Saturday, January 11, 2014
‘Power station has a future’
Npower seems to be charging us too much for our energy
France Oil Giant Is Expected to Seek Shale Gas in Britain
Rip off energy firms take a hit as nearly 150,000 families abandon the Big Six
Network with an array of utilities already registered to attend Social Media in the Utilities Sector
Directors’ Deals: Head of SSE grabs cheap energy deal
Npower homes still hardest hit
British wholesale gas price hits £1.50 as import pipe breaks down
France's Total to invest in Britain's shale gas quest
Total to invest in British shale gas industry
Total of France Is Expected to Seek Shale Gas in Britain
Total set to be the first major oil firm to invest in British shale gas exploration with £30m outlay
French oil giant Total to invest in UK shale gas
Total joins UK's pursuit of shale boom
Friday, January 10, 2014
Bahra Cables inks deals with AREVA, EDF for KACARE nuclear program
France's Total to explore for shale in Britain
Total to invest £30m in Britain’s shale hunt
Total to invest £30m in Britain’s shale gas hunt
Lawsuits and lasting solutions for the Gulf’s red snapper fishery
Total joins UK’s pursuit of shale boom
Open consultation: Implementing the Energy Efficiency Directive: metering and billing of heating and cooling
This consultation document seeks views on the government's approach to the implementation of Articles 9, 10, 11 and 13 of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive, as they apply to district heating, district cooling and communal heating and/or hot water.
The Directive contains some mandatory requirements for metering and billing. Other requirements will be subject to tests of cost-efficiency and technical feasibility.
The consultation proposes a number of ways to implement these requirements. The responsibility for implementation and therefore the impacts will rest primarily with the owners of such schemes.
The consultation will run for six weeks.
A number of workshops are planned where DECC's Heat team will set out the Directive's requirements and the proposed options for implementation.
Please email heatstrategy@decc.gsi.gov.uk if you would like to attend a workshop or if you have any queries or questions about the consultation.
Press release: New Director General for Consumers and Households appointed
Clive Maxwell, Chief Executive of the Office of Fair Trading, is to join the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to lead the department's drive on improving consumer service and choice.
Mr. Maxwell has been appointed Director General of DECC's Consumers and Households Group, which is responsible for the Government's key projects in improving energy efficiency and helping business and domestic energy users obtain the lowest possible bills.
The appointment comes as DECC engages in a major programme of improvements for consumers under energy efficiency schemes such as the Energy Company Obligation and Green Deal, as well as working closely with the energy industry to maximise choice for customers.
Stephen Lovegrove, Permanent Secretary at DECC, said:
I am very pleased that Clive is joining us at such an important time at DECC, when we will be focusing constantly on bringing improvements for consumers. Clive's wide experience in competition and consumer matters will be an incredibly valuable addition as we drive even greater competition in the energy industry to ensure consumers receive the best value in their services.
Mr Maxwell, who will take up his role on 24 February, has been Chief Executive at the OFT since July 2012, after being on the board of the OFT as an Executive Director and previously worked as OFT Senior Director, Services Sector.
Mr. Maxwell said:
I'm really excited about my new role at DECC, working on what I think are some of the biggest issues facing the country. Tackling big issues where I can make a difference is why I joined the Civil Service, one of the many reasons why I've enjoyed working at the OFT, and why I've chosen to stay working in Government.
Prior to joining the OFT, Clive worked in a wide range of roles for HM Treasury from 1992-2009. He led work responding to the financial crisis in 2007-2009, and worked on financial markets and regulation there from 2002.
Clive has represented the UK in numerous international and EU fora, including the European Competition Network and the EU's Financial Services Committee, of which he was Vice-Chairman from 2008-2009.
He worked in Brussels on secondment to the European Commission in 1994-1995, dealing with economic and monetary issues, and on secondment in local government in 1999-2000.
Energy companies to cut bills
RWE npower plans closure of seven UK fossil-fueled power plants
EDF consumer champion rebrand is 'laughable', says fuel poverty group
Primary school pupils learn about saving energy through an interactive ‘play in a day’
By taking part in a variety of activities and games, the pupils have learnt how to write and act out their very own play based on the energy-saving theme and featuring a team of energy-saving superheroes whose mission is to help save energy, money and ultimately the planet.
Some of the pupils also had the opportunity to take part in E.ON's interactive energy-themed play, ‘Town of Total Darkness', featuring Sherlock Holmes, his sidekick Dr Watts-On and their four-legged companion, Gizmo, who are all transported to the present day by a time traveller to find out why the town has no electricity.
