Lightbucket
@lightbucket.bsky.social
20 years in academic physics, then 20 years running a physics-based tech company, now drifting towards semi-retirement.
Looking at:
decarbonisation; energy;
Russia's war in Ukraine.
Blog on Wordpress: https://lightbucket.wordpress.com/
Looking at:
decarbonisation; energy;
Russia's war in Ukraine.
Blog on Wordpress: https://lightbucket.wordpress.com/
Empire Wind latest (follows from the pre-Christmas freeze on offshore wind projects):
❝ District judge Carl J Nichols, an appointee of Donald Trump, ruled construction on the Empire Wind project could go forward while he considers the merits of the government’s order to suspend the project.❞
❝ District judge Carl J Nichols, an appointee of Donald Trump, ruled construction on the Empire Wind project could go forward while he considers the merits of the government’s order to suspend the project.❞
January 16, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Empire Wind latest (follows from the pre-Christmas freeze on offshore wind projects):
❝ District judge Carl J Nichols, an appointee of Donald Trump, ruled construction on the Empire Wind project could go forward while he considers the merits of the government’s order to suspend the project.❞
❝ District judge Carl J Nichols, an appointee of Donald Trump, ruled construction on the Empire Wind project could go forward while he considers the merits of the government’s order to suspend the project.❞
1/3
Wind curtailment costs in the UK:
In 2025 the UK generated 26.9 TWh of wind power (offshore & onshore) under CfDs (Ref: www.lowcarboncontracts.uk/resources/sc...)
and spent £1457 m on wind curtailment (& turn up) costs (Ref: wastedwind.energy/2026-01-16),
i.e. curtailment cost was £54.13/MWh
Wind curtailment costs in the UK:
In 2025 the UK generated 26.9 TWh of wind power (offshore & onshore) under CfDs (Ref: www.lowcarboncontracts.uk/resources/sc...)
and spent £1457 m on wind curtailment (& turn up) costs (Ref: wastedwind.energy/2026-01-16),
i.e. curtailment cost was £54.13/MWh
January 16, 2026 at 11:17 AM
1/3
Wind curtailment costs in the UK:
In 2025 the UK generated 26.9 TWh of wind power (offshore & onshore) under CfDs (Ref: www.lowcarboncontracts.uk/resources/sc...)
and spent £1457 m on wind curtailment (& turn up) costs (Ref: wastedwind.energy/2026-01-16),
i.e. curtailment cost was £54.13/MWh
Wind curtailment costs in the UK:
In 2025 the UK generated 26.9 TWh of wind power (offshore & onshore) under CfDs (Ref: www.lowcarboncontracts.uk/resources/sc...)
and spent £1457 m on wind curtailment (& turn up) costs (Ref: wastedwind.energy/2026-01-16),
i.e. curtailment cost was £54.13/MWh
1/2
The CfD results for AR7 Offshore Wind were published yesterday.
Offshore Wind dominates the CfD scheme, it accounts for twice as much CfD generation as all other CfD technologies put together.
Here's a chart of all Offshore Wind CfD strike prices and awarded capacities, by Allocation Round.
👇
The CfD results for AR7 Offshore Wind were published yesterday.
Offshore Wind dominates the CfD scheme, it accounts for twice as much CfD generation as all other CfD technologies put together.
Here's a chart of all Offshore Wind CfD strike prices and awarded capacities, by Allocation Round.
👇
January 15, 2026 at 1:08 PM
1/2
The CfD results for AR7 Offshore Wind were published yesterday.
Offshore Wind dominates the CfD scheme, it accounts for twice as much CfD generation as all other CfD technologies put together.
Here's a chart of all Offshore Wind CfD strike prices and awarded capacities, by Allocation Round.
👇
The CfD results for AR7 Offshore Wind were published yesterday.
Offshore Wind dominates the CfD scheme, it accounts for twice as much CfD generation as all other CfD technologies put together.
Here's a chart of all Offshore Wind CfD strike prices and awarded capacities, by Allocation Round.
