Renewable Energy

Virgin CEO Richard Branson Vows to Turn Caribbean Islands Green

Virgin CEO Richard Branson Vows to Turn Caribbean Islands Green

While Sir Richard Branson is preparing to make the $13.6 million Moskito island his new “family complex,” the billionaire says the move can impact a lot more than just his luxurious profile. Along with Necker island, which Branson rents for nearly $55,000 a night, Moskito will use renewable energy for 75 to 80 percent of its electricity, […]

Join our newsletter

The best of EcoWatch, right in your inbox. Sign up for our email newsletter!

    West Coast’s First Offshore Wind Turbine Gets Green Light For Development

    West Coast’s First Offshore Wind Turbine Gets Green Light For Development

    The development of what should be the U.S.’ first offshore wind farm on the West Coast received a boost this week, earning approval to begin building.  The approval of a five-turbine, 30-megawatt (MW) pilot project off Coos Bay in Oregon was announced Wednesday by Gov. John Kitzhaber, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director […]

    India Leans on Europe to Establish Offshore Wind Industry

    India Leans on Europe to Establish Offshore Wind Industry

    India wants to generate power from offshore wind farms, so the country is seeking advice from the best in the business. The European Union’s (EU) Indo-European Cooperation on Renewable Energy program has contributed $5.5 million to aid India in developing a roadmap for offshore wind development, according to the Global Wind Energy Council. Europe leads the world […]

    How Wind Power is Saving Millions During Polar Vortex

    How Wind Power is Saving Millions During Polar Vortex

    By Michael Goggin For the second time in two weeks, wind power once again kept consumers’ energy costs down as extreme cold drove energy prices to record highs across much of the eastern U.S. Electricity and natural gas prices skyrocketed to 10 to 50 times normal across parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes states as […]

    U.S. Solar Employment Rate Growing 10 Times Faster Than National Average

    U.S. Solar Employment Rate Growing 10 Times Faster Than National Average

    As the generation of solar energy grows, so does the industry’s employment base. According to the fourth annual National Solar Jobs report released today by The Solar Foundation (TSF), an independent nonprofit solar energy research and education organization, the solar industry added 23,682 jobs from September 2012 to September 2013. Solar employment grew by 20 percent during that period. Total […]

    Wind Subsidy Cuts Could Thwart Germany’s Renewable Energy Revolution

    Wind Subsidy Cuts Could Thwart Germany’s Renewable Energy Revolution

    Germany’s energy minister is expected to propose cuts to renewable energy this week, despite the country’s standing as the leader in solar less than two years ago and its record-breaking day for wind power last month. Leaked documents, believed to be prepared for a conference spanning tomorrow and Thursday, show that Energy Minister Sigmar Gabriel wants to cut aid for onshore […]

    How Close is the World to $1 Trillion in Renewable Energy Investments?

    How Close is the World to $1 Trillion in Renewable Energy Investments?

    Some bankers across the world are aiming high when it comes to investments in renewable energy. Billionaire investors and climate-focused policy advocates like hedge-fund founder billionaire Tom Steyer and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin gathered at the United Nations this week to call for more investments in renewables and changes to financial markets that […]

    Wind Energy Blows Away Records Throughout Europe

    Wind Energy Blows Away Records Throughout Europe

    By Michael Goggin The data is in, and 2013 went out with a bang as wind energy output soared to new records across Europe. Electricity prices and air pollution dropped as wind energy drastically reduced fossil fuel use during high winter energy demand. Ireland, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and the UK all saw noteworthy wind […]