Both of the activities are part of E.ON's Energy Experience programme, which is supported with an interactive website and classroom packs. Energy Experience helps young people understand different sources of energy, including sustainable and renewable energy sources and the merits of each.
Elizabeth Brewington, teacher at Pyworthy CE Primary School, Holsworthy said "The ‘play in a day' activity was great and really helped the children to develop confidence and an increased awareness of energy. All the children were engaged and learnt a great deal about saving energy in an interactive, fun way!"
Billie-Jean Poole, Senior Community Relations Officer at E.ON said "This is the first time we've taken our play in a day activity to Devon schools and it's proved popular with both pupils and teachers alike, encouraging the next generation to become responsible energy users and learn how to use no more energy than they need to.
"The way the children have engaged in the activity and created a play about the importance of saving energy in the short amount of time is just brilliant!"
Schools which took part in the activity included Yeo Valley Primary in Barnstable, Kingsacre Primary School in Braunton and Pyworthy CE Primary School in Holsworthy.
To find out more about E.ON's Energy Experience or to download classroom packs, please visit eon-uk.com/energyexperience.
Ends
Notes to editors:
- E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating electricity, retailing power and gas, developing gas storage and undertaking gas and oil exploration and production. It is part of the E.ON group, one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies. E.ON employs around 12,000 people in the UK and more than 72,000 worldwide;
- In the UK, E.ON supplies power and gas to around five million domestic, small and medium-sized enterprise and industrial customers. E.ON also offers innovative energy services and technologies tailored to meet its customers' needs, and is helping customers become energy efficient by encouraging them to insulate their homes, moderate their energy usage and even generate their own power;
For more information contact:
Naomi Troy on 02476 180523 or naomi.troy@eon-uk.com
Which energy firms pocketed £50 green tax rebates?
Natural Gas Heads for Third Weekly Drop as Eastern U.S. Thaws
RWE npower confirms plan to close UK coal power plants
Npower announce price rise reduction of 2.6%
Energy price rises and cuts in full
UK GAS-Revised outlook for milder weather weighs on prices
New deal fits the bill for OAP
Ndew deal fits the bill for OAP
CHP plants to close in UK as RWE opts not to invest
EDF kicks off pan-Euro advertising contest
RWE announces UK power plant closures
Thursday, January 09, 2014
EDF Renewable acquires 300MW wind project
EDF Renewable Energy Acquires Roosevelt Wind Project
Lord Smith ups stake in SSE
Natural Gas Sinks 5%
Gazprom OAO : Russian Federation,Ukraine : NAFTOGAZ UKRAINY and GAZPROM sign supplement to gas contract
RWE npower plans to shut 7 UK power plants by end 2023
Natural gas plunges as warmer weather trumps supply concern
Correspondence: Response to Christian Aid campaign about Typhoon Haiyan
I am writing regarding the emails my Department has received as a result of a campaign launched by Christian Aid, supporting Yeb Sano and the victims of the typhoon in Haiyan, and I would be grateful if you could publish this response on your website.
The UK is providing urgent humanitarian support for up to 800,000 people in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. Thousands of people in remote communities
have lost their homes and everything they own. The UK will provide over £50 million in humanitarian support to help aid get through to hard to reach areas. This support will include providing a team of 12 NHS staff trained to operate under emergency conditions; and vital supplies including water purification kits, temporary shelters, bedding, blankets and solar lanterns.
Turning to the issues of climate change, this is arguably the greatest challenge facing the world today. It is a global issue that affects everyone on the planet. The findings in the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group One Report (http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1/) were clear: warming of the climate system over the last century is unequivocal. Along with temperature increases, we will likely see an increase in extreme weather events which will impact disproportionately on the world's poorest and most vulnerable people.
So we must act. To tackle climate change all the countries in the world must work together. This can only happen through a global frameworik: the Untted Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Your campaign also refers to ending financial support to coal power internationally, and needing to commit to more ambitious reductions in carbon emissions by 2020. The UK continued its strong record of leading on climate change action at the COP in Warsaw: joining the US in agreeing to end support for public financing of new coal-fired power plants overseas, except in rare circumstances in which the poorest countries have no feasible alternative. The two countries will work together to secure the support of other countries and multilateral development banks to adopt similar policies.
The UK is also continuing to push for action to reduce global emissions between now and 2020. Warsaw saw a positive outcome on work to increase pre-2020 mitigation, with all Parties expected to consider how they can increase mitigation ambition next year, through a focus on the sectors where the mitigation potential is high, and which have significant co-benefits, such as energy efficiency. renewables and reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+).
