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.
Price hike warnings will follow Ofgem review
Suppliers must now warn customers before raising prices, following Ofgem’s review of the energy industry. Last week Ofgem announced their completion of a review of the energy industry and promised some changes to the way suppliers operate. Following the announcements last week, Ofgem has published a review today requiring domestic energy suppliers to give a 30 day warning before raising … Read More
Budget 2011 introduces new carbon tax
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
Ofgem crack down on energy suppliers
Energy industry regulator Ofgem has told energy firms to simplify their prices to avoid confusing their customers. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), the regulator for the energy industry, has told suppliers that their tariff structures are unnecessarily complex, which leave their customers “bamboozled”. The investigation came after suspicions that the big six UK energy suppliers (British Gas, … Read More
E.ON sells Central Networks to US firm
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
British Gas profits up 24 percent
Parent company Centrica has announced British Gas profits have risen by 24% to a record £742m Centrica’s operating profit rose 29% to £2.3bn, whilst Britain’s largest energy supplier made £742m last year. In 2010, British Gas added 267,000 customers to a grand total of 16m accounts.
Centrica in £2billion Qatar gas deal
Parent company of British Gas has landed a £2billion liquefied natural gas deal with Qatargas. Centrica have signed a new 3 year deal with Qatargas for the supply of 2.4 million tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas (LNG), equivalent to 10% of annual UK domestic demand. Centrica have displayed some strategic ability as the deal has been struck at … Read More