Big E.ON Run raises over £20,000 for NSPCC

By VictoriaBlake Hundreds of runners braved the Nottingham rain to take part in The Big E.ON Run, raising more than £20,000 for children's charity NSPCC.

E.ON hosted the event - which took place on Sunday 3rd November and included a 5k and a 10k race, as well as a 5k family stroll - at the National Watersports Centre to raise money for the energy company's designated charity of the year. Friends and family of E.ON colleagues were also invited to take part.

Some 600 people took part, including the company's Chief Executive Tony Cocker and several other members of the E.ON Board, and participants were cheered on by their colleagues.

Anthony Ainsworth, E.ON's Sales and Marketing Director completed the 10k run and said: "The rain certainly did not dampen spirits and we were delighted to see so many people taking part and coming along to support this great cause.

"It is the 25th anniversary of ChildLine in Nottingham this year so raising money for the NSPCC is all the more poignant at this time. We're excited to have raised so much money for this very worthwhile cause."

Chris Jarrett, Head of Corporate Partnerships at NSPCC, added: "The Big E.ON Run was a fantastic event and we're grateful to everyone who made it such a success, especially those who raised money by taking part. The funds raised will support the NSPCC's vital work in helping to prevent abuse and keeping children safe from harm.

"The event couldn't have happened without the E.ON volunteers so we must also thank them for coming out on such a rainy day to cheer our participants on to the finish line."

To find out more about E.ON's activity in local communities visit the Community Relations pages at eonenergy.com/community

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 at E.ON on 02476 180 523 or naomi.troy@eon-uk.com

E.ON UK Q3 Supply Activities: Sales up significantly but supply profit falls when compared with H1 level (EBITDA Q3 2013: £236m / H1 2013: £273m)

By AndrewBarrow

E.ON UK has today (WED) announced details of its financial performance for the first nine months of 2013. E.ON operates the different parts of its activities separately in the UK, and they are individually reported below.

UK Supply Activities (i.e. Residential, SME and Corporate Supply)

E.ON UK Chief Executive, Tony Cocker said: "Our turnover has increased significantly compared to last year, and we have also seen a very small increase in what we have earned compared with the same period. It is also notable that we have been running our supply business at a loss of around £37m¹ for the last three months.

"The costs we control, such as running our contact centres, have fallen but the costs we don't control such as networks and government schemes have risen and are set to continue into next year. According to Ofgem's recently released figures² we have already delivered ahead of the industry towards our ECO targets and have done so as efficiently and as cost effectively as possible. However it is also clear that we are not just being asked to do more but also to complete more complex home improvements.

"Whilst we will not comment on speculation, it is fair to say that we are being put in a position where it is increasingly likely that we will need to pass on some of these increases in costs to our customers. This is always a last resort and, as was the case last year, we are holding back any increase for our customers for longer than any of the other large energy suppliers. We will also seek to minimise any increase whilst making sure we maintain a sustainable supply business in the UK. That is right for our colleagues and right for our customers."

E.ON UK Q3 Generation, Upstream and other activities in the UK:
Profits down by 47% but investment remains almost double amount earned

Generation, Upstream and other activities operating in the UK:

Commenting on the results seen across E.ON's other activities in the UK, Tony Cocker said: "The lower EBITDA for E.ON's other activities in the UK for the year so far is attributable to a number of factors including the closure of Kingsnorth power station under the LCPD and the fact that gas power stations remain barely profitable.

"This year we have seen increased costs through government policies such as the Carbon Price Floor which is simply a tax that artificially inflates the end price for consumers, provides revenue for the Exchequer and acts as a subsidy to operators of existing nuclear plants. We believe it should be scrapped. However, if it is not scrapped, the money it raises should be used for energy efficiency. This is why we support the Energy Bill Revolution, which is calling for the Carbon Price Floor revenues to be reinvested to improve the energy efficiency in UK homes."

E.ON's investment levels in the UK continue to outstrip profit levels significantly. Capacity will continue to be built through projects such as the state-of-the-art biomass power station, Blackburn Meadows, Humber Gateway offshore wind farm and by securing energy supplies for the future by exploring the North Sea. Most notably, in the last quarter E.ON E&P UK Ltd, along with its partner Dana Petroleum, gave details of a significant gas discovery in the Tolmount field.

Ends

Notes to editors:

1 = H1 2013, data published on 13^th August 2013. http://pressreleases.eon-uk.com/blogs/eonukpressreleases/archive/2013/08/13/1959.aspx

2 = https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem-publications/84352/ecocomplianceupdate-october2013quarterlyannexv1.pdf

For more information contact:

Scott Somerville (02476 183 438 or 07540 817 936)
Victoria Blake (02476 181 304 or 07738 143 903)
Roxanne Postle (02476 195 785 or 07815 494 468)

SSE says will cut power price rise if government acts

The government has said it will make an announcement in December on the plan to shift some of its environmental and social charges away from companies so they can reduce bills. "We would look to implement and pass on any cost reductions that we ...

‘E.ON Energy Action Fund' launched to fuel projects

By NaomiTroy As part of its commitment to helping communities better manage their energy consumption, energy company E.ON is launching a second round of funding to support worthwhile causes and is calling on members of the public to submit nominations.

Local community centres which need to improve their energy efficiency and schools or charities looking to add a spark to the area through energy education, can all apply for funding.

Applications for the E.ON Energy Action Fund can be submitted for a range of energy related improvements and activities, from appliances and insulation to educational events. Priority will be given to projects focused on reducing energy use and renewable energy.

Successful projects will receive anything from £50 up to £2,000, from E.ON to power their plans for a more efficient future.

Amy Cross, at E.ON, said: "This is a great opportunity for local organisations to take charge of their energy usage and it is our way of showing our support for local communities. E.ON's first Energy Action Fund, which ran earlier this year, was a great success and we look forward to supporting more energy related projects, which will help save money and reduce energy use across the community.

"We're keen to help as many people as possible across the area but funding is limited so applications should be made early."

The fund is open for applications from now until Friday 6th December. Interested parties should visit www.eonenergy.com/energyactionfund to apply and for terms and conditions.

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;


• E.ON has been voted Britain's best energy supplier for the second year running in the uSwitch.com Customer Satisfaction Awards. The independent report and awards are published annually and are based on a YouGov poll of over 5,000 energy customers;

For more information contact:

Naomi Troy at E.ON on 02476 180 523 or naomi.troy@eonenergy.com

E.ON comment on Ofgem energy efficiency announcement

By AndrewBarrow Responding to the publication of Ofgem figures on delivery of the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO), Don Leiper, Director of Energy Efficiency at E.ON, said: "We have worked extremely hard in recent years to complete all elements of the previous CERT and CESP obligations and these figures prove we are leading the field when it comes to delivering the ECO obligation, helping tens of thousands of people around the country to control their energy use and reduce their fuel bills.

