Industry News Roundup January 2021
Friday 29/01 – COP26 President Alok Sharma launches the Race to Zero Breakthrough campaign in a speech to the World Economic Forum’s Davos event
Thursday 28/01 – A multi-million-pound fund for three green aviation research and development projects is announced by Business Minister Paul Scully. The projects represent a total investment of £84.6mn.
Wednesday 27/01 – Ofgem announces that it will be appointing a Supplier of Last Resort for Green Network Energy’s ~360,000 domestic customers and a small number of non-domestic customers, as well as Simplicity Energy’s ~50,000 domestic customers.
Tuesday 26/01 – The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fair Business Banking announces a “Bankers for Net Zero” initiative.
Monday 25/01 – Ofgem recommends the creation of an independent body to help lead the path to net zero at the lowest cost to consumers. The Prime Minister launches the Adaptation Action Coalition – a new international coalition to tackle the impacts of climate change.
Friday 22/01 – Ofgem issued a consultation on its proposals to move to an industry-led approach to the management and implementation of Market Wide Half Hourly Settlement. In 2017, Ofgem announced a review on whether the whole electricity market (commercial as well as residential properties) should move to half-hourly settlement. Electricity used by the largest consumers (typically industrial companies) has been measured in half-hour periods for many years.
Thursday 21/01 – The Centre for Policy Studies thinktank calls on the government to invest in new nuclear capacity or risk the UK’s energy security. The Energy Networks Association details how gas networks will build the UK’s hydrogen economy in a new plan.
Wednesday 20/01 – In his first day in office, President Biden signs an executive order to begin the process for the US to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement.
Tuesday 19/01 – Responding to a consultation on the Future Homes Standard, the government outlines plans to improve the energy performance of new homes, with low carbon heating and to be zero carbon ready by 2025. COP26 President Alok Sharma and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng appear before the Commons BEIS Committee.
Monday 18/01 – Ofgem announces that following the redistribution of the Renewables Obligation (RO) late payment fund in December, an additional payment was redistributed on 15 January. The RO was a scheme which supported the development of low carbon generation, which has closed but is still paying out to generators.
Friday 15/01 – Crown Estate Scotland opens the application window for registered developers to submit their applications for ScotWind Leasing. SSEN publishes two new reports which forecast the net zero journey and the rapid increase in low carbon technologies that achieving net zero will bring between 2020 and 2050.
Thursday 14/01 – The government confirms that the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (a scheme which pays businesses to use certain forms of renewable heat generators) will close to new applicants on 31 March this year. Centrica’s trading update says that operational and financial performance of the company was “resilient” in H220.
Wednesday 13/01 – The Scottish government grants £444,500 to a project which helps people struggling to heat their homes, as the first award from a share of a £7mn fund to tackle fuel poverty this winter. Data from ElectraLink shows that energy supplier switching decreased 2.3% in 2020 compared to 2019, with 6.2mn changes of supplier.
Tuesday 12/01 – Climate Change Committee Chief Executive Chris Stark praises the Energy White Paper during an evidence session with MPs. UKPN (the electricity distribution network operator for London, the South East and East of England) announces plans to collaborate five local authorities to eradicate electric vehicle charging blackspots through a new pilot project.
Monday 11/01 – SNP calls on the government to bring in “urgent” energy bill support for households. National Grid Electricity System Operator publishes its annual Operability Strategy Report, looking back on the impact of the national lockdowns on the system.
Friday 08/01 – Kwasi Kwarteng is appointed Business Secretary, replacing Alok Sharma who becomes full-time President of COP26. The Commons BEIS Committee says it will examine the Energy White Paper and issues around the energy and industrial transition to net zero.
Thursday 07/01 – Ofgem publishes its Consumer Perceptions of the Energy Market report for Q320, finding 76% of consumers were satisfied with their supplier. British Gas engineers begin a five-day strike in a dispute over new contracts, GMB has said.
Wednesday 06/01 – The UK’s first deep coal mine in 30 years can progress after the government decides not to intervene in the local council’s plans to develop it. Ofgem opened an enforcement case into Symbio Energy’s compliance with the Renewables Obligation and Feed-in Tariff schemes, following several late payments.
Tuesday 05/01 – Day-ahead prices on European power exchange platforms N2eX and EPEX SPOT clear at £1,000.04/MWh (for 17:00 to 18:00 Wednesday 6 January) and £737.45/MWh (for 17:00 to 18:00 Wednesday 6 January), respectively. Ecotricity partners with Geothemal Engineering Ltd to produce and sell geothermal energy from underneath Cornwall.
Written By Graham Paul
