Industry News Roundup April 2017
Friday 28/04 – Consumer advocate group Citizens Advice finds that nine in 10 (90%) small businesses have heard of smart meters, though only six in 10 (63%) are aware businesses would be getting one alongside domestic consumers. MPs on the public accounts committee warn that the halting of carbon capture and storage deployment will mean that the UK will have to pay billions of pounds more to hit decarbonisation targets. Energy UK launches its 2017 election manifesto setting out the key principles the next government should adopt to deliver the low-carbon transition in a secure way and at the lowest cost to consumers.
Thursday 27/04 – Energy regulator Ofgem confirms that it will introduce five new narrow principles into the licence of energy suppliers, centred on helping customers making informed choices. The government releases figures showing that in Q4 2016, coal’s quarterly share of the generation mix fell year-on-year from 19.7% to 9.3%. The European Parliament and European Council announce that they have reached a draft agreement on new regulations aimed at preventing gas supply crises.
Wednesday 26/04 – The government is criticised by MPs on the environmental audit committee for failing to set out a clear plan to deliver the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Trade association Energy UK publishes research setting out its recommendations on how to ensure the future ancillary services market delivers stability to the electricity system at least cost for consumers.
Tuesday 25/04 –. Influential business organisation the Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leader’s Group calls on the EU to introduce more ambitious renewable energy targets in a new report. Think tank Sandbag sets out its energy and climate policy recommendations for a new government to implement in the first 100 days after the upcoming general election
Monday 24/04 – The Royal Academy of Engineering calls for improving energy efficiency and resource productivity to be a priority, particularly in buildings and energy networks. Analysis for trade body RenewableUK finds that UK-based companies are well placed to benefit from the $290bn global renewables market.
Friday 21/04 – Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary Greg Clark unveils a £1bn Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, with some of the funding going to energy storage. The UK sees its first full day without generating any electricity from coal, National Grid confirms.
Thursday 20/04 – The government confirms that the Green Investment Bank has been sold to Macquarie Group in a £2.3bn deal. The first code administrators’ survey, published by Ofgem, finds high levels of satisfaction with the way the governance of the rules of the energy system is conducted.
Wednesday 19/04 – Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary Greg Clark states that the government will take “muscular and strong action” against damaging energy price rises. Industry group Energy UK urges the government to provide a route to market for established renewable technologies, such as onshore wind. The Green Alliance cautions that the UK’s energy system is not prepared for the growing number of consumers opting to buy small-scale energy technologies like solar PV.
Tuesday 18/04 – The government confirms that a major auction to support renewable energy generation will be unaffected by the snap General Election called for 8 June. Trade association RenewableUK urges all political parties to support a vibrant renewable energy sector during the election if they want to be successful in government. The Energy Networks Association sets out its vision of how the UK’s gas and electricity networks can play a vital role in delivering the UK’s Industrial Strategy.
Monday 17/04 – In a joint letter to the Prime Minister, 11 organisations including WWF, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, warn the UK government against watering down climate change and environmental commitments during Brexit negotiations.
Friday 07/04 – The government announces that £24mn of funding from a pot set aside to support heat networks will be distributed across 13 local authorities in England. The Scottish government consults on introducing new proposals to ensure all privately rented homes in Scotland meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency.
Thursday 06/04 – National Grid releases its summer outlook predicting that greater flexibility will be required over summer 2017 to balance the electricity system during periods of low demand, and increased supply and demand variability. The World Energy Council identifies cyber threats, EU cohesion, commodity prices, digitisation and electricity storage as critical uncertainties for the UK energy industry.
Wednesday 05/04 – A PwC survey uncovers a growing interest in smart energy technologies within the business community. Think tank E3G warns that the current trajectory of Brexit negotiations indicates a negative outcome for energy and climate issues. Unite calls for public funding of the Moorside nuclear power station. Eurelectric states that the European electricity sector does not intend to invest in any new-build coal-fired power stations after 2020.
Tuesday 04/04 – ENGIE announces that it plans to transfer its 40% stake in the NuGen consortium to Toshiba, casting further doubt on the future of the Moorside nuclear project. Think tank Bright Blue finds that an overwhelming majority of Conservative voters back maintaining or strengthening EU environmental regulations after Brexit. Solar developer Anesco announces that it has successfully powered up 28 new solar farms.
Monday 03/04 – The government launches the second contracts for difference auction, which will support technologies including offshore wind and biomass. Chemical firm INEOS agrees to acquire the Forties Pipeline System and its associated pipelines and facilities from BP in a deal worth up to $250mn. BT announces that it has entered into an agreement worth £185mn, over 15 years, to buy power from the Stroupster Windfarm.
Written By Graham Paul
