Thursday 31 May 2012

UK slumps to near-bottom in energy emission reduction league

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The UK has fallen well behind other European countries with attempts to cut greenhouse gas emissions from energy consumption despite topping the table until 1999, according to a new report from the Office of National Statistics.

The new analysis shows the UK has slumped from heading the European Union of 27 nations to now being in 23rd position.

And the UK is also fast falling behind other EU countries with its share of renewable energy.

Uk #Geothermal #energy 'could heat all the homes in Britain AND satisfy up to a fifth of the country's demand for electricity' | Mail Online

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Energy sourced from tapping into heat deep underground could produce up to a fifth of the UK's electricity and heat millions of homes, a report said today.

Deep geothermal energy could be exploited across the UK, with 'hotspots' including Cornwall, East Yorkshire, Hampshire, Northern Ireland and Scotland, according to the study.

The power source could also supply enough heat directly to warm all the UK's homes and buildings, although the infrastructure is not in place in this country to deliver the heat to where it is needed.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2152537/Geothermal-energy-heat-homes-...

BoE's Bean: some UK firms can't pass on higher #energy costs

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number of regional businesses in Britain are unable to pass on higher costs including from higher energy prices, Bank of England Deputy Governor Charlie Bean said in a newspaper interview published on Thursday.

Bean gave the interview during a visit to local business leaders in Norfolk, in eastern England.

"A number of them were talking about the extent to which their margins were being squeezed and they are unable to push through price increases despite the rise in costs which often might be reflected in things like higher energy prices," Bean told the Eastern Daily Press.

Geothermal #energy could meet a fifth of UK's power needs – report

Wednesday 30 May 2012

UK prompt gas prices drop as N.Sea supplies improve

K prompt gas prices dropped on Wednesday morning as North Sea gas supplies improved and demand remained far below the seasonal norm because of mild weather and a long weekend ahead.

Gas demand for Wednesday was expected to be 195.7 million cubic metres, almost a quarter below the seasonal norm, according to data from National Grid, and at expected flows of 207.3 mcm, the system was forecast to be 11.6 mcm oversupplied.

German Solar Power Plants Set World Record | The Market Leading Energy Consultant - Catalyst-Commercial.co.uk

Tuesday 29 May 2012

'Lots of sunshine is just what we like here': Summer sun gives solar farm owner a particular reason to smile | Mail Online

Irish Republic could supply renewable power to UK

Talks on a deal that could open up Britain’s electricity market to exports from renewable generators in the Republic will take place next month, according to Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte.

Mr Rabbitte launched the Government’s Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012-2020, which covers wind power, bio energy, wave and tidal power and research and development, in Dublin yesterday.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Rabbitte said that he will be meeting UK energy minister Charles Hendry next month for talks on an agreement that will allow renewable energy generators in the Republic to export power to Britain.
The agreement will cover electricity generated both onshore and offshore.

The Minister suggested that, in coming years, the Republic could end up exporting the same amount of electricity that it consumes every year to Britain.

The two ministers have already discussed opening Britain’s electricity market to generators operating in the Republic.

During a visit to Dublin last year, Mr Hendry said that his government would welcome Irishgenerated power.

RBS involved in £40bn loans to fossil fuel companies in past six months

UK Energy Needs Could be Solved Underground

Millions of homes could be heated by geothermal energy in the future, according to experts.

This week the Government is due to reveal how much money it is prepared to pay to help private companies develop the form of renewable energy.

A new geological survey suggests up to 20% of the country's power could be generated by tapping into hot spots underground.

These thermal energy hot spots have been identified around the country - in the South West, South and North of England, and in Scotland and Northern Ireland as well.

The scientific survey, produced by engineers at Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM), has given new hope that geothermal might be a sustainable form of energy.

But many think it is too expensive to be a long-term solution to our energy needs in the UK.
Tim Jackson, a geothermal engineer for SKM, said: "They are more expensive but they're comparable with other options such as nuclear.

"The other big advantage they have over other renewables is they can provide a baseload generation, (which means) you can get approximately three times more energy out of them."

Boreholes are drilled deep underground into aquifers where hot rocks can be found.

Monday 28 May 2012

New consultation on CRC energy tax

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has decided that a simplified Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) will be the best way of incentivising participants to implement energy efficiency in their organisations.

