April 2009 news archive
Offshore electricity project bought by Norway's Statkraft
State-owned Norwegian utility firm Statkraft has agreed to buy a 50 per cent stake in a British offshore windfarm project owned by StatoilHydro.
Cheapest energy tariffs for online customers
Electricity and gas customers who pay for their energy bills online are benefitting from reductions in cost as the price war intensifies, it has been claimed.
'Cheaper energy bills' for British Gas customers
British Gas claims that its latest business acquisition will help its customers use less energy and reduce the cost of their electricity and gas bills.
BPF voices energy price concerns
The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has voiced concerns over the government's current energy policies.
Cheap energy package from Scottish government
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has introduced a new package of measures aimed at improving access to cheap energy.
Cheaper energy bills with more efficient appliances
British consumers could end up saving money on their electricity bills following a ruling by the EU to introduce minimum energy standards for household appliances.
Electricity usage to be monitored at the London Olympics
General Electric is set to install a range of smart meters at the London 2012 Olympic Village.
Cheap renewable electricity supported with technology fund
Tidal power at the Severn Estuary could provide the UK with up to five per cent of its annual electricity needs and government is looking to develop a variety of schemes to harness it.
Infrastructure upgrade to improve standards
National Grid has awarded contracts worth £1.2 billion to Morrison Utility Services and Enterprise Managed Services.
Green electricity will not be viable without support
Green energy is unsustainable as a business unless the government starts investing heavily in new technology, it has been claimed.
'Cheaper energy bills through smart meters'
Cheaper and more accurate energy bills would be two of the many benefits provided by the widespread installation of smart meters, it has been claimed.
Demand for cheap electricity boosts wind turbines sales
The demand for small wind turbines is booming and manufacturers are reaping the benefits, according to new research.
Cheaper electricity bills with EU money
UK consumers could benefit from lower electricity and gas bill following EU authorisation for the government to use £100 million worth of funding, which will be used to improve the energy efficiency of the UK's housing stock.
Green electricity saved by EU
Prime minister Gordon Brown's vision for a low-carbon economy could be saved by European taxpayers as the European Investment Bank considers financing the £3 billion London Array scheme.
Cheap electricity from coal benefits Nottinghamshire miner
The potential of coal to generate cheap electricity could be a boost for Nottinghamshire pits.
Cheap energy scheme to get taxpayers' cash
An energy scheme which is expected to produce cheap electricity and thousands of jobs will be rescued with taxpayers' money.
Solar campaign backed by MPs
The drive to increase the amount of energy generated from solar panels in the UK has received the support of more than 150 MPs.
Energy price cut on cards in Ulster
Electricity and gas prices in Ulster may be reduced later this year, it has been claimed.
UK 'risks missing out on renewable energy target'
The UK is at risk of not meeting its wind-powered renewable energy targets, it has been claimed.
Energy-saving measures 'key to the future'
Affordability is the main barrier preventing consumers from embracing energy-saving measures, it has been found.
Gov't 'needs to do more about energy prices'
Gordon Brown needs to ensure the upcoming Budget includes measures to help families cope with energy prices, according to watchdog Consumer Focus.
Energy monitor could cut electricity bills
A new energy monitor developed by Onzo and set to be released in the UK later this year could help consumers cut the cost of their energy bills.
Elderly need more help with energy bills
The elderly need more financial help during the recession in the form of automatic payment benefits, it has been claimed.
UK energy prices 'could fall'
As oil prices continue to fall the impact on the energy sector could be beneficial to consumers, it has been claimed.
Biomass 'could cut energy bills and carbon emissions'
If good practice is followed and biomass power projects are implemented properly they could deliver cheaper, environmentally-friendly electricity, it has been claimed.
Cheap electricity from nuclear 'may come too late'
Cheap electricity from Britain's next generation of nuclear power plants may be too little too late, it has been claimed.
Ebico to help reduce energy prices for those in fuel poverty
Not-for-profit energy firm Ebico has joined forces with Groundwork to help tackle fuel poverty in more than 1,000 of the UK's worst-off homes.
Leisure centres embrace energy-saving measures
Leisure centres in Pembrokeshire have taken steps to improve their energy efficiency and hope to set an example to other businesses.
Energy wasting 'should be unacceptable'
One environmental expert has called for tougher action on homeowners who fail to make their properties more energy efficient.
