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
300,000 more households hit by fuel poverty
The average annual fuel bill has risen to £1,247 for direct debit customers, and £1,330 for those paying by cash or cheque. A report recently published by the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group (FPAG) stated that up to 9 million households could be stricken by fuel poverty (spending more than 10% of your income on heating your home) by 2016. There … Read More
ScottishPower to raise electricity and gas prices
The energy giant is the fifth of the ‘Big Six’ to announce a hike to its prices this winter. The increase will take place on 3 December, when both electricity and gas will go up by 8.7%. This news means 5 of the ‘Big Six’ have raised prices in recent weeks. E.ON have pledged to not increase prices in 2012.
2012 Energy Bill Omits 2030 Carbon Target
Details of the government’s new energy bill have now been released, with plans to keep the lights on and keep carbon emissions down. Labour are calling it a “humiliating failure” for the Lib Dems and Greenpeace say David Cameron has given in to “militant tendencies” in his own party. However you look at it, the lack of a binding ‘decarbonisation’ … Read More
Ofgem Condition 7A rethinks ‘micro-business’
The industry regulator is widening the scope of its Standard License Condition 7A (SLC7A) to cover 150,000 more small businesses. Since January 2010, Condition 7A has stopped energy suppliers from using sneaky tactics designed to roll customers into expensive long-term contracts if they don’t terminate their contract in due time. The condition means that smaller businesses can now terminate their … Read More
Minister: “Wind farms; enough is enough”
Conservative MP John Hayes has been in hot water recently for commenting on the vast number of onshore wind farms “peppered” across the UK. Mr Hayes has been publicly ‘slapped down’ by Lib Dem boss Ed Davey over comments he made in an interview with the Daily Mail. He was discussing a speech he was due to make the next … Read More
EDF Energy announce winter price rises
The french-owned energy giant is the fourth of the ‘big six’ to raise their prices in the second half of 2012. This year, EDF will raise prices on electricity and gas by 10.8%, after generating profits of over £1.5 billion in 2011. The changes come into force from December 7, and will affect 4 out of every 5 of EDF’s … Read More
Ofgem report warns of blackouts by 2015
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
British Gas and Npower announce price hikes
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