EDF Energy has delayed restart of a reactor at its Hunterston B nuclear plant – possibly until the end of 2018 – because it found new cracks in the graphite blocks that form the reactor core. Graphite cracking is an…
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Wave and tidal industry claims triple benefits: low carbon, cost reductions and a new UK industry
by New Power •
Tidal stream and wave energy projects can pass the government’s ‘triple test’ for gaining development support, according to the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult. Climate change and industry minister Claire Perry said technologies had to: achieve maximum carbon reduction; show a clear cost…
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Arup to assess potential for large wave energy devices
by New Power •
Arup has been commissioned by Wave Energy Scotland to explore the opportunities for very large-scale – bigger than 10MW – wave energy generation. The study will see Arup undertake analysis to seek out the opportunities for large scale devices, as…
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Report finds ‘energy entrepreneurs’ meeting over 9% of UK needs – but growth is slowing
by New Power •
There were 400 new energy projects commissioned outside the traditional energy sector last year, but the pace of growth is slowing in the face of changes to financial support schemes, according to Smartest Energy’s annual Energy Entrepreneurs report. The total…
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National Grid agrees sale of its share in Cadent gas network
by New Power •
National Grid has announced plans to sell its remaining stake in Cadent Gas, the company that acquired and runs its gas distribution networks. The network company retained 25% of Cadent when the remainder was sold to the Quadgas Group at…
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Burbo extension connection transferred to OFTO for £193 million
by New Power •
Ørsted has signed an agreement for the sale of transmission assets connecting the Burbo Extension offshore wind farm to the GB network to Diamond Transmission Partners Burbo Bank Extension Limited. The transmission assets include the onshore substation, export cables and the offshore substation. Offshore…
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Centrica to test blockchain peer-to-peer energy trading in Cornwall local market
by New Power •
Centrica and LO3 Energy have announced a new trial of blockchain technology as part of a local energy market in Cornwall. Blockchain can provide a secure platform for consumers to buy and sell power. The project will see the technology used in…
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WPD agrees cut in funding after slowdown in rail electrification
by New Power •
WPD has agreed to reduce the funds it collects from customers by £77 million, because of delays to rail electrification in its region. The electricity distribution network operator (DNO) was to use funding of £96 million to divert power lines…
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Reopening electricity networks price control could cost more than it saves, says Ofgem
by New Power •
Ofgem has decided not to carry out a mid period review (MPR) of electricity network companies’ price controls. The decision means that local networks will continue under the current settlement, which governs the revenue they can collect from consumers and…