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
Winter energy price rises begin with SSE
Scottish & Southen Energy are the first to announce their winter price hike, something that’s become a regular fixture in the UK in recent years. The energy giant which also owns the Southern Electric, Atlantic, SWALEC, Scottish Hydro and Airtricity brands, is increasing household prices by 9% on both gas and electricity. Although this does not affect their business gas … Read More
London 2012: The ‘greenest’ games ever
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%
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
British Gas announces profits increase of 23%
The UK’s largest energy supplier made a record profit in the first six months of 2012, and has hinted that further rises may be coming in the next year and a half. The company, which is a part of Centrica plc, announced profits were up £64m to around £345m – back to “normal levels” according to Nick Luff, Centrica’s Finance … Read More
Fracking gets go-ahead in the UK
An era of cheap, abundant gas could be on the way, as new report confirms risk of earthquakes and water contamination are minimal. In what could be the most significant step in Britain’s energy security since the widespread exploitation of North Sea oil, hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking’ has been deemed safe in a new report produced in joint by the … Read More
Rio+20 calls for action on key global issues
Overpopulation, Overconsumption and Mass Extinction top the agenda at the ongoing environmental summit in Rio de Janeiro, but where are Cameron and Obama? Today is the second day of the Rio+20 Summit, formerly known as the UN Conference on Sustainable Development. It is 20 years since the original Rio Earth Summit in 1992, but unlike 1992 (where no less than … Read More