The proposals in the consultation, which closes on 18 June 2012, are aimed at amending the existing scheme rather than replacing it with a carbon based tax. However, many commentators see the proposals as part of a “softening up” process that will eventually result in an “alternative environment tax” if the changes proposed do not result in significant administrative savings for participants. RPC is liaising with the UK Green Building Council on a cross-industry response to the consultation.

Some of the proposed changes include:

  • No auctioning of allowances in Phase 2. Instead there will be a two stage fixed price sale, at the beginning and end of a period. The retrospective sale of allowances at the end of a period will be at a higher price to the forecast sale at the beginning of a period.
  • Better fit with business structures. CRC will be changed to apply to the “natural business units” of organisations rather than the “highest parent company” structure currently in place.
  • Reporting burdens will be reduced: there will be four rather than 29 fuels to report on, rules on metering and electricity will be simplified, there will be no footprint reports and the requirements on the storage of past information will be relaxed.
  • Less overlap. Removal of the obligation on installations that participate in the EU Emissions Trading System scheme or have Climate Change Agreements to purchase CRC allowances.  

However, the consultation will mean there will be no change to:  

  • The landlord and tenant rule. DECC remains of the view that landlords are better placed to influence the use of energy and cost effective improvements than tenants.
  • League tables. Since there has only been one league table published, DECC will wait and see how effective the reputational driver of poor performance in the league table will be in improving energy efficiency.

Scotland's green targets blown by Westminster

A loophole in the UK Government's new energy bill will allow the coal-fired power station proposed for Hunterston in North Ayrshire to belch out hundreds of millions of tonnes of climate pollution and wreck Scotland's targets to cut emissions.

The hitherto unnoticed get-out clause was slipped in by Westminster after lobbying behind the scenes by the coal industry, and contradicts promises made by Prime Minister David Cameron and the Liberal Democrats.
It has been condemned as "utterly ridiculous" and "crazy" by leading environmental groups. Control over energy is not devolved to the Scottish Parliament or Government.

The loophole exempts coal stations that adopt government-approved technologies to trap carbon emissions from tough new limits on pollution. But the technologies – known as carbon capture and storage (CCS) – may only cover a proportion of the pollution, and may not work.

The £3 billion coal station planned for Hunterston by Ayrshire Power, set up by the property company, Peel Holdings, is intending to trap less than a fifth of its emissions with CCS technology. The plan, due to face a public inquiry later this year, has prompted over 20,000 objections, making it one of Scotland's most disputed planning applications.

The loophole was inserted in the UK energy bill's small print to appease coal companies anxious about their future. An internal industry memo in December to the UK Energy Minister, Charles Hendry, set out what they wanted in the bill.

Terra Firma plans £1bn float of Infinis - Telegraph

Shopkeepers 'over-charged' by energy companies - Telegraph

Friday 25 May 2012

UK #gas prices for next week rise on Bacton work

British prompt gas prices eased slightly on Friday morning as the system was oversupplied, but prices for early next week rose on the back of expected maintenance work at the Bacton Shell gas field.


Warm weather and a long weekend ahead in many parts of continental Europe left Britain's gas demand at 183.3 million cubic metres (mcm), almost 30 percent below the seasonal norm, and meant that the UK market was oversupplied by around 10 mcm, according to data from National Grid.

As a result, gas prices for within-day delivery fell by 0.2 pence per therm since Thursday, to 52.80 pence at 1045 BST (0945 GMT) on Friday.

Although the UK's MetOffice said that the current warm weather was expected to last until next week, gas prices for delivery on Monday rose slightly as maintenance at the Bacton Shell gas field was expected to begin next Monday.

Gas prices for delivery on Monday rose around one penny a therm to 53.40.

'The maintenance at Bacton Shell is expected to start next Monday, lasting for 36 hours with an expected loss of 10.5 mcm/d in capacity. This would reduce UK continental shelf gas production early next week,' analysts at Point Carbon said, adding that they expected gas prices to come out between 53 and 53.50 pence per therm on the back of this maintenance.

http://www.lse.co.uk/FinanceNews.asp?ArticleCode=eq71l72h0fk7s4g&ArticleHeadline=UK_gas_prices_for_next_week_rise_on_Bacton_work

Power to the people: Hull opens electricity-generating gym

Thursday 24 May 2012

UK gas system remains undersupplied on Troll outage

Britain's gas market remained tight on Thursday and prices remained firm as pipeline supplies from Norway were still reduced following a Norwegian gas field outage earlier this week.

