Greg Barker London’s new sustainability chief

Former Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker has been appointed to lead the London Sustainable Development Commission (LSDC). It is the Conservative MP for Bexhill and Battle’s second high profile post after he stepped down from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). He was appointed as Prime Minister David Cameron’s climate change […]

Greg Barker resigns, Matthew Hancock new Energy Minister

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Insulation is “collapsing” in the UK

Dire warnings were flagged up today with new analysis suggesting the number of British homes getting insulation has plummeted under the Coalition. From 1.65 million major measures like cavity, loft and solid wall insulation installed 2012-13, this fell 60% in 2013 to 2014 to only 661,000 major measures. The drop is even starker when compared […]

Davey slams Labour’s “sound bite” stance on energy

Energy Secretary Ed Davey slammed Labour’s “populist, opportunist” and “sound bite approach” to energy yesterday. Labour tabled an Opposition Day vote in the House of Commons, asking MPs to give Ofgem powers to force energy suppliers to cap their prices. The Lib Dem politician ripped into his predecessor, Labour leader Ed Miliband (who wasn’t present […]

Small fall in fuel poverty “already in reverse”

Official statistics released yesterday show the number of houses in fuel poverty in England fell nearly 5% – but campaigners believe these figures are out of date. In 2012 households spending more than 10% of income on fuel was estimated to be 2.28 million – that’s around 10.4% of all English households. This is down […]

UK firms win £1.3m to generate bioenergy from wetlands

Three British companies have been awarded a share of more than £1.3 million to help turn reeds and rushes from wetlands into bioenergy. Natural Synergies, AMW IBERS and AB Systems will use the cash to test their project designs in three wetland areas in the UK, including Somerset, Suffolk and Inverness. Wetland areas are currently […]

Government turning roofs into sun power plants

Thousands of government buildings, hospitals, factories, supermarkets and car parks around the UK are to get solar panels under the Government’s new solar strategy launched today. Even the Ministry of Defence will have panels slapped on its offices as ministers aim to turn the nation’s rooftops into power stations, including 1GW of solar PV on […]

DECC awards £4m to cut offshore wind energy costs

Four businesses have bagged funding worth over £4 million in total to help lower the costs of generating offshore wind energy. High Voltage Partial Discharge, 2-B Energy, SgurrControl and Ocean Resouce will share the cash for research and development into offshore wind power. Design concepts range from a two-blade turbine (pictured) to a control system […]

Householders offered more cashback under Green Deal

The amount of cashback householders can claim for carrying out energy efficiency home improvements has been increased. Up to £4,000 is now available for solid wall insulation, up from £650, up to £1,000 for ‘room in roof’ insulation – designed for loft extensions – and up to £650 for those installing double glazing from £320. […]

Four Big Six energy firms agree automatic direct debit refund

Four out of the Big Six energy suppliers have agreed to automatically refund direct debit customers who are in credit. EDF Energy, British Gas and SSE as well as smaller supplier First Utility followed E.ON to hand back surplus cash to customers but ScottishPower and npower have yet to follow suit. The money could also […]