News

What’s the outlook for the security of electricity supply in Ofgem’s latest analysis? Capacity margins have been falling as many older coal and oil-fired power stations are closing due to age and European Environmental Regulations. Most of these plants have already closed and the rest will shut down by 2015 or earlier. Unprofitable gas fired…

Following British Gas’ announcement of a 5% price-cut OFGEM released the following statement: Commenting on today’s gas price cut by British Gas Ofgem’s Senior Partner for Markets Rachel Fletcher said: “We are pleased that British Gas’s most loyal customers are seeing some of the benefits from lower wholesale energy prices. However, the Competition and Markets…

As reported by The Energyst National Grid is confident it has secured sufficient reserve capacity for the coming winter. However there are warnings about future outlook for the coming years. National Grid says margins will be tight over the next few years but is still confident it has the tools to deal with even the…

While some suppliers have offered in the past cost neutral green energy contracts this will no longer be the case. With the chancellor’s announcement that green energy will no longer be exempt from Climate Change Levy, the extra cost of green energy can no longer be offset against the savings of the CCL. I suppose…

CMA has yesterday published it’s report of the energy market: Roger Witcomb, Chairman of the energy market investigation, said among other points: – There are millions of customers paying too much for their energy bills – but they don’t have to. – Whilst competition is delivering benefits to increasing numbers of customers, mainly through the…

OFGEM published yesterday a factsheet to outline what is happening and the benefits of P272. This can be accessed through https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2015/07/factsheet_131_cheaper_electricity_for_businesses_web_0.pdf The idea is to charge customers more accurately for the time of use where peak times typically early evening costs more than off peak times when there is less demand and more renewable electricity…

ELN reports: The UK economy has saved more than £1 million a day by cycling and walking. The savings have been made as a result of improved health and reduced congestion, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. So just think of your own health and take out your bike to get to work; you’ll be doing…

OFGEM have now accepted industry concerns about the short time scale in implementing P272, the changeover of maximum demand electricity meters (profile 05 – 08) to Half Hourly. OFGEM has therefore agreed to extend the implementation date to 1st April 2017. However, in order to minimise the risk of change over in mid contract; any…

ELN reports that Norway’s oil and gas firm Statoil has found more gas in the Norwegian Sea – we can only hope this will reduce gas prices even further.

As reported by Energy Live News: Newly-appointed Energy Secretary Amber Rudd has written to British Gas, E.ON, EDF Energy, npower, SSE and ScottishPower asking them about their plans to cut gas and electricity bills. The letter reportedly states: “In light of the greater regulatory stability we are providing and continued stability in wholesale gas prices,…