British businesses have rated energy supply and costs as a top risk factor to their business in a survey The survey, conducted by RWE Npower, found three hundred companies, both major energy users and smaller businesses, rated energy as a top risk concern along with sales and legislation. Only 66% of those surveyed in Npower’s Business Energy Index 2011 said … Read More
British Gas prices raised
British Gas are the first of the big six suppliers to follow Scottish Power in raising their domestic prices. British Gas announced on Friday it is to raise its domestic gas and electricity prices from 18 August. Gas bills will have an average rise of 18% whilst electricity will rise by around 16%. The Centrica-owned company has, somewhat predictably blamed … Read More
Ofgem continue overhaul of energy market
Ofgem is to press on with its overhaul of retail gas and electricity markets, and announces investigation into Scottish Power promotion The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is to launch an inquiry into a “potentially misleading” offer that was promoted at the same time as the latest price increase announcements. The industry regulator has stated it is determined … Read More
ScottishPower announce large price rises
ScottishPower have stirred up the domestic energy market by announcing large price rises The company have announced price rises as high as 19% for gas tariffs, and 10% rises for electricity. These new prices will come into effect on 1 August.
Centrica warns of price rises
British Gas owner Centrica has released a statement warning of higher energy prices for its customers. Centrica specifies the forward wholesale gas prices for the coming winter, which are 25% higher than the prices from last winter, as the main reason for the probable price rises. Centrica said in the statement that the earthquake and nuclear crisis in Japan, coupled … Read More
CBI warns UK of green energy failure
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has warned that the UK is failing to attract low-carbon investment The CBI warned today that Britain is failing to attract enough the investment required to build a low-carbon energy infrastructure. They claim that the energy sector will require £150bn of private investment alone over the next 20 years, to replace the third of … Read More
Wind farms less efficient than expected
A study into the efficiency of wind farms has revealed that they run at a much lower capacity than previously thought. The study, supported by Scottish conservation charity The John Muir Trust, found that wind farms are producing less than 10% capacity for more than a third of the two year study. The study also found that low output also … Read More
Businesses want CRC scheme axed
45% of business energy customers say the government’s CRC scheme is just another name for tax A survey conducted for npower has found that nearly half of business energy customers believe the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) is unnecessary, with over a quarter thinking it will not help the UK reach its carbon reduction targets. The CRC scheme … Read More
DECC sets smart meter roll-out strategy
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) set out the smart meter roll-out strategy yesterday. In a press release published yesterday, The DECC has outlined the strategy and time scale for the introduction of smart meters in every UK home by 2019. Starting in 2014, and taking 5 years to complete, 53 million smart meters are to be installed … Read More
Is Ofgem really clamping down on suppliers?
Are the new rules laid down in the energy regulator’s latest review really as tough as they seem? The latest Ofgem review has lead them to announce various new measures designed to clean up the domestic and commercial energy markets. The review was announced in November 2010, when it was deemed that the energy suppliers were making too much profit.