"A lot has been said recently about the cost of energy efficiency schemes like ECO and the impact they have on customers' bills. It is true that large parts of what makes up an energy bill are largely out of our control and are rising but that doesn't mean we can't manage those costs effectively - and we have done so with ECO whilst still delivering real help to customers.

"Energy efficiency schemes like this bring real benefits to communities and we should not lose sight of the fact that across the country there are hundreds of thousands of families living in homes that are in desperate need of improvement.

"Now is not the time to scale back on energy efficiency. It's vital that we continue to improve the fabric of our homes and reduce the amount of energy our customers need to use, but we need to do that in the most efficient, cost effective way for all customers. That is why we have publicly called for ECO to remain in place but in a simplified form and funded through general taxation rather than through individual energy bills so the costs of these schemes fall more fairly on those able to fund them."

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. 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;


• E.ON's generation portfolio includes world-class gas-, coal- and biomass-fired power stations. E.ON is a market leader in combined heat and power (CHP), and is one of the UK's leading green generators;


• One of the many ways E.ON leads the energy industry is through its commitment to market liquidity and transparency as evidenced by its actions on the day-ahead UK power markets including the N2EX auction. E.ON was the first company to sign a gross-bidding agreement with N2EX.

Energy Prices, will VAT changes mean a further 15% increase

EU consultation on the abolishment of reduced rate VAT, appears to suggest an imminent 15% increase on energy bills over and above the recent increases. Consultation closed January 2013 - no apparent evidence of UK attempting to protect the status quoe

Scottish Power becomes latest energy firm to up prices

Scottish Power has become the latest energy company to raise its prices as splits appear in the Coalition over whether to roll back green taxes. Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship reports: ScottishPower will raise the average prices of its duel fuel bills ...

Scottish Power to raise prices by 8.6% from 6 December

Scottish Power has announced a price rise of 8.6% for dual-fuel energy bills from 6 December. The company said it would increase gas prices by 8.5% and electricity prices by 9%. The move comes amid political wrangling over the issue of energy ...

Scottish Power to pay $13.7 million fine for bad sales

One of the UK's so-called ‘Big 6'energy companies, which hold a monopoly over electricity and gas pricing, Scottish Power will pay $13.7 million (£8.5 million) out to customers after Britain's energy watchdog exposed sneaky sales tactics.

Scottish Power to pay £8.5m for mis-selling – are you due a share?

Scottish Power is sending letters to 336,000 households who ... and factors in your usage and postcode. Though right now, people should urgently consider locking in cheap prices with a fixed tariff to beat the price hikes." Energy Secretary Ed Davey ...

Scottish Power ordered to pay £8.5m for misleading customers

Scottish Power has been ordered to pay out £8.5m by the energy regulator after customers were misled by the company's doorstep and telesales agents. The energy provider apologised "unreservedly" after Ofgem found adequate processes were not in place to ...

Scottish Power agrees to pay out £8.5m for misleading consumers

Scottish Power has agreed to pay out £8.5m after an investigation by the UK energy regulator found the company had misled customers. The fine comes ahead of an expected announcement of increases in tariffs by Scottish Power and the remainder of the “big ...

Scottish Power Fined £8.5 Million After Mis-selling Probe

Energy giant Scottish Power is to pay £8.5 million to customers after an investigation by regulator Ofgem found that the group provided misleading information through its doorstep and telesales agents. The watchdog said that, between October 2009 and ...

Scottish Power to pay customers £8.5 million for mis-selling

Watchdog Ofgem said on Tuesday that Iberdrola's Scottish Power did not appropriately monitor its doorstep and telephone sales agents, which led to the misleading information being given - a breach of its marketing licence conditions. The money ...

Consultation outcome: Smart meters: draft amendments to supply licence conditions for domestic and non-domestic markets

By HM Government

Updated: Government response published.

The government is seeking views on a number of proposed changes to Supply Licence conditions, including amendments clarifying the policy position and amendments resulting from the change in the completion date for the smart metering roll-out from 31 December 2019 to 31 December 2020. This consultation is set out in Part 2 of this document, with the draft licence conditions that would give effect to these proposed changes set out in Annex 4 to Parts 1 and 2. This consultation has two closing dates: section (i) closes on 19 November 2013; and sections (ii) and (iii) close on 3 December 2013.

Consultation outcome: Licence conditions for non-domestic smart metering issues

By HM Government

Updated: Government response published.

Part 1 of this document contains the government's response to its 1 July 2013 open letter consultation on rules governing smart and advanced metering in the non-domestic market. The government is now seeking views on draft, amended licence conditions set out in Annex 4 to Parts 1 and 2 of the document that give effect to the government's decisions following the open letter consultation. These decisions include confirmation that the date to which advanced electricity and gas metering may be installed at smaller non-domestic premises, and not replaced before the end date for the roll-out, will be extended to 5 April 2016. Any contractual arrangements providing for continued installation of advanced metering after 5 April 2016 and until the roll-out completion date will need to be in place at that point.

Consultation outcome: Domestic market: licence conditions to implement the EU Energy Efficiency Directive provisions on consumer access to consumption and export data from smart meters

By HM Government

Updated: Government response published.

The government is seeking views on draft licence conditions that would give effect to the government's implementation of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive requirements for domestic consumers to have easy access to 24 months of daily, weekly, monthly and annual historical consumption data, and to have export data (where it is recorded) made available in an easily understandable format. This consultation is set out in Part 3 of this document, with the draft licence conditions set out in Annex 2 to Part 3. These licence conditions also include drafting to give effect to the government's decision that non-domestic consumers with smart meters should have an equivalent right to minimum access to data as those with advanced meters.

Scottish Power to pay customers £8.5m after Ofgem probe

Scottish Power is to pay customers £8.5m after an investigation by industry regulator Ofgem into its doorstep and telephone selling. Ofgem said customers were misled during sales approaches due to Scottish Power's failure to "adequately train ...

Ofgem orders Scottish Power to pay customers £8.5m for giving them 'misleading information'

Energy giant Scottish Power has been ordered to pay £8.5 million in compensation to its customers after an investigation by regulator Ofgem found the group gave misleading information through its doorstep and telesales agents. The watchdog said that ...

Scottish Power customer seeks "other" explanation after switching

I switched gas and electricity supplier in July from Scottish Power to Sainsbury's Energy. I provided the meter readings as requested by Sainsbury's Energy, and then went on holiday. I received an estimated final bill from Scottish Power that contained ...

British Gas bosses face a Twitter firestorm as they put up bills by 9.2%

British Gas bosses were subjected to a Twitter tirade yesterday as they battled to justify a punishing 9.2 per cent price rise that will add £123 a year to the average dual-fuel energy bill. Customer services director Bert Pijls was on the ...

British Gas: energy bills price hike turns into PR disaster

British Gas has turned a consumer and political backlash over a 10% increase in energy bills into a public relations disaster after trying to head off criticism of the price hike by using social media. Nearly 16,000 Twitter comments – most of them ...

