Three of the ‘big six’ have now announced increases to both electricity and gas for households across the UK. Suppliers are raising their prices as autumn is here – the same thing they seem to do every year. As usual, rising wholesale prices and government taxes are being blamed, as suppliers say they are just passing on the increases to … Read More
Business worried about keeping the lights on
A new report produced by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has revealed a lack of confidence in Britain’s infrastructure, compared to our European counterparts. The CBI/KPMG Infrastructure Survey 2012 provides a business-wide assessment of the state of the UK’s economic infrastructure networks. The survey underlines the critical role that infrastructure plays in making the UK an attractive place to … Read More
Winter energy price rises begin with SSE
Scottish & Southen Energy are the first to announce their winter price hike, something that’s become a regular fixture in the UK in recent years. The energy giant which also owns the Southern Electric, Atlantic, SWALEC, Scottish Hydro and Airtricity brands, is increasing household prices by 9% on both gas and electricity. Although this does not affect their business gas … Read More
Wind subsidies to be cut by 10%
Wind subsidy reduction hailed by Department of Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey as a “victory”. The government wanted to reduce it to 75% of current levels, but it has now been agreed that it will be reduced to only 90% of the current subsidy. The coalition announced its plans for the future of Britain’s energy security in its … Read More
Sustainable development is ‘meaningless drivel’
James Lovelock, long-time environmental guru and the inventor of the Gaia Hypothesis says environmentalism is taking over from Christianity, and thinks we should ‘go mad on’ shale gas. In an interview in the Guardian, the celebrated environmental scientist also declares that he is not worried about sea-level rises, Germany is crazy for ditching nuclear power, how wind turbines are “ugly … Read More
Bribe residents to accept wind farms – Tim Yeo
Residents objecting to the construction of wind farms in their communities should be ‘bribed’ in order to get them to stop protesting, a Conservative MP has said. Tim Yeo, a senior Conservative MP and chairman of the Commons energy and climate change committee has caused a bit of a stir by using the word “bribe” when discussing how to push … Read More
Energy Bill 2012: Ed Davey sets out reforms
Plans were outlined today for the future of Britain’s energy security, with nuclear, gas and renewables all to have essential roles in our energy mix in the coming decades. The Department For Energy & Climate Change today released a draft of the long-awaited energy bill, with the three goals of “Keeping the lights on, consumers energy bills down and creating … Read More
Ofgem staff pocket £1million in bonuses
Figures show that the energy regulator has given some staff bonuses in excess of £20,000. Scandal? Fair? Or just a gravy train? The information was revealed after shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint submitted a written request in parliament. In summary: Two people received over £20,000 in 2010. 14 people received £10,000 in 2010 – 2011. 38 people received £5,000 in … Read More
Consumers to be told best energy deals
Under new rules announced today, the Big Six energy suppliers will have to write to all of their customers once a year informing them if they are on the best type of tariff for their usage. The new rules do not however, mean that the supplier has to inform their customer if there is a cheaper deal with another supplier … Read More
Olympic Games Street Works Embargo
New Electricity and Gas Connections will not be possible in certain areas of London in the run up to and during the Olympic Games. Known as the Clearway Project, from now until September, there are no street works allowed on ‘key parts’ of the Olympic Route Network (ORN). This will be expanded to cover the whole ORN from July 2012, … Read More