Low-carbon generation

Weekend press round-up: Switch from oil and gas top of Trevelyan’s to-do-list

In our latest review of sector coverage across the national newspapers, the new energy minister discusses her priorities. There is also speculation about a ban on UK suppliers buying REGO certificates from the EU, as well as profiles of new projects exploring the potential of hydropower and isotope batteries.

John Pettigrew: We must tackle green skills gap ahead of COP

Emma Pinchbeck: How to win public permission for the green recovery

Introducing Countdown to COP

Our new campaign – to run over the next nine months – will seek to present a pan-utilities road map to net zero. We will explore the sector’s achievements to date and ask what needs to be done to unleash its full potential to drive forward the decarbonisation agenda. James Wallin sets out what the series will cover and how Utility Week members can get involved.

Will Gardiner: The next nine months are critical

Peter Simpson: ‘Now is the time to unlock action on net zero’

Calls for rapid return to implicit trading for interconnectors

PAC tells Treasury to put environment at heart of spending decisions

Renewable UK reveals new CEO

Renewable UK has announced the current boss of Siemens Engines will become the trade body’s next chief executive. Dan McGrail joined Siemens UK in 2004 and has worked in a variety of roles across the energy industry.

SSE expects to take £200m hit from pandemic

SSE has confirmed it expects to see its earnings reduced by roughly £200 million over its current financial year due to the effects of the coronavirus. In a third quarter trading update, the company said the impact of the pandemic on its operating profit is anticipated to fall towards the middle of the £150 million to £250 million range originally estimated in its last full-year results in June 2020.

Reform of ‘fragmented’ energy governance system needed

A shake-up of energy governance must go beyond splitting up the National Grid in order to avoid potentially stymying the delivery of the infrastructure required to deliver net-zero emissions, a former government adviser has warned.

Weekend press round-up: Households pay £250m to avoid power blackouts

In our latest review of sector coverage across the national newspapers, it is reported that National Grid is paying out £250 million a year to procure extra back-up power stations. Meanwhile, the future of both nuclear energy and battery storage in the UK are discussed.

Treasury drops net zero commitment from its Green Book

The Treasury will not include a requirement on departments to explain how they will meet net zero emissions in its guidance for appraising government spending.

Hendry criticises slow pace of UK grid upgrade

Octopus calls for ‘sin tax’ on gas use