National Grid data showed that Norwegian gas flows via the Langeled pipeline was pumping just above 30 million cubic metres per day (mcm/day) to Britain on Thursday morning after Statoil suspended production at Norway's biggest gas field at 1859 GMT on Tuesday.

Langeled is Britain's main sub-sea gas import route and has a capacity of 70 mcm/day.

Although daily gas demand in Britain was set to be only around 192.6 mcm on Thursday, over a quarter below the seasonal norm, the system was expected to be undersupplied by 17.8 mcm, according to National Grid, implying the need for storage withdrawals.

Britain's gas storage sites were filled to an average of 56.2 percent on Wednesday, according to Gas Infrastructure Europe, some 4 percent above the European average level.

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Severn Barrage is 'single most important low carbon, #renewable energy project in Europe', says Hain

THE Severn Barrage is the the 'single most important low carbon, renewable energy project in Europe', according to Peter Hain.

The Neath MP this week resigned as Shadow Welsh Secretary to campaign for the barrage, which would stretch from Lavernock Point to Brean Down in Somerset, earlier this week.

It would be the biggest infrastructure project ever in Wales.


Mr Hain said: “The Severn Barrage will have the biggest, most positive effect on Wales of anything in the next few years, short of Government macro-economic policy.

Energy revamp ‘will cost billions’

Energy Secretary Ed Davey will lay the Draft Energy Bill before Parliament on Tuesday, hailing it as a blueprint to keep “lights on, bills down and air clean”.

He is expected to claim the reforms offer the “TLC” – transparency, longevity and certainty – needed to secure £110bn investment to replace old power stations and meet green targets.

Yet industry experts warn that crucial details remain unresolved, and that some of the fundamental proposals could deter investment and increase costs for consumers.

Volker Beckers, chief executive of RWE npower, told The Sunday Telegraph that the billions of pounds of investment Britain needs “may not come at all unless energy policy is given the proper priority and resource across government”.

He questioned the Government’s approach to energy sector reform, which includes separate overhauls of retail markets and networks as well as the various elements of the Energy Bill. “Pulling so many levers at once in such a complex area risks losing sight of your original objectives,” he said.

Monday 21 May 2012

UK shale gas ‘no game-changer’

Greens' concern for draft energy bill

Environmentalists now fear that the UK government's draft energy bill to be published on Tuesday will end in a new "dash for gas".

They want the bill to be guided by the government's stated wish to almost completely de-carbonise the electricity industry by the 2030s.
But there has been no guarantee such a target will be enshrined in the bill.

The environmentalists say ministers' problems with new nuclear power will leave the UK gas-dependent for decades.

The UK could buy emissions permits on the European market to keep to its medium-term emissions reductions targets.

But a failure to de-carbonise electricity would divert the Britain from its course to cut CO2 by 80% by 2050 - unless the gas-fired power stations were made to run with carbon capture and storage, a technology that is unproven on a large scale.

Apple's iCloud data center to use 100% #renewable energy by end of year

Apple's main iCloud data center in Maiden, N.C., will be powered entirely by renewable energy by the end of this year with the construction of two solar array installations.

The feat will be accomplished with the construction of both new solar arrays around the existing North Carolina facility, Reuters reported on Thursday. Together, they will supply 84 million kilowatt-hours of energy per year.

The new solar installations will also reportedly rely on high-energy cells and an advanced solar tracking system. The announcement comes as Apple has been under fire from Greenpeace, which has called on Apple to build a "clean" iCloud rather than relying on coal-powered electricity.

UK gas at two-month low on Friday as Norway imports treble

British short-term gas prices fell to a two-month low on Friday after a high increase in imports via Norway's Langeled pipeline flooded the market with gas and balanced out supply losses resulting from maintenance work elsewhere.

Gas for within-day delivery fell nearly 3 pence, around five percent day on day, to 55.50 pence per therm as the market was oversupplied by more than 20 million cubic metres per day (mcm/d).

The main reason for oversupply was a jump in Norwegian gas imports through Langeled, which have more than trebled since Thursday afternoon to over 60 mcm/d, National Grid data showed.

"Langeled is ramping up and everyone sells it," said on UK gas trader at a utility.

Flows through the pipeline had been cut last weekend and earlier this week when a gas processing plant feeding the pipeline was undergoing maintenance.

Hudson #Energy now in the UK

Friday 18 May 2012

E.on strikes energy deal with Nottingham tram firm

ENERGY group E.on has won a three year contract to supply electricity for the Nottingham tram.

