a waste conversion plant in Billingham and two new biomass power stations in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire have been given the go ahead by the government. UK Energy Minister Charles Hendry announced the acceptance of the proposal from Drax, who owns the country’s largest coal-fired power station. The two plants are of 299MW capacity each, but the plans will reportedly be … Read More
E.ON Energy announces price rise
E.ON Energy has become the latest of the big six UK energy suppliers to up its prices. E.ON have raised electricity bills by 11.4%, while gas bills will be raised by a larger margin of 18.1% and will come into effect from 13 September. They are the fourth of the big six UK suppliers to announce hikes, after Scottish Power, … Read More
CBI advises on carbon floor price
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has called on the government to exempt energy intensive companies from paying a fixed carbon price. The government currently plan to charge a floor price for carbon consumption from April 2013. The business lobby group warn that this could drive out energy-intensive businesses.
Good Energy freezes electricity prices
Good Energy has committed to freezing electricity prices until at least 2012. The supplier, that supplies to around 26,000 people in the UK, have pledged to a price freeze on electricity tariffs. Good Energy‘s electricity tariff has not risen since August 2008, a contrast to the high price increases by three of the ‘big six’ already this year. The supplier … Read More
British Gas fined £2.5m by Ofgem
The industry regulator, Ofgem, has fined British Gas due to ‘basic failures’ found in its procedure for handling customer complaints. The energy giant British Gas was fined the amount after being found it was not re-opening cases that its clients had indicated were still not resolved. This comes only shortly after British Gas Business, the commercial-only arm of the firm, … Read More
Energy firms warned on mis-selling
MPs condemn mis-selling and say suppliers are guilty of ‘Del Boy’ sales tricks The Energy And Climate Change Committee (ECCC) has called for a ban on the doorstep mis-selling of energy contracts. The Committee voiced concerns that people are being pressured by salesmen into deals that are no better, or often worse than their current one.
Scottish and Southern raises prices
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) is the latest of the big six UK suppliers to raise prices. SSE follow Scottish Power and Centrica who have both already announced similar price rises that come into effect in the autumn. SSE’s rises are expected to be around 18% for gas and 11% for electricity, but will not come into effect until September.
UK businesses see energy as high risk
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
BHP Billiton invests in shale gas
The world largest mining company has invested £7.5bn into shale gas technology. BHP Billiton has agreed to purchase American shale gas company Petrohawk Energy in a £7.5bn deal, its biggest acquisition to date. It is the company’s second major investment into shale gas technology in the year, as BHP also purchased a gas field from Chesapeake Energy in February.
Huhne outlines electricity market reform
UK Energy Secretary Chris Huhne unveiled proposals set to bring about the biggest reforms since privatisation. The UK government announced on Tuesday that the UK’s energy infrastructure will need £110bn of investment to keep the lights on. Chris Huhne told parliament that without reform and substantial financial investment, the country will be facing blackouts.