👇
1/4
The AR7 Offshore Wind projects awarded CfDs today are:
England & Wales:
• Awel y Môr A: 775 MW
• Dogger Bank South East: 1500 MW
• Dogger Bank South West: 1500 MW
• Norfolk Vanguard East: 1545 MW
• Norfolk Vanguard West: 1545 MW
Scotland:
• Berwick Bank Phase B: 1380 MW
The AR7 Offshore Wind projects awarded CfDs today are:
England & Wales:
• Awel y Môr A: 775 MW
• Dogger Bank South East: 1500 MW
• Dogger Bank South West: 1500 MW
• Norfolk Vanguard East: 1545 MW
• Norfolk Vanguard West: 1545 MW
Scotland:
• Berwick Bank Phase B: 1380 MW
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
January 14, 2026 at 3:35 PM
1/4
The AR7 Offshore Wind projects awarded CfDs today are:
England & Wales:
• Awel y Môr A: 775 MW
• Dogger Bank South East: 1500 MW
• Dogger Bank South West: 1500 MW
• Norfolk Vanguard East: 1545 MW
• Norfolk Vanguard West: 1545 MW
Scotland:
• Berwick Bank Phase B: 1380 MW
The AR7 Offshore Wind projects awarded CfDs today are:
England & Wales:
• Awel y Môr A: 775 MW
• Dogger Bank South East: 1500 MW
• Dogger Bank South West: 1500 MW
• Norfolk Vanguard East: 1545 MW
• Norfolk Vanguard West: 1545 MW
Scotland:
• Berwick Bank Phase B: 1380 MW
Reposted by Lightbucket
NEW: Britain's latest CfD auction secured a record 8.4GW of wind capacity.
New projects will be awarded 20-year fixed-price contracts at £91 per MWh. The highest price 2015.
Why has wind power got more expensive and what will it mean for bills?
www.samdumitriu.com/p/britains-l...
New projects will be awarded 20-year fixed-price contracts at £91 per MWh. The highest price 2015.
Why has wind power got more expensive and what will it mean for bills?
www.samdumitriu.com/p/britains-l...
Britain’s latest renewables auction locks in higher prices.
Britain just bought 8.4GW of wind power. Expect bills to go up.
www.samdumitriu.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:21 AM
NEW: Britain's latest CfD auction secured a record 8.4GW of wind capacity.
New projects will be awarded 20-year fixed-price contracts at £91 per MWh. The highest price 2015.
Why has wind power got more expensive and what will it mean for bills?
www.samdumitriu.com/p/britains-l...
New projects will be awarded 20-year fixed-price contracts at £91 per MWh. The highest price 2015.
Why has wind power got more expensive and what will it mean for bills?
www.samdumitriu.com/p/britains-l...
1/4
The results for Allocation Round 7 of the UK Contracts for Difference scheme were published today.
These results are for Offshore Wind and Floating Offshore Wind only.
Results for all other technologies are in AR7a, and will come later.
AR7 switched from 2012 prices to 2024 prices.
🧵
The results for Allocation Round 7 of the UK Contracts for Difference scheme were published today.
These results are for Offshore Wind and Floating Offshore Wind only.
Results for all other technologies are in AR7a, and will come later.
AR7 switched from 2012 prices to 2024 prices.
🧵
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
January 14, 2026 at 12:26 PM
1/4
The results for Allocation Round 7 of the UK Contracts for Difference scheme were published today.
These results are for Offshore Wind and Floating Offshore Wind only.
Results for all other technologies are in AR7a, and will come later.
AR7 switched from 2012 prices to 2024 prices.
🧵
The results for Allocation Round 7 of the UK Contracts for Difference scheme were published today.
These results are for Offshore Wind and Floating Offshore Wind only.
Results for all other technologies are in AR7a, and will come later.
AR7 switched from 2012 prices to 2024 prices.
🧵
Update:
CfD Allocation Round 7 results (Offshore Wind & Floating Offshore Wind) were published today.
Dogger Bank South (both East and West projects) have CfDs awarded,
at £91.20/MWh (2024 prices),
although DCO isn't due till 30th April.
👇
⸻
Ref: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696686...
CfD Allocation Round 7 results (Offshore Wind & Floating Offshore Wind) were published today.
Dogger Bank South (both East and West projects) have CfDs awarded,
at £91.20/MWh (2024 prices),
although DCO isn't due till 30th April.
👇
⸻
Ref: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696686...
January 14, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Update:
CfD Allocation Round 7 results (Offshore Wind & Floating Offshore Wind) were published today.
Dogger Bank South (both East and West projects) have CfDs awarded,
at £91.20/MWh (2024 prices),
although DCO isn't due till 30th April.
👇
⸻
Ref: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696686...
CfD Allocation Round 7 results (Offshore Wind & Floating Offshore Wind) were published today.
Dogger Bank South (both East and West projects) have CfDs awarded,
at £91.20/MWh (2024 prices),
although DCO isn't due till 30th April.
👇
⸻
Ref: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696686...
2025 Electricity Grid Review
from Electricity Maps.
First entry: Germany
from Electricity Maps.
First entry: Germany
Grid in review: Germany
A deep dive into Germany's grid in 2025. Comparisons, statistics, heatmaps, and more.
www.electricitymaps.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:01 PM
2025 Electricity Grid Review
from Electricity Maps.
First entry: Germany
from Electricity Maps.
First entry: Germany
1/2
Ørsted Revolution Wind update:
A federal judge on Monday cleared Danish offshore wind developer Ørsted to resume work on its nearly finished Revolution Wind project.
Ørsted Revolution Wind update:
A federal judge on Monday cleared Danish offshore wind developer Ørsted to resume work on its nearly finished Revolution Wind project.
January 13, 2026 at 12:15 PM
1/2
Ørsted Revolution Wind update:
A federal judge on Monday cleared Danish offshore wind developer Ørsted to resume work on its nearly finished Revolution Wind project.
Ørsted Revolution Wind update:
A federal judge on Monday cleared Danish offshore wind developer Ørsted to resume work on its nearly finished Revolution Wind project.
Reposted by Lightbucket
There is always an XKCD
January 12, 2026 at 8:58 AM
There is always an XKCD
Today is the 1418th day of Russia's war in Ukraine.
It's the same length of time as the USSR's Great Patriotic War,
from the start of Operation Barbarossa (22nd June 1941)
to Victory Day in the USSR (9th May 1945).
It's the same length of time as the USSR's Great Patriotic War,
from the start of Operation Barbarossa (22nd June 1941)
to Victory Day in the USSR (9th May 1945).
January 11, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Today is the 1418th day of Russia's war in Ukraine.
It's the same length of time as the USSR's Great Patriotic War,
from the start of Operation Barbarossa (22nd June 1941)
to Victory Day in the USSR (9th May 1945).
It's the same length of time as the USSR's Great Patriotic War,
from the start of Operation Barbarossa (22nd June 1941)
to Victory Day in the USSR (9th May 1945).
The RS dug a deep hole,
jumped into it,
and now doesn't know how to get out.
jumped into it,
and now doesn't know how to get out.
"I'm afraid there's many bad people around, but they have made scientific advances." - President of the Royal Society.
The Royal Society continues to be happy to be associated with, indeed honour Elon Musk with fellowship, despite the Grok scandal.
I will never understand this.
The Royal Society continues to be happy to be associated with, indeed honour Elon Musk with fellowship, despite the Grok scandal.
I will never understand this.
January 10, 2026 at 2:57 PM
The RS dug a deep hole,
jumped into it,
and now doesn't know how to get out.
jumped into it,
and now doesn't know how to get out.
1/4
The results for Allocation Round 7 of the UK Contracts for Difference scheme will be published this week, on 14th January.
These results will be for Offshore Wind and Floating Offshore Wind only.
(Results for all other technologies are in AR7a, and will come later.)
The results for Allocation Round 7 of the UK Contracts for Difference scheme will be published this week, on 14th January.
These results will be for Offshore Wind and Floating Offshore Wind only.
(Results for all other technologies are in AR7a, and will come later.)
January 10, 2026 at 11:48 AM
1/4
The results for Allocation Round 7 of the UK Contracts for Difference scheme will be published this week, on 14th January.
These results will be for Offshore Wind and Floating Offshore Wind only.
(Results for all other technologies are in AR7a, and will come later.)
The results for Allocation Round 7 of the UK Contracts for Difference scheme will be published this week, on 14th January.
These results will be for Offshore Wind and Floating Offshore Wind only.
(Results for all other technologies are in AR7a, and will come later.)
1/2
The Development Consent Order for the 3 GW Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm has been delayed from January 10 to April 30.
