UK Government sells shares in wind investor Greencoat

The UK Government has sold all its shares in renewables investor Greencoat UK Wind. The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) said it sold 50 million shares at a price of 103.5 pence per share, raising £51.75 million. The Government had invested in the company in March 2013 in a bid to “help establish […]

Exclusive Webinar – CfD exemptions: what it means for your business

Are you an intensive energy user? Would you like to know more about the government’s consultation on the eligibility for exemption from upcoming Contracts for Difference (CfD) costs and compensation for the costs of FiT and RO? Join npower and BIS, the government department designing the scheme, to find out more and give BIS your […]

Greg Barker resigns, Matthew Hancock new Energy Minister

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New systems for faster energy switching being developed

New systems that will make it easier and quicker to switch energy suppliers are being developed, the Government has announced. The technology is expected to transfer data on energy usage and costs automatically between suppliers and switching companies but without the customers’ consent. It is hoped to make it much easier for people to compare […]

F1 technology in buses to help cut fuel usage

Four British engineering firms that will use technology initially designed for Formula One cars in buses and diggers to improve fuel efficiency have been granted funding totalling more than £28 million. Ford, GKN Land Systems, Cummins and JCB and its partner Flybrid will share the cash – which will support investment of £133 million – […]

UK must ‘invest £33bn to start shale gas production’

An estimated £33 billion needs to be invested to bring UK shale wells into production between 2016 and 2032, says a new report. That includes up to 4,000 horizontal wells, around £20.5 billion for hydraulic fracturing – the controversial process of extracting shale gas – and more than £4.1 billion for drilling fluid and water […]

UK looks into skills needed for shale gas sector

A study to find out what skills the UK shale gas industry will need in the coming years was launched by a trade group today. The UK Onshore Operators Group (UKOOG) is partnering with consultancy giant EY to also assess the supply chain and look into the materials and equipment needed to build and operate […]

npower’s Wayne Mitchell’s Blog

The contracts that will make a difference to your business  Another week, another important EMR announcement – and this time, rather than analysing new detail released by the government, we are being asked for our views, so they can then do the analysing. I’m talking about not one but two EMR-related consultations launched by the […]

Government revs up £1bn for British low carbon cars

Britain’s car industry is set for a £1billion injection to jet it ahead of the competition for ultra-low emission vehicles or ULEVs. Business Secretary Vince Cable announced the huge sum today which will go towards a new research centre, half of that coming from the Government over the next ten years and the rest expected […]

Small businesses can keep energy market competitive – Fallon

Small businesses engaging with the energy market can help keep prices competitive, according to the Business and Energy Minister Michael Fallon. Speaking at npower’s annual Energy Debate in London yesterday, the minister said: “I know from my work in the department of Business (BIS) that higher energy bills are hitting businesses hard. Competition is the […]