Wayne Mitchell, director of markets & innovation at Npower Business Solutions, says it’s a myth that businesses do not care about energy and climate policy. But he says they need a simpler and more stable framework to be able to…
Editor's blog
Requiring more gas storage is premature: an ‘energy storage’ obligation could tap existing flexibility in heat, cooling and power more cheaply
by New Power •
I have heard some interesting discussions about gas storage recently. The industry has argued for several years that we need more storage. And, the argument runs, since the market doesn’t seem to support an expansion, customers should provide a subsidy.…
Longread
Price spikes, not blackouts, are the biggest risk this winter
by New Power •
We are not at high risk from blackouts this winter. That is the strong response from New Power’s panel of energy industry experts in a survey carried out in October. Experts said that the market would respond, to provide power when needed. But they said part of the reason was that prices would “spike” – shooting up for periods that could be as short as half a hour – and that could have dramatic effects on industry players, possibly driving them into financial distress.
Flash update
November’s ‘cash-out’ changes could hit small generators, PPAs, I&C supply contracts
by New Power •
Ofgem’s decision to reform cash-out rules following its Electricity Balancing Significant Code Review could see supply contracts with industrial and commercial customers reopened, and result in more expensive power purchase contracts (PPAs) and potential penalties for small power generators, New…
Longread
As air quality concerns grow, should we be giving diesel generation subsidy support and tax breaks?
by New Power •
Janet Wood asks: is power market support too tilted towards diesel? The big surprise of the inaugural Capacity Market (CM) auction was the large number of small gas and diesel-fuelled plants that sought – and won – contracts, mostly…
Longread
National infrastructure: will our pension funds invest? The view from PIP’s Mike Weston
by New Power •
Chancellor George Osborne said he wanted to see £20 billion invested by UK pension funds in UK infrastructure. It has not been that simple, Pensions Infrastructure Platform (PIP) chief executive Mike Weston told Janet Wood, but PIP is ready to invest. The message to energy projects is: come and talk to us
Flash update
Capacity Market 2015: eight new-build gas-fired plants and two interconnectors rejected
by New Power •
Eight large new-build gas projects failed to qualify for the upcoming Capacity Market auction, leaving Trafford (which won a contract last year) and potentially ESB’s Carrington (under constructon, and prequalified for the auction) the only large new-build gas plant…
News
Collective switch: Good Energy wins Clean Energy auction but other offers around
by New Power •
The Clean Energy Switch could see 100,000 customers move to a green energy supplier. But is it the cheapest option?
Editor's blog
To frack or not to frack?
by New Power •
Janet Wood says if we have to use fracked gas, it is better to abstract it in the UK, under our close scrutiny, than do it by stealth, over the horizon,