Rob Horgan

Soaring EV sales highlight need to plug charging network gaps

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK have increased by 16% year-on-year, further highlighting the need to bolster the UK’s charging network. Latest figures show that almost 11,000 pure electric vehicles were registered in the UK last month, up more than 1,500 on February 2022.

DNOs to cover reinforcement costs for new developments

Distribution Network Operators will have to cover infrastructure upgrade costs when connecting new developments under rule changes set to come into force next month. Under the current arrangement, developers are obliged to cover the costs of reinforcing the local electricity network to provide sufficient capacity to serve their new developments.

Hornsea Three risks being paused without subsidies

Plans for the world’s largest offshore windfarm are at risk of being shelved without government support. Duncan Clark, head of Ørsted UK & Ireland, called on the government to announce subsidies in the upcoming Budget to help renewable energy project developers mitigate rising construction costs.

Hydrogen village trials won’t go ahead without public support

Hydrogen village trials will only go ahead in areas where there is strong public support for them, the government has confirmed. The announcement comes following local protests against plans for a hydrogen village trail in Whitby in Ellesmere Port.

Masdar to invest £1bn in UK battery storage

Masdar has announced its intention to invest £1 billion in the UK battery storage market. It comes after the UAE government-owned firm acquired UK-based battery developer Arlington Energy

Renewables power generation outstripped gas over winter

National Grid ‘inching closer’ to zero fossil fuels target

National Grid is “inching close” to its 2025 goal to run the entire power system without fossil fuels, according to analysis from Imperial College London for Drax Electric Insights. The conclusion comes after Britain broke the record for “greening its grid” after producing 100% clean electricity for 25 hours in December, the longest period on record.

Year-on-year switching up for first time in 20 months

The number of customers switching electricity supplier increased year-on-year for first time since May 2021. In January 117,263 switches were recorded, according to the latest figures released by Energy UK. That represents a 24% increase on the 94,428 switches registered in January 2022.

Hinkley C’s first nuclear reactor arrives on site

The first of two nuclear reactors that will be installed at Hinkley Point C has arrived in Somerset. Weighing 500 tonnes, the 13m-long reactor was made in France before being shipped to Avonmouth Docks in Bristol.

National Grid pushes on with £465m cable burying drive

National Grid has submitted plans to bury 4.6km of overhead electricity line in the North Wessex Downs. The project is part of the wider £465 million Visual Impact Provision initiative to remove overhead line infrastructure in five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty