Billions in renewables investment at risk from Government shake-up
The Government's shake-up of the renewable sector could lead to billions of pounds of investment being put on hold it has been claimed.
Decc
Wind subsidy axe ‘could cost jobs’
Cutting public subsidies for onshore wind farms would result in job losses, rising energy bills and stranded communities, according to energy minister Fergus Ewing. The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is expected to announce measures to deliver on the Conservatives’ manifesto pledge to end any new public subsidy for onshore wind farms. Mr Ewing said he was concerned about reports that the new energy secretary Amber Rudd was considering closing the Renewables Obligation scheme - the main support for renewable electricity projects - a year early in 2016. The move is opposed by the Scottish Government and the industry, which has said it is prepared to take legal action to fight “drastic and unfair” changes.
DECC funding boost for heat network industry
BRE Wales & South West along with a consortium of partners have won funding from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to boost innovation in the heat network industry. A number of proposals were successful under the competition and will be allocated a share of £1million to carry out feasibility studies on their proposed innovation. The consortium which includes BRE, Barden Energy, Bizcat UK, Elgocell, the Home Group (and some of its Cumbrian tenants), will use the capital to look at how viable it is to create a super-efficient district heating network in low rise social housing using innovative Swedish technology.
Power auction ‘guarantees energy’
Electricity generators are to receive nearly £1 billion - at an average cost of £11 per household - to ensure enough power to meet peak demand in 2018/19. Energy Secretary Ed Davey said the Government’s first ever capacity market auction guaranteed energy supply at the lowest cost for consumers. Electricity providers were asked to bid into the capacity auction, promising if they win a contract that they will be available to provide power when needed.
DECC staff urged ‘not to say Merry Christmas’
Government staff from the Department of Energy and Climate Change have been urged not to say Merry Christmas, it has been claimed. According to reports government staff in the department – which has offices in both London and Aberdeen – were given the advice to avoid offending people of other faiths. However a spokeswoman said there had only been an informal discussion between a couple of staff members.
£5million boost for low carbon energy projects
Companies developing low carbon energy projects in generation will be given the chance to bid for £5million worth of funding. The fourth round of the government's Energy Entrepreneurs' Fund aims to help small and medium sized businesses bring low carbon products to the market. Half of the money in the latest round will prioritise carbon capture and storage, the process of caricaturing millions of tonnes of C02 from power stations and industrial facilities and storing the C02 under the sea bed.
North Sea exploration faces another crisis year
Exploration in the North Sea has continued to plummet due to ever spiralling costs and firms taking a “wait and see” approach to new regulation and taxes, new research has found.