Mundus Nordic Green News – 3 November, 2020

Statkraft acquires Solarcentury for GBP 118 million

Statkraft has signed an agreement to buy the London-based renewable energy developer Solarcentury. The £118 million deal buys the Norwegian state-owned utility 6 GW of solar projects under development in Spain, the Netherlands, the UK, France, Greece, Italy, and Chile. “This acquisition is in line with our strategy to ramp up as a wind and solar developer and become one of the leading renewable energy companies globally,” said Statkraft CEO Christian Rynning-Tonnesen. Statkraft has pledged to develop at least 8 GW of wind and solar power by 2025, and the transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2020. Solarcentury has 180 employees across 12 countries.

 

Climate healthy eating saves Danish pigs

Denmark is to impose at least two meat-free days a week on state canteens, including in army barracks, police stations, and ministries. The initiative is set out by Finance Minister Nicolai Wammen to reduce carbon emissions. He also suggested that lamb and beef be served at most once a week because of their relatively large carbon footprint.

 

Danish companies eye Biden victory

Denmark's two largest business organizations the Danish Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of Danish Industry are energized by the prospect of a Biden victory. According to Michael Bremerskov Jensen Head of International Trade in the Danish Chamber of Commerce “Biden’s vision for a green transition in the USA that can have great significance for the Danish business community.” The plan to invest $2 trillion in a green transition would quadruple the American market opening up new great opportunities for Danish green exporters. According to Goldman Sachs Biden's plan will require a sixfold increase in US production of wind and solar energy in the next fifteen years requiring the erection of 60000 new wind turbines over just a handful of years. Thomas Bustrup International Director of the Confederation of Danish Industry says he “does not mind sticking my neck out and saying that I personally believe and believe that Biden will be a better exponent of the things that will benefit the Danish business community best in the US.”

 

Aker Carbon Capture posts first quarterly loss

Its just over two months since Aker Carbon Capture and Aker Offshore Wind were spun-out by their parent Aker Solutions onto the stock exchange. Today Aker Carbon Capture presented its first results as a listed company, reporting a loss of NOK 12.5 million on turnover of NOK 5.6 million.

 

Sweden’s Environmental Objectives Committee to develop a strategy for reduced climate consumption

Swedes' domestic consumption and other countries causes approximately nine tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per person and year, which needs to fall below one tonne at global level by 2050 to be within the limits of the Paris Agreement. Sweden lacks a plan for how to reduce these emissions, for which the government has been criticized. Now the Environmental Objectives Committee is tasked with developing an “overall strategy”. The assignment includes proposing milestones for the climate impact of aviation and “preparing the opportunity” for milestones for the climate impact of shipping.

---