Generation

Energy UK calls for new bill to deliver climate commitments

Energy UK has called for the inclusion of a new legislation in the Queen’s speech on Tuesday (10 May) to set the foundations for the energy system over the next decade. The organisation said there has been no major energy legislation since 2013, during which time the sector has changed dramatically. It said a new Energy Bill is now needed to put in place the necessary framework and powers to deliver on the government’s climate commitments.

Energy security strategy: what comes next?

Gender equality initiatives failing to deliver in energy

Well-intended initiatives by energy companies to improve gender equality in the industry are failing to consistently deliver, in part due to unsupportive company cultures, a new report has revealed. The Powerful Women group highlighted multiple issues including the inconsistent quality and accessibility of mentoring and coaching programmes and the reluctance of women to take advantage of flexible working policies for fear of being overlooked for career opportunities.

Regulatory concerns deterring renewables investors

Scottish Power to supply green hydrogen to whisky distilleries

Defending critical operational data from malicious cyber attacks

CfDs for existing generators could reduce energy bills

Ofgem to reduce distribution connection charges

How flexibility holds the key to unlocking a net zero future

Weekend press round-up: Hinkley Point B could be spared imminent closure

As the government rushes to secure the UK's energy supplies whilst weaning the country off Russian gas, there are reports that EDF's Hinkley Point B nuclear power station could be spared from imminent closure and that ministers are in talks with South Korea to help build the series of new nuclear plants promised by the prime minister. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have released figures showing raw sewage was discharged into English bathing waters more than 25,000 times in 2021. This and more in Utility Week's latest round up of the weekend papers. 

ESO vets stalled connection bids to ease grid bottlenecks

Government risks missing carbon removal goal, MPs warn

The chair of Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee has expressed a lack of confidence that the government will meet its target for the roll out greenhouse gas removal technologies. Based on the current rate of progress, Philip Dunne MP said it requires a “leap of faith” to see how the government will achieve its goal to suck five megatonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere per year by 2030.

Octopus acquires stake in Lincs offshore wind farm

Rudd ‘surprised’ by ministers’ lack of fresh steps on energy bills

Former secretary of state for energy and climate change Amber Rudd has said she is “very surprised” that the government has not taken more action to tackle unaffordable energy bills, predicting the pressure to do will become “unstoppable” this autumn.

‘Continued strain’ of price cap takes toll on Scottish Power profits

Scottish Power's retail arm has recorded a £12 million loss for the first quarter of 2022, with the company citing the price cap methodology as causing a strain on earnings. The company, which at the end of March served 4.8 million customers, said earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by £118 million, or 111.5% year-on-year.