Wind Power Overtakes Nuclear Energy in UK for First Time Over Last Three Months

Record comes as MPs warn of 'dramatic and worrying collapse' in clean energy investment

Windfarms provided more electricity than Britain’s nuclear power stations in the first three months of 2018, the first time it has ever done so across a quarter. 

Between January and March, wind power produced 18.8% of the UK’s energy needs, compared to nuclear’s 18.76%. Gas was still the dominant source of the country’s electricity, at 39.4%. 

Leave Vote Makes UK's Transition to Clean Energy Harder, Say Experts

Analysts say Brexit will create uncertainty for energy sector, which could hit £20bn investment a year needed to replace ageing, dirty power plants

The UK’s challenge to build a clean, secure and affordable energy system has become significantly harder amid the political and economic turmoil following the nation’s vote to leave the European Union.

Time to Make the UK a ‘Solar Superpower’

The recent visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping has served as a timely reminder of Britain’s strong position as a destination for foreign trade and investment, with over £30 billion of deals agreed in the space of just a week.

Investors around the globe have long viewed the UK as a safe, stable home in which to grow their business.  The solar industry attracted some £4.5 billion worth of inward investment in 2014.  Solar accounted for half of new investment in UK renewables last year.

UK: The Observer View on the Tory Renewable Energy Policy

The Conservative party has spent much time mocking Labour for being out of touch on business issues, particularly Jeremy Corbyn’s support for rail and possibly energy nationalisation.

But George Osborne seems much more at home tickling the tummies of huge, state-owned companies in China and France, especially with regard to nuclear power, than tending his domestic, private-sector firms. While the chancellor was out wooing on a recent trip to Beijing, he seemed blissfully unaware that subsidy cuts to the UK’s growing army of small and medium-size “green” companies have been causing havoc.

British Policy Changes Cause Trillion Fund to Stop Lending for Renewable Projects

The British crowdfunding body Trillion Fund stops offering lending for renewable energy projects. 

Additionally, CEO Julia Groves steps down from her position.

The main reason why Trillion stops offering renewable energy projects is the current withdrawal of support for renewables by the UK government. The recent changes in renewable energy policy in the UK have negatively affected investor confidence and made a lot of PV and wind power developers unsure whether they would be able to stay in business.

Can UK's Solar Industry Survive Without Subsidies?

Putting solar on the chopping block may damage the industry badly at a time when it just needs that last push to become independent.

Energy experts believe a rumoured government plan to cut subsidies to solar could cripple the burgeoning industry just before it is able to stand on its own.

Late last week the government issued ambiguous warnings that the solar industry’s days of living off top-ups from bill-payers were numbered. A cabinet source revealed to the BBC that the government view had hardened further towards green subsidies and a “big reset” was coming.

UK Renewable Energy Subsidy Changes Anger Solar Industry

Energy secretary, Ed Davey, says new subsidy scheme will help underwrite green energy and reduce reliance on imported gas

The government on Thursday outlined plans to provide £300m worth of support subsidies to the renewable power industry this autumn but has angered the solar industry and been accused of not providing value for money.

Blown Away: Plans to Build 1,000 Wind Turbines in the Irish Midlands Axed

Plans to raise 1,000 wind turbines have been axed, Pat Rabbitte has confirmed.

The windfarm was due to be built in the Midlands and was part of a joint agreement with Britain.

But the Communications Minister said the controversial plans will not go ahead.

He said: “I regret that it has not been possible at this time to conclude an agreement as envisaged.

“However I believe that in the context of an European Internal Market and greater integration, greater trade in energy between Britain and Ireland is inevitable in the post 2020 scenario.”

New UK Energy Minister promises energy bill into law

In his first statement as the UK’s new Energy Minister, John Hayes has pledged to bring the Coalition’s controversial Energy Bill into law.

But industry groups cautioned that Hayes, as a surprise replacement for Charles Hendry who has been closely involved in the bill, will have to get up to speed quickly with its details to ensure there are no further delays.

Pakistan: National energy policy

Reportedly, recommendations have been made to PM to increase gas prices by 34 percent from January 2012, impose levy for next 15-20 years to build Rs100bn gas pipeline, keep existing fuel surcharges, transfer increase of gas prices on commercial sector to consumers, and use tax money to pay for subsidy to make imported gas affordable (Increase in gas tariff for all sectors proposed, local news, Dec. 29, 2011). The increase in gas prices and giving subsidy to energy mafia shows that PPP government has failed to devise a comprehensive energy policy. Due to government’s pro-energy mafia policies, the sector is profiteering at the cost of public and national interests. Pakistan therefore needs to adopt alternate energy to provide relief to public, sustain economy, generate jobs, reduce energy prices, end fuel subsidies, cut dependence on energy imports, decrease inflation, and control trade imbalances.

UK: Pioneering town to drive green policy

A town whose energy-efficiency projects have caught the attention of ministers has been asked to help shape national policy for "the greenest Government ever".

Professor Stephen Frankel, on behalf of the Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network (WREN) in North Cornwall, will meet with eight officials from other communities across the country to advise ministers as part of the Community Energy Contact Group.

UK says Indian renewable policies are cutting-edge

Indian renewable energy policies are cutting-edge, Gregory Barker MP and minister of state for energy and climate change in the UK said here on Wednesday.

Barker was in the city to talk about the latest public policy initiative designed to promote green energy and mitigate climate change in the run-up to COP17 in December.

COP17, the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 7th Session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the parties (CMP7) to the Kyoto Protocol, will be held in the sunny city of Durban, South Africa.

UK: Green energy policies could add £300 to household fuel bills

Downing Street advisers have warned that green energy policies could add £300 to annual household fuel bills, putting them on a collision course with the energy secretary, Chris Huhne.

Ben Moxham, David Cameron's senior policy adviser on energy and environment and a former BP employee, said claims by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) that a 30% rise in fuel bills by 2020 would be offset by lower energy consumption through energy efficiency were "unconvincing".