Domestically, the UK is taking action to ensure that the right energy infrastructure is in place to achieve reductions in carbon emissions. Electricity Market Reform (EMR) is a package of measures which are being implemented to help incentivise the investment needed over the coming decade to replace the UK's ageing energy infrastructure wijh a more diverse and low-carbon energy mix. EMR will help ensure that by 2020 the UK will have met its 34 per cent carbon reduction target, and at least 15 per cent of energy will be supplied by renewable sources, in line with EU targets.
Your campaign also refers to the loss and damage mechanism, which countries agreed to set up at the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP) in Doha. The best way to minimise future loss and damage is to agree an ambitious global deal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees.
In Warsaw, countries agreed to establish the Warsaw International Mechanism, with a remit to enhance and promote knowledge of loss and damage, and approaches to
addressing it. The mechanism will help to ensure the institutions under the UNFCCC are better informed and coordinated, particularly in relation to slow onset impacts of climate change like sea level rise or ocean acidification, and to promote the efficient and effective delivery of support to developing countries as they seek to manage these risks. The UK and other developed countries remain committed to supporting countries to manage the risks brought by the impacts of climate change. The UK is already implementing over £800 million of programmes focused on adapting to these impacts through our International Climate Fund.
Kind regards,
Edward Davey
Are your water bills correct? 31st March Deadline...
This charge is for collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal of rainwater that’s falls onto a property, the larger the site surface water the higher the charge and dependant on the category of claim to reduce this charge the claim and supporting documentation must be submitted before 31st March as any claims after this date the clients potential refund could be reduced as some water companies only refund back the last financial year and the cost to you the client could be substantial.
EDF Renewable Buys First New Mexico Wind Project From Infinity
British Gas Diving Championships 2014
Policy paper: Developing DECC’s Evidence Base
This sets out, for the first time, our priority interests for developing evidence to underpin policy development and to learn from delivering polices. Developing DECC's Evidence Base builds on DECC's Science and Innovation Strategy (2012), by taking a multidisciplinary assessment of our medium-term evidence needs.
It helps the Department identify synergies between work areas, allowing areas to join up to achieve better value for money and better outcomes in undertaking analysis or commissioning research. It also provides the basis for considering DECC's future research and analysis priorities.
The document highlights DECC's commitment to open policy making; that we will widen access to the data and modelling associated with or generated through policy delivery. In addition to improving transparency, this will help others contribute effectively to the policy debate, including by developing additional analysis or tools.
We're keen to speak to the external research community about how your research and analysis might be directed to have maximum impact on the policy making process. Contact us via evidence1@decc.gsi.gov.uk.
Alstom sues EDF over nuclear backup power tender
DIRECTOR DEALINGS: SSE Chairman Buys Shares
U.S. Gas Output at Record High, but Growth Pace Slows
RWE Npower to close Aberthaw and Didcot B power stations by 2023
Energy price cuts still leave 'big six' too expensive
RWE npower plans to shut seven UK power plants by end 2023
UPDATE 1-Russia's Gazprom Neft gets first oil at Iraqi oilfield
Everest Data Centres expands connection across facilities with SSE Telecoms
Npower latest big six energy firm to reveal cuts to consumer bills
EDF faces legal challenge over nuclear back-up tender
UPDATE 1-Canadian Natural drops plans to sell Montney shale assets
EDF Renewable Energy acquires 194MW Spinning Spur 3, Texas
Npower to keep hold of savings
UK GAS-Prompt prices fall on oversupply
Wednesday, January 08, 2014
Up to 2,000 frack wells a year needed to cut gas bills: Cost benefits may only be achieved by 'major disruption to landscape'
Press release: Customer communications at heart of review into dealing with widespread power cuts
Following the power disruptions which affected 750,000 households over Christmas, Energy Secretary Edward Davey today met Chief Executives of the companies responsible for maintaining power supplies to thank them for their hard work reconnecting customers as soon as possible, and to identify lessons to be learned.
At a meeting between Distribution Network Operators, Ofgem, the Energy Networks Association, Energy Emergencies Executive, and the Department for Energy and Climate Change, it was agreed that a review into the response to the disruption will report to the Secretary of State within two months.
The review will focus on communications with household energy customers, necessary resources to be able to cope with widespread disruption, and the compensation process. There was also agreement to investigate as quickly as possible the setting up of an emergency telephone number which households can call if they experience a power cut.
Edward Davey said:
fully understand the frustration felt by people whose Christmases were spoiled because of power disruptions, but I also want to pay tribute to the hard work of the engineers who battled appalling weather conditions to try to reconnect homes as quickly as possible.
