The Canudos Wind Energy Complex in Canudos, Brazil. AFP
The Canudos Wind Energy Complex in Canudos, Brazil. AFP
The Canudos Wind Energy Complex in Canudos, Brazil. AFP
The Canudos Wind Energy Complex in Canudos, Brazil. AFP

Global wind turbine orders surge to record in first quarter, led by China


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Global wind turbine order intake surged by 27 per cent in the first three months of 2023, setting a record for the first quarter.

China, the world’s second-largest economy, accounted for nearly 65 per cent of the total order intake of 23.5 gigawatts, energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie said in a report.

In Latin America the level of activity increased to 1.7 gigawatts, while in the US order intake more than doubled to 1.8 gigawatts, surpassing the total for the first half of 2022.

In total, global orders hit an estimated $15.2 billion in the January to March period, up $3 billion from a year earlier, Wood Mackenzie said.

“China continues to be the overwhelming driver of global activity,” said Luke Lewandowski, research director at Wood Mackenzie.

“We do not see that slowing down anytime soon. What is encouraging is seeing certain areas outside of China start to build momentum.”

“Latin America had a record Q1, thanks to activity in Argentina and Brazil, and the US is seeing renewed confidence and order growth, partially in thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.”

The IRA, enacted last year, offers a series of tax incentives on wind, solar, hydropower and other renewables, as well as a push towards electric vehicle ownership.

The move is expected to spur about $3 trillion of investment in renewable energy technology while doubling the amount of energy produced by the US shale revolution more than a decade ago, according to Goldman Sachs.

Wood Mackenzie said that while some areas outside China recorded growth, overall activity from western equipment manufacturers remained stagnant, with a 9 per cent year-on-year decline in first-quarter orders.

  • Solar panels and wind turbines work in an integrated power station in Yancheng city in Jiangsu province, China. AFP
    Solar panels and wind turbines work in an integrated power station in Yancheng city in Jiangsu province, China. AFP
  • V52-850 kW wind turbines in Lake Turkana, Kenya. Courtesy Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    V52-850 kW wind turbines in Lake Turkana, Kenya. Courtesy Vestas Wind Systems A/S
  • The Dabancheng wind power plant in Urumqi in China's western Xinjiang region. AFP
    The Dabancheng wind power plant in Urumqi in China's western Xinjiang region. AFP
  • Wind turbines manufactured by Mingyang Electric whirl to generate electricity at a wind farm on the outskirts of Xinyi city, south China's Guangdong province. AP
    Wind turbines manufactured by Mingyang Electric whirl to generate electricity at a wind farm on the outskirts of Xinyi city, south China's Guangdong province. AP
  • GE's Haliade-X offshore turbine prototype. Courtesy GE Renewable Energy
    GE's Haliade-X offshore turbine prototype. Courtesy GE Renewable Energy
  • Rotor-blades are pictured at Siemens Wind Power's port of export in Esbjerg. Reuters
    Rotor-blades are pictured at Siemens Wind Power's port of export in Esbjerg. Reuters
  • An aerial view shows power-generating windmill turbines in a wind farm in Graincourt-les-Havrincourt, France. Reuters
    An aerial view shows power-generating windmill turbines in a wind farm in Graincourt-les-Havrincourt, France. Reuters
  • A model of a wind turbine with the Siemens Gamesa logo is displayed outside the annual general shareholders meeting in Zamudio, Spain. Reuters
    A model of a wind turbine with the Siemens Gamesa logo is displayed outside the annual general shareholders meeting in Zamudio, Spain. Reuters
  • Wind turbines at an offshore wind farm in China. Bloomberg
    Wind turbines at an offshore wind farm in China. Bloomberg
  • Prototype wind turbines made by different manufacturers operate during testing at the Danish National Test Centre for Large Wind Turbines in Osterild, Denmark. Bloomberg
    Prototype wind turbines made by different manufacturers operate during testing at the Danish National Test Centre for Large Wind Turbines in Osterild, Denmark. Bloomberg

China is “pushing” growth strategies to meet local government renewable requirements, while western manufacturers are focusing on profitability, the consultancy said.

“Western OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] have remained very selective and disciplined in their activity, with the goal of improving their profitability,” said Mr Lewandowski.

“Pricing has remained relatively level in markets like the US, where strategies such as measured technology development and price indexing have been employed by western OEMs to expedite a return to profitability.”

Offshore wind orders fell by 12 per cent year-on-year, but Europe experienced growth, contributing three gigawatts of offshore activity, the report said.

In total, offshore wind represented 13 per cent of all orders in the first quarter.

Chinese green energy company Envision captured the largest share of new orders at 3.6 gigawatts, Wood Mackenzie said.

Danish wind turbine maker Vestas came in second with orders worth 3.3 gigawatts.

The global wind energy market will pass the one terawatt threshold for installed capacity by the end of 2023, Wood Mackenzie said in an April report.

Investment in clean energy is set to reach $1.7 trillion this year, outpacing spending on fossil fuels, as countries look to address potential energy shortages, the International Energy Agency said.

Global energy investments in 2023 are projected to reach $2.8 trillion, with more than 60 per cent allocated for clean technologies, including renewables, electric vehicles, nuclear power and heat pumps, the Paris-based agency said in its World Energy Investment report last week.

The remaining 40 per cent will be spent on coal, natural gas and crude oil, the report said.

UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

The National in Davos

We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.

'The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure' ​​​​
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, Penguin Randomhouse

Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books 

Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

'I Want You Back'

Director:Jason Orley

Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day

Rating:4/5

England World Cup squad

Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

'The Ice Road'

Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne

2/5

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ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand

UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final

Sam Smith

Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi

When: Saturday November 24

Rating: 4/5

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

The low down on MPS

What is myofascial pain syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (­connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).

What are trigger points?

Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft ­tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and ­sustained posture are the main culprits in developing ­trigger points.

What is myofascial or trigger-point release?

Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle ­sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in ­connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. ­Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.

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THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic

Power: 169bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Price: Dh54,500

On sale: now

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

Updated: May 31, 2023, 7:01 AM