Energy companies would only be allowed to charge £100 or £150 for installing prepayment meters (PPMs) under warrant if new Ofgem proposals released for consultation today go ahead. The proposals also include plans to ban PPM warrant installation charges for the…
News
RES blames subsidy uncertainty for cuts to UK workforce
by Annabel Andrews •
Renewable energy firm RES has said the closure of the Renewable Obligation together with uncertainty over onshore wind’s access to Contracts for Difference (CfD) means it will be cutting its UK workforce, with the onshore wind development team reduced in size.…
News
IEA says global investment is shifting from oil and gas to low-carbon power
by New Power •
Global investment in the electricity sector reached a record-breaking $690 billion in 2015, according to new figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA), and there is a “major shift in investment towards low-carbon sources of power generation”. Low carbon capacity…
News
Turbine for first commercial tidal array unveiled in Scotland
by Annabel Andrews •
Atlantis this week unveiled the first completed turbine for its MeyGen project at the Nigg Energy Park in Scotland. The project is set to be the world’s largest free stream tidal power project. The first fully assembled turbine, standing 15 metres tall and…
Flash update
Five on the shortlist to take on Burbo Bank Extension link
by New Power •
Five consortia have been shortlisted in a tender being run by Ofgem to own and run the £230 million transmission link to the Burbo Bank Extension offshore windfarm. The winning offshore transmission owner (Ofto) will receive a guaranteed revenue stream…
News
Networks’ role in meeting social obligations could grow, says Citizens Advice
by New Power •
Energy networks could deliver social programmes such as domestic energy efficiency improvements in future, because pressure on network capacity and the shift to a more dynamic energy system will mean they engage directly with customers. That was one of the…
News
Hinkley a ‘well-designed transfer of risk’, says Hammond
by New Power •
The government will make a decision on Hinkley Point C nuclear plant by the end of the month, Chancellor Phillip Hammond told peers on the Economic Affairs Committee. He was asked whether the project could be described as a “well-designed…
News
Ditch the EU’s Renewable Heat target to decarbonise heat, says think tank
by Annabel Andrews •
The UK government should complete re-think its approach to decarbonising heating, including scrapping the EU’s renewable heat target, according to a new report by think tank Policy Exchange. The previous government planned to decarbonise heating by fitting electric heat pumps…
News
CCS ‘within reach in 2020s’ with new industry structure and obligation, says report
by New Power •
The government must act now to revive the carbon capture and storage (CCS) industry, because it will dramatically reduce the cost of meeting low-carbon targets and it is ready for commercial implementation. That was the conclusion of a new review…