The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has set out plans for a stronger role for Ofgem in scrutinising government policy and driving through industry change, saying that systemic problems with industry governance have caused “very substantial” detriment for customers. The…
News
Amber Rudd announces £1.5 million funding for local heat networks
by Annabel Andrews •
The government will provide a total of £1.5 million funding for 27 heating projects across 24 local authorities in England and Wales, energy secretary Amber Rudd announced this week. The department of energy and climate change (Decc) claims heating networks…
News
Scottish islands could gain £725 million from renewables projects
by Annabel Andrews •
Scotland’s island economies could benefit from up to £725 million over the next 25 years from renewables projects according to an independent published today. The Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland have the potential to supply up to 5 per cent of total…
News
RWE restructuring hits Npower; company warns of further decline in 2016
by New Power •
Npower parent RWE is ramping up plans to restructure and streamline its conventional power generation and UK supply businesses. In a move expected to cause 2,500 job losses in UK supply, the company has stepped up a planned €2 billion…
News
Ofgem queries whether DNOs are doing enough to connect more generators
by Annabel Andrews •
Ofgem has asked generators and stakeholders whether DNOs are being proactive enough on tackling the queue for connections. In a letter to all connection stakeholders, Ofgem asked how effective each DNO has been at engaging with customers and in developing…
Perspective
Competition on capacity, CfDs and services is the energy market’s future. Excluding low-cost renewables will drive up costs
by New Power •
Gordon Edge of RenewableUK says a recognition of how the new energy market works presents a solution to the government’s dilemmas on Contracts for Difference Government objectives for energy policy are that it must be secure, sustainable and affordable; decarbonisation…
News
Crowdfunding renewables: portable solar (storage included)
by New Power •
Renovagen has launched its second equity crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube. The company wants up to £1 million to fund its “Roll-Array” flexible, rollable, transportable solar farm units. The units include energy storage. The company says its technology rolls out “18kW…
Flash update
Only 34 per cent of consumers trust energy suppliers, according to Which?
by Annabel Andrews •
Only 34 per cent of consumers trust gas and electricity suppliers, and 31 per cent actively distrust energy suppliers, according to Which?’s latest consumer insight tracker. Some 63% of people are worried about energy prices Which? is calling on the Competition and…
News
UK companies missing out on business benefits of renewable power
by Annabel Andrews •
Many UK companies want to support renewable electricity, but are confused by a “bewildering variety of costs and schemes which made it hard to be sure of the carbon content of what they were buying”, according to a report from Smartest…