ScottishPower fined £18m for poor customer service

ScottishPower has agreed to pay £18 million for failing to treat its customers fairly. It follows an investigation by Ofgem into the Big Six supplier’s complaint resolution, call handling and billing processes, which were found to be “inadequate”. The energy firm’s customer service issues, during and following its new IT system, resulted in more than […]

Shell unveils ‘ultra-efficient’ concept car

A new car which could deliver material reductions in energy use in the road transport sector has been unveiled. Shell said independent testing of its three-seater ‘Concept Car’ found it would deliver a 34% reduction in primary energy use over its lifetime compared to a traditional city car in the UK. It would use around […]

E.ON and Statoil to develop €1.2bn wind project

Statoil and E.ON are investing €1.2 billion (£0.9bn) in a wind project in the German waters. Located 35 kilometres northeast of Rugen Island, the 385MW Arkona wind farm will consist of 60 turbines. The project is expected to provide green energy for up to 400,000 households and create up to 400 jobs during the two-year […]

IKEA back to selling solar panels in UK stores

IKEA is offering solar panels at selected stores in the UK again. It is part of the company’s mission to “help people live more sustainably” and comes despite government cuts to green subsidies. IKEA believes a solar system is still “one of the best investments” for a homeowner, claiming they can get a 6% annual […]

Ofgem shares enforcement decision panel with UK’s aviation authority

Energy watchdog Ofgem is to work together with the UK’s specialist aviation regulator on enforcement. They will share the Enforcement Decision Panel (EDP), with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) having access to the panel for its competition-related regulatory activity relating to airport operation services and air traffic control. The EDP was set up by Ofgem […]

Hinkley nuclear investment decision delayed again

The final investment decision on the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant in the UK has been pushed back again. EDF will now make the decision on whether to go ahead with the reactor project in September, France’s Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron told a French news outlet. The news comes after he previously said a decision […]

UK ministers have ‘false impression of support for solar’

UK ministers have the “false impression” that solar power no longer requires financial support for deployment in the UK. That’s “deeply worrying”, according to the Solar Trade Association (STA) and Lightsource, with reference to statements made by Energy Minister Lord Bourne who gave evidence to the Energy and Climate Change Committee (ECC) last month. In […]

UK joins 170 nations to sign landmark climate pact

The UK has joined up to 170 countries in New York today to sign the landmark climate deal agreed in Paris last December. World leaders gathered in New York for the day-long ceremony which was opened by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. He urged all countries to “quickly join” the Paris agreement to tackle […]

Green group dumps tonne of coal in Westminster

Environmental activists dumped a tonne of coal outside the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in Westminster today. Friends of the Earth is urging the government to “leave fossil fuels in the ground”, claiming almost 10,000 supporters signed its petition. The organisation is also calling on energy ministers to make a “simple change” to […]

Siemens-Valeo form joint venture for EV engines

German engineering giant Siemens and French automotive supplier Valeo are to create a joint venture to develop powertrains for electric cars. The 50:50 partnership will develop and sell high-voltage electric motors and power electronics products required for electric passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. It will combine the French company’s power electronics business, which employs […]