Collection: National Energy Efficiency Data-Framework (NEED)

By HM Government

Updated: Off gas data December 2013 added to the NEED collection of data and stats.

The National Energy Efficiency Data-Framework (NEED) was set up by DECC to provide a better understanding of energy use and energy efficiency in domestic and non-domestic buildings in Great Britain. The data framework matches gas and electricity consumption data, collected for DECC sub-national energy consumption statistics, with information on energy efficiency measures installed in homes, from the Homes Energy Efficiency Database (HEED). It also includes data about property attributes and household characteristics, obtained from a range of sources.

The June 2011 publication is on the National Archives website.

Collection: Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) statistics

By HM Government

Updated: Latest statistics published.

This series presents statistics on the Green Deal (GD) and Energy Company Obligation (ECO). This series includes monthly figures on the number of GD assessments, Plans, Cashback and the GD supply chain as well as information on ECO brokerage and measures installed under ECO. More detailed analysis is presented in quarterly releases.

Cameron urges customers to DITCH British Gas after it hikes prices by nearly TEN per cent - adding £123 to bills for 8 million homes

I think a lot of customers find it utterly baffling how many tariffs they have. 'But there is something everyone can do, which is look to switch their electricity or gas bill from one supplier to another. 'On average, this can help people save ...

British Gas to raise prices by 9.2%

British Gas is to increase prices for domestic customers, with a dual-fuel bill going up by 9.2% from 23 November. The increase, which will affect nearly eight million households in the UK, includes an 8.4% rise in gas prices and a 10.4% ...

British Gas raises energy prices by 9.2%

British Gas will raise energy prices by an average of 9.2% next month, piling further financial pressure on 7.8 million households and reigniting the political row over soaring gas and electricity prices. Parent company Centrica became the second of the ...

SSE chief questions green energy policy

THE head of the power company at the centre of a row over its rising bills has questioned the government's carbon-tax policy for green energy. Alistair Phillips-Davies, the chief executive of SSE, has queried whether ministers should be thinking more ...

Collection: DECC structure and staff information

By HM Government

Updated: Latest returns published.

DECC structure

• Interactive structure chart for DECC

This external link provides an interactive click-through structure for DECC. It gives details of name, job title and salary costs for Senior Civil Servants and their teams with information about the team and job descriptions. It is an online interactive tool and is not intended to be nor has the functionality to be printed. This organogram is updated on a 6 monthly basis and represents the position as at 31 March and 30 September each year.

DECC staff information

Six monthly lists showing salary details per grade of staff at DECC.

Previous returns are available from the National Archive.

Collection: Energy Act

By HM Government

Updated: The Energy Act received Royal Assent on 18 December 2013. The policy briefs have been updated to reflect the change to an Act.

On Thursday, November 29th 2012, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change confirmed the Introduction of the Energy Bill to the House of Commons alongside the Annual Energy Statement.

The Energy Act received Royal Assent on 18 December 2013. Details of the Bill's Parliamentary passage are available on the Parliament website.

This series brings together all of the department's documentation for the Energy Act. The publications are listed on this page.

The Delegated Powers Memorandum and the Memorandum on European Convention on Human Rights compatibility can also be found on this page.

The Energy and Climate Change Committee conducted pre-legislative scrutiny on the Electricity Market Reform provisions of the draft Bill. Their report was published on 23 July and can be viewed in full on the parliament.uk: Energy and Climate Change Committee web pages. The Government's response to this was published alongside the Bill's Introduction to Parliament, and is available below.

The Lords informal scrutiny group, chaired by Lord Oxburgh conducted pre-legislative scrutiny of the Electricity Market Reform provisions of the draft Energy Bill. The group wrote to Lord Marland, Baroness Verma's predecessor, commenting on the draft Bill.

Baroness Verma wrote to the Lords informal scrutiny group upon the Bill's Introduction into the House of Commons on 29 November 2012, to respond to their comments.

This Act will establish a legislative framework for delivering secure, affordable and low carbon energy and includes provisions on:

Decarbonisation

These provisions enable the Secretary of State to set a 2030 decarbonisation target range for the electricity sector in secondary legislation. A decision to exercise this power will be taken once the Committee on Climate Change has provided advice on the level of the 5th Carbon Budget, which covers the corresponding period (2028-32), and when the government has set this budget, which is due to take place in 2016.

Electricity Market Reform (EMR)

This Act puts in place measures to attract the £110 billion investment which is needed to replace current generating capacity and upgrade the grid by 2020, and to cope with a rising demand for electricity. This includes provisions for:

• Contracts for Difference (CFD): long-term contracts to provide stable and predictable incentives for companies to invest in low-carbon generation;


• Capacity Market: to ensure the security of electricity supply including provisions to allow Electricity Demand Reduction to be delivered;


• Conflicts of Interest and Contingency Arrangements: to ensure the institution which will deliver these schemes is fit for purpose;


• Investment Contracts: long-term contracts to enable early investment in advance of the CFD regime coming into force in 2014;


• Access to Markets: This includes Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), to ensure the availability of long-term contracts for independent renewable generators, and liquidity measures to enable the Government to take action to improve the liquidity of the electricity market, should it prove necessary;


• Renewables Transitional: transition arrangements for investments under the Renewables Obligation scheme; and


• Emissions Performance Standard (EPS): to limit carbon dioxide emissions from new fossil fuel power stations.

A policy overview of EMR is below, but you can also view the EMR webpages for further detail.

Nuclear regulation

The Act places the interim Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) on a statutory footing as the body to regulate the safety and security of the next generation of nuclear power plants. This includes setting out the ONR's purposes and functions.

Government pipe-line and storage system

The Act includes provisions to enable the sale of the Government Pipe-line and Storage System (GPSS). This includes providing for the rights of the Secretary of State in relation to the GPSS, registration of those rights, compensation in respect of the creation of new rights or their exercise, and for transferral of ownership, as well as powers to dissolve the Oil and Pipelines Agency by order.

Strategy and policy statement

The Act improves regulatory certainty by ensuring that Government and Ofgem are aligned at a strategic level through a Strategy and Policy Statement (SPS), as recommended in the Ofgem Review of July 2011.

Consumer Protection

• to set a limit on the number of energy tariffs offered to domestic consumers; require the automatic move of customers from poor value closed tariffs to cheaper deals; require the provision of information by suppliers to consumers on the best alternative deals available to them from them


• to allow Ofgem to extend its licence regime to third-party intermediaries, such as switching websites


• to provide a new enforcement power for Ofgem to require energy businesses that breach gas or electricity licence conditions, or other relevant regulatory requirements, to provide redress to consumers who suffer detriment as a result of the breach


• to amend the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act to propose a new target for fuel poverty that would be set through secondary legislation

In addition:

• a provision to allow the FITs scheme to include community energy projects with a capacity of up to 10MW (an increase on the current ceiling of 5MW)


• to provide an exception to the prohibition of participating in the transmission of electricity, during testing in the commissioning period of Offshore Transmission connections, constructed by or on behalf of developers also constructing an offshore generating station


• a provision that enables DECC to charge fees for providing energy resilience services in the event of a disruption, or threatened disruption to energy supplies


• to extend the existing regime for recovering from industry the Department's external adviser costs relating to the Waste Transfer Contract and any agreement reached under Section 46 of the Energy Act 2008. This will also extend the existing cost recovery regime to cover the period between notification by an operator of its intention to submit a Funded Decommissioning Programme and formal submission.


