Rating agency Moody’s has warned it may downgrade ten European energy utilities, mostly because of their exposure to falling commodity and power prices. Among those on review for downgrade are ratings related to Centrica, Dong Energy, EDF, E.On, Engie, RWE…
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Ofgem sets out process for closing Renewables Obligation subsidy to onshore wind
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
Ofgem has published draft guidance for generators affected by the proposed closure of the Renewables Obligation to onshore wind on 1 April 2016. The energy regulator noted: “This is not a consultation on the policy underpinning the Renewables Obligation, but on…
Questions over Swansea Bay lagoon must not delay other tidal power opportunities, say developers
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
Developers have warned that questions over the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon must not delay other opportunities for tidal power. The warning came as the department for energy and climate change (Decc) launched a review “to ensure all decisions made regarding tidal lagoon energy…
Flexitricity to provide ‘Demand turn-up’ to National Grid
by New Power • • Comments Off
Demand response specialists Flexitricity has agreed a contract to provide ‘Demand Turn-Up’ services to National Grid that will see users paid to increase their demand when there is excess energy on the system. Flexitricity said it had been providing “headroom”…
Government CCS funding cuts put climate agreements at risk, say MPs
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
The government’s decision to pull funding for carbon capture and storage (CCS) will delay the technology’s deployment in the UK and could prevent the UK meeting climate change commitments agreed at the Paris COP21 summit, the Energy and Climate Change Committee has warned.
Dong Energy seeks to cut balancing exposure by using large-customer flexibility
by New Power • • Comments Off
Dong Energy is acting to reduce its imbalance costs by inviting business customers to reduce their demand at times when wind generation is low and increase when it is high – and share the savings. In the so-called Renewable Balancing…
Scottish Renewables raises concerns about Scottish land use strategy
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
Industry body Scottish Renewables has raised concern that renewable energy is “seemingly all but absent” from the Scottish Government’s draft land use strategy (DLUS) for Scotland, covering 2016 – 2021. The land use policy sets out a strategic approach to land…
More interconnectors could push up energy costs and carbon emissions, says study
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
More interconnection with Europe will push up energy costs and carbon emissions, without ensuring security of supply, says a new report by Aurora Energy Research. Aurora Energy Research, an independent energy market analytics firm, looked into the impact of new electricity…
Lords blast Government’s onshore wind changes impact assesment
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
The Government’s attempts to devolve planning decisions for onshore wind lack have been criticised by the House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee for containing “insufficient information” In a scathing report focusing on the Draft Infrastructure Planning (Onshore Wind Generating Stations) Order 2016 and…
Government dismisses fears over Green Investment Bank sell-off
by New Power • • Comments Off
The Green Investment Bank (GIB) was designed with a view to transferring it to the private sector and “We see no benefit in trying to restructure and redirect GIB so that it remains in the public sector and operates on…