Clearly, communications with customers must be at the heart of this review as in some cases households were not kept informed of what was being done to help them or when they were likely to be reconnected. In particular, people need to know how to contact the network operator in their region if there is a power cut, and we're looking to introduce a single emergency number which people can call irrespective of where they live.
It's virtually unprecedented for storms to affect such a huge area of the UK for so long, and this prevented network operators helping their colleagues in other regions as would normally happen. So the review will also look at the contingency plans and levels of resources required so that operators can be prepared for the worst should an event like this ever happen again.
Finally, the network operators have agreed to proactively contact customers who may be entitled to compensation. I'm pleased to see that in many cases the companies are offering more than the regulations require them to, but it's important that those people who are owed compensation are properly informed.
The review into power disruptions will feed into a wider review of severe weather response and resilience being led by Defra and the Cabinet Office.
Today's meeting was attended by:
- Frank Mitchell, CEO, Scottish Power Energy Networks
- Robert Symons, CEO, Western Power Distribution
- Basil Scarsella, CEO, UK Power Networks
- Mark Mathieson, Managing Director, Scottish and Southern Energy Networks
- Phil Jones, CEO, Northern Powergrid
- Steve Johnson, CEO, Electricity North West
- Andrew Wright, Interim CEO, Ofgem
- Chris Train, Chair of Energy Emergencies Executive Committee
- David Smith, CEO, Energy Networks Association
EDF 300MW New Mexico wind debut
FOI release: Alcohol purchased by DECC
FOI requesting information on alcohol purchased by DECC from 2007 onwards.
Four reasons California cap and trade had an extraordinary first year
EDF Acquires 194-Megawatt Wind-Power Project in Texas From Cielo
Transparency data: Government procurement card spend over £500: November 2013
A monthly list of spending over £500 made on the Government Procurement Card by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Transparency data: Departmental spend over £500: November 2013
A monthly, updated list of all financial transactions spending over £500 made by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Demand Response Helps Texas Avoid Rolling Blackouts in the Face of Polar Vortex
Natural Gas Drops as Warmer Weather to Follow U.S. Arctic Blast
EDF eyes €3bn to €4bn in second hybrid offering
Npower price cut confirmed - but customers will still be out of pocket
Npower becomes last of the Big Six to cut prices
Energy: British Gas owner's finance director quits
FOI release: Spend on parties
Request for information on the spend on parties for each of the financial years 2007-08 to 2012-13.
EDF Renewable Energy Increases Investment in Texas
RWE last of UK's big six utilities to cut energy bills
Npower's Price Cuts Will Leave Customers Feeling Cold
Offshore wind builders to cut more projects in world's top market
EDF Renewable Energy Sells Wind Project Stake To Japanese Investor
SSE PLC : SSE leads GBP5.4m energy efficiency drive to help 2,000 Scottish homes
npower cuts household energy bills by just 2.6pc
Npower, SSE and Scottish Power price cut: What is your energy supplier doing?
npower announces gas and electricity price reduction
Npower Prices
RWE npower joins British utilities cutting energy bills
NPower Becomes Last Of The Big Six To Reduce Price Hike
Energy bills will be £50 lower insists SSE
Npower completes wave of "green levy" energy price cuts
Marubeni acquires 90 per cent of 102.5MW US wind farm from EDF
Everest Data Centres selects SSE Telecoms to connect facilities across the South East…
Energy firm npower announces £50 off domestic bills
Energy firm SSE to cut consumer dual fuel bills by 3.5%
Npower last of big six to cut energy bills
SSE announce tariff reductions from March
Analysis: Arctic chill exposes weakness of U.S. natural gas system
How Will SSE Plc Fare In 2014?
UK GAS-Week-ahead prices rise on colder weather forecasts
SSE PLC : Director/PDMR Shareholding
Wind energy: EDF Renewable Energy announces partnership with Marubeni Corporation
SSE leads £5.4m fuel poverty project in Scotland
Minimum Alcohol Pricing: Criticism Over U-Turn
Alstom sues EDF over diesel engine tender for nuclear plants
EDF Renewable enters partnership w/ Marubeni Corp.
High Technology Lighting saves SSE energy
Tuesday, January 07, 2014
Marubeni Acquires 90% Stake in EDF’s California Wind Project
Energy British Gas owner's finance director quits
Transparency data: Non-consolidated performance related payments: April 2011 to March 2012
Annual return for DECC non-consolidated performance related payments 2011-12.
FOI release: Expenditure on Christmas parties
Request for information on DECC's expenditure on Christmas parties.
