Ofgem has today opened an investigation into whether Extra Energy broke rules relating to billing, customer service and complaints handling. The investigation is examining whether Extra Energy breached Ofgem’s Standards of Conduct, which are aimed at ensuring suppliers treat customers…
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As hydro pumped storage hits a regulatory impasse, are batteries heading for a ‘bubble’
by New Power •
Regulatory uncertainty is holding back a new generation of pumped hydro storage projects across the UK’s mountainous Celtic fringes, despite the growing need to balance variable output from renewable sources. A handful of large new-build projects are clamouring for greater…
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Energy efficiency: how the NHS loses out – and what networks could do
by New Power •
Joanne Wade, chief executive of the Association for the Conservation of Energy (ACE), says the NHS’s local management structure is raising its energy costs. In New Power‘s July issue, Wade talks about energy efficiency programmes that can be easily replicated:…
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Government seeks views on £320m heat networks investment project
by Annabel Andrews •
The government has asked stakeholders for views on how best to deploy its £320m capital funding for building heating projects. The £320m fund was announced in last autumn’s spending review. Decc plans to run the first funding round as a pilot…
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Offshore CO2 storage “unlikely” to attract private investment unless government shoulders financial risk
by Annabel Andrews •
Offshore CO2 storage is not an attractive investment proposition for the private sector, according to the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA) and government must shoulder the financial risks if CO2 projects are to go ahead. The associations’s new report into UK…
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Government accepts fifth Carbon Budget as Rudd seeks to reassure industry
by New Power •
The government has accepted the Committee on Climate Change’s recommendation on that the UK should set a target to reduce carbon emissions 57% (compared to 1990 levels) by 2030. Professor Jim Watson, UKERC director, called the announcement: “very good news…
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SSE takes FID on 70MW plant at Ferrybridge
by New Power •
SSE has taken a final investment decision to proceed with the 70MW Ferrybridge Multifuel 2 (FM2) project in Yorkshire. Construction is expected to begin this year. The project will be built next to the recently completed Multifuel 1 project, on…
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From New Power Report: So you want to be a CATO?
by New Power •
Helen Miller and Deborah Greenwood discuss opportunities and obstacles in the new competitive transmission regime The government’s proposal to lift the restrictions on the ownership of onshore transmission assets and open up the market to competitively appointed transmission owners…
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Barry Gardiner replaces Lisa Nandy as shadow energy secretary
by Annabel Andrews •
The shadow energy and climate change minister Barry Gardiner has been promoted to shadow secretary of state for energy and climate change, after Lisa Nandy resigned in protest at Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. The shadow energy minister responsible for transmission and distribution, Alan Whitehead, also…