Only use gas for back-up power finds report

Gas plants should only be used as back up for renewable energy in future while the UK should put in place a 2030 decarbonisation target in the imminent Energy Bill. That’s the conclusion of a new report from the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) which suggests the energy system needs “wholesale transformation”. By comparing four […]

Will Energy Bill tackle fuel poverty?

“Shame on you George Osborne”, shout protestors outside the Treasury who are convinced the Government is letting suppliers off the hook on high bills. They fear fuel poverty could mean more deaths over the winter. But will the Energy Bill tackle this? Does the Government’s new legislation show leadership on climate change? ELN speaks to ministers, protestors […]

Lack of carbon target could lead to ‘investment vacuum’

The UK could face a high risk of “investment vacuum” after 2020 due to the Government’s lack of clarity on setting a decarbonisation target. That’s the view of environmental group Greenpeace, which said billions of pounds of investment that the Energy Bill plans to bring in will depend on the carbon target being made law. […]

Government’s Energy Bill still has ‘room to improve’

The Energy and Climate Change Committee welcomed the Government’s proposals for the Energy Bill but said there is “still room for improvement”. Energy Secretary Ed Davey announced the full details of the Bill yesterday and confirmed the decision to have a single counterparty for its Contracts for Difference (CfD) mechanism. This is expected to provide […]