Industry News Roundup February 2017
Tuesday 28/02 – National Grid issues its annual forecast of transmission network use of system tariffs for the next five years. Rupert Cowen, a senior nuclear energy lawyer, tells MPs on the business, energy and industrial strategy committee that leaving the Euratom treaty could shut down the nuclear industry if international safety agreements are not made in time. Navigant Research predicts that the global market for small and medium wind turbines is set for a sharp increase through to the middle of the next decade.
Monday 27/02 – Energy regulator Ofgem’s data shows that switching rates hit a six-year high in 2016. Centrica confirms that work will start next month on installing new gas turbines and a major refurbishment at its King’s Lynn power station. The Centre for Alternative Technologies warns that based on current trajectories the UK is not on track to meet its emissions reduction targets.
Friday 24/02 – Business groups welcome the publication of official guidance on the new minimum efficiency standards for privately rented commercial buildings. The House of Lords economic affairs committee recommends that the government should vary the pace of emissions reduction rather than adhering to the linear approach of existing climate targets. Citizens Advice calls for Ofgem to make changes to stop energy networks making large profits due to inaccurate assessments of their costs.
Thursday 23/02 – British Gas releases its annual results, showing that profits in its residential supply arm dropped by 11% to £553mn last year following a fall in customer numbers. Work begins on the 1GW ElecLink interconnector between Britain and France. Government figures show that lower production from renewables contributed to a fall in the share of the generation mix held by low-carbon sources in the final quarter of 2016. An Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit poll finds 85% of Britons back subsidies for renewables. The Scottish government reports that Scotland’s renewable electricity output has more than trebled since the end of 2006.
Wednesday 22/02 – Appearing before MPs, Dermot Nolan, CEO of energy regulator Ofgem, says it would be very understandable for ministers to decide to impose a cap on standard tariffs. Academics at Loughborough University announce that a project to help Tesco cut its energy bill, by proposing alterations to the working practices of its store staff, delivered £4mn in savings in the first year of implementation. Scottish Power confirms that it experienced a significant fall in profits in its generation and supply arm last year.
Tuesday 21/02 – The UK Energy Research Centre warns that, without sufficient flexibility, the costs of integrating energy sources like wind and solar into the electricity system will be much higher than necessary. Shell predicts that by 2020 the size of global LNG trade will grow by 50% compared with 2014. Former ministers Vince Cable and Lord Barker warn that the prospective buyers of the Green Investment Bank could be set for a major windfall at taxpayers’ expense.
Monday 20/02 – Think Tank IPPR argues that there is a strong case for the government to provide initial funding for an industrial carbon capture and storage project at Teesside. Centrica announces the creation of Centrica Innovations, with the aim of identifying, incubating and accelerating new technologies and innovations to benefit consumers.
Friday 10/02 –The Civitas think tank argues that policy initiatives, introduced since the turn of the century, have rendered energy supply in the UK unstable and expensive. The SNP condemns a leaked report that indicates that the UK government has categorised oil and gas as “low priority” in Brexit negotiations.
Thursday 09/02 – A government opinion survey shows concern about being unable to afford energy bills at an all-time low. The government also confirms that support through the feed-in tariff will be adjusted for anaerobic digestion systems, but maintained at its current level for micro-combined heat and power systems. Aberdeenshire Council becomes one of the first public bodies in Scotland to create a plan to limit its emissions, by adopting a carbon budget.
Wednesday 08/02 – Energy UK statistics show over 345,000 customers changed their electricity supplier in January––up 80,000, or 31%, year-on-year. Clive Lewis resigns as the shadow business and energy secretary, after defying Labour’s three-line whip on supporting the triggering of Article 50.
Tuesday 07/02 – Government figures show that emissions in 2015 reached 495.7MtCO2e, representing a 3.8% decline on the previous year. The Scottish National Party labels the way costs are allocated for energy networks as punitive, after the gas-fired Peterhead power station fails to secure a contract to provide energy security. Lord’s Cricket Ground announces that it has become the first cricket ground in the country to run on 100% renewable energy.
Monday 06/02 –Business group the CBI calls on the government to provide a longer-term view of its plans for support for renewables so businesses are aware of costs. A study released by the Teesside Collective sets out the business case for a support mechanism to encourage the deployment of industrial carbon capture and storage. Energy regulator Ofgem sets the level of the benchmark charges for the new price cap for prepayment meters.
Friday 03/02 – npower announces that for the first time since October 2013 it is to increase a typical dual fuel annual energy bill, by on average 9.8% or £109. The Capacity Market Auction for 2017-18 clears at £6.95/kW/ year, with a significant volume of coal-fired power stations winning agreements.
Thursday 02/02 – The Economist Intelligence Unit says that competitive natural gas prices, the growth in renewables generation, and weak electricity consumption will continue to keep the market environment tough for coal. The Scottish government confirms it has received assurances that the sale of the Green Investment Bank will factor in the strategic importance of the bank to Scotland.
Wednesday 01/02 – The European Commission forecasts that the UK will fall slightly short of its renewables target for 2020. A Smart Energy GB survey shows more than eight in 10 smart meter users would recommend the technology to others. The government issues a pilot study designed to develop an approach to deliver tailored, high quality energy efficiency advice during smart meter installation visits.
Written By Graham Paul