• a provision to enable the Secretary of State to require private landlords to provide smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarms.

MTA votes to credit Metro-North riders after hellish New Haven power failure

MTA votes to credit Metro-North riders after hellish New Haven power failure. The railroad also announced that service on the line will be increased to about 65% of normal on Wednesday. “Because of the unprecedented magnitude and duration of this ...

RPT-Fitch Affirms SSE PLC at 'A-'; Stable Outlook

Fitch Ratings has affirmed SSE PLC's Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'A-'with a Stable Outlook. Fitch has also affirmed SSE's senior unsecured debt at 'A-', the Short-term IDR at 'F2' and subordinated notes at 'BBB'. The ratings ...

British Gas introduces Hive Active Heating, enables remote thermostat control

Home automation isn't just the domain of hackers, Kickstarter projects and startups anymore -- now utilities companies are getting in on the action, too. British Gas has recently announced Hive Active Control Heating, its platform for automated ...

Statistics: Energy trends section 3: oil and oil products

By HM Government

Updated: Latest JODI table published.

Press enquiries should be directed to the DECC press office: Tel: 0300 068 5223. Other enquiries about these statistics should be directed to:

All tables, except table 3.7, Michael Williams, Michael.Williams2@decc.gsi.gov.uk, 0300 068 6865 for upstream oil or William Spry, William.Spry@decc.gsi.gov.uk, 0300 068 6988 for downstream oil.

Table 3.7, Mike Earp, e-mail mike.earp@decc.gsi.gov.uk, tel: 0300 068 5784.

British Gas robo home remote gets itself into hot water

Energy has been in the news again lately, but not in the way that suppliers would favour. On Tuesday, opposition leader Ed Miliband promised to freeze energy prices for 20 months if Labour made it into power. It's a message British Gas was keen to forget ...

British Gas broke into businesswoman's home over an unpaid bill despite not having any gas appliances in her flat

British Gas has been forced to apologise to a businesswoman after the company broke into her home to switch off a gas supply that didn't even exist. Stephanie MacDonald-Walker was stunned when she came home to find a worker from the energy giant ...

Statistical data set: Weekly road fuel prices

By HM Government

Updated: Weekly road fuel stats updated.

Table last updated on 23 December 2013.

Weekly fuel prices

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 233KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request a different format.

If you use assistive technology and need a version of this document
in a more accessible format please email
correspondence@decc.gsi.gov.uk
quoting your address, telephone number along with the title of the
publication ("Weekly fuel prices").

The weekly fuel prices table reports on the cost of unleaded petrol (ULSP) and unleaded diesel (ULSD). The table is updated every Tuesday at 0930.

For enquiries concerning this table contact Susan Lomas.

Tel: 0300 068 5047

Email: susan.lomas@decc.gsi.gov.uk

Collection: Green Deal Assessment Research

By HM Government

Updated: Full report published

The Department of Energy and Climate Change commissioned GfK NOP to conduct three surveys on samples of households who have had a Green Deal Assessment in order to find out more about the experience, and what households have done and plan to do since having the assessment.

• wave one of the research focused on assessments between launch (28 January) and 31 March


• wave two of the research focused on assessments between 01 April and 30 June


• wave three of the research focused on assessments between 01 June and 31 August

Edinburgh Energy Exhibition - 19th September

A major energy efficiency exhibition is coming to Edinburgh on Thursday 19th September.

Covering both the Green Deal and Renewable Heat Incentive, this should be a useful show for business of all sizes.

 

COMMERCIAL THEATRE
10:00 - 10:30	STIEBEL ELTRON How Heat Pumps Deliver Free Energy & Increase Business for Installers.
10:30 - 11:00	BAXI COMMERCIAL Mini-CHP: Microgeneration that Really Works.
11:00 - 12:00	B&ES Lack of Integration - The Enemy of Energy Efficiency
12:00 - 12:30	VIESSMANN Commercial Integration between Gas Boilers & Renewables
12:30 - 13:00	AIRFLOW Ventilation & the Building Regulations
13:00 - 13:30	WINDHAGER Commercial Biomass Heating
13:30 - 14:00	REXEL Energy Monitoring - Knowledge is Power
14:00 - 14:30	KRANNICH Mono-Poly Money: Understanding & Selling the True Value of Commercial PV

GREEN DEAL THEATRE
10:10 - 10:40	KNAUF INSULATION Whole House Retrofit Solutions
10:40 - 11:10	EASY MCS, EASY GREEN DEAL Green Deal & MCS, the Easy Way
11:10 - 12:10	MICROPOWER COUNCIL Maximising the Green Deal Opportunity
12:10 - 12:40	PLUMB CENTER Green Deal & ECO made easy
12:40 - 13:10	GREEN DEAL SKILLS ALLIANCE Are we there yet? Green Deal, ECO skills & the marketplace
13:10 - 14:10	NAPIT Build Your Business with NAPIT
14:10 - 14:40	GREEN DEAL CONSULTING Keep Calm & Green Deal with it

RHI Theatre
09:50 - 10:20	DECC (Department of Energy & Climate Change) Renewable Heat Incentive – the First Step to Transforming the Way we Heat our Homes
10:20 - 10:50	PLUMB CENTER RHI - Making Renewable Do-Able
10:50 - 11:20	WINDHAGER RHI & Biomass Heating
11:20 - 11:50	NATWEST Total Energy Management
11:50 - 12:20	NIBE The Installer's Guide to RHI
12:20 - 13:20	MICROPOWER COUNCIL RHI: Paving the way for Renewable Heat
13:20 - 13:50	DAIKIN Maximising RHI Potential for Air-to-Water Heat Pumps
13:50 - 14:50	GAS SAFE REGISTER Where Energy Efficiency & Gas Safety Meet

ENERGY EFFICIENCY DEMO STATION
10:15 - 10:45	ADEY MagnaClean Professional 2 & MagnaCleanse: Best Practice Solution from Adey
10:45 - 11:15	VIESSMANN Domestic Integration between Gas Boilers & Renewables
11:15 - 11:45	KNAUF INSULATION Internal Wall Insulation for Solid Walls & Hard to Treat Properties
11:45 - 12:15	SALAMANDER Home Boost - An Energy Efficient Solution to Low Mains Pressure & Flow
12:15 - 12:45	RINNAI Continuous Flow Water Heaters: an Innovative Solution to meet Energy & Regulatory Demands.
12:45 - 13:15	KNAUF INSULATION External Wall Insulation for Solid Walls & Hard to Treat Properties
13:15 - 13:45	TESTO See More with Thermal Imaging Cameras
13:45 - 14:15	ZUMTOBEL Use Less Energy, Get Better Lighting Quality

Emissions Increase as Economy Improves

Figures showing a 4% increase in Scotland's carbon footprint between 2009 and 2010 are being described as "deeply worrying" by Scottish Green MSPs.

