Interesting links, articles, news and blog posts sent out to members on 08/09/23.
News: No offshore wind CfDs awarded in blow to government ambitions – Energy Voice
8 September 2023, Ed Reed. “By capping the price the sector could bid at too low, government set it at a level that made it impossible for investors to meet their costs”:
Collections: Contracts for Difference (CfD): Allocation Round 5 – Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
8 September 2023. Documents and guidance related to the Contracts for Difference fifth allocation round (AR5):
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/contracts-for-difference-cfd-allocation-round-5
Press release: Ofgem welcomes announcement of preferred candidate to be new chair – Ofgem
6 September 2023. Ofgem has welcomed the Government naming Mark McAllister as the preferred candidate to be the next Ofgem Chair:
Link: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/ofgem-welcomes-announcement-preferred-candidate-be-new-chair
Press release: Local areas supported to progress onshore windfarms – Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho MP, and The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP
5 September 2023. New changes that come into effect today will help supportive communities take forward onshore wind projects:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/local-areas-supported-to-progress-onshore-windfarms
News: Sunak’s onshore wind U-turn fails to impress energy bosses – City AM
5 September 2023, Nicholas Earl. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s U-turn on onshore wind won’t be enough to win over sceptical renewable energy firms, a top trade body has warned:
Link: https://www.cityam.com/sunaks-onshore-wind-u-turn-fails-to-impress-energy-bosses/
News: Reports: Government to lift onshore wind ‘ban’, but developers fear key barriers could remain in place – Business Green
4 September 2023, James Murray. Number 10 is reportedly in talks with rebel backbenchers over amendment that would end ‘de facto ban’ on new onshore wind farms in England:
News: Rishi Sunak ‘poised to revoke ban on onshore windfarms’ – report – Guardian Online
3 September 2023, Safi Bugel. Ministers hope to make it easier for councils to pass planning applications for new turbines in move that has Labour support:
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/03/sunak-poised-revoke-ban-onshore-windfarms-report
Press release: UK reviewing membership of energy treaty – Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and The Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP
1 September 2023. The UK government confirms it will be reviewing its Energy Charter Treaty membership, and considering withdrawal if vital modernisation is not agreed:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-reviewing-membership-of-energy-treaty
News: Cabinet reshuffle: Claire Coutinho replaces Grant Shapps as Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary – Business Green
31 August 2023, Michael Holder. Claire Coutinho has been appointed Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, replacing Grant Shapps who is to take on the role of Defence Secretary after the surprise resignation of Ben Wallace from the Cabinet:
Press release: Boost to heat pump rollout with plans for cheaper and easier installation – Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Lord Callanan
31 August 2023. Simplified approach to qualifying for a heat pump grant could save consumers time and money, and variable grants will improve access.
News: Millions of UK homes urged to be placed on October 2020 energy price cap – Energy Live News
30 August 2023, Dimitri Mavrokefalidis. Oxford academics recommend fuel poor households to switch back to the October 2020 tariff, before price increases, instead of the current Ofgem cap:
News: Ofgem’s plan to make energy costs fairer – Energy Live News
30 August 2023, Dimitri Mavrokefalidis. The energy regulator is considering a plan to equalise charges for energy payment methods, aiming to bridge the gap between consumers:
Link: https://www.energylivenews.com/2023/08/30/ofgems-plan-to-make-energy-costs-fairer/
Press release: New steps will speed up Sizewell C preparations – Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Great British Nuclear, and Andrew Bowie MP
29 August 2023. £341 million investment builds on the government’s existing £870 million stake and its plans to rapidly expand nuclear energy in the UK:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-steps-will-speed-up-sizewell-c-preparations
News: Concerns arise over UK’s regional energy pricing proposal – Energy Live News
24 August 2023, Dimitri Mavrokefalidis. Trade associations RenewableUK, Scottish Renewables and Solar Energy UK have expressed reservations about the proposed “locational marginal pricing” scheme:
Link: https://www.energylivenews.com/2023/08/24/concerns-arise-over-uks-regional-energy-pricing-proposal/
Open call for evidence: UK battery strategy – Department for Business and Trade
24 August 2023. Views sought on the Department’s proposed work for a UK battery strategy to ensure they have access to the widest possible evidence and perspectives. This call for evidence is being held on another website. This call for evidence closes at 11:59pm on 28 September 2023:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/uk-battery-strategy
News: Fossil fuels being subsidised at rate of $13m a minute, says IMF – Guardian Online
24 August 2023, Damian Carrington. Oil, gas and coal benefited from $7tn in support in 2022 despite being primary cause of climate crisis:
News: Rising numbers seek help for energy bill debts, warns Citizens Advice – BBC News Online
24 August 2023, Kevin Peachey. Thousands more people will start the winter behind on their energy bills with some borrowing to pay them, Citizens Advice has warned:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66592714
Article: UK needs Dragons’ Den-style investment to lead world in net zero – think tank – The Independent Online
23 August 2023, Rebecca Speare-Cole. The Institute for Public Policy Research called for the UK to adopt the approach to investing offered on the BBC show: