Engineering news
Britain lags behind other European countries in the development of renewable energy because it is hampered by red tape, a senior executive at power equipment firm MAN Turbo has said.
Ole Hansen, vice-president of steam turbines at MAN Turbo in Germany, said “nimbyism” was also holding the UK back, despite its formidable natural resources of wind and wave power.
Hansen told PE: “There is too much bureaucracy to contend with in the UK compared with other countries. The political side and permissions hinder it – that attitude of ‘not in my backyard’.”
MAN Turbo had been investing heavily in renewable energy technology over the past decade, Hansen said, including the development of solar thermal systems that could be used to drive steam turbines.
“We think solar energy, for example, where MAN has developed advanced solar systems, will be big news in Europe in the southern parts of countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey.”
Hansen added that MAN expected the market to pick up somewhat this year following a tough two-year period for industry. “I think things will be slightly more positive this year. But we are at only 50% of the level we were at two years ago, when the market was booming.” MAN recorded an operating profit last year of €504 million, down from €1,729 million in 2008.
Credit constraints were continuing to affect the business in Europe, Hansen said: “Banks are very sensitive at the moment about committing money to technology projects. Discussions reach an advanced stage but then the banks put the brakes on. It’s unbelievable, but we are seeing this again and again.”