The loss of load expectation (LOLE) in the coming winter would have been 8.9 hours/year – a margin of 1.2% – if National Grid had not procured backup supplies at a cost of £36 million. The company said procuring Strategic…
Flash update
New nuclear build: will plants be in competition for support?
by New Power • • Comments Off
Today’s market report from the Competition and Markets Authority raises concerns over the way that the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) negotiated so-called “final investment decision (Fid)-enabling contracts” in its Contracts for Difference (CfD) support scheme for low…
Infinis chief positive on UK’s climate agenda
by New Power • • Comments Off
From New Power’s February interview with Infinis chief executive Eric Machiels: As we approach the general election Eric Machiels seems pessimistic about politicians’ announcements in the short term, saying “They have never sat in front of a board asking…
“Carousel” VAT fraud suspected in energy markets
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Tax authorities in Europe have grappled for years with the problem of so-called “carousel fraud”. In this scam goods are traded across EU borders and VAT is charged but never paid – netting the fraudulent traders a steady 20% of…
National Grid’s cure will not fix the ‘problem’ of distributed generation benefits
by New Power • • Comments Off
Franck Latrémolière argues that wider transmission charging questions should be addressed before considering whether distributed generation benefits are appropriate At present, distribution-connected generators below 100MW are treated as negative demand. They have no transmission entry capacity and therefore no…
A ‘backstop offtaker’ is needed to help independent generators
by New Power • • Comments Off
Decc’s “backstop offtaker” is critical in providing market options for independent generators, and it should be available from mid-2014, argues Nigel Cornwall Independent players are key to helping deliver the three key energy policy objectives of sustainability, security of supply,…
The latest market reforms reduce the apparent need for STOR
by New Power • • Comments Off
Graham Shuttleworth and George Anstey, examine the interactions between an existing market intervention – Short Term Operating Reserve – and planned measures including the Capacity Market and new cash-out arrangements
CCGT project monitor highlights stalled development pipeline
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This month energy and climate change secretary Ed Davey said he expected to see investment start to flow into the energy industry in the next 12-18 months. The New Power project monitor index, focusing this month on CCGTs, shows how…