June 5 NEC Energy News
¶ “Offshore Wind To Save New England Families $630M On Electricity Annually” • Offshore wind is critical to achieve New England’s climate goals, reduce local energy costs, and protect New Englanders from volatile gas prices, a report authored by Synapse Energy Economics, Inc says. It examined developing 9 GW of offshore wind by 2030. [Sierra Club]
¶ “Experts Want More Big Solar Projects, Less Nuke Talk” • The Australian governments and industry bodies need to stop getting distracted by debates over nuclear power and start investing in large-scale solar projects to keep up with electricity demand, the Clean Energy Council’s Australian Large-Scale Solar and Storage Summit was told. [Katherine Times]
¶ “Plant Vogtle Cost Overruns May Worsen Energy Poverty In Georgia” • Georgia Power’s Plant Vogtle has come under fire since beginning construction in 2009. A new report criticizes the role of the Georgia Public Service Commission, which allowed the nuclear plant to move forward. It also questions the impact of the plant on consumers. [WUGA]
¶ “China Commissions 5-GW Solar Project, World’s Largest” • China commissioned the world’s largest solar project, a massive 5-GW facility in the north-west of the Xinjiang region. China now holds the world’s three largest solar projects by capacity, as the Ningxia Tenggeli and Golmud Wutumeiren projects each have a capacity of 3 GW. [PV Tech]
¶ “Australia Wants To Become A Renewable Energy Superpower. Can It?” • Australia aims to be a “renewable energy superpower” by investing in homegrown green industries. The prime minister said, “We have to get cracking. We have unlimited potential, but we do not have unlimited time.” But some experts the effort might not be enough. [BBC]
¶ “Colorado Co-op Tri-State Buying Two Solar Power Projects” • Colorado-based electric cooperative Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association purchased renewable energy projects that will provide power for its members for the first time. It is buying two solar projects in western Colorado with a combined capacity of 255 MW. [POWER Magazine]
¶ “ICC Adopts Illinois’ First Renewable Energy Access Plan” • The Illinois Commerce Commission adopted the state’s Renewable Energy Access Plan, an actionable roadmap to ensure Illinois meets its policy requirements for an equitable, reliable, and cost-effective clean electricity system. It is a tool to encourage faster development of transmission systems. [WSIU]
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