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.…
Author Archive for Annabel Andrews
Centrica blames falling commodity prices for 12 per cent slump in operating profits
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
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.…
Feed in tariff caps hit within minutes for all anaerobic digestion and some solar and wind installations
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
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…
Energy company owned by Bristol City Council launches
by Annabel Andrews • • 1 Comment
Bristol Energy, the first municipal energy company in the South West and one of the first in the country, is officially open for business. The energy supply company was created by Bristol City Council in 2015 to “be a force for social…
Ofgem sets out process for closing Renewables Obligation subsidy to onshore wind
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
Ofgem has published draft guidance for generators affected by the proposed closure of the Renewables Obligation to onshore wind on 1 April 2016.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…
Questions over Swansea Bay lagoon must not delay other tidal power opportunities, say developers
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
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…
Government CCS funding cuts put climate agreements at risk, say MPs
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
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.
Scottish Renewables raises concerns about Scottish land use strategy
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
Industry body Scottish Renewables has raised concern that renewable energy is “seemingly all but absent” from the Scottish Government’s draft land use strategy (DLUS) for Scotland, covering 2016 – 2021. The land use policy sets out a strategic approach to land…
More interconnectors could push up energy costs and carbon emissions, says study
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
More interconnection with Europe will push up energy costs and carbon emissions, without ensuring security of supply, says a new report by Aurora Energy Research. Aurora Energy Research, an independent energy market analytics firm, looked into the impact of new electricity…
Lords blast Government’s onshore wind changes impact assesment
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
The Government’s attempts to devolve planning decisions for onshore wind lack have been criticised by the House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee for containing “insufficient information” In a scathing report focusing on the Draft Infrastructure Planning (Onshore Wind Generating Stations) Order 2016 and…