A 2013 UK Shale Gas Revolution? Unlikely.

adminBusiness Electricity, Business Gas, Energy Efficiency, International, Utilities Market Regulation, Wholesale Utilities Markets

Natural gas prices in the US have dropped by almost two thirds since they started ‘fracking’ for shale gas. Could we see a similar boost to the UK economy any time soon? Shale Gas – probably the only hope we have of producing a significant amount of useful, home-grown energy in the next decade or two. Some say it is … Read More

E.ON completes the round of winter price hikes

adminBusiness Electricity, Business Gas

The energy giant pledged not to raise prices in 2012, but is raising them only 18 days into 2013. From the 18th January, E.ON’s household tariffs will be increased by 8.7% on both electricity and gas, it was announced. The German-owned energy supplier made a ‘price promise’ to not raise prices in 2012, but is raising them only weeks after … Read More

Ofgem Condition 7A rethinks ‘micro-business’

adminBusiness Electricity, Business Gas, Utilities Market Regulation

The industry regulator is widening the scope of its Standard License Condition 7A (SLC7A) to cover 150,000 more small businesses. Since January 2010, Condition 7A has stopped energy suppliers from using sneaky tactics designed to roll customers into expensive long-term contracts if they don’t terminate their contract in due time. The condition means that smaller businesses can now terminate their … Read More

New nuclear power stations planned

adminBusiness Electricity, Wholesale Utilities Markets

Between 4 and 6 new nuclear power power stations will be built, creating 12,000 jobs during construction. The new plants will be built by Hitachi, bringing fresh competition to the UK nuclear programme. Hitachi Ltd acquired Horizon Nuclear Power, a joint venture set up by RWE Npower and E.ON in 2009, who later agreed to pull out of the nuclear … Read More

Ofgem report warns of blackouts by 2015

adminBusiness Electricity, Business Gas, Energy Efficiency, International, Utilities Market Regulation, Wholesale Utilities Markets

A lack of excess electricity generation has led the energy regulator to admit there could be shortfalls in supply in the near future. A report recently published by Ofgem predicts that the UK’s spare generation capacity will drop from its currently level of 14% to 4% by 2015. Under special terms in business electricity contracts, it would be companies that … Read More