It seems that government backing has helped to ramp up fracking planning as applications have risen. Ken Cronin, chief executive of UK Onshore Oil and Gas (UKOOG) has announced that he has “seen a significant increase in applications happening around the UK over the course of the last two or three months”. David Cameron has made […]
Ofgem-run energy price comparison service?
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published the preliminary findings in their report in July, with regard to the energy market and its issues. Along with a proposal to set up a Safeguard Regulated Tariff which would protect all ‘disengaged’ customers from high standard variable tariffs, the CMA also suggested an Ofgem managed comparison service which […]
UK energy system wastes more than half of power generated
54% of generated power is lost between the source and the end user reportedly costing £9.5 billion a year, thanks to the UK’s inefficient energy system. The government is being urged to look into the issue as a more efficient grid would be the first port of call for a cost-effective solution to a reliable […]
Shale fracking banned in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s environment minister Mark Durkan has banned shale fracking in the strategic planning policy statement (SPPS) for Northern Ireland. Durkan stated that this would not change unless the Department of the Environment is “satisfied that there is sufficient and robust evidence on all environmental impacts of fracking.” He said: “I have been consistently clear […]
UK government blasted over renewables cuts by Al Gore
Former US vice president Al Gore has been left “puzzled” by the recent cuts to renewables subsidies by the UK government. In their short time in power, the Renewables Obligation scheme has been scrapped, subsidies for wind farms and solar projects have prematurely ended, cut Climate Change Levy (CCL) exemptions and the Feed-in Tariff scheme […]
Ofgem energy investigation over British Gas
Ofgem are investigating whether British Gas has complied with the requirements of conditions 7A, 14, 14A and 21B of its gas and electricity supply licences, which contain safeguards relating to supply to micro business consumers. There have been concerns over wrongful blocking of business customer transfers and billing issues after British Gas experienced a host […]
DECC to shut down coal plants by 2023
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) will vow to shut down all coal-fired power plants by 2023. The UK still has 10 remaining coal-fired power stations and these will either be closed or converted to alternative fuels. This came about after the EU Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) ordered plants to reduce the amount of […]
Government back new nuclear energy plant project
Controversial nuclear plant project, Hinkley Point C is being backed by the government, with Chancellor George Osborne pledging a £2 billion credit guarantee towards the investment. The plant, despite having hit plenty of obstacles including public opposition, is being backed by Chinese firms, sealing an “unprecedented” collaboration between the UK and China. The deal will […]
Nandy says no to nationalisation of energy industry
Despite Jeremy Corbyn’s previous controversial ‘personal wish’ to nationalise the energy industry, Lisa Nandy, the new shadow energy secretary has stated they will not be pursuing this. “Jeremy and I don’t want to nationalise energy. We want to do something much more radical. We want to democratise it,” Nandy announced. She instead plans to focus […]
Government to reform business energy efficiency taxes
The government has set out new business energy efficiency policy proposals to simplify and improve corporate carbon taxation schemes with a view to decarbonising the economy and ensuring secure energy supplies. These changes have been brought about as the government has ruled that there is a significant amount of cost-effective energy and carbon saving potential […]