The German owned company, which employs around 6,000 people in Notts, has been selected by the Tramlink Nottingham consortium to supply power across all of its business premises as well as the nine-mile public transport network that runs from Hucknall and Phoenix Park to the city centre.

Tramlink was awarded the 23-year concession last December to operate the existing network and build two further lines running to Chilwell and Clifton.

The power demand of the network is 7 million kilowatt-hours – the energy equivalent of more than 2,100 average UK homes – each year.

The contract will run into 2015 by which time lines two and three of the tram network will be up and running.

E.on director David Topping, said: "We look forward to working with Tramlink, especially as it pushes forward with the project to expand the network."
He said the two companies were committed to growing Nottingham's economy by working closely together and helping reduce carbon emissions.

Tramlink chairman Roger Harrison, said: "We are looking forward to working alongside E.on as we deliver a world-class tram service.

"A reliable power supply is absolutely essential to us and we believe we have selected strong partners.

The #DECC predicts energy price rises will raise fuel poverty numbers

There was a fall in the number of people classified as being in fuel poverty living in England between 2009 and 2010.

The number dropped by 500,000 from four million to 3.5 million, according to the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). DECC predicts the figures will remain at 3.5 million in 2011.

However, DECC predicts that this will rise back up to 3.9 million for 2012 because of the price rises imposed by the “big six” energy firms.

All of the big energy firms increased the cost of gas and electricity by ten per cent or more per fuel between August and November 2011, though each of the “big six” subsequently reduced electricity prices by between 4.5 and six per cent in the first three months of 2012.

A household is considered to be in fuel poverty of it spends ten per cent or more of its income on heating and power.

Across the UK, in 2009 there were 5.5 million households in fuel poverty in 2009, this dropped to 4.75 million in 2010.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: "Fuel poverty remains a serious national problem and the coalition is absolutely committed to tackling it.

Scientists to harness #solar energy in space

Solar power from space could be a valuable source of renewable energy, thanks to an innovative research.

Researchers at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, have already tested equipment that would provide a platform for solar panels to collect the energy and allow it to be transferred back to earth through microwaves or lasers.

This unique development would provide a reliable source of power and allow valuable energy to be sent to remote areas in the world, providing power to disaster zones or outlying areas that are difficult to reach by traditional means.

"Space provides a fantastic source for collecting solar power and we have the advantage of being able to gather it regardless of the time of the day or indeed the weather conditions," said Massimiliano Vasile, mechanical and aerospace engineer at Strathclyde, who is leading the research, according to a university statement.

Whitepaper - What next for the Carbon Reduction Commitment?

Executives participating in the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) scheme are divided on the effectiveness of the scheme and the extent to which it should be reformed.

That is the core conclusion of our online survey of over 100 executives responsible for their organisation's compliance with the CRC, which revealed both a broad agreement that the scheme imposes too heavy an administrative burden, and an acknowledgement that it has raised awareness of environmental issues, led to improved emissions reporting, and driven some investment in energy efficiency measures.

http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/analysis/2175434/whitepaper-carbon-reduction-commitment#

Smart Meters to Generate Savings of £7billion in 20 years | Energy Live News

Business energy costs rise 60% in a year

Council spent £100,000 on turbines that don't work because of too little wind - Telegraph

Lights could go out across UK by 2030, warns power supply report - UK

Energy Ministers warned to get a grip of the #Green Deal mess

Tuesday 15 May 2012

Energy costs ranked among the most important SME concerns

According to the latest research from the Forum of Private Business, energy costs are among the most important infrastructure issues faced by small businesses in the UK.

The proactive business support organisation, which is focused on the growth and profitability of small businesses, reported the results from its Referendum survey on ‘Infrastructure for Growth'.

A total of 80 percent of Forum members responding to the survey believe that energy costs are ‘very important' or ‘important' when running an SME. The reliability of the energy supply was also highlighted as a key issue for 75 percent of respondents.

This news comes as more businesses begin to look towards renewable energy as an alternative to increasingly expensive conventional fuels. According to solar energy company Eco Environments, the amount of businesses in the UK looking to reduce energy bills and reliance on the National Grid by installing solar PV has increased since Government relaxed planning rules this year.

UK #Energy Minister says #smartmeters will deliver £7bn in benefits

Energy Minister Charles Hendry says the UK's roll-out of smart meters will create £7bn in benefits and help slash the nation's carbon emissions.