MSPs have said the increase is a particular concern as it follows a 19% fall in the country's carbon footprint in 2009.

From 1998, the footprint rose by 15% to a peak of 101.1 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2007 before falling to 78.7 MtCO2e in 2009.

In 2010, Scotland's carbon footprint was 82.2 MtCO2e, 6% less than in 1998 (87.9 MtCO2e) but a significant rise on the previous year.

The footprint of 82.2 MtCO2e includes emissions associated with goods and services bought in as well as those generated in the country.

Imports, due to a lack of manufacturing, are cited as the reason behind the increase, and there has been a 5% rise in emissions from private motoring since 1998.

Green MSP for Glasgow and co-convener of the Scottish Greens, Patrick Harvie, said that it is "deeply worrying" that Scotland's carbon footprint has "returned to an upward trajectory", citing changes to Government policy as a possible solution to the issue

Harvie said: "It appears to bear out our prediction that without real policy change, the reductions which were caused by the recession would be wiped out, and that emissions would rebound as the economic recovery began.

"Scotland is currently missing the opportunity to build a more equal, more sustainable and more resilient economy, which meets people's needs without destroying the environmental conditions we depend upon. Just a few short years after passing the Climate Change Act, we're falling ever further behind our own targets," he added.

Ipswich: Haven Power shortlisted in 2013 Energy Awards

Business electricity supplier Haven Power has been shortlisted in the Supplier of the Year category of this year's Energy Awards. To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in. The awards, which look at all-round performance, sees Haven ...

Energylinx scores 100% in OFGEM review

ENERGYLINX: For the fourth time in a row, Energylinx has been awarded a perfect score on its quarterly audit.

CBI shining a light on business energy efficiency

In ‘Shining a Light: Uncovering the business energy efficiency opportunity’, the CBI is calling for the Government to:

• Re-assess all current business energy efficiency policies and ensure that any new initiatives add value to the framework. Bring together and streamline the various policy strands to create a coherent framework and set out plans to engage businesses on the ground when designing, implementing and communicating policies


• Support large and energy-intensive users, implementing a coherent policy for Combined Heat and Power


• Back mid-sized businesses by using the Business Bank to raise awareness among firms of the financial schemes available and begin to look at how the Green Deal could be successfully expanded to business users


• Consider how Business Rates could incentivise investment in energy efficiency - by waiving rates for refurbishment of empty properties in the short-term.

Rhian Kelly, CBI Director for Business Environment policy, said:

“Energy efficiency has sneaked under the radar in the UK’s energy debate and is making a material contribution to UK growth. But there is so much economic and environmental potential that remains unfulfilled.

“With energy prices still on the rise, energy efficiency can help mitigate the impact on firms, particularly heavy users."

Energy Efficiency Exhibitions across the UK

Learn more about energy efficient products for your business - Free

6 Venues nationwide:

South-West
Westpoint Arena, Exeter	10th September
Midlands
Ricoh Arena, Coventry	12th September
North-East
Metro Arena, Newcastle	17th September
Scotland
Highland Centre, Edinburgh	19th September
South-East
Sandown Park, Surrey	24th September
North-West
Event City, Manchester	26th September

Statistical data set: RHI mechanism for budget management: estimated commitments

By HM Government

Updated: November 2013 monthly data published.

The quarterly forecast shows the current estimated committed expenditure for the next 12 months based on the number of Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) applications and accreditations. It advises whether any tariffs will be reduced, the level of reduction, and what the new tariff(s) will be, and when they will take effect.

The monthly budget forecast will be published by the last day of each month. It includes the current estimated committed expenditure for the next 12 months based on the number of RHI applications received. It is for information only and no reductions to tariffs will be made as a result of the information contains.

Previous estimated committed expenditure for 2012/13.

Monthly forecast (as at 30 November 2013)

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Quarterly forecast (as at 31 October 2013)

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Quarterly forecast (as at 31 July 2013)

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Quarterly forecast (as at 30 April 2013)

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Degression methodology

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Degression factsheet

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Degression Q&A

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Statistical data set: Monthly and annual prices of road fuels and petroleum products

By HM Government

Updated: Latest table published.

Table last updated 30 January 2014.

Monthly: Typical/average annual retail prices of petroleum products and a crude oil price index (QEP 4.1.1 and 4.1.2)

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For enquiries concerning this table contact Susan Lomas.

Tel: 0300 068 5047

Email: susan.lomas@decc.gsi.gov.uk

Statistical data set: International road fuel prices

By HM Government

Updated: Latest table published.

Table last updated 30 January 2014.

Monthly: Premium unleaded petrol/diesel prices in the EU (QEP 5.1.1 and 5.2.1)

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For enquiries concerning this table contact Ashley O'Neill.

Tel: 0300 068 5057

Email: ashley.oneill@decc.gsi.gov.uk

Statistical data set: Energy trends section 7: weather

By HM Government

Updated: Latest tables published.

Average temperatures and deviations from the long term mean (ET 7.1)

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Average wind speed and deviations from the long term mean (ET 7.2)

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Average daily sun hours and deviations from the long term mean (ET 7.3)

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Average monthly rainfall and deviations from the long term mean (ET 7.4)

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For enquiries concerning these tables contact Anwar Annut.

Tel: 0300 068 5060

Email: anwar.annut@decc.gsi.gov.uk

Statistical data set: Domestic energy price indices

By HM Government

Updated: Latest tables published.

Tables last updated 30 January 2014.

Retail prices index UK: fuel components in the UK/relative to GDP deflator (QEP 2.1.1 and 2.1.2)

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Retail prices index: fuels components monthly figures (QEP 2.1.3)

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For enquiries concerning these tables contact Sam Trewin

Tel: 0300 068 5162

Email: sam.trewin@decc.gsi.gov.uk

ScottishPower to offer business customers more flexibility

ENERGYLINX: ScottishPower has announced that from April 2014 it will stop offering default auto-rollover contracts to new business customers.

EDF and E.ON catch up, leaving Scottish Power out in the cold.

Both EDF Energy and E.ON UK have announced they are to end auto-rollovers for small businesses, leaving Scottish Power as the last of the Big Six to lock businesses into auto-rollover contracts.

The announcements made on 20th and 23rd August follow those made by SSE, British Gas and RWE npower confirming they would end the process.

E.ON said that before next April, when it will launch new products without an auto-rollover option, it will encourage its existing customers to opt out of being automatically rolled over.

