Industry News Roundup August 2016
Wednesday 31/08—Conservative think tank Bright Blue calls on government to consider introducing a minimum rating on the energy efficiency performance of buildings that are being sold. National Grid executive director Nicola Shaw in an interview with the BBC says the energy industry has reached a “moment of real change” with new technologies reducing the need for further conventional power stations. The GMB union argues National Grid has been “naively complacent” in believing that new smart energy technologies will be sufficient to ensure security of supply when old power plants close.
Tuesday 30/08—The National Audit Office confirms that it is to explore whether the systems and incentives in regulated industries offer sufficient protections for vulnerable consumers. Energy UK chief executive Lawrence Slade warns that frequent changes to the energy policy landscape in the UK are forcing investors to look more closely at other markets.
Monday 29/08—The SNP urges the UK government to commit to a long-term renewable energy plan in order to support investment in the sector. Tidal energy specialists Nova Innovation announce the installation of two 100kW turbines at the Shetland Tidal Array, the world’s first grid connected offshore tidal turbines. Senior Chinese and British energy officials meet to discuss the Hinkley Point nuclear project.
Friday 05/08 - The government reveals the participants eligible to compete in its small modular nuclear reactor competition, including EDF Energy, Amec Foster Wheeler and Rolls-Royce. Ofgem lays out in detail the competitive selection process it plans to introduce to the ownership of onshore electricity transmission assets.
Thursday 04/08 - Chair of the energy and climate change select committee Angus MacNeil says reforms to encourage switching in the market will not be sufficient to tackle concerns about consumers being overcharged. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn advocates a major expansion of the UK’s community energy sector. The GMB union calls for energy regulator Ofgem to be abolished and for the government to take over its regulatory responsibilities. A new 5MW anaerobic digestion plant is unveiled at SAIRA’s Doncaster food reprocessing site, meaning the business is now running entirely off the national power grid and is using 100% renewable electricity.
Wednesday 03/08 - Ofgem sets out its plans for how it will implement the remedies recommended by the Competition and Markets Authority’s energy market investigation. It also releases its annual retail and wholesale market reports, showing competition is working well in the wholesale market, but a more mixed picture in the retail market. Ecotricity announces it will resist plans to require energy firms to share customer data with other suppliers, as this would result in a “blizzard of junk mail”. The Federation of Small Businesses says the energy market remedies will deliver “fairness and transparency”.
Tuesday 02/08 - Prime minister Theresa May announces the formation of the new economy and industrial strategy cabinet committee. Consultants Frost & Sullivan warn that over the long term Brexit could result in a rise in electricity prices, supply security issues, and delays in new generation projects coming online. Statistics from Bury Council show the local authority is “leading the way” in cutting carbon emissions, on the back of a 10% cut in energy usage in the last 12 months
Monday 01/08 - The business, skills and innovation select committee launches an investigation into the government’s industrial strategy. A study by Regen SW finds that the uptake of renewable energy varies significantly across England, from 41% of power coming from renewables in Yorkshire to 3% in London. The Green Investment Bank commits £80mn of senior debt to the construction of a 43MW combined heat and power plant at DS Smith’s Kemsley Paper Mill.
Written By Graham Paul