EDF Renewable unit sells stake in California wind energy plant
Natural Gas Retreats as Frigid Weather Set to Ease
EDF Renewable Energy Announces Partnership with Marubeni Corporation
Boss of British Gas owner Centrica could be on his way after loss of right-hand man
Natural gas prices surge on cold snap
SSE to cut dual fuel bills by 3.5% from March
Natural-Gas Prices Pull Back From Record Highs
SSE to cut energy bills but customers face a wait to benefit from government's green levy savings
Britain's SSE will cut energy bills, but later than rivals
SSE moves to cut dual fuel prices
SSE reveals details of price cut
SSE confirms bill reductions
SSE cuts energy bills by 3.5pc from late March
Npower to cut energy bills by 2.6%
SSE to pass on £50 saving to all customers
Escaping the energy 'cartel', and the search for a consumer champion
Another top boss deserts British Gas owner Centrica as finance chief leaves
First gas for GDF Suez in North Sea
UK GAS-Lower wind, colder weather forecasts support prompt
Tributes to plumber who sold company he founded to British Gas for £30m
Boiler offer in £5.4m energy scheme
EDF : EDF's 2013 French Nuclear Power Output Falls Slightly
New £5.4m energy efficiency scheme could cut fuel bills for thousands of households
SSE PLC : SSE leads £5.4m energy efficiency drive to help 2,000 Scottish homes
Centrica's finance director quits
Scottish Power repairs cause lane closure on Runcorn's Weston Point Expressway (From Runcorn and Widnes World)
Peterhead carbon capture: Series of public meetings to be held
npower is expected to unveil gas and electricity price reductions this week
E-petition asks government to enforce fairer energy bills
Open consultation: The Gas and Electricity Regulated Providers (Redress Scheme) Order 2008
Consultation description
The Gas and Electricity Regulated Providers (Redress Scheme) Order 2008 requires energy providers who provide a supply to domestic and micro-business customers to join a redress scheme which has been approved by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA). Energy providers include gas and electricity suppliers, gas transmission and electricity distribution companies. This requirement enables domestic and micro business customers to have access to a redress scheme if they have not been able to resolve a consumer complaint with their energy provider directly.
The Order describes a micro business as one that:
- does not consume more than 55,000 kWh of electricity per year,
- does not consume more than 200,000 kWh of gas per year, or
- employs fewer than 10 employees (or their full time equivalent) and has an annual turnover or balance sheet total not exceeding €2 million.
This allows for micro businesses that typically spend £5,000 on gas or electricity, to have access to the same form of redress arrangements as domestic customers. We are proposing to improve the Order by expanding the consumption levels on the amount of electricity or gas used per year, so that businesses that typically spend up to £10,000 (excluding VAT and other charges) on these fuels per year have the same form of redress arrangements as existing micro business customers.
This consultation seeks responses by 14 February 2014.
Monday, January 06, 2014
RWE npower trims proposed Triton Knoll offshore wind capacity
Canada Natural Gas Hits Two-Year High on Exports to Frigid U.S.
Energy firms STILL won't pass on £50 cut in bills: Only two of 'Big Six' firms have said they will pass on full reduction
FOI release: Oil Pollution Emergency Plans
Request for copies of six Oil Pollution Emergency Plans.
New York Spot Natural-Gas Prices Rise to Record as Cold Approaches
FOI release: Written off loans to energy efficiency companies
Request for information on money lost to DECC when loans advanced to companies for the implementation of energy efficiency projects was written off.
Corporate report: Compliance with the Convention on Nuclear Safety Obligations: 6th national report
This report has been prepared by the United Kingdom (UK) to meet the requirement of Article 5 of the Convention on Nuclear Safety (the Convention). It considers each of the Convention's obligations and explains how the UK addresses them.
Former British Gas boss Phil Bentley out of the cold with Cable & Wireless Communications job
Scottish Power cuts bills by £54
Natural-Gas Futures Near Flat as Deep Freeze Battles Coming Thaw
EDF and Allies Defend EPA Emission Standards for Oil and Gas Pollution
Why natural gas traders shrugged off bearish inventory data
California’s Innovation Story: Real People, Real Solutions
AREVA signs agreement with Saudi groups to develop country's nuclear program
Vestas receives 220 MW U.S. order under EDF Renewable Energy master supply agreement
Five questions answered on Scottish Power’s latest price cuts
Scottish Power confirms price cuts
Corporate report: DECC Review
Updated: The latest DECC Review, a summary of last month's most important news from across the Department.
The DECC Review is a summary of last month's most important news from across the Department - joining up key announcements and initiatives, and showcasing how our objectives on growth, consumers and tackling climate change are being delivered.