funded through a combination of shareholding and bank borrowings, and is on track towards becoming the most productive of all the developments we have completed to date. The annual average windspeed is in excess of 11 m/s, suggesting that this site will outperform the nearby Burgar Hill development. Roads and hardstandings were constructed in 2009, with the turbines due to arrive in late summer 2010.
Orkney Renewable Energy Ltd, Orkney: OSE are pleased to announce that Orkney Renewable Energy have been awarded consent for the first of their new projects, a single 900kW turbine on Deerness, at the eastern edge of Orkney. This project is the first of a series of new developments, with delivery and operations due to begin in summer 2010.
Mains of Bogfechel, Aberdeenshire: Consent has been given for the construction of a single 800kW turbine at Mains of Bogfechel near Whiterashes in Aberdeenshire; this will be the nearest wind turbine to the City of Aberdeen. Although Aberdeen is the energy capital of Europe, wind turbines are not common due to radar and air traffic restrictions, and this project will demonstrate that wind energy can operate near to airports without significant difficulty.
August 2009: The UK government has now published the 2009 Renewable Energy Strategy, which details the mechanisms that will enable the UK to meet significant carbon reduction targets through the production of renewable energy. For the scale of projects that we are involved with the two most important measures are the proposals for feed-in tariffs for the electricity produced by wind turbines, and a new renewable heat incentive which will provide payments for our clients starting to use biomass boilers. The strategy document can be found in our advice section, and more details will be provided in forthcoming months.
We are pleased to report that the the Balnamoon wind turbine in Moray has now been commissioned and is fully operational; the 500hr service was completed on schedule and the turbine has been handed over to the client. This project uses the Enercon E48 wind turbine, and we are in the process of constructing a range of projects across Orkney and Scotland using this model of turbine.
The Birsay Energy development in Orkney uses the class 1 Enercon E44 900kW turbine, and the foundations were completed in May, with the cabling and switchgear building completed in June; the turbine will be delivered to Orkney in July, with commissioning in August. We are also pleased to report that construction of the Hammars Hill Wind Energy Project has begun, with the manufacture of the access track started. This development will have five 900kW wind turbines.
July 2009
Renewable Energy Strategy 2009
"To meet the challenge of climate change, we need to save carbon in every sector of the economy – this will mean a rapid transition to renewable energy. This Strategy shows how we can reach our goal of 15% of energy from renewables by 2020. Doing so will help the UK to lead the industries of the future. According to recent analysis the renewable energy sector could support up to half a million jobs in the UK by 2020. It will help safeguard the security of our energy system. The plans here can help reduce the UK’s use of fossil fuel by around 10%, and so stem the rise in the UK’s use of imported fossil fuels, with our need for gas imports 20-30% lower than they would have been in 2020. This Strategy shows how we can achieve this transformation. It will involve producing enough energy from renewable sources by 2020 to supply the equivalent of nearly all 26 million homes in the UK with their current electricity needs, and 4 million homes with their current heating needs. Already, renewable electricity has doubled in the UK in five years, and in the last year alone, onshore wind capacity grew by almost a third, and offshore by two thirds. We already have more offshore wind power than any other country. The natural resources are there and waiting to be harnessed: two independent reports found the UK has the largest potential for wind energy in Europe, and one of the greatest natural wave power resources in the world.
Government action can shape the market to drive further progress. By next year, for example, the obligation on energy suppliers to get a rising proportion of electricity from renewable sources, combined with the exemption from the Climate Change Levy, will be worth around £1 billion a year to the renewable electricity industry. Planning decisions and access to the grid are becoming quicker and easier. Households, communities, public services and business will be able to generate their own renewable energy, through the introduction of a new Renewable Heat Incentive and ’Feed-In Tariffs‘ to provide guaranteed payments for energy they produce. With cleaner energy, new opportunities for jobs and greater security of supply, this plan shows a clear route to a cleaner, better energy system. It makes a significant contribution to tackling climate change. I look forward to working with businesses and communities to put these actions into practice."
The Rt. Hon Ed Miliband MP
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
May 2009: Orkney Renewable Energy Ltd have submitted plans for a single wind turbine in Deerness; the Thorkell project. It is hoped that this project will build upon the success of the Northfield wind turbine in Burray, and the development is the first of three projects planned for 2009. Orkney Sustainable Energy has designed the site and managed the environmental impact assessment; a non-technical summary is available on our projects website. Please get in touch if you would like more information regarding this development, or have a look at the ORE website: www.ore.uk.net.
The Balnamoon wind turbine has been commissioned and is now fully operational. The energisation of the grid took slightly longer than originally predicted, however the turbine went live on the 13th of May, allowing completion of final commissioning. The turbine is an Enercon E48, rated at 800kW, and maximum power was reached for the first time on the 31st of May. This is the first time we have designed a project using an Enercon turbine, and operations over the next few months will hopefully give a good indication of any reliability or production issues. The Orkney community projects, the Hammars Hill development and the Birsay Energy turbine are proposing to use the Enercon E44, a class 1 version of the Balnamoon turbine.
