Ørsted’s Financial Situation: Causes and Potential Solutions
Uptime episode 230 highlights, insights, and more
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The week’s headlines highlight that while renewable resources are undeniably available worldwide, it’s a global business landscape like no other. It’s not easy to stay informed as those resources are developed and distributed. (Subscribe to keep up!)
Wind Energy News
At least 2.3 million US families get their power from Iberdrola-owned wind and solar projects. Through its subsidiary, Avangrid, the company’s portfolio includes more than 75 projects in 22 states, with more than 8,000 MW of wind capacity and around 1,000 MW of solar power.
In Queensland, Australia, Brisbane-based Renewable Energy Partners has proposed a 5 GW wind power complex. The Bogunda wind farm is planned to be installed in phases, with the first 2 GW expected to be online in 2030.
In this week’s podcast, Rosemary explains that while Australia has some geographic and political advantages in developing wind energy projects that are lacking in the US, Australia may also face a few unique challenges as those projects progress.
Vestas is restructuring its operations, cutting approximately 54 positions at its factory in Ringskobing, Denmark (leaving about 350 jobs after adjustments are made) - while the company announced it is expanding production in Colorado, citing increased demand for its V163 onshore turbines in the American market.
Ørsted reported impairment losses of 3.9 billion Danish crowns in the second quarter of 2024, due in part to the construction delay for the Revolution Wind project off the coast of Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Ørsted: After Rough Report, What’s Ahead?
For a long time, Ørsted’s core businesses has been offshore wind in the North Atlantic. With recent challenges both financial and otherwise, will the company pull back on some of its newer projects to focus on where it has found success before, or will it take a hard line on costs, start buying Chinese-made turbines, and potentially announce layoffs?
Joel, Allen, Rosemary and Phil review Ørsted’s Q2 report and consider the company’s historical performance in light of current market and regulatory conditions. Listen, then tell us what you think.
Zero-Maintenance Lightning Sensors Now Included
You’ve asked, now it’s here: a low-cost lightning sensor that requires no wiring and no maintenance. Produced by EOLOGIX-PING, it’s small, magnetizes to the turbine, and based on applications in the past year or so, it has been 100% effective. We’re so convinced that wind operations need this sensor, we’re including it with new sales of StrikeTape. Questions? Call Joel at (832) 593-2782.
Plan to Attend Wind Turbine Blades Event in Boston
The AMI Wind Turbine Blades Event will be held in Boston on October 2-3. The North American version of the popular European event will examine new developments in the materials, design, manufacturing and performance of wind turbine blades, and in-depth maintenance and lifecycle management issues. Find the full agenda here. Plan to be there on Thursday, when Allen hosts a panel on blade operation and maintenance with guests from ENGIE North America, Nordex and EDF Renewables. 🛬 See you in Boston!
Wind Farm of the Week
Cedar Springs Wind Farm in Wyoming, which came online in 2020, is our Wind Farm of the Week! The sprawling wind farm is owned by NextEra and PacifiCorp. One of the welcome systems at Cedar Springs is the aviation detection lighting system.
Thanks to five radars installed around the project, which detect aircraft within three miles of the wind farm boundary, the aircraft warning lights can come on when a plane is nearby, but the lights can stay off more than they’re on. According to The Cowboy State Daily, a fourth phase of the complex was announced in 2023, which is expected to add 73 more turbines.
One Windfarm, Teams from Three States
Minnesota-based Blattner Energy, a renewable energy contracting firm, took the lead on construction, and when a blade hit a tower in 2023, Florida’s Champion Specialty Services Provider came to the rescue. Interested in learning more about how wind energy complexes become reality? Visit BuildTurbines.com for all the info!
Get all this and more in the latest Uptime Wind Energy Podcast.
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➡️ New! Power-Up: Wind Energy Innovations
➡️ New Interview: Hatch
Interesting Finds From Around the Web
Wind developer Orsted does not rule out Chinese turbine technology
Renewable Energy Partners tables plan for 5-GW wind farm in Queensland
Vestas cutting 54 positions in Ringkøbing, moving turbine hub production to US
Iberdrola exceeds 9,000 MW of wind power and photovoltaic in the US
NETSCo moves ahead with innovative offshore wind feeder barge
$84 Billion in Clean Energy Projects Are Running Behind Schedule
Wind Energy Stock Watch
Vestas (VWDRY) $7.61 USD
GE (GE) $170.99 USD
Siemens Energy AG (SMNEY) $28.21 USD
Goldwind (XJNGF) $.55 USD
Iberdrola (IBE.MC) €12.69 EUR
Nordex (NRDXF) $13.37 USD
Stock prices as of close Tuesday August 27, 2024. Note some stocks use OTC Delayed Price.
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