EDF Energy has announced life extensions for four of its nuclear power stations, claiming the highest nuclear output for ten years in 2015 at 60.5TWh. Scheduled closure dates for Heysham 1 (1155MW) and Hartlepool (1180MW) have been extended by five…
News
European utilities’ credit ratings may fall, warns Moody’s
by New Power •
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…
Perspective
The hydropower industry has been hit by a double whammy from Westminster and Holyrood
by New Power •
Simon Hamlyn, chief executive of the British Hydropower Association (BHA), says Scottish politicians are undermining its hydro industry Scottish Government first minister Nicola Sturgeon is guilty of blatant hypocrisy. She launched a ferocious attack on the cuts being made by…
News
Ofgem sets out process for closing Renewables Obligation subsidy to onshore wind
by Annabel Andrews •
Ofgem has published draft guidance for generators affected by the proposed closure of the Renewables Obligation to onshore wind on 1 April 2016.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…
News
Questions over Swansea Bay lagoon must not delay other tidal power opportunities, say developers
by Annabel Andrews •
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…
News
Flexitricity to provide ‘Demand turn-up’ to National Grid
by New Power •
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”…
Longread
Demand response products get mixed customer response
by New Power •
National Grid has attracted just a fraction of its target in a new demand response product that would help manage system stresses. Rebecca Yang, commercial manager at National Grid, told New Power that the new product (enhanced Stor) was a…
News
Government CCS funding cuts put climate agreements at risk, say MPs
by Annabel Andrews •
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.
News
Dong Energy seeks to cut balancing exposure by using large-customer flexibility
by New Power •
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…