Eneco CEO Transition, Equinor Polish Offshore Deal

In this episode of Uptime News, Allen covers leadership changes at
Eneco, historic renewable energy deals in Poland, strong support
for wind energy in Ireland, and a surge in American clean energy
investment. Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email
update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored
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YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the
show? Email us! Welcome to Uptime News. Flash Industry News
Lightning fast. Your host, Allen Hall, shares the renewable
industry news you may have missed. Allen Hall: Leading off the
week, there's a leadership change at a major European energy
company. As Templeman is stepping down as CEO of Dutch Energy firm,
Eneco on August 1st. Templeman is leaving to become the new chief
executive of lighting company, signify in September. Eneco says
Kees Jan Rameau will serve as interim CEO starting July 4th. The
company's board has already started searching for a permanent
replacement. Templeman joined an Eneco as CEO in July of 2020. The
supervisory board chair Mel Kroon says Templeman led the successful
launch of the company's one planet plan before Eneco. Templeman
held senior positions at Shell across [00:01:00] Asia,
Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Over in Poland, energy
companies have closed one of the largest renewable energy deals in
European history. Norwegian firm, Equinor, and Polish company,
Polenergia, have secured 6 billion euros in financing for two
offshore wind projects. That's about $6.8 billion. The companies
say it's the largest project finance deal in Poland's energy
history. The Baltic two and Baltic three Wind Farms will feature
100 turbines with a combined capacity of 1.4 gigawatts. Polenergia,
CEO Adam Purwin says they have secured financing from around 30
institutions. He says The company's obtained exceptionally
favorable terms despite challenging market conditions, construction
has already begun. Onshore marine operations will start next year.
The wind farms should begin full commercial operation in 2028, and
they'll provide power to more than 2
million [00:02:00] Polish households. And Irish citizens
are showing strong support for wind energy development. A new
national survey by Wind Energy Ireland found 80% of the public
supports wind energy development, 62% back having a wind farm in
the local area. The survey found people support wind energy because
it offers more affordable electricity and reduces carbon emissions.
Energy independence was also a key motivator. CEO. Noel Cunniffe
says, Irish people know wind power is the leading solution to
rising energy costs and climate change. He says, wind power is
already helping reduce electricity prices and create jobs. 75% of
those surveys support offshore wind energy. 82% recognize its role
in securing Ireland's energy supply. Research shows Ireland's
offshore wind farms could generate 38 billion euros for the Irish
economy by 2050. And American clean energy investment continues to
surge. The American [00:03:00] Clean Power Association
says developers installed 7.4 gigawatts of new solar, wind and
storage capacity in the first quarter. That represents $10 billion
in domestic investment. The trade group says it was the second
strongest start to a year on record. Battery storage achieved
record first quarter installations surpassing 30 gigawatts of total
capacity nationwide. The development pipeline grew 12% to reach 184
gigawatts. That represents $328 billion in potential project
investment. CEO. Jason Grumet says, clean power is shovel-ready at
scale. He says the industry has a technology. Investment capital
and workforce needed. Grumet warns that the greatest threat to
reliable energy is an unreliable political system. That's this
week's top. News stories. Stay tuned for the Uptime Wind Energy
Podcast tomorrow.