As the 2014 launch nears for the mass deployment of smart meters to millions of homes and businesses, the Minister vowed to keep “consumers' interests at the heart of the programme”.

And with Government consultations on key aspects such as privacy, data security and consumer engagement closing on June 1, Mr Hendry spells out the potential benefits of smart meters.

“Smart gas and electricity meters will play a key role in bringing our energy management into the 21st century,” he wrote. “They will bring benefits for consumers, giving us more control over how we use our energy at home and at work, helping us to cut energy consumption save money and reduce carbon emissions.

“Smart meters will provide accurate consumption information and bring an end to estimated billing – so no more nasty surprises for consumers – and will make switching between suppliers smoother and faster.

“They will also help suppliers run their businesses more effectively. New products and services will be supported in a vibrant and competitive market in energy and energy management services. The roll-out will also support the development of a smart grid delivering improved network efficiency and responsiveness and supporting the uptake of electric vehicles and microgeneration.

E.ON to keep residential #energy prices unchanged in 2012

E.ON, one of Britain's biggest energy suppliers, said on Monday it will not increase energy tariffs for its UK residential customers this year, despite rising wholesale energy prices.

"Unfortunately global energy markets are expected to see an overall trend of rising wholesale prices," Tony Cocker, Chief Executive of E.ON UK said, but he added the would still keep residential prices unchanged.

Cocker's comments come just days after British Gas owner Centrica said the trend for retail energy costs "remains upwards," prompting concerns that household energy bills could rise.

UK #Energy Minister says #smartmeters will deliver £7bn in benefits

Energy Minister Charles Hendry says the UK's roll-out of smart meters will create £7bn in benefits and help slash the nation's carbon emissions.

As the 2014 launch nears for the mass deployment of smart meters to millions of homes and businesses, the Minister vowed to keep “consumers' interests at the heart of the programme”.

And with Government consultations on key aspects such as privacy, data security and consumer engagement closing on June 1, Mr Hendry spells out the potential benefits of smart meters.

“Smart gas and electricity meters will play a key role in bringing our energy management into the 21st century,” he wrote. “They will bring benefits for consumers, giving us more control over how we use our energy at home and at work, helping us to cut energy consumption save money and reduce carbon emissions.

“Smart meters will provide accurate consumption information and bring an end to estimated billing – so no more nasty surprises for consumers – and will make switching between suppliers smoother and faster.

“They will also help suppliers run their businesses more effectively. New products and services will be supported in a vibrant and competitive market in energy and energy management services. The roll-out will also support the development of a smart grid delivering improved network efficiency and responsiveness and supporting the uptake of electric vehicles and microgeneration.

Plans to reform electricity market 'unworkable', say green businesses

Smart Meter Provide #Bglobal rides storm and stays in profit

Monday 14 May 2012

Energy firms are turned off by Which? switch offer

A CONSUMER rights group which has its customer service centre in Hertford has come under fire for its involvement in an energy bill switch scheme.

Some energy firms have refused to sign up to Which?’s Big Switch because they believe the organisation stands to make too much money from the scheme, which claims to help people reduce their bills.

The registered charity, which has offices in Hertford’s Gascoyne Way, currently has 283,000 consumers signed up and will charge energy firms £40 for each new customer they gain, meaning it could pocket more than £11m.

Founder of energy firm Ecotricity Dale Vince said: “This is not an attack on Which? which generally does a good job but we feel that if they want to become an energy broker they need to make it clear to the public that this is not a purely charitable campaign and has a definite commercial outcome.”

Chief executive of Ware-based supplier Green Energy UK Doug Stewart said: “We don’t pay brokers or price comparison websites because we have just two tariffs and charge our customers the same. We would not offer different tariff rates to customers from Which? to loyal ones who have supported our mission to green up the grid for years.
“The real issue is the cost of energy – that’s the fundamental driver in price.”

New Energy Champion Angela Knight moves from banking to energy

The staunchest defender of the UK's banking industry is set to protect another much-maligned sector, as Angela Knight was named chief executive of Energy UK this weekend.

Ms Knight has headed the British Bankers' Association for five years and even took the Financial Services Authority to court over how banks should compensate victims of mis-selling payment protection insurance.

When the former Conservative MP steps down in July, she will take over the trade association for the energy sector, which has 70 members and was formed only last month. Ms Knight takes on the role when energy providers, particularly the "big six", have rarely been more criticised for high fuel bills.

