December 27 NEC Energy News
¶ “Uruguay’s Green Power Revolution: Rapid Shift To Wind Shows The World How It’s Done” • In 2008, to escape high oil prices, Uruguay’s President Vázquez needed rapid solutions. He turned to Ramón Méndez Galain, a nuclear physicist, who would transform the country’s energy grid into one of the cleanest in the world, based on wind power. [The Guardian]
¶ “TEPCO’s Operational Ban Is Lifted, Putting It One Step Closer To Restarting Reactors In Niigata” • Japanese nuclear regulators lifted an operational ban imposed on a nuclear plant owned by TEPCO Holdings, the operator behind the Fukushima Daiichi plant. This allows the company to resume preparations to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant. [KRDO]
¶ “Positive Environmental Stories From 2023” • As 2023 draws to an end, we’re confident the good news will keep on coming, as renewable power soars, vulnerable ecosystems gain rights, and climate protocols start to pay dividends. Climate anxiety is very real, but these good news stories from throughout 2023 prove there is hope for our planet. [Euronews.com]
¶ “In Montana, Wind Is About To Overtake Coal Generation Capacity” • Data from the Energy Information Administration show that Montana coal plants had 1,631 MW of nameplate capacity in October. In the same period, Montana’s wind capacity was 1,479 MW. But two new Montana wind farms will soon come online, changing the balance. [Electrek]
¶ “Solar Panel Prices Down 30–40% In 2023, US Prices Down 15%” • The average global solar module price in the 3rd quarter of 2023 was down 30–40% from the 1st quarter of 2023, mostly due to imbalances in supply and demand in China. The US market gets almost no solar panels from China, but prices were down 15% in the same time. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Solar Power Setting Records In 2023” • Solar installations are expected to hit new record highs in the US this year. In the 3rd quarter of 2023, solar installations were up 35% year over year. Analysts from the Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie expect around 33 GW of solar power capacity will be added in 2023. [CleanTechnica]
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