Germany pushing for European super-grid

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Law stating that Germany must outlaw nuclear power generation by 2022 is encouraging more talk of an EU-wide electricity system. After the Fukushima disaster in Japan, Germany decided to shut down its 17 nuclear power stations by 2022, closing the 7 oldest ones immediately. This has turned Germany from a net exporter of electricity, to a net importer of electricity … Read More

‘European super grid’ could cost £28 billion

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

A new ‘super grid’ for electricity that connects Britain to mainland Europe is being tabled as the solution to balancing international supply and demand. The new system would use cables laid under the sea, making it easier to connect offshore wind farms to the grid, eliminating the need for pylons that run from the countryside to the coast. It would … Read More

RWE looking at sale of Npower

Web MasterInternational, Wholesale Utilities Markets

German utility giant RWE is reportedly assessing the sale of British energy firm Npower RWE, parent company of Npower, is assessing the sale of the UK company in a rethink of strategy. This comes after German parliament last week backed a withdrawal from nuclear power by 2022, following Japan’s nuclear crisis.

Germany to phase out nuclear by 2022

Web MasterEnergy Efficiency, International, Wholesale Utilities Markets

German chancellor Angela Merkel has ordered all of the country’s nuclear power plants to be shut down by 2022. Merkel’s coalition government has performed a complete reversal of policy regarding nuclear power. There have been many anti-nuclear protests in Germany following the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Germany is the largest industrialised nation to go anti-nuclear for 25 years. The country is … Read More

New EU stress tests for nuclear plants

Web MasterInternational, Utilities Market Regulation

EU Nuclear watchdogs have finalised continent-wide stress tests for all nuclear reactors following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan All 143 of Europe’s nuclear reactors will undergo new stress tests devised by European nuclear watchdogs covering both natural and man made hazards. From 1 June, nuclear power plants will be tested for resilience to natural disasters like the earthquake and … Read More

Budget 2011 introduces new carbon tax

adminBusiness Electricity, Business Gas, Utilities Market Regulation

The Chancellor, George Osborne announced yet another ‘carbon tax’ in yesterday’s budget, dubbed the ‘2011 budget for growth’. This means businesses and consumers can expect higher electricity bills, as carbon-emitting coal and gas-fired plants are taxed £3.2 billion over the next 5 years. Nuclear and renewable companies should see increased profits, as the tax is applied to the oil and … Read More

UK at top of European Commission report

Web MasterEnergy Efficiency, International

The UK is one of the most energy efficient nations in Europe, says a European commission report. The European Commission report says the UK’s energy use fell by 5% between the year 2000 and 2008. In comparison, German energy use stayed at the same rate whilst France’s energy use grew by 7%. The report found that in total, there was … Read More

E.ON sells Central Networks to US firm

Web MasterBusiness Electricity, Business Gas, Utilities Market Regulation

RWE E.ON has agreed to sell its UK electricity distribution company, Central Networks, to US firm PPL. The German-owned energy giant E.ON is selling Central Networks, the second largest distributor of electricity in the UK, to Pennsylvania Power and Light for £4bn. Central Networks operates an 80,000 mile power grid that delivers electricity to over 5 million customers in the … Read More