OMNI Features｜U.S. solar power generation forecast to grow 75% through 2025．Over £1 Billion Budget for UK Renewable Energy Auction．Keel Laid for Cadeler's 20 MW WTIV Wind Maker

｜U.S. solar power generation forecast to grow 75% through 2025
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released projections for solar and wind energy growth in its recent Short Term Energy Outlook report. EIA expects solar generation to grow 75% from 2023 to 2025.

The U.S. electric power sector produced 4,017 billion kWh. Renewable sources including solar, wind, hydroelectric power, biomass, and geothermal, accounted for 22% of the total. Renewable generation as a group passed total nuclear generation in 2021 and surpassed coal in 2022. In 2023, the U.S. generated about 163 billion kWh, and EIA expects this to reach 286 billion kWh in 2025.

PV Intel data indicates that from January to October 2023, solar power accounted for 5.78% of U.S. electricity, an increase from 4.98% during the same period the previous year. This marks a 16% increase in solar power generation over the previous year. Meanwhile wind power generation is expected to grow 11%, increasing from 430 billion kWh in 2023 to 476 billion kWh in 2025.

｜Over £1 Billion Budget for UK Renewable Energy Auction
The budget for the 6th Contracts for Difference (CFD) allocation round, confirmed by the Chancellor at the Spring Budget in Britain, has confirmed its biggest-ever funding with more than £1 billion for its upcoming auction. £800 million will be allocated to offshore wind power, quadrupling the amount from the previous round of auctions. This marks the largest financing initiative to date.

UK has increased its renewable electricity generation from 7% in 2010 to over 40% today. Since 2010, the UK has seen £300 billion of public and private low carbon investment. A further £100 billion of private investment is expected for the UK’s energy transition by 2030, which could support up to 480,000 jobs, including 90,000 jobs in the offshore wind sector.

｜Keel Laid for Cadeler's 20 MW WTIV Wind Maker
South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has laid the keel for Cadeler’s newbuild wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV)－Wind Maker. Cadeler acquired Eneti last year, and Wind Maker is one of the two Gusto MSC NG16000X self-elevating vessels ordered by Eneti from Hanwha Ocean in 2021. Wind Maker was previously named "Nessie" at that time.

The Gusto MSC NG16000X self-propelled jack up will be fitted with a Huisman 2600t at 31m radius leg encircling crane, allowing the installation of 14MW+ offshore wind turbines. It will feature a main deck area of 5,400 m², DP2 (Dynamic Positioning, DP) capability and be able to operate in water depths of up to 65 meters and significant wave heights of 2 meters. Originally scheduled for delivery in Q4 2024, the WTIV is now expected to be handed over in Q1 2025. The reported purchase price is $330 million.

Note:
[1] Keel laid means the date a vessel's keel was laid or the vessel was at a similar stage of construction.

Reference: pv magazine｜GOV.UK｜MarineLink