Ofgem has “learned some valuable lessons” in the first RIIO-determined price control periods, it has admitted, as it opened a consultation on toughening up the regime for its next application from 2021. The RIIO methodology for setting prices was intended…
Author Archive for New Power
Central European clocks run slow under persistent frequency deviation
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UPDATE: On 8 March Entso-e reported that the deviations had ceased, but added: “This is a first step in the resolution of the issue. The second step is now to develop a plan for returning the missing energy to the…
Smart meter re-installs rise so switching customers can retain smart functions
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A small but growing number of smart meter installs are being done to replace recently-installed smart meters, rather than substituting for dumb ‘legacy’ meters, it has emerged. The issue is so-called ‘Smets 1′ meters, which cannot always continue to operate…
3i taps more methane: cash injection for Infinis to acquire Alkane
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3i Infrastructure has announced plans to invest an additional £125 million in Infinis so it can acquire Alkane Energy. Infinis is the largest generator of electricity from landfill gas in the UK, in which 3i Infrastructure invested in December 2016.…
Work starts at Achlachan wind farm
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Construction has begun on the Achlachan wind farm, one of 15 onshore wind projects to secure a Contract of Difference in 2015. The 10MW, five turbine project is scheduled to be commissioned in early January 2019. Developer Whirlwind Renewables signed a 15-year power purchase…
OPINION: You’ll regret Ofgem for its competence
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Franck Latrémolière says years of experience in commercial matters related to electricity networks have given him an insight into what doesn’t work. That includes some of the conclusions of the Helm review The Helm review contains some radical ideas…
Mynydd y Gwynt refusal upheld
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The Appeal Court has upheld a High Court judge’s decision that the secretary of state could refuse to grant a Development Consent Order for the Mynydd y Gwynt wind farm because the developer provided insufficient information to approve it. The…
Do we need more gas storage?
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The last week has shown up the weaknesses of our gas supply. Or the strengths, depending on how you look at it. Gas prices spiked. But that’s the way the market works: at a time of shortage, prices rise and…
Northern Powergrid announces plan to cut network losses
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Northern Powergrid has announced a new plan to forecast and reduce losses on its power network. Distribution network operators (DNOs) are required to reduce losses and until the current price review period they had financial incentives to do so. However,…
Malaysian power company acquires UK FIT wind portfolio
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Malaysia’s power company, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has acquired 80% of two UK renewable energy companies – GVO Wind and Bluemerang Capital – for £171 million. This acquisition, via wholly owned subsidiary, Tenaga Wind Ventures UK, is TNB’s first foray into onshore…