Industry News Roundup September 2016
Friday 30/09 - Ofgem confirms that it will remove some of the Retail Market Review simpler tariff choices rules from the gas and electricity supply licences. The smart meter Data and Communications Company—the infrastructure for the smart meter programme—fails to go-live as had been planned. The Scottish government announces that over £9mn will be deployed to improve the energy efficiency of fuel poor households in 11 local authority areas.
Thursday 29/09 - The government and EDF sign the agreement giving the go-ahead for the 3.2GW Hinkley Point C nuclear power project. Statistics released by the government reveal slowing progress in rolling out smart meters to business customers. The Competition and Markets Authority launches a market study into digital comparison tools to evaluate how effectively they are working for consumers and the economy. The Energy Technologies Institute predicts that small modular reactors could be operating in the UK by 2030 if the government can provide investor confidence.
Wednesday 28/09 - More than 140GW of wind power capacity is set to be installed in Europe between 2016-25, according to consultants MAKE. Scottish Renewables says Ofgem should only examine the value of so called “embedded benefits” enjoyed by local generation as part of a wider review of electricity charging arrangements. Consumer campaign Smart Energy GB joins forces with Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group to help small businesses find out more about smart meters and how they can benefit.
Tuesday 27/09 - A coalition of energy intensive industries writes to the European Parliament expressing opposition to a “tiered approach” to the free allocation of EU Emissions Trading Scheme allowances. The government opens a consultation on a proposal to prevent certain projects participating in the government’s scheme for guaranteeing energy security from being over-compensated. Trade association WindEurope calls on the EU to raise its renewable energy target to 30% for 2030.
Monday 26/09 - Shadow energy secretary Barry Gardiner announces at the party’s autumn conference that if elected to government Labour would ban fracking. A group of energy firms, including SSE and Drax, writes to chancellor Philip Hammond to argue that the government should maintain the Carbon Price Floor. Research by consultancy CE Delft finds that just under half (44%) of UK electricity could be produced by “energy citizens” by 2050: moving from consuming, to producing, energy. Property developer Canary Wharf Group announces that it has achieved an 8.5% reduction in emissions over the last three years.
Friday 23/09 - As the government opens a consultation on changing the Smart Energy Code and related supply licence conditions, business group the Institute of Directors calls for a re-evaluation of the smart meter programme due to concerns over cost.
Thursday 22/09 - The 880MW Carrington power station becomes Britain’s first new large gas-fired plant to come online since 2013. New figures from the government reveal that 276,000 homes across the country have had insulation measures installed, with support through either the Green Deal or the Energy Company Obligation. Ofgem announces that E.ON UK is to pay out £1.2mn to customers and £1.9mn to charities after its agents missed appointments.
Wednesday 21/09 - Scottish energy minister Paul Wheelhouse meets with energy industry stakeholders to discuss the impact that the UK’s vote to leave the EU will have on the energy sector. Investment firm InfraRed commits to invest £78mn to add the Afton windfarm in Scotland to its portfolio. The European Court of Justice rules that the UK government has failed correctly to apply an EU-set limit on emissions from RWE’s Aberthaw coal-fired plant
Tuesday 20/09 - Prime minister Theresa May confirms that the UK will ratify the Paris climate agreement by the end of 2016. Portsmouth City Council launches an energy comparison website and switching service, in partnership with UK Power. The Oil and Gas Authority issues its technology strategy. The Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership launches a new business briefing to help companies prepare the transition to a zero-carbon future, in the wake of the Paris climate agreement.
Monday 19/09 - The chief corporate officer at Scottish Power Keith Anderson warns that capping energy companies’ profit margins at 1.25%, as has been suggested by the Competition and Market Authority’s Roger Witcomb, would be detrimental to investment in the sector. The European Commission announces that the European Fund for Strategic Investments will be extended for three years to 2020, with the aim of mobilising €500bn of investment. Energy suppliers launch a campaign to share intelligence on bills as part of a drive to clamp down on energy theft.
Friday 16/09—Parliament confirms that the energy and climate change select committee is to be abolished, following the departmental reforms implemented when Theresa May became prime minister. Scottish Power announces the launch of its “PowerUp” scheme that will allow customers to buy their energy in packages of days and months via an app. The Reform Scotland think tank issues a report criticising the Scottish government’s position on fracking as illogical.
