Data centres get Climate Change Agreement

adminBusiness Electricity, Energy Efficiency, International, Utilities Market Regulation

It is the first industry that does not manufacture physical products to get a CCA, meaning exemption from the Climate Change Levy. Climate Change Agreements (CCAs) allow the 50 most energy intensive industries in the UK partial exemption from the Climate Change Levy, in return for meeting energy saving targets. Currently there are around 50 industries that have CCAs in … Read More

FiT charges to inflate business electricity bills

adminBusiness Electricity, Energy Efficiency, Utilities Market Regulation

Due to the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) costing more than expected, all companies that pay a business electricity bill could face extra charges. Since the 1st April, any household or business that generates their own renewable energy receives a subsidy for every unit of energy they produce. This subsidy is paid for through the bills of those who choose not to … Read More

Drax power station: coal to biomass

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

The largest carbon emitter Britain is to stop burning coal to comply with EU laws, and will instead burn imported American wood chips. Running on coal, Drax has long been a symbol of Britain’s energy industry, but its move to biomass means it is fast becoming a symbol of our confusing and convoluted present day energy policy. Built right next … Read More

CRC Scheme league table to be published late

adminBusiness Electricity, Business Gas, Energy Efficiency

The performance table for the CRC (Carbon Reduction Commitment) Energy Efficiency Scheme is due to be published in the coming days. The Environment Agency (EA) has confirmed that the Energy Efficiency Performance League Table (PLT) is almost ready, with over 2,700 organisations being measured and ranked in order of how efficiently they use the energy they buy. The Carbon Reduction … Read More

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

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

London 2012: The ‘greenest’ games ever

adminEnergy Efficiency, International

The day after the 30th Olympiad ended, the London 2012 Olympics has been hailed as the “greenest games ever”. The Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 has hailed recycling and regeneration as a major success. However, they also noted that improvements can still be made for the next Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Shaun McCarthy, the Commision’s … Read More

Wind subsidies to be cut by 10%

adminBusiness Electricity, Energy Efficiency, Utilities Market Regulation, Wholesale Utilities Markets

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