EDF Energy customers who do not contact the supplier at the end of their contract will now have their prices frozen for a year, and will be able to leave at any time during that period without incurring costs.

British Gas removes two tariffs from market

ENERGYLINX: British Gas is to remove its Discount Variable August 2013 and Online Variable August 2013 tariffs from the market, effective from 31 August.

Sainsbury's Energy set to remove Online Variable August 2013

ENERGYLINX: Sainsbury's Energy is set to remove its Online Variable August 2013 tariff from the market, effective from 31 August.

ScottishPower to remove Fixed Saver September 2013

ENERGYLINX: ScottishPower is set to remove its Fixed Saver September 2013 tariff from the market, effective from 31 August.

nPower to remove two tarrifs from the market

ENERGYLINX: nPower is set to remove its Go-Fix 12 and Bill Saver August 2013 tariffs from the market, effective from 31 August.

No more roll-overs from SSE - April 2014

SSE has confirmed it will end automatic contract rollovers for small businesses from April 2014. Whilst this is a welcome move by SSE, parent company of Scottish Hydro, Southern Energy and Swalec, it is a shame this hasn't happened sooner.

The company's decision follows those made by British Gas and RWE npower to end the process.

SSE said it would also, from 2014, extend its existing micro-business back-billing commitment to cover small businesses – this means they will not be back-billed beyond 12 months, where SSE's error has led to underpayment.

nPower changes business approach

ENERGYLINX: nPower has announced that from April 2014 it will stop offering default auto-rollover contracts to new business customers.

Pioneer Energy launches new line of tariffs

ENERGYLINX: Pioneer Energy has launched its first ever line of UK energy tariffs.

Green Energy launches new tariff

ENERGYLINX: Green Energy has reshuffled its tariff structure after launching its latest deal: Tap.

£20,000,000 Green Deal fund

A £20mn Green Deal Communities scheme to help local authorities deliver the energy efficiency scheme has been unveiled by the government.

The fund, announced on 25 July, will support local authorities, in partnership with local community organisations and businesses, to encourage take-up of the Green Deal in whole streets and areas throughout the country.

The government also confirmed that a £200mn energy efficiency scheme for homes in the north-east––Warm Up North––has been announced by Newcastle City Council. Up to 50,000 households and businesses in the north-east are set to benefit.

News story: Green Deal Communities

By HM Government

Updated: Latest figures published.

Update 19 December 2013

To date we have received 40 Green Deal Communities' bids which we're are considering. We hope to announce the first successful Green Deal Communities bids in the new year.

Please see “Available funding” paragraph below regarding a change to the amount of funding available

DECC is inviting local authorities (LAs), working with their partners, to come forward with ambitious and innovative street/area based proposals for funding. These proposal should aim to deliver Green Deal plans to as many households as possible. DECC funding can also be used to support households who choose to self-finance measures.

Proposals will be judged on:

• the number and total value of Green Deal plans that will be delivered


• their credibility eg LAs will need to demonstrate that they have secured Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) funding to compliment Green Deal financed plans and to have specifically identified the streets/areas targeted


• their creativity in offering local incentives to drive demand


• their sustainability in the long term (ie beyond the DECC funding) and


• being consistent with state aid and procurement rules

Available funding

Following the announcement on 2 December 2013, there is now £80 million of capital funding available. Applications may be submitted at any time from September 2013 up to 31 December 2013 for a minimum of £1 million. LAs will be strongly encouraged to work together and with local partners to deliver.

What DECC might fund

Within the parameters above, LAs will have flexibility in how to deliver Green Deal plans with this capital funding. We would expect the following to be included:

• proposals to deliver solid wall insulation to private households with a strong blend of Green Deal finance/ECO subsidy


• a comprehensive offer to as many households as possible: some households in a street may fund measures by blending Green Deal finance and ECO, some may choose to self-fund measures, while others may be eligible for 100% ECO subsidy


• creative approaches eg local incentives, working with local community partners, or refunding Green Deal assessments where a household installs measures using Green Deal financing or self-finance


• show homes to launch activity in an area, and


• proposals that deliver long term public value eg plans/templates for how to retrofit local home types

Webchat: Applications for the Green Deal Communities Fund

DECC officials led a live webchat on the Green Deal Communities fund on Thursday 12 September answering a range of questions on:

• the fund scope


• eligibility


• and the application and assessment process

You can view a replay of the webchat on the DECC website.

Further information

• 
  Green Deal Communities application pack
  (PDF, 116KB, 18 pages)
  


• 
  Green Deal Communities application pack
  (MS Word Document, 139KB)
  


• Local authorities and the Green Deal

We remind you that all bids must comply with State aid rules (including in the context of all other Government schemes and aid) and we will only be able to approve bids which meet this requirement.

You can find detailed guidance on State aid on the GOV.UK State Aid pages. We strongly recommend seeking legal advice to ensure your bid is State aid compliant.

Photo above by Alex Pepperhill on Flickr. Used under Creative Commons

Statistical data set: Sub-regional Feed-in Tariffs statistics

By HM Government

Updated: Latest tables and maps published.

Quarterly sub-regional statistics show the number of installations and total installed capacity by technology type in England, Scotland and Wales at the end the latest quarter that have been confirmed on the Central Feed-in Tariff Register.

Latest data is up to the end of December 2013.

Sub-regional Feed-in Tariffs confirmed on the CFR statistics

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 750KB

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Number of domestic photovoltaic installations per local authority: map

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Installed Capacity (kW) of domestic photovoltaic installations by Local Authority

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Press enquiries should be directed to the DECC press office: Tel: 0300 068 5223.

For enquiries concerning these tables either email fitstatistics@decc.gsi.gov.uk or contact:

Mita Kerai: 0300 068 5044

Ed Franklyn: 0300 068 5789

James Hemingway: 0300 068 5042

Statistical data set: Monthly central Feed-in Tariff register statistics

By HM Government

Updated: Latest table published.

Statistics presented in the monthly table below show the number of installations and capacity installed by technology type and tariff band that are confirmed on the Central Feed-in tariff Register (CFR) and eligible for FiT payments.

Monthly central Feed-in Tariff register statistics

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Press enquiries should be directed to the DECC press office: Tel: 0300 068 5223.

For enquiries concerning these tables email fitstatistics@decc.gsi.gov.uk or contact:

Mita Kerai

Tel: 0300 068 5044

Ed Franklyn

Tel: 0300 068 5789

James Hemingway

Tel: 0300 068 5042

Statistical data set: Monthly MCS and ROOFiT statistics

By HM Government

Updated: Latest table published.

The MCS and ROOFiT pipeline statistics show the number of installations each month that are registered on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme - MCS Installation Database and the number of installations with a total installed capacity accredited through the ROOFiT scheme.

Monthly MCS and ROOFiT statistics

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Press enquiries should be directed to the DECC press office: Tel: 0300 068 5223.

