MPs have voted to allow fracking under national parks although the ruling has caused some controversy amongst ministers after an underhand method of getting the measure through was used, avoiding a proper debate in the House of Commons. Despite the Conservative pledge to ban fracking in protected areas, 298 ministers voted for fracking against 261 […]
Will dependence on gas imports affect business energy rates?
As the price of brent crude plummets, pricing levels for UK wholesale gas prices are crushed and dependence on gas imports increases. Analysts say that Brent crude prices below $40/barrel could play a major factor in exerting strong downward pressure on the future cost of wholesale gas due to oversupply. Members of Opec (Organisation of […]
Fracking begins – how will it affect business energy prices?
The Task Force have released their final report on the process of shale gas fracking and have recommended that exploratory drilling begin as soon as possible. The Task Force on Shale Gas was launched in September 2014 to give careful consideration to public concerns, and to provide an impartial and transparent assessment of the potential […]
Head of EMA warns of blackout threat this winter
Head of The Energy Managers Association (EMA) Lord Redesdale says that he “wholly expects blackouts this winter”. Resedale commented as the UK capacity margin has hit just 1.5% – a low not seen since 2007, raising concerns over potential blackouts and brownouts. With increasing numbers of coal-fired plants being shut down in line with EU […]
DSR offers businesses a chance to save money on energy bills
Businesses could make money from signing up to the demand side response (DSR) scheme yet 75% haven’t enrolled as they don’t know enough about it. DSR is a scheme that contacts businesses at times of high energy demand, asking them to lower or stop using their electricity at peak times to take the pressure off […]
ESOS audit: I missed the deadline. Help me avoid the fines!
The ESOS deadline of 5th December 2015 has now passed, but there are still thousands of qualifying businesses that have not complied with regulations either by submitting their ESOS audit or by acknowledging their lateness with an ‘Intent to Comply’ form. You are now at risk of enforcement action and penalties of up to £50,000 . However, […]
Energy supplier’s P322 half-hourly meter installation plans
Distribution network operators (DNO) are urging energy suppliers to get their plans into motion with regard to the migration of business customers to half-hourly meters, as they are yet to see proposals from all suppliers. Balancing and Settlement Code P322 rulings require that businesses in profile classes 5-8 must be switched to half-hourly metering before […]
Energy UK poaches Director of Energy from Citizen’s Advice
Audrey Gallacher, the current Director of Energy for the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) is set to join Energy UK as Director of Energy Supply in early 2016. The spotlight has focussed heavily on the energy industry this year with concerns over blackouts and diminishing energy supplies to CMA-led investigations over supplier pricing and monopolisation of […]
40% drop in coal-fired power affects business energy prices
After Amber Rudd’s announcement to close all coal-fired power plants by 2025 in line with her energy policy ‘reset’, the UK has already made headway with a 40% fall in generation levels since last year. “It cannot be satisfactory for an advanced economy like the UK to be relying on polluting, carbon intensive 50-year-old coal-fired […]
Government spending review’s effect on business energy bills
Osborne has announced the Autumn spending review with some controversial changes to energy policies. The DECC’s budget is set to drop 22% over the next four years meaning hundreds of job losses. Osborne announced: “DECC will deliver £220m of resource savings by 2019-20 through efficiencies from pooling back office and corporate services, and reducing the […]