Energy secretary Amber Rudd announced support for nuclear power in order to back up unreliable renewable sources and provide the UK with a steady supply of electricity. She stated: “The requirement for nuclear is absolute if we want to have renewables as part of the mix because, until we get storage right, renewables are unreliable. […]
SSE suffers customer losses of 90,000 in Q1
SSE announced a loss of 90,000 customers in the first quarter this year with its customer base down to 8.49 million from 8.58 million at the end of 2014. The company has forecast a decrease in energy supply profits as a result for this financial year, but expects to earn an increase in operating profit […]
Npower gives free energy to complaining customers
Ofgem have implemented new rulings stating that any Ombudsman complaints regarding Npower that have not been responded to for over 28 days will receive free energy. Npower customers left with outstanding Ombudsman decisions after 28 days will receive free energy until a resolution is made. Those affected by this up to 21st July will also […]
Smart meter benefits not clear enough for microbusinesses
Smart Energy GB are in the firing line after the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) essentially called their approach to smart meters for microbusinesses a sham. The FSB stated their engagement proposals were “a recipe for failure.” Smart Energy GB are planning to tack on an extension regarding microbusinesses onto its current domestic campaign. A […]
Blackout Warnings from Ofgem
With power plants being shut down left, right and centre, fears over potential blackouts increase. As the government focus on hitting new carbon targets and new environmental legislation, coal, nuclear and gas plants are being closed and dismantled with devastating effects on the UK power supply. Even with an increased push for demand-side response and […]
Independent energy suppliers becoming more popular with households
It seems the bad press over the Big Six and their overpriced energy has had an effect on domestic customers. Independent energy suppliers now hold 10% of the market share as households start jumping ship. Independents collectively hold a share of more than 10% in nine of the 14 regions, and record the third highest […]
First energy producing home opens
Grand Designs eat your heart out this week as the first low cost ‘energy positive’ house is built in Britain. This three-bedroom house generates more energy than its inhabitants will use and only cost £125,000 to build as it is powered quite simply, by the sun. Using batteries to store the electricity, which it generates […]
Renewable energy investment is the only way to hit carbon targets
National Grid have released their Future Energy Scenarios, which lists maximum deployment of renewable technologies as the only solution to meeting carbon reduction targets set by the EU. National Grid said its Gone Green pathway is “the only scenario to achieve all renewable and carbon targets on time”, supplying 34% of the UK’s electricity by […]
Fracking to begin in Scotland?
Despite the SNP’s vehement opposition to fracking throughout the election campaign, it appears they’ve done a u-turn, with fracking companies lining up to start exploring Scotland. Mr Ratcliffe, whose company owns exploration licences across more than 700 square miles of Scotland, said: “The Scottish government . . . has said to us they’re not against fracking. But what they do need […]
Npower tackles fuel poverty
After growing pressure from groups such as Fuel Poverty Action to tackle fuel poverty, Npower has launched the UK’s first fuel banks. Families in poverty who are forced to switch off their gas and electricity supply because they are unable afford rising energy bills will be offered free charity fuel vouchers under the new scheme. The […]