The government has signalled it understands the need for more funding to help the UK develop its offshore wind industry, but with onshore wind an established, secure source of power, it needs to consider fully the ramifications of cutting subsidies.…
Perspective
What trilemma?
by New Power •
The government has said for many years that it has three aims for energy policy: security of supply, affordability, and decarbonisation. It has been neatly summed up in recent years as the energy “trilemma”, which makes clear the inherent tensions…
Perspective
Fracking: the water industry clarifies its position
by New Power •
The UK water industry’s position on shale gas fracking – that there are risks but they can be mitigated – has led to both dismay and delight on each side of the debate. In the pro-shale gas extraction camp, there…
Perspective
Big Six price rises and falls
by New Power •
Company Increase, (electricity/gas), % Date Reduction, % Date British Gas 10.4/8.4 23 Nov 3.2 1 Jan EDF Energy 3.9 3 Jan E.On 3.7/4.6 18 Jan Npower 9.3/11.1 1 Dec 2.6 28 Feb SSE 8.20 15 Nov 3.5 24 Mar…
From the monthly Report
NEW POWER: January issue
by New Power •
DATA: POWER PROJECT MONITOR INTERVIEW: RACHEL CARY, GREEN ALLIANCE “What’s causing the NGO community concern is that the [European Commission’s impact assessment for a new target] is only looking at 35, 40 or 45% [greenhouse gas] reduction – they are…
Perspective
We must consider the total cost of infrastructure spending and its consumer impact
by New Power •
Last month the National Audit Office (NAO) suggested that government needs to look more closely at how its policies on investing in the UK’s infrastructure affect customers’ pockets. The key points of the NAO’s report[1] were that the cost of…
From the monthly Report
Environment Committee ‘disingenuous and misleading’ on fossil subsidies, says Oil & Gas UK
by New Power •
Gas and oil companies have accused Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) of being “disingenuous and misleading” in suggesting that the industry receives a subsidy. Industry body Oil and Gas UK said in a letter to the committee that it had…
Perspective
Fuel poverty is bigger than the energy companies: government must share responsibility
by New Power •
In September New Power interviewed Derek Lickorish, chair of the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group. He said: “If we are not careful we are seduced into the notion that this is all about the energy companies. That is very dangerous and…
Perspective
ECO attack is a distraction technique by energy companies
by New Power •
The BBC is reporting that next Thursday the Government will announce that the only nationwide programme designed to help householders make their homes more energy efficient is to be cut by 50%. It is absolutely disgraceful that the big energy…