Industry News

Cautious welcome for feed-in tariffs from renewables sector

19-11-08: Feed-in tariffs welcomed by renewables industry, but many are unhappy with the government's 5MW cap; "devil is in the detail" says REA

Warning over British Energy nuclear performance

19-11-08: As nuclear operator reveals earnings for first half of 2008 have halved, SNP says unexpected downtime of five of British Energy's reactors shows they are "unreliable" and "unnecessary"

Government commits to feed-in tariffs for 2010

19-11-08: Energy Bill debate sees minister Mike O'Brien reassuring doubters that guaranteed long-term payments will be brought in for small-scale renewable electricity projects

Government raises renewables feed-in tariff cap to 5MW

18-11-08: Although actual level of feed-in tariff threshold could still be lower, ministers raise proposed maximum level from three to 5MW within today's Energy Bill debate

News in Brief

17-11-08:

With news of two wood fuel initiatives; a wave power deployment; planning approval for a Gloucestershire wind farm; and, a new office for npower renewables

Energy security key in next wave of European energy laws

13-11-08:

Efforts to boost investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency are central to EU Commission's latest "package" of energy legislation for Europe, unveiled today

Scottish and Southern Energy to plough on with renewables plan

13-11-08: £2.5 billion investment plan for renewable energy will continue, despite wholesale electricity prices hitting Scottish and Southern Energy's first-half profits

Scots call on Europe to back North Sea renewables "supergrid"

13-11-08: Alex Salmond says supergrid would be "major step forward" for Scotland's renewable energy, as UK government attempts to keep lid on nationalist agenda

Shareholders of wind developer Eclipse back Vattenfall offer

03-11-08: Swedish power firm says shareholders representing 91.2% of issued shares have accepted offer for developer of 150MW Ormonde offshore wind project

npower to buy 50% stake in world's largest offshore wind farm

03-11-08: Scottish and Southern Energy to receive £308 million in cash for half equity share in 500MW Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm, predicted to be world's largest in 2011 

Qatar-UK fund to invest £250m in low carbon energy projects

03-11-08: Gordon Brown has sealed a deal for £150 million from Qatar Investment Authority plus funds from UK investors to promote low carbon technologies in UK and Qatar

Industry welcomes feed-in tariffs for power and heat

30-10-08:

Inclusion of feed-in tariff amendment to the Energy Bill prompts praise from renewables industry, but the REA doubts the government's timetable

Government unveils renewable power and heat feed-in tariffs

30-10-08: Ministers propose separate feed-in tariffs for renewable electricity and renewable heat, within amendments to the Energy Bill ahead of House of Lords debate next week

Scotland reaches 3GW renewable energy milestone

29-10-08: Jim Mather opens Dalswinton and Minsca wind farms, helping Scotland to break through 3GW barrier of installed renewable energy capacity

Western Isles transmission link planning process gets underway

28-10-08: Scottish and Southern Energy seeks planning permission for underground and subsea connection to Isle of Lewis to open up potential for renewable energy projects

Ministers meet with experts to kick-start electric car revolution

28-10-08: Ministers announce £10m electric car trial, plus £20m programme of research, as new study suggests UK grid could cope with widespread use of electric vehicles

Curb local planners' powers in renewable energy, say Lords

24-10-08: Report into EU sub-committee inquiry into UK's 15% renewable energy target demands planning reforms beyond government's current proposals