New Energy Champion Angela Knight moves from banking to energy

The staunchest defender of the UK's banking industry is set to protect another much-maligned sector, as Angela Knight was named chief executive of Energy UK this weekend.

Ms Knight has headed the British Bankers' Association for five years and even took the Financial Services Authority to court over how banks should compensate victims of mis-selling payment protection insurance.

When the former Conservative MP steps down in July, she will take over the trade association for the energy sector, which has 70 members and was formed only last month. Ms Knight takes on the role when energy providers, particularly the "big six", have rarely been more criticised for high fuel bills.

Energy costs ranked among the most important SME concerns

According to the latest research from the Forum of Private Business, energy costs are among the most important infrastructure issues faced by small businesses in the UK.

The proactive business support organisation, which is focused on the growth and profitability of small businesses, reported the results from its Referendum survey on ‘Infrastructure for Growth'.

A total of 80 percent of Forum members responding to the survey believe that energy costs are ‘very important' or ‘important' when running an SME. The reliability of the energy supply was also highlighted as a key issue for 75 percent of respondents.

This news comes as more businesses begin to look towards renewable energy as an alternative to increasingly expensive conventional fuels. According to solar energy company Eco Environments, the amount of businesses in the UK looking to reduce energy bills and reliance on the National Grid by installing solar PV has increased since Government relaxed planning rules this year.

Energy firms are turned off by Which? switch offer

A CONSUMER rights group which has its customer service centre in Hertford has come under fire for its involvement in an energy bill switch scheme.

Some energy firms have refused to sign up to Which?’s Big Switch because they believe the organisation stands to make too much money from the scheme, which claims to help people reduce their bills.

The registered charity, which has offices in Hertford’s Gascoyne Way, currently has 283,000 consumers signed up and will charge energy firms £40 for each new customer they gain, meaning it could pocket more than £11m.

Founder of energy firm Ecotricity Dale Vince said: “This is not an attack on Which? which generally does a good job but we feel that if they want to become an energy broker they need to make it clear to the public that this is not a purely charitable campaign and has a definite commercial outcome.”

Chief executive of Ware-based supplier Green Energy UK Doug Stewart said: “We don’t pay brokers or price comparison websites because we have just two tariffs and charge our customers the same. We would not offer different tariff rates to customers from Which? to loyal ones who have supported our mission to green up the grid for years.
“The real issue is the cost of energy – that’s the fundamental driver in price.”

E.ON to keep residential #energy prices unchanged in 2012

E.ON, one of Britain's biggest energy suppliers, said on Monday it will not increase energy tariffs for its UK residential customers this year, despite rising wholesale energy prices.

"Unfortunately global energy markets are expected to see an overall trend of rising wholesale prices," Tony Cocker, Chief Executive of E.ON UK said, but he added the would still keep residential prices unchanged.

Cocker's comments come just days after British Gas owner Centrica said the trend for retail energy costs "remains upwards," prompting concerns that household energy bills could rise.

Rising energy costs trigger consumer demand for green energy

Friday 11 May 2012

BREAKING - UK #Energy Consultant M&C Energy is being sold to a French energy giant in a deal that values the consultancy at around £90 million

M&C Energy is being sold to a French energy management giant in a deal that values the Dunfermline-based consultancy at around £90 million.

Lyceum Capital, the London-based private equity business that bought the former McKinnon and Clarke in a £22m deal in 2009, said it has agreed to sell the company to Schneider Electric.

"Contracts have been exchanged and the deal ... is expected to complete in Q2 2012," said Lyceum Capital.

The terms have not been disclosed. It is understood that Schneider Electric has agreed to pay around £90m.

Lyceum bought a controlling stake in M&C to capitalise on growing demand for advice on energy matters.

Sandy McKinnon, a former military intelligence analyst who founded the company, had a stake of around 55%, with his family and associated trusts and funds, at the time of the sale. He retained a minority stake after the sale.

UK #Energy bills warning for the winter as Centrica says its costs are climbing

Wednesday 9 May 2012

Greece’s fragile economy & The Solar Lightning Project

The Unlikely Alliance Behind Clean Energy for Europe.

Of all the places you’d expect to find revolutionary renewable energy innovation, a country being kept afloat by bailouts on a continent plagued by an extended recession is probably amongst the least likely. But an improbable partnership has developed that could re-invent what we thought was possible from transcontinental energy has emerged, and it could signal a change in the way both commercial and residential energy is provided in the future.

How to save #business #energy - hotel installs bicycle-powered television

An eco-friendly hotel in the New Forest, England, has come up with its novel energy-saving initiative, a bicycle-powered television.

Guests in the 'Standing Hat' room at Cottage Lodge in the village of Brockenhurst, can now keep fit, watch their favourite programmes, and do their bit for the environment using the innovative device.

The room also features low-energy lighting, solar panels and a wood-burning stove to produce hot water, and a low-flow toilet and shower to reduce water use.

The hotels publicity also boasts that environmentally-friends paints and low-impact building materials were used throughout, while the room's bed, bedside table, dressing table, wardrobe and mirror were crafted by a local tree surgeon from a single beech tree which fell in the village.

Greater use of #fracking is backed by UK's environment watchdog

Tuesday 8 May 2012

British households could be hit by fuel bill rises this winter as Japanese tsunami pushes wholesale gas price up 28%

Shock as jobs axe falls at #energy broker firm

Court fines UK power firm SSE over doorstep selling

British utility SSE was fined 1.25 million pounds on Friday by an English court for the mis-selling of energy supply contracts to consumers at their front doors three years ago.
SSE will not challenge the verdict and will pay the fine in full, it said.

"We accept that a company of SSE's standing and with SSE's values should not have found itself in this position and we are very sorry that it did," said Stephen Forbes, SSE's director of sales, marketing and energy services.

SSE stopped selling electricity and gas supply contracts at the doorstep in July 2011 and earmarked 5 million pounds in December to reimburse customers who felt they had been misled into signing a contract with SSE.

Friday 4 May 2012

UK #Energy #Broker is jailed for 7-years for £2 million energy fraud

A crooked head of energy procurement for around 120 local authorities has been jailed for seven years after being found guilty of a £2 million fraud.

Ross Knowles, 42, lavished tens of thousands of pounds which he amassed through his complex crimes on luxury purchases including a Jaguar car and trips abroad.

He had a high-flying role as head of energy procurement for the Local Authorities South East Region (Laser) group, managed by Kent County Council's (KCC) commercial services.

In his position, Knowles, of Allington, Maidstone, had responsibility for bulk buying energy for KCC, Kent Police and around 120 local authorities and other public sector bodies. It enabled him to buy vast amounts of energy costing hundreds of millions of pounds but he committed an "extremely daring abuse" of his position, detectives said.

Police said that without the knowledge of KCC commercial services, Knowles negotiated an extra management fee with British Gas owner Centrica of 0.04 pence per kilowatt hour (kWh) to be added to the electric energy supplied and used.

Thursday 3 May 2012

UK #Solar Business RIP | The Market Leading Energy Consultant - Catalyst-Commercial.co.uk

UK winter gas prices and the Japan factor


The price of British gas for delivery this winter has been volatile over the past two months, gaining five percent in the past seven sessions, after nearly one month of downward trading, leaving traders puzzled about future direction.

Uncertainty about the trend comes at a time when large suppliers lock in contracts to deliver gas in the winter - a period when UK gas demand typically soars as users crank up their gas-fuelled heaters, making the winter a benchmark contract.

Tuesday 1 May 2012

Greenpeace provokes Apple on renewable energy stance

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Apple is (finally) confirmed as Bloom Energy’s customer

UK Energy Regulator #Ofgem staff bonus payouts revealed

The energy watchdog has paid more than £1 million in bonuses to staff in the past two years.
Ofgem gave hundreds of employees the rewards in 2010 and 2011 - some in excess of £20,000.

Consumer group the TaxPayers' Alliance criticised the payouts, saying it was "outrageous" that staff at the watchdog have been rewarded, considering it has "overseen devastating rises" in bills.

The official figures reveal a total of £602,969 was dished out to 266 staff in 2010, at an average of £2,267 per person, while last year 346 employees shared a bonus pot of £515,047, at an average of £1,489.

Two members of staff received more than £20,000 in 2010, 14 got more than £10,000 across 2010 and 2011, and 38 pocketed more than £5,000 over the two years.

Our monthly analysis of the UK gas and power markets is now available - May12

Our monthly analysis of the UK gas and power markets is now available on line for the month of May 2012. The service is intended to keep you up to date with all the major news in Europe’s gas and power markets. It is also designed to keep power executives focused on market activity in an easy to digest format.

http://www.catalyst-commercial.co.uk/blog/latest-news/energy-market-report-may12/