For enquiries concerning these tables either email fitstatistics@decc.gsi.gov.uk or contact:

Mita Kerai

Tel: 0300 068 5044

Ed Franklyn

Tel: 0300 068 5789

James Hemingway

Tel: 0300 068 5042

Consultation outcome: Updates to the Electricity and Gas (Energy Companies Obligation) Order 2012

By HM Government

Updated: The government response has been published today.

This consultation seeks views on a small number of technical amendments to the Electricity and Gas (Energy Companies Obligation) Order 2012. The amendments are designed to ensure the ECO Order is aligned with changes in the broader policy landscape, and to provide greater clarity on certain aspects of the Scheme to aid its continued smooth delivery.

...read more

Source: Consultation outcome: Updates to the Electricity and Gas (Energy Companies Obligation) Order 2012

Measuring and Reporting Environmental Impact

Measuring and Reporting Environmental Impacts:

• From the 1st October 2013 the 'Companies Act 2006 (Strategic & Directors Report) Regulations 2013' will require all UK quoted companies to report on their greenhouse gas emissions as part of their annual directors report.

• This affects all UK incorporated companies listed on: the main market of the London Stock Exchange, a European Economic area market of whose shares are dealing on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ.

There is a newly structured annual report being created with a section called 'The Strategic Report', within this, companies will be required to report on environmental matters.

Where appropriate the use of Key Performance Indicator's will also have to be reported; if the annual report does not include this information, then it must point out omissions.

Useful Terminology...

• Greenhouse Gasses - carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, hydroflurocarbons, perflurocarbons and sulphur hexafluroide. Carbon dioxide is expected to be responsible for 2/3rd's of the anticipated future global warming


• Carbon Footprint - the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organisation, product, event or person


• Climate Change - rising global temperatures bringing changes in weather, rising sea levels and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather caused by the release of greenhouse gasses.

Benefits of Reporting...

• Provides Increased visibility into an organisations energy consumption - making it easier to budget and target energy use and costs


• Benefit from lower energy and resource costs


• Gain a deeper understanding of exposure to the risks of climate change


• Demonstrates organisations leadership and responsibility, which will strengthen green credentials in the marketplace

Using environmental KPI's can be helpful in capturing the link between environmental and financial performance

British Gas launches new tariff

ENERGYLINX: British Gas has removed two tariffs from the market, and replaced them both with the new Fixed Price October 2014.

Ecotricity set to launch 100% green energy tariff

ENERGYLINX: Renewable energy supplier Ecotricity is set to simplify its tariff structure from August 1, by reducing the number of tariffs it has on offer to just one.

British Gas scrap rollover contracts - good news for all SME customers

British Gas will no longer sell auto-rollover contracts from 1 September 2013

A new process for renewing the contracts of existing customers – without an auto-rollover – will begin in June 2014

British Gas is the first energy supplier to commit to ending auto-rollover contracts, and the company is calling on other suppliers to follow suit.

Products without auto-rollover will be launched in September 2013 for new customers.

From June 2014, existing British Gas customers will be offered renewal options that require the customer to make a choice about which tariff they would like to sign up to, and which will not include another automatic fixed-term contract. Customers will be able to choose from a range of fixed-term or variable options.

Existing customers who reach the end of their contracts before June 2014 will be able to move to a non-rollover contract if they contact British Gas to discuss their renewal.

Stephen Beynon, Managing Director of British Gas Business, said: “At British Gas, we are committed to leading the way in making the sale of energy simple and transparent for all our customers. Increasing numbers of our small business customers have told us they don’t like the way the energy industry automatically moves them onto new contracts, so we’ve decided we will lead the way and put an end to this practice for our customers.
“We’re the first supplier to announce an end to auto-rollover contracts and we're calling on the industry and the regulator to work together to ensure that all customers have a transparent choice of products that never include auto-rollover."

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Small businesses are the engine of our economy and I am committed to ensuring that we do everything we can to help them succeed. Whether that is support to grow, cutting red tape or the lowest energy bills, we have to do everything possible to provide the environment in which they can flourish.
“Last year I committed to ensuring that consumers get the best possible tariff from their supplier. I know that auto-rollovers have similarly been a big issue facing small business so two months ago, I set up a cross-industry group on this issue. I am therefore delighted to welcome British Gas’s leadership and I hope that other suppliers will rapidly follow suit.”

We hope that helps you if you have a renewal in the next few months and that this will give you more freedom to shop around!

Historic Electricity Price Data

New page added, showing historic electricity price data from January 2008 to present.

Price shown are a standard index, industrial peak, peak and off peak.  An interesting way to see the level of volatility on the UK electricity markets.

http://www.energybrokers.co.uk/electricity/historic-price-data-graph.htm

E.ON launches tariff updates

ENERGYLINX: E.ON Energy has launched updated versions of its benchmark one and two year fixed rate tariffs.

Efficient lighting is the most popular way of investing in green technology

Efficient lighting is the most popular way of investing in green technology, according to a survey. The Carbon Trust polled 993 businesses that had recently upgraded technology, to create a list of the most popular investments in energy efficiency.

More than three-quarters of respondents (77 per cent) said they had invested in energy efficient lighting in the past year. Next was employee awareness training (59 per cent), and energy metering, monitoring and targeting technology (57 per cent). Boilers and boiler controls was the next most popular, followed by efficient ventilation and air conditioning. Less popular was investment in compressed air and industrial processes.

See more at: http://www.fm-world.co.uk/news/business-news/lighting-tops-green-investment/

iSupply launches new tariff

ENERGYLINX: iSupply Energy launched a new version of their iFix tariff today: the iFix 201408.

TPI Regulations considered

A consultation exploring issues relating to Third Party Intermediaries (TPIs) in both the non-domestic and domestic energy markets was launched by Ofgem on 28 June.

The regulator expects the importance of TPIs in the GB retail energy market to increase given the introduction of smart meters and grids, along with increasing focus on energy efficiency. But following concerns over the practices of TPIs across the retail market, Ofgem is considering a spectrum of options for the development of a new overarching regulatory framework.

Options range from non-binding guidance on the regulator's expectations for TPI interactions with consumers to direct regulation of TPIs. The regulator's current view is that the definition of TPIs should not include charitable organisations, advice agencies and not for profit organisations such as Consumer Futures and Citizens Advice Consumer Service.

July Update

EU energy ministers reaffirm backloading support ahead of crucial vote
Energy and Environment Ministers from twelve EU member states have today re-issued a joint statement calling for MEPs to support backloading proposals for the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), due to be voted on in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

UK not expected to hit 2020 renewables target

The UK is not on track to meet its 2020 European renewables targets, according to the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC).

Government must adopt RHI 'lock in' mechanism says industry
Two industry groups have called on the Government to change budgeting rules for the renewable heat incentive (RHI), to increase investor certainty and unlock hundreds of millions of pounds of funding.

UK region reaches 1GW renewable energy milestone
The total capacity of renewable electricity in the south west has grown from 714MW in 2012 to more than 1 GW, according to a report released today.