The Development Consent Order for the 3 GW Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm has been delayed from January 10 to April 30.
Dogger Bank South decision pushed back as ministers seek more time - Energy Live News
Dogger Bank extension plans are delayed till April by minister
www.energylivenews.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:26 PM
1/2
The Development Consent Order for the 3 GW Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm has been delayed from January 10 to April 30.
The Development Consent Order for the 3 GW Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm has been delayed from January 10 to April 30.
1/2
❝ The wind is always blowing somewhere.❞
There's a wind lull in the UK today, (wind at 6% capacity), so where's the wind blowing?
Here's a snapshot of the percentage of wind capacity across Europe today at 2:15 pm GMT:
Bulgaria and Greece have the highest wind capacities, at 66% and 63%.
👇
❝ The wind is always blowing somewhere.❞
There's a wind lull in the UK today, (wind at 6% capacity), so where's the wind blowing?
Here's a snapshot of the percentage of wind capacity across Europe today at 2:15 pm GMT:
Bulgaria and Greece have the highest wind capacities, at 66% and 63%.
👇
January 8, 2026 at 3:08 PM
1/2
❝ The wind is always blowing somewhere.❞
There's a wind lull in the UK today, (wind at 6% capacity), so where's the wind blowing?
Here's a snapshot of the percentage of wind capacity across Europe today at 2:15 pm GMT:
Bulgaria and Greece have the highest wind capacities, at 66% and 63%.
👇
❝ The wind is always blowing somewhere.❞
There's a wind lull in the UK today, (wind at 6% capacity), so where's the wind blowing?
Here's a snapshot of the percentage of wind capacity across Europe today at 2:15 pm GMT:
Bulgaria and Greece have the highest wind capacities, at 66% and 63%.
👇
Reposted by Lightbucket
theicct.org/why-evs-are-...
Containing one of my favorite charts, showing that just fuel production - not counting burning the actual fuel! - for an internal combustion car is about as dirty as entirely powering a battery electric vehicle.
Containing one of my favorite charts, showing that just fuel production - not counting burning the actual fuel! - for an internal combustion car is about as dirty as entirely powering a battery electric vehicle.
January 6, 2026 at 6:42 PM
theicct.org/why-evs-are-...
Containing one of my favorite charts, showing that just fuel production - not counting burning the actual fuel! - for an internal combustion car is about as dirty as entirely powering a battery electric vehicle.
Containing one of my favorite charts, showing that just fuel production - not counting burning the actual fuel! - for an internal combustion car is about as dirty as entirely powering a battery electric vehicle.
Reposted by Lightbucket
Joint Statement of major EU/NATO countries on Greenland, together with Denmark:
January 6, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Joint Statement of major EU/NATO countries on Greenland, together with Denmark:
Reposted by Lightbucket
This chart documents one of humanity’s greatest achievements, in my view.
We just lived through the fastest population growth in human history.
It would have been impressive if food supplies had merely kept pace — but on every continent, they grew even faster than the population.
We just lived through the fastest population growth in human history.
It would have been impressive if food supplies had merely kept pace — but on every continent, they grew even faster than the population.
January 6, 2026 at 12:02 PM
This chart documents one of humanity’s greatest achievements, in my view.
We just lived through the fastest population growth in human history.
It would have been impressive if food supplies had merely kept pace — but on every continent, they grew even faster than the population.
We just lived through the fastest population growth in human history.
It would have been impressive if food supplies had merely kept pace — but on every continent, they grew even faster than the population.
Fortescue "Infinity Train" battery locomotives begin operations from Perth to the Pilbara iron ore mine in Western Australia.
The trains go downhill fully loaded, charging their battery,
then they go back uphill empty, using the charged battery for power.
The trains go downhill fully loaded, charging their battery,
then they go back uphill empty, using the charged battery for power.
Fortescue Infinity Train gets 14.5 MWh battery that never needs charging [update]
Fortescue Infinity Train made its first 685 mile trip from Perth to the Pilbara, marking a major milestone in decarbonization.
electrek.co
January 5, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Fortescue "Infinity Train" battery locomotives begin operations from Perth to the Pilbara iron ore mine in Western Australia.
The trains go downhill fully loaded, charging their battery,
then they go back uphill empty, using the charged battery for power.