Our demonstration biomass project has now completed the winter heating season, and we are pleased to report that the Woodpecker biomass boiler has performed exceptionally well, providing excellent levels of warmth over one of the coldest winters experienced in recent years. The biomass pages have been updated, and include the slides from a recent talk.
March 09: The Northfield wind turbine has now completed the fourth year of operation on Burray, and continues to provide an impressive and sustainable energy output. This project remains the most succesful example of a locally-owned wind energy development in Scotland, and 2008 was the most succesful year to date. It should be noted that in October 2008 the turbine produced 410 MWh of electricity, at a capacity factor of 65%, and total energy production for the year came to 3408 MWh, representing an annual capacity factor of 46%. Orkney Sustainable Energy are site managers for this project and the development company has expansion plans underway for wind projects throughout the county. Please get in touch if you would like more information regarding these developments, or have a look at the ORE website: www.ore.uk.net.
The Balnamoon wind turbine has completed pre-commissioning, and all sites works have been finished. The switchgear building has been constructed, and all site cabling is in place. The project is awaiting the main grid connection switch, and once installed this will allow generation to commence in April 2009.
We have now begun supplying Woodpecker biomass boilers to consumers in Orkney. To help kick start the use of wood pellets we have arranged a discount to the list price of the Woodpecker indoor and outdoor boilers. This special offer is being targeted at customers who want to be involved in a more hands on way, and are willing to become involved in the installation process; this is not connected to the grant scheme available in other parts of Scotland. The main market for this product at the moment is domestic consumers who already have an oil-fired heating system, and simply want to swap over to biomass heating. Please get in touch if you would like more information: enquiries@orkneywind.co.uk
December 08: Orkney Sustainable Energy are pleased to report that the Hammars Hill Wind Energy Project was approved by Orkney Islands Council on the 10th of December 2008, exactly nine months to the day from when the planning application was submitted. Orkney Sustainable Energy are the designers of this project, consisting of five Enercon E44 wind turbines. The development encompasses the latest ideas on local ownership and a summary report can be found in our download directory, www.orkneywind.co.uk/projects. Construction of the project will likely begin in late summer 2009, once the bird breeding season has passed, with delivery of the wind turbines predicted in 2010.
The Balnamoon wind turbine was delivered ahead of schedule, arriving on site on the 10th of December 2008. The site access track and turbine foundations were all completed on time, allowing assembly of the major turbine components, with the tower and nacelle all in place within two days of delivery. The blade/hub/generator assembly was put together on the 12th of December, with all installation work completed by the 15th. The switchgear building is now under construction, and should be completed before the end of 2008. The site cabling is expected at the beginning of February 2009 and everything should be ready to allow generation to commence in spring 2009.
The first bulk delivery of wood pellets has arrived in Orkney, allowing domestic consumers the first real opportunity to shift away from the use of oil and gas for domestic heating, using a carbon neutral fuel. We are working with Swanbister Farms in Orkney, who have provided the storage space, and the Arbuthnott Estate in Aberdeenshire. The first pellets we are providing have been are produced from the waste produced from their managed forests, and are being used in our own project to see how they compare with other suppliers. The wood pellets web page has a link to the supplier, and has a paypal link to allow purchase of the fuel. We are keeping low overheads and accordingly the price of the fuel is the same as that on Mainland Scotland.
November 08: Consent has been awarded to the Mains of Bogfechel wind turbine in Aberdeenshire, following a decision to reduce the turbine size. It was originally intended that a 2.3MW Enercon E70 wind turbine would be installed as a replacement of the derelict turbine on the site, however Aberdeen Airport had concerns that the rotating blades could have an effect on the radar systems in the area. By altering the turbine to an Enercon E44, maximum tip height was reduced to an acceptable level, allowing planners to recommend approval. Consent was duly awarded, and we look forward to constructing the turbine in the near future.
The construction of the Balnamoon wind turbine near Keith in Moray has begun, with the delivery of the turbine foundation ring. The access track has been constructed and improved to allow vehicle access, and the site has been made ready for the delivery of the turbine, forecast for December this year. The switchgear building is now being constructed, and generation should commence in spring 2009.
Orkney's first wood pellet domestic boiler has now been installed and commissioned. This project will demonstrate that high standards of heating can be provided in rural Scotland, without the need to use coal, oil or gas. Wood pellets are a carbon neutral fuel, as trees absorb carbon dioxide during growth, which is released when the wood is burnt. The pellets are produced from the waste produced from managed forests, and is a sustainable fuel. A new web page will show the story, with regular updates over the coming twelve months.
The construction of the Holodyke wind turbine in West Mainland Orkney has also begun, with the completion of the access track and the hardstanding. Delivery of the turbine will take place in spring 2009.
