Renewables investors expect ‘resurgence’ in new projects
Aug 18, 2017
One of the UK’s largest solar investors has predicted a second wave of UK renewables deployment – potentially without subsidy. “The reduction in the cost of deploying proven renewables infrastructure continues apace. This may make unsubsidised renewables generation a reality and points to a likely resurgence in new developments in the years ahead, both to Read more…
DSO goes live: UK Power Networks tenders for 35.4MW of DSR to go live January
Aug 16, 2017
UK Power Networks has begun a tender process for up to 35.4MW of demand-side response for delivery starting in January next year. Following an expressions of interest call launched today, the network operator will invite firms to tender early October. UK Power Networks seeks assets that can increase exports (generate) or reduce imports (consume less) Read more…
EirGrid chief to head up National Grid’s SO function, Cordi O’Hara heads to US
Aug 16, 2017
EirGrid chief executive Fintan Slye will join National Grid to head up its system operator (SO) function at the year end, calling time on a decade at Ireland’s state-owned grid operator, five years as CEO. National Grid’s previous SO director, Cordi O’Hara, has taken a senior role at the firm’s US operation. EirGrid said it Read more…
Engie spends £50m on pumped storage upgrade
Aug 16, 2017
Engie is to spend £50 million refurbishing two units at its 360MW Ffestiniog Power Station, part of the 2GW First Hydro pumped storage operation in Snowdonia, North Wales. German firm Voith Hydro will carry out the work, with an option for units 3 and 4 at a later date. Work on site will start late 2018 Read more…
17% of UK solar capacity expected to be sold within 18 months
Aug 16, 2017
One of the UK’s largest solar investors believes up to 2GW of the UK’s 12GW of solar generation will change hands in the next 12-18 months. The Foresight Group currently owns some 900MW of large-scale solar capacity, most of it in the UK. At the end of June, it completed the acquisition of the 72MW Shotwick Read more…
Demand-side response conference: Last few free tickets for DSR Event
Aug 15, 2017
There are a few remaining free tickets for The Energyst’s DSR Event, held in London on 7 September. The energy system is changing dramatically. In the coming years, those that can respond to sharpening price signals at any given time of day will cut costs and generate revenue. Those that do not will pay more. Read more…
RES sells 20MW EFR battery storage project to infrastructure group TRIG
Aug 14, 2017
Renewable energy firm RES has agreed to sell its 20MW battery storage project at Broxburn, West Lothian to The Renewables Infrastructure Group (TRIG). TRIG said its total project investment will be £20m. The firm works closely with RES, and has acquired around 20 projects from the developer. The battery storage project, due to be completed Read more…
Npower posts loss for first half
Aug 11, 2017
Npower posted a first half operating loss amid “fierce” competition in the UK energy retail market. The company, echoing Eon’s sentiment, said risk of political intervention looms large over its business and may yet affect its forecasts. “The situation in the UK retail business remains very tense due to the fierce competition and political pressure,” Read more…
Eon’s UK energy sales hit by ‘fierce competition’ as Brexit and ‘interventionist’ policy loom
Aug 09, 2017
Eon’s UK power sales fell 1.5 billion kilowatt hours, or 8%, in the first half of 2017. Posting half year results, the firm warned that Brexit, its impact on Sterling and ‘interventionist’ energy policy would take their toll on UK operations. Power sales to small and medium enterprises (SME) and households fell 12% compared to Read more…
Breaking ties with oil: The case for LPG
Aug 08, 2017
For the scores of commercial premises across the UK that aren’t connected to the mains gas grid, finding a reliable, readily available fuel that won’t cost the earth can be a real challenge. As familiar territory, oil is often the go-to choice for powering everything from heating and hot water to cooking facilities and manufacturing Read more…
Shell enters UK electricity market
Aug 07, 2017
Fossil giant Shell has entered the UK industrial and commercial (I&C) power supply market. Ofgem’s register of supply licence applications alerted market participants to the move some weeks ago. Since then the company had refused to comment on its plans, citing a close period due to financial results. However the company today confirmed the move Read more…
Ofgem paves way for major changes to energy system rules and charges
Aug 04, 2017
Energy regulator Ofgem has outlined a major programme of work that could fundamentally alter the way the energy market works. The programme is primarily focused on electricity and aims to set out rules of engagement in a smarter power system. That system will be more reliant on flexibility than baseload, instead, says Ofgem, continuously matching Read more…
University of Strathclyde & Arbnco partner to solve energy efficiency fails in buildings
Aug 04, 2017
The Energy Systems Research Unit (ESRU) at the University of Strathclyde is working with software provider Arbnco on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership to work out why the actual energy performance of buildings is often well below design expectations. This gap leads to higher costs, higher consumption, unhappy clients and can foster distrust, and therefore energy Read more…
Ofgem agrees National Grid’s plans for separation of system operator business
Aug 03, 2017
Ofgem has rubber stamped National Grid’s proposals for legal separation of its system operator role from its wider business. National Grid earns returns by operating and balancing the transmission system network and has an interconnector business. It also has a key role is delivering government policy, particularly the capacity market, and advises on the level Read more…
British Gas business energy supply profits wiped out
Aug 01, 2017
British Gas made no money from its business to business energy supply division in the first half of this year. The firm shed 30,000 UK business customers and posted a profit of £0 versus £31m the prior year. Publishing first half results, parent company Centrica said the business continued to rebuild its reputation following fallout Read more…
London and Manchester pension funds increase stake in SSE’s Clyde Windfarm
Aug 01, 2017
Greater Manchester Pension Fund and London Pensions Fund Authority have agreed to increase their shareholding in SSE’s Clyde Windfarm, one of the largest onshore wind farms in Europe. Their investment vehicle, GMPF & LPFA Infrastructure LLP (GLIL), took a £150m share last year, along with renewable infrastructure fund Greencoat. That deal was for 49.9% of the Read more…
Norway’s Statkraft buys into Limejump
Jul 27, 2017
Statkraft has led a £3m funding round in UK demand-side response player Limejump. The company will use the funds to scale its customer base and commercialise its virtual power plant operation. Statkraft, owned by the Norwegian state, said it will remain purely a financial backer with no strategic input. “We are excited to have Statkraft Read more…
Gas picks up coal’s share of generation as renewables output remains flat
Jul 27, 2017
Power generated from coal fell 60% in 2016 compared to the previous year, according to latest government figures, with gas picking up the slack. While 5.7GW of new renewable capacity came on stream during the year, output remained flat as average wind speeds dipped below the favourable conditions recorded in 2015, and reduced rainfall affected Read more…
Big fish: BlackRock and Lightsource target £1bn solar portfolio by 2020
Jul 25, 2017
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management fund, and solar and private wire developer Lightsource, have signed a deal to create a 1GW solar portfolio in the UK by 2020. They believe it will be worth around £1bn. The joint venture is called Kingfisher and aims to acquire projects from developers in a bid to “consolidate Read more…
Government plans changes to capacity market rules for batteries and unproven DSR
Jul 25, 2017
Battery storage operators bidding into future capacity market auctions will have to carefully consider new derating factors proposed by government. The department for business, energy and industrial strategy (Beis) has proposed rule changes to take into account batteries’ ability to provide power over several hours. The consultation comes after concerns raised by Scottish Power in Read more…