The European Commission has concluded that UK support for the conversion of a unit at the Drax power station, so it uses wood fuel instead of coal, complies with EU State Aid rules. The 645MW capacity unit will be the…
Author Archive for New Power
UKERC: We need engagement and action on emissions
by New Power • • Comments Off
UK Energy Research Centre director, Jim Watson, calls on the government to act immediately An important priority for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is the new Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP). The plan is required under…
Economy Energy contracts National Grid Smart for smart meter rollout
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Economy Energy has contracted National Grid Smart to install smart meters in 50,000 homes in 2017. Economy Energy has around 180,000 customers with gas, electricity and dual-fuel deals and the company said its aim is “to have its entire customer…
SSE links with Dixons Carphone to develop ‘connected homes’ offerings
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SSE and retailer Dixons Carphone have joined forces to develop ‘connected home’ solutions. They will use Dixons Carphone’s after-care service Knowhow, and digital platform honeyBee. The partners say the combination aims to bring connected home benefits to everyone, “not just…
Lightsource offers rooftop PV buyback and fixed price contracts for on-site array hosts
by New Power • • 1 Comment
Lightsource Renewable Energy wants to invest up to £600 million over the next five years in buying solar assets from households and businesses, to diversify its revenue streams. The company said it would offer owners of residential and commercial rooftop…
Ovo pays £58,000 for service failings
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Ofgem has agreed a redress package with Ovo Energy rather than take enforcement action over poor service. The supplier’s agents missed appointments with customers, or turned up late, and then failed to compensate them as required by Ofgem. The failings…
Capacity Market auction: two new gas-fired plants and 1GW of new storage
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The T-4 Capacity Market auction closed yesterday at a clearing price of £22.50. The price was slightly above that of the last two years, but well below the hopes of those who were looking for a level of at least…
Time to leave energy ‘evolution’ behind and lead the revolution
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I’ve heard government and industry talk about ‘evolution, not revolution’ so often in the energy and electricity industries. It’s time to admit it is the other way around. I think the ‘evolution’ idea is intended to make sure investors are…
What are companies doing to address the energy skills shortage?
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The energy industry faces a skills shortage, according to specialist recruitment consultant Utility People. The problem of attracting people with the right skills into the industry has been well known for many years. But now UtilityPeople believes the problem has…
Gaelectric sells 14 wind farms to CGN
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Gaelectric has agreed to sell 230MW of wind energy assets on the island of Ireland to CGNEE Holdings, the renewable energy investment arm of China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN). The sale includes 10 operating wind farms totalling 184MW, and…