Climate change opportunities could outweigh risks for UK businesses
Defra has set out the risks and opportunities businesses face as climate change and extreme weather becomes increasingly prominent.

 

Transparency data: DECC Business Plan: quarterly data summary - indicators and other data sets

By HM Government

Updated: Latest data summary published.

The Business Plan Quarterly Data Summaries (QDS) provide the latest data on indicators included in Departmental Business Plans as well as other published data and management information.

Demanding Demand Response

So you have decided to enroll your facility in a demand response program.  You understand that your organization will be protecting the electric grid from blackouts and brownouts during times of high demand, and you are aware of the revenue your organization will earn from this program.  The only thing left to do is to work with your demand response provider and develop a successful reduction strategy to implement during an emergency event.  Although each organization is different and will require a tailored plan, there are eight main strategies that prove to be effective for most facilities.

Government Updates

Government 'flip-flops on planning policy' says Ecotricity Renewable energy company Ecotricity has hit out at the Government for its approach to planning, claiming it has introduced conflicting rules for certain projects.

 

Wind farm developers issue 'promise to Welsh communities' Onshore wind farm developers and operators in Wales have signed a declaration committing them to ensure communities hosting arrays receive long-term positive benefits.

 

Osborne confirms DECC and Defra budget cuts in spending review The Chancellor George Osborne has confirmed in today's spending review that the Department for Energy and Climate Change's (DECC) budget will be cut by 8%, while the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has agreed a 10% cut.

 

'Government action' needed to ensure UK meets second and third carbon budget The Government must do more to ensure the UK meets its third and fourth carbon budget, according to the Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) annual progress report.

 

Green Investment Bank invests £635m in first year The Green Investment Bank (GIB) invested £635m in its first year of operation but recorded a net loss of £6.2m, according to the bank's first annual review.

Guidance: Final Investment Decision Enabling for Renewables: Updates 1, 2 and 3

By HM Government

Updated: Text updated following the publication of the draft CfD standard terms and conditions.

The Government's Final Investment Decision Enabling programme is designed to enable developers of low carbon electricity projects to take final investment decisions ahead of the Contract for Difference regime being put in place as part of Electricity Market Reform.

DECC launched Final Investment Decision (FID) Enabling for Renewables in March 2013. Applications for participation in FID Enabling for Renewables closed on 1 July 2013. DECC published details of the process, evaluation criteria and indicative timetable for Investment Contract allocation on 27 June 2013.

On 4 December 2013, DECC published a summary of the applications that applied and qualified through Phase 2 of the programme, including details of the FID Enabling for Renewables affordability envelope and an indicative timetable for the contract award process. All applicants that met the Phase 2 minimum threshold evaluation criteria were sent draft investment contracts on 19 December 2013, (based on the draft CfD standard terms and conditions, published in FiT Contract for Difference: Standard Terms and Conditions) and were invited to submit binding applications, confirming that they wish to apply for an investment contract, by March 2014.

Research and analysis: Early Findings: demand side management

By HM Government

Updated: Latest findings documents published.

Further analysis of the data collected through this survey has been undertaken and these reports present some of the research findings.

‘Early Findings: Demand Side Management' includes 24-hour demand profiles for the 250 households, examining peak power and demand shifting, standby power, baseload power, secondary electric heating, and 24/7 appliances.

As a complement to this report we have developed an interactive spreadsheet that allows users to work with the data easily themselves. The spreadsheet allows users to generate daily load profiles for different households selected from the sample of 250 households and you can download it via this Hightail link. **Please note this spreadsheet is .xlsm format and functions with excel 2007 and subsequent versions; select “enable macros”. File size 14MB.

‘Electrical Appliances at Home: Tuning in to Energy Savings' presents an in depth look at the ownership and usage of electrical appliances in homes. This includes an analysis of annual purchase and replacement rates, energy ratings, the associations of use of different appliances, potential savings from small appliances and as assessment of the rebound effect.

‘Consumer Archetypes' aims to perform a comprehensive cluster analysis on the data and group the 250 monitored households into a series of distinct consumer archetypes based on household attitudes to the environment, demographics, building details and electricity usage characteristics.

‘Increasing Insight and UK Applicability' aims to increase the insights that can be extracted from the data and to more accurately scale up the findings to give a national picture. The report utilises a large spatially resolved demographic dataset, Experian's Mosaic UK, to link each household to a specific group and to assess the suitability of this association along with how it can be applied to better understand UK electricity use.

‘The Potential for Smart Meters in a National Household Energy Survey' provides an overview of one approach to maximising the benefits of Smart Meters, by establishing a National Household Energy Survey. This would recruit a representative sample of consumers who agreed to give remote access to their meter data for ongoing, anonymised analysis and reporting of how electricity is being used in homes. The report looks at some of the benefits of this type of survey and provides estimates of potential cost.

The original report for the Household Electricity Survey is also available above.

Energy Storage powering Up

One of the biggest concerns with many forms of renewable energy is their inability to store active energy during times when the sun isn't out, or when the wind isn't blowing.  With these energies gaining popularity and growing at an impressive rate, it seems as though establishing an efficient form of energy storage is a foregone conclusion for the future.

Policy paper: Energy Act policy briefs

By HM Government

Updated: The Energy Act received Royal Assent on 18 December 2013. The policy briefs have all been amended to reflect the change to an Act.

Policy briefs covering the main measures included in the Energy Act.

June Update

Scotland fails to meet carbon targets for second year running
Scotland has missed its annual carbon reduction target for the second year in a row, according to figures released today.

Too many EU citizens and businesses unaware of environmental issues
Raising awareness of environmental issues amongst EU citizens and businesses is the first step to achieving behavioural change and reducing the impact created by EU cities, says the European Commission's director-general for Environment.

B&Q 'well on way' to 90% carbon slash by 2023
B&Q has reduced its CO2 emissions by 29% against a 2006/7 baseline, despite a 10% increase in total square footage of its stores, according to the company's annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report released today.

IEA plan could stop emissions growth by 2020 at no net economic cost
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has urged governments to adopt four policies that it claims will stop growth in energy-related emissions by 2020 at no net economic cost.

DHL to 'drive better results' with carbon cutting truck design
Logistics company DHL has unveiled a prototype hybrid electric truck which it claims could reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 25%.

UK law firms cut carbon emissions by almost 2%
Leading UK law firms have reduced carbon emissions by 1.8%, more than 29,000 tonnes of CO2, over the past 12 months, according to a report published today.

BREAKING: Sir Robert Smith appointed temporary chair of energy and climate change committee
Sir Robert Smith will replace Conservative MP Tim Yeo as chairman of the energy and climate change committee, following Yeo's decision to temporarily step down amidst lobbying allegations.

Tim Yeo stands down as committee chairman following lobbying claims
Tim Yeo has agreed to temporarily step aside as chairman of the energy and climate change select committee following allegations that he offered to advise energy companies for cash.