Sustainable Energy News: 04/13/12

Friday, April 13, 2012

EU carbon trading system needs major overhaul

EU carbon trading system needs major overhaul: Deutsche Bank - Electric Power | Platts News Article & Story

The EU Emissions Trading System needs fundamental reform if it is to be capable of sending a long-term price signal for low carbon energy investment, Deutsche Bank said in a report Friday. Europe's flagship policy tool to combat climate change not only needs adjusting to cope with an oversupply of carbon allowances, but also requires a structural overhaul to make it fit for purpose, Deutsche Bank commodities research director Mark Lewis said in the report.

No US wind farms planned, or turbines ordered, for 2013 – AWEA

Environmental Finance | News | No US wind farms planned, or turbines ordered, for 2013 – AWEA

The US wind energy industry is set to come to a grinding halt at the end of this year unless a crucial production tax credit (PTC) for renewable energy is extended, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has warned. “For 2013, there are no projects currently scheduled, turbine manufacturers have not received any orders for 2013,” said Liz Salerno, AWEA’s director of industry data and analysis, speaking at a webinar on Thursday announcing the association’s 2011 Wind Industry Report.

BrightSource Energy withdraws IPO

Environmental Finance | News | BrightSource Energy withdraws IPO

Solar thermal developer BrightSource Energy has withdrawn its initial public offering (IPO) due to adverse market conditions. In its withdrawn registration statement, which was filed last April, BrightSource Energy said that it planned to raise up to $250 million via a listing on Nasdaq.

California confident of 2013 emissions trading start

Environmental Finance | News | California confident of 2013 emissions trading start

California’s carbon emissions cap-and-trade programme will likely start on time next year, according to the state’s chief regulator, despite deepening market scepticism following a delay to the first auction of allowances and a new lawsuit. “I believe we’re going to start on time,” California Air Resources Board (ARB) chairwoman Mary Nichols said at the Navigating the American Carbon World conference in San Francisco on Wednesday. “Don’t worry about it.”

Set-aside necessary but not sufficient to save EU ETS

Environmental Finance | News | Set-aside necessary but not sufficient to save EU ETS – Deutsche Bank

It is time for discussions to begin on structural reforms to the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), say analysts at Deutsche Bank, who warn that simply setting aside allowances will not be sufficient to restore the scheme’s credibility. The bank has increased its forecast for the surplus of EU allowances (EUAs) for Phase III (2013-20) of the EU ETS by 19%, after rising it 47% last week, when lower-than-expected 2011 verified emissions data was published, and now estimates that the system will be long by 1.26 billion allowances by 2020.

Clean energy M&A rises in first quarter

Environmental Finance | News | Clean energy M&A rises in first quarter

Clean energy mergers and acquisitions (M&A) surged in the first quarter of 2012, while private equity investments and public market activity were all down, according to figures from VB Research.
The value of clean energy M&A deals rose to $19.4 billion in the first quarter, more than double the $9.5 billion during the same period last year, and up 31% compared with the previous quarter, said the London-based data provider.