New WFC Publications online now
In January, the WFC has published the new study 'FITness Testing: Exploring the myths and misconceptions about feed-in tariff policies', which reviews and refutes common criticisms of feed-in tariffs. In addition, the WFC flagship publication "A Renewable World" is now available for free download. Click here for more information and downloads.
On November 15-16, 2009, the 1st Community Power Conference organised by the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association and the World Wind Power Association took place in Toronto, Canada. The particpants wrapped up a very successful conference with the creation of a new 'International Community Power working group'. WFC Research Manager Miguel Mendonça gave a presentation on 'Civil Empowerment and the Greening of the Economy'. Go to full story.
On October 10th 2009, representatives from various African countries in Addis Ababa established the African Renewable Energy Alliance (AREA). In this Alliance, utilities, industry, policy-makers and the civil society will work together to boost the take-up of sustainable electrification and thermal power. Go to full story.
Ontario creates comprehensive FIT
On October 1, 2009, an ambitious feed-in tariff scheme entered into force in the Canadian province Ontario. The system is based on the cost of generation from each different technology. The tariffs are precedent setting in North America not only for the number of different technologies listed, but also for the prices offered. Go to full story.
San Diego Renewable Energy Payments (REPs) conference
REPs are the most effective policy option for achieving energy security, job creation and the rapid deployment of renewable energy. There is growing awareness of the effectiveness of Renewable Energy Payments (REPs) in the US. See the proceedings of this conference, which was co-hosted by the World Future Council in October 2008.
Utility executives see solar success in Germany
Read the report of a group of US utility executives on a fact-finding mission to Germany, to learn about the country’s successful integration of significant amounts of solar energy into the electricity grid. Go to full story
Washington DC Feed-In Tariff workshop
Our March 2008 workshop in Washington DC brought together Feed-In Tariff expertise from many countries in Europe and North America. Watch the videos and read summaries of the presentations here.
Ontario creates comprehensive FIT law
On October 1, 2009, an ambitious feed-in tariff scheme entered into force in the Canadian province Ontario. The system is based on the cost of generation from each different technology. For example, there are different tariffs for solar photovoltaics (solar PV) and wind energy.
The tariffs are precedent setting in North America not only for the number of different technologies listed, but also for the prices offered.
Solar energy advocates will be particularly pleased. Ontario's proposed tariffs, if implemented, will be the highest in North America. For rooftop solar they will be comparable to those offered in Germany and France. The province will pay $0.80 CAD/kWh ($0.69 USD/kWh; € 0.51/kWh) for electricity from small rooftop solar systems less than 10 kilowatts for a period of 20 years.Through the feed-in tariff program, Ontario will also pay the highest prices for wind energy, and biogas in North America.
The tariffs represent the best estimates by engineers and economists of what it costs to develop renewable energy under Ontario's climatic conditions. Unlike programs in the United States, there are no subsidies from either the federal or local government used in the feed-in tariff program. In a first for North America, the new program includes feed-in tariffs specifically for offshore wind energy: $0.19 CAD/kWh ($0.16 USD/kWh; € 0.12/kWh). Ontario borders all the Great Lakes except Lake Michigan.
The programme is divided into two stream: FIT for small, medium and large projects generating more than 10 kW and microFIT for very small renewable power projects generating up to 10 kW. The microFIT programme for homes and small business installations offers a simplified application and contract issuance process.
The Canadian Solar Energy Industries Association (CanSIA) estimates there are several thousand megawatts of potential solar-electric generation on Toronto's rooftops alone. In early 2009, CanSIA suggested that solar PV alone could make up 10 percent of Ontario's electricity supply by 2025. Such a contribution, about 16 TWh per year, would require the installation of 16,000 MW of solar PV under Ontario's climatic conditions.
Only 4 days after the programme launch, Canadian Hydro Developers announced it is acquiring rights to a prospective 4,400 megawatt offshore wind farm in Ontario from Wasatch Wind. The Ontario Power Authority will begin accepting FIT applications on Oct. 1, 2009 and expects to sign the first contracts in early December. (excerpts from an article by Paul Gipe).