What is the future for distribution networks? The European description of them as distribution system operators (DSOs) illustrates the issue: should they be active players in electricity supply and system management, or should they be independent facilitators for other market…
From the monthly Report
Ofgem tells National Grid: ‘We are not “Going Green” ’
by New Power •
Ofgem has sent National Grid back to the drawing board in the way it assesses options for future network development, saying the system operator (SO) was too ready to assume its ‘Gone Green’ scenario would come to pass. The regulator…
News
New less ambitious energy efficiency obligation to save suppliers £800 million per year
by Annabel Andrews •
The government’s plans cut household fuel bills, announced in the 2015 spending review, will largely be funded by cuts to to the current energy company obligation (ECO) scheme, according to a letter from the department of energy and climate change (Decc)…
Flash update
Drax announces 2015 losses, says it may mothball coal plant
by Annabel Andrews •
Drax today announced a 26% fall in earnings (EBITDA) to £169 million in 2015, down from £229 million in 2014. Profit before tax fell to £59 million from £166 million. Chief executive Dorothy Thompson called the results “another strong operational performance”…
News
Gas ‘cannot bridge the gap to low-carbon’ without CCS; government strategies ‘at odds’, says UKERC
by New Power •
Without carbon capture and storage (CCS) gas cannot act as a ‘bridging’ technology to meet 2050 greenhouse gas targets. Instead, it must be phased out over the next 35 years and largely removed by 2050, according to new modeling by…
News
Over 40 per cent of energy switchers choose independent suppliers
by Annabel Andrews •
Over 6 million domestic energy supply accounts were switched in 2015, a 15% increase on 2014, according to figures published today by Ofgem. This is the highest number of switches since 2011. Over 40 per cent of switchers chose independent suppliers.…
News
Dong Energy to start construction of ‘waste to gas to power’ plant in Cheshire
by New Power •
Construction work is about to start on a waste to energy plant in Northwich that will use a new enzyme-based process to convert waste to gas. The gas will be used to generate electricity and the site should produce 5MW.…
News
Centrica blames falling commodity prices for 12 per cent slump in operating profits
by Annabel Andrews •
Profits at Centrica fell 12 per cent during 2015 due to “a very challenging environment”, the company said in its preliminary 2015 results announcement today. The company’s chief executive, Iain Conn, said: “2015 provided a very challenging environment for Centrica.…
News
Feed in tariff caps hit within minutes for all anaerobic digestion and some solar and wind installations
by Annabel Andrews •
The feed in tariff deployment cap for all anaerobic digestion installations was reached just 15 minutes and 28 seconds after the scheme reopened – at lower tariff levels – after a four-week pause on 8 February. The cap was also reached…