News

• €546m funding closes for former Econcern offshore wind farm

  30 July 2009

  The Belwind offshore wind project has closed €546 million ($768 million) in financing, bringing it back from the brink after the original developer Econcern filed for bankruptcy. Construction of the 165MW first phase of the €613.9 million wind farm, located 47 kilometres off the Belgian coast, is set to begin on 1 September.

• Energy efficiency offers $680 billion boost to US economy – McKinsey

  30 July 2009

  Energy efficiency measures could offer net savings of $680 billion to the US economy by 2020, according to a study by consultancy McKinsey & Co.

• 2009 disasters hit well-insured in US and Europe

  30 July 2009

  Natural catastrophes took far fewer lives than usual in the first half of 2009, but insured losses were above the 10-year average, according to Munich Re.

• BAE partners with Lignol on cellulosic ethanol

  29 July 2009

  UK defence and aerospace giant BAE Systems has signed a memorandum of understanding with Canadian biorefiner Lignol Energy – including the possible financing of commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol projects.

• Asian pension funds urged to lead on ESG – ADB

  23 July 2009

  Asia's public pension funds could "leapfrog" the West and become leaders on responsible investment, according to a report commissioned by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

• First Wind taps $191 million financing

  23 July 2009

  Despite tough market conditions, First Wind has announced the completion of two sizeable financing transactions.

• France should adopt carbon tax, government to be told

  23 July 2009

  French consumers should pay a carbon tax on their fossil fuel emissions from 2010, climate and energy experts will advise the French government tomorrow.

• Chinese clean-tech fund aims to raise $350m

  23 July 2009

  A Chinese private equity firm is hoping to raise $350 million into US dollar and yuan-denominated funds over the next two years to invest in clean energy projects and companies.

• Winners announced in annual Environmental Finance awards

  23 July 2009

  Environmental Finance magazine has named the winners of its annual awards, which recognise leading transactions and individuals active in environmental markets.

• Panda Ethanol opts for final dissolution

  22 July 2009

  US ethanol producer Panda Ethanol has dissolved its operations and asked a court to modify a bankruptcy petition filed previously by its subsidiary to reflect its pending liquidation.