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Study identifies best support mechanisms for BECCS
A government-commissioned study has settled on two options as the best support mechanisms for of a first-of-a-kind bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) plant. The report prepared by Element Energy and Vivid Economics for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy recommended either a standalone Contracts for Difference mechanism for carbon prices or negative emissions payments combined with the existing CfDs for low-carbon electricity generation.
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MPs block new duty for water companies to reduce sewage discharges
MPs have blocked moves to force water companies to reduce raw sewage discharges into rivers. On Wednesday (20 October), the House of Commons voted by 268 votes to 204 to back a watered-down version of a House of Lords amendment to the Environment Bill, which would have required firms to take immediate action to stem sewage outflows.
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Ofgem accused of bringing energy market ‘to its knees’
Ofgem has been threatened with legal action by a number of small suppliers which said they no longer have confidence in the regulator and have demanded redress for what they deem as its failings. In a letter written by Jo Gilbert, the former chief operating officer of the recently failed PFP Energy, Ofgem was accused of helping to bring the energy market “to its knees”.
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Omni Energy barred from registering new electricity meters
Elexon has decided to bar small supplier Omni Energy from registering new electricity meters after the company failed to sufficiently reduce its credit cover percentage. The disruptor brand, which specialises in serving in prepayment meter (PPM) customers, previously warned it was “highly likely to cease trading”.
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Treasury should use £1bn tax windfall to help fuel poor households
A more than £1 billion tax windfall should be used to help fuel poor households in the forthcoming budget, the head of the charity National Energy Action has argued. Adam Scorer warned that without emergency support, millions of households will sink further into debt or be forced to turn off their heating, becoming at risk of serious ill-health.
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SSEN officially recognised for science-based carbon targets
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution has been officially recognised by the global Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its carbon reduction ambitions. The network operator will strive to cut its emissions in line with the Paris Agreement goal to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
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Suppliers warned not to use ‘threatening tones’ to recover debt
Energy suppliers have been warned not to use threatening tones in communications with their customers over debt, following research showing this may be counterproductive. The research by Ofgem was published alongside its latest Consumer Protection Report which raised concerns some suppliers were prematurely or even incorrectly involving debt collection agencies. The regulator said in one case a supplier issued a county court judgement to a consumer over a small amount of debt, despite not having sent them a bill.
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Weekend press round-up: £1.7bn plan for Swansea renewable energy project
In our latest review of sector coverage in the national media, a Welsh company will lead on plans to build a £1.7 billion renewable energy project on Swansea’s water front. Elsewhere, there are reports of a clash between two multi-billion-pound net zero schemes in the North Sea.
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Government urged to draw lessons from botched retrofit scheme
The government must complete this year its analysis into the botched Green Homes Grant (GHG) scheme to ensure similar mistakes are not repeated in future home energy retrofit programmes, a House of Commons committee has recommended. Despite being designed to stimulate creation of jobs, the Environmental Audit Committee said the scheme may have “perversely” put people out of work.
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Which? names first ‘Eco Providers’ for energy
Good Energy, Green Energy UK and Ecotricity have been accredited by Which? as its first ‘Eco Providers’ for energy. The consumer group assessed the green energy credentials of more than 40 energy suppliers, giving each of them a score of out 20.
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Mortgage market has ‘critical’ role in decarbonising heat
Utilities should work with mortgage and insurance providers to pinpoint moments when householders and drivers are most likely to respond to incentives to switch to low-carbon options. This was the view of senior industry figures speaking to Utility Week in the wake of the publication of the Heat and Buildings Strategy.
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‘Worrying gap’ in consumer protections for green home technologies
People spending thousands of pounds on green home technologies have fewer protections than those taking out a mobile phone contract, according to new research from Citizens Advice. Highlighting a “worrying gap” in consumer protections for the installation of technologies like heat pumps and solar panels, the charity said they are also “far better” for financial products such as loans, pensions and insurance.
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Retrofit support must be ‘tailored’ to local property prices
Incentives to decarbonise housing should be tailored to local property prices in order to ensure that poorer areas, like many in so called northern “red wall”, are not left behind, a new report has argued. The study by local government thinktank Localis highlighted dramatic variations in the ratio between home retrofit costs and property prices across England.
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Number of PSR services offered ‘out of step’ with need
Ofgem has expressed concerns that the number of priority services register (PSR) services offered by energy suppliers seem to be “out of step with need”. The regulator’s latest Consumer Protection Report draws from the latest social obligations data from domestic suppliers, as well as engagement with consumer groups and charities over the course of the pandemic.
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Cutting VAT on electricity bills would be ‘disastrous decision’
Cutting VAT across the board on electricity bills in next week’s budget would be a “disastrous decision” by Rishi Sunak, ex-Npower chief executive Paul Massara has warned. Pressure has built up on chancellor of the exchequer over recent weeks to relieve pressure on households, while providing a Brexit dividend, by axing VAT from electricity bills.
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