Driven by European Union renewables targets, demand for biomass wood pellets is to set to soar over the next decade as utilities displace coal in thermal power plants. Tim Probert explores how the industry will manage to procure sufficient sustainable biomass. This article was first published in the July 2012 issue of The Energy Industry … Continue reading
With legislation increasingly tough on coal-burning plants, many are switching to renewable fuels to ensure longevity. But supply chain issues may prevent some plants from undertaking the conversion process. Tim Probert profiles the UK’s Tilbury power station, a 1960s coal plant which has become the world’s largest biomass plant, and talks to Drax about the … Continue reading
Industrial conglomerate Siemens has abandoned all plans to build new nuclear power stations following Chancellor Angela Merkel’s decision to phase out nuclear power in Germany. The announcement was made in an interview given to weekly German newspaper Der Spiegel by CEO Peter Loescher, in which he stated that “for us it is a thing of … Continue reading
German utility E.ON posted its first ever quarterly loss and is laying off up to 11,000 workers. Compatriot RWE is up the creek following Frau Merkel’s decision to abandon nuclear power. And investors are no longer deeming these utilities a ‘safe haven’ in turbulent financial times. What is going on? E.ON Germany’s biggest utility has … Continue reading