Thursday 15/09—The government approves the Hinkley Point C nuclear power project in Somerset after reaching a revised agreement with EDF. Figures from Energy UK confirm that electricity switching between June and August this year was 27% higher than in 2015, with over 1mn switches recorded. Five bidders are short-listed to be the Offshore Transmission Owner for the Burbo Bank Extension windfarm.
Wednesday 14/09—The International Energy Agency reveals that global energy investment fell by 8% in 2015. Government minister Jesse Norman says that there is little sign of confidence dropping in the solar sector despite the government’s changes to subsidy schemes. UK oil and gas production from the North Sea increased by over a fifth in 2015-16, according to Scottish government figures. Ofgem proposes limits to the amount customers may be charged by suppliers that install pre-payment meters at their properties under warrant.
Tuesday 13/09—The Committee on Climate Change finds that Scotland has made good progress on cutting its emissions but will need new policies beyond the power sector in order to meet its long-term targets. A Greenpeace-commissioned poll suggests that only a quarter of the public support the development of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power project, while approaching half (44%) are opposed. Good Energy reports that profits were up by 72% in the first half of the year to £6.2mn.
Monday 12/09—An independent inquiry led by Lord Oxburgh recommends the establishment of a state-owned company to deliver carbon capture and storage projects at least cost. Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon calls on the UK government to honour its commitment to ring-fencing funding for marine energy projects within the contracts for difference scheme. The Aldersgate Group finds low-carbon projects in the North of England are contributing to increased economic activity in the region.
Friday 09/09 - The Energyst finds in a survey that businesses are eager to seize on the opportunities offered by demand-side response but are concerned about the disruption to their operations. Policy Exchange calls on the government to develop a new strategy to decarbonise the heat sector that is cheaper and simpler than current plans. Yorkshire water announces it is set to build a £72mn anaerobic digestion plant.
Thursday 08/09 - Co-operatives UK figures show only 10 new community energy organisations were registered this year through to 6 September––down from the 76 start-ups that registered last year. A report by Regen SW suggests that the UK could, by the 2030s, deliver energy storage capacity in excess of 10GW. The GMB union criticises Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s manifesto for energy and environmental action, saying it is based on “wishful thinking”. Chancellor Philip Hammond, appearing before a House of Lords committee, confirms that the forthcoming Autumn statement will have an announcement on the Levy Control Framework.
Wednesday 07/09 - Comparison site energyhelpline.com states that small and medium-sized businesses have overspent on energy supplies by £7bn in the last year. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn reveals plans to establish 1,000 community energy co-operatives with the right to sell directly to the localities they serve. The Scottish government confirms that it will, in the year ahead, launch a new Energy Strategy that outlines its commitment to reducing demand and supplying clean power. A new national phone line launches, intended to help people to contact the company that looks after their electricity network in the event of a power cut.
Tuesday 06/09 - Alex Chisholm becomes the sole permanent secretary at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, after Sir Martin Donnelly leaves the department to help establish the new Department for International Trade. BEIS confirms that it intends to implement an amendment to the renewables deployment support contracts for difference scheme regulations to extend the Delivery Years through to 2026.
Monday 05/09 - Scottish Power’s chief corporate officer Keith Anderson praises the government’s decision to review the Hinkley Point C nuclear power project. A new paper from Oxford economist Dieter Helm calls for a merger of renewables and energy security policies. A new legal challenge is launched against Third Energy’s plans to frack for shale gas in North Yorkshire, meaning that work on the project is unlikely to begin before next year.
Friday 02/09—Prime minister Theresa May appoints former head of corporate responsibility at Centrica Georgia Berry to her policy team as an adviser on energy and infrastructure. A new collaborative network between Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland is launched to advance the development of ocean energy. Research by Engine finds utilities have ranked as the second worst sector for customer experience and service for the second year in a row, in a major survey. Commercial rooftop solar remains a “crucial element” of supermarket chain Sainsbury’s sustainability plans, the group’s head of sustainability Paul Crewe confirms.
Thursday 01/09—Businesses are invited by the government to apply for a share of up to £24mn to research vehicle technology that can provide major emissions reductions. Ofgem’s Sustainable Development Indicator statistics reveal that in 2015 around 25% of the UK’s electricity came from renewable sources. Statistics reveal that more than 3.500 churches across the UK have chosen to transfer their electricity supply to renewable sources, or are planning to do so.
Written By Graham Paul
