Newly appointed Energy Minister John Hayes has adopted his predecessor’s refrain of a “balanced” energy mix in his first statement since coming into the role late yesterday. Replacing Charles Hendry in the Prime Minister’s Cabinet reshuffle, the Tory MP declared it was “crucial time both for our energy security and for tackling climate change”. In […]

The newly appointed Energy Minister’s experience with promoting apprenticeships and training should stand him in good stead, says the wind and marine energy trade body. RenewableUK today welcomed John Hayes as a politician who “appreciates the importance of the right training for the skilled workforce for the future”. Mr Hayes was formerly the Minister for […]

DECC stalwart and Conservative MP Charles Hendry leaves “big shoes to fill” after he was replaced by John Hayes as Energy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Cabinet shake-up. The news was the sting in the tail of the reshuffle yesterday which initially seemed to leave the Department of Energy and Climate Change unscathed. David Smith, […]

As our bizarre summer finally breaks into heat – the weekend’s mix of sunshine and downpour seems quintessentially British, i.e. totally bonkers – the turning weather has pushed my thoughts onto the next season. Autumn, season of mists – and one of the biggest bits of policy to hit the energy sector in at least […]

The last remaining Magnox nuclear reactor in the UK has been given the go-ahead to operate until 2014 – four years after its original closure date. Magnox, which runs the Wylfa Power Station as well as 10 other nuclear sites and a hydroelectric plant, got permission to transfer fuel between its reactors meaning electricity generation […]

DECC has scrapped 86 rules and slimmed down 48 others to make life easier for businesses. Part of the Government’s ‘red tape challenge’ which was launched in 2011, it is said the changes could save businesses around £400 million over the next 20 years alongside other reforms to the energy market. This includes simplifications to […]

The UK Government’s current energy efficiency policies will only deliver one-third of the 150 terawatt hours (TWh) of energy savings every year which are potentially available by 2030, according to a new research. DECC published a study yesterday as part of the electricity market reform, which showed 150 Twh of electricity savings could be made […]

The UK could save up to £300million within the next five years if changes are made to the electricity generators’ licenses, according to DECC. The Government published its response to the Transmission Constraint Licence Condition (TCLC) yesterday, commenting on the proposals to modify the standard conditions of energy generating licences. It claimed changes should be […]

A new deal by the UK’s nuclear authority is expected to enhance international nuclear security and boost the country’s economy. DECC announced the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has taken ownership of some German plutonium, which is a chemical element used in most nuclear plants to produce energy. The new deal means the NDA will convert […]

The Government has given consent for the construction of two wind farms, which it claims will be a huge boost to the nation’s capacity. The turbines will be built on the Norfolk coast with a total capacity of more than 1GW. Centrica’s Race Bank and Warwick Energy’s Dudgeon wind projects represent around £3billion worth of […]