The trains go downhill fully loaded, charging their battery,
then they go back uphill empty, using the charged battery for power.
Reposted by Lightbucket
Read here, etc:
Moment of truth for Britain’s Trump diplomacy
Keir Starmer hopes for closeness over confrontation with US in the hope it won’t hand Russia a victory in Ukraine
www.ft.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Read here, etc:
Starmer says Greenland and Denmark must decide future of Greenland, not Trump
The Guardian, 5 January 2026 www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
The Guardian, 5 January 2026 www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
January 5, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Starmer says Greenland and Denmark must decide future of Greenland, not Trump
The Guardian, 5 January 2026 www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
The Guardian, 5 January 2026 www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Global solar generation in 2025, in TWh per day, based on modelling by Solcast.
All-time peak output was on April 29, when total daily generation reached ~6 TWh, roughly 1/10th of global daily electricity consumption.
⸻
Ref: PV Magazine, modelled data by Solcast
www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/29/g...
All-time peak output was on April 29, when total daily generation reached ~6 TWh, roughly 1/10th of global daily electricity consumption.
⸻
Ref: PV Magazine, modelled data by Solcast
www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/29/g...
January 5, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Global solar generation in 2025, in TWh per day, based on modelling by Solcast.
All-time peak output was on April 29, when total daily generation reached ~6 TWh, roughly 1/10th of global daily electricity consumption.
⸻
Ref: PV Magazine, modelled data by Solcast
www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/29/g...
All-time peak output was on April 29, when total daily generation reached ~6 TWh, roughly 1/10th of global daily electricity consumption.
⸻
Ref: PV Magazine, modelled data by Solcast
www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/29/g...
1/2
#pricescrapbook entry for UK offshore wind;
Ørsted sells 50% of the 2.9 GW Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm for €5.2 bn (£4.5 bn),
which prices the capacity at
£3100/kW of nameplate capacity.
#pricescrapbook entry for UK offshore wind;
Ørsted sells 50% of the 2.9 GW Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm for €5.2 bn (£4.5 bn),
which prices the capacity at
£3100/kW of nameplate capacity.
Apollo Becomes Co-Owner of Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm
Ørsted has completed the divestment of a 50 per cent stake in the 2.9 GW Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm to Apollo-managed funds.
www.offshorewind.biz
January 4, 2026 at 1:12 PM
1/2
#pricescrapbook entry for UK offshore wind;
Ørsted sells 50% of the 2.9 GW Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm for €5.2 bn (£4.5 bn),
which prices the capacity at
£3100/kW of nameplate capacity.
#pricescrapbook entry for UK offshore wind;
Ørsted sells 50% of the 2.9 GW Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm for €5.2 bn (£4.5 bn),
which prices the capacity at
£3100/kW of nameplate capacity.
1/2
Fraunhofer ISE's electricity export/import data for 2025 show France as the main exporter in Europe, and the UK as the second largest importer (after Italy).
The UK imported 32.6 TWh*, or 3.7 GW average throughout the year.
(*not 30.3 TWh, which treats flows to N. Ireland as exports/imports)
Fraunhofer ISE's electricity export/import data for 2025 show France as the main exporter in Europe, and the UK as the second largest importer (after Italy).
The UK imported 32.6 TWh*, or 3.7 GW average throughout the year.
(*not 30.3 TWh, which treats flows to N. Ireland as exports/imports)
January 3, 2026 at 3:50 PM
1/2
Fraunhofer ISE's electricity export/import data for 2025 show France as the main exporter in Europe, and the UK as the second largest importer (after Italy).
The UK imported 32.6 TWh*, or 3.7 GW average throughout the year.
(*not 30.3 TWh, which treats flows to N. Ireland as exports/imports)
Fraunhofer ISE's electricity export/import data for 2025 show France as the main exporter in Europe, and the UK as the second largest importer (after Italy).
The UK imported 32.6 TWh*, or 3.7 GW average throughout the year.
(*not 30.3 TWh, which treats flows to N. Ireland as exports/imports)
Reposted by Lightbucket
Global solar generation topped 540 GW in April, says Solcast #energysky -- via pv magazine global: www.pv-magazine.com/...
January 3, 2026 at 2:38 AM
Global solar generation topped 540 GW in April, says Solcast #energysky -- via pv magazine global: www.pv-magazine.com/...