Wallace and Gromit energy ad wins award
Gas and electricity provider nPower's TV advert starring animated favourites Wallace and Gromit has won Utalkmarketing.com's People's Choice Award.
Flexible electricity tariff for businesses
SmartEnergy has launched a new flexible electricity tariff aimed at businesses, which the company claims is the first of its kind in the country.
Energy bills could rise in wake of legally binging targets
Consumers could be hit by price increases on their electricity and gas bills if the government introduces legally binging greenhouse gas emissions legislation.
Homeowners back initiative to reduce electricity bills
British homeowners are backing the government's latest initiative to reduce energy bills by improving the energy efficiency of the country's existing housing stock.
Climate fund could reduce energy prices
People considering switching their energy supplier could benefit from a new climate fund set up in the north-west of England.
Energy savings of £12.6 billion with renewables
Energy customers and the British economy could save £12.6 billion a year on oil and gas imports if it pushes ahead with large scale energy efficiency and renewable energy schemes, it has been claimed.
Carbon storage could spell the end for cheap electricity
Carbon capture and storage projects could spell the end for cheap electricity from coal-fired power stations, it has been claimed.
Consumers should not expect a perfect feed-in energy tariff
Consumers who install microgeneration technology such as wind turbines and solar panels on their properties should not expect a perfect feed-in tariff to be introduced in April 2010.
Consumers could be stung with 2% energy prices rise
New coal-fired power stations built in the UK with carbon capture technology could push consumer energy prices up by around two per cent, it has been claimed.
Secure and cheap energy 'relies on a range of technologies'
Energy and climate change secretary Ed Miliband has said that the UK must be willing to try every possible option to reduce the cost and increase the security of its energy supply.
Cheap electricity for the elderly maintained
Chancellor Alistair Darling gave his budget speech today and confirmed the government would be holding on to its Winter Fuel Allowance scheme.
UK power firm is 'greening up the grid'
Green Energy UK, which buys electricity from 30 small-scale generators across Britain, claims it is gradually making the National Grid greener.
Cheap electricity technology scrutinised by the Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust has launched a new competition which will identify new technologies that will support the creation of a new fleet of next generation deep water offshore wind turbines.
UK electricity targets 'unrealistic'
The UK's renewable energy targets, set by the EU and with a deadline of 2020, may be unachievable during the current economic downturn, it has been claimed.
Cheap electricity for one million homes with E.ON
E.ON has asked the government to approve plans for a £350 million expansion of its gas-fired power station in Drakelow.
Conservatives plan to reduce electricity prices with retrofitting
A new plan by the Conservative party to retrofit UK housing with energy saving technology could help push down peoples' electricity and gas bills.
EU to help cut electricity and gas bills
The European Union (EU) will introduce new legislation to help poorer families trapped in fuel poverty with their gas and electricity bills.
Cheap electricity generated from food waste
A quarter of a million London homes are taking part in a scheme that aims to generate cheap, renewable electricity from food waste that would normally end up in a landfill.
Cheap electricity and low carbon economy promoted by BERR
The Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) has set up an energy and climate change unit to help business cut the cost of their electricity and steer the UK toward a low-carbon economy.
Data centres consume 3% of UK electricity
Data centres are responsible for the consumption of three per cent of the UK's energy and their carbon footprints are set to overtake those of other large electricity and gas using business customers.
Cheap renewable energy requires focus
The government must focus on a single source of renewable energy if it is to provide consumers with a reliable supply, it has been claimed.
Businesses 'still interested in energy efficiency'
Businesses are still favouring schemes which can help to reduce carbon emissions, according to new research.
Energy apprentices for Scotland
One hundred apprentices in Scotland are set to be trained to be able to help consumers across the country to reduce their gas and electricity bills.
National Grid handed £30m fine
The UK's National Grid has been fined £30 million for stifling competition in the gas market.
Eon encourages groups to adopt energy-saving measures
Gas and electricity supplier Eon has launched a sustainable fund which aims to provide community groups across the UK with grants and advise to help with energy-saving projects.
Scotland's largest windfarm 'almost finished'
Construction of the largest windfarm in Scotland is set to be completed over the next few weeks, ahead of schedule.
Crewe residents get cheap renewable energy
Residents in Crewe have benefited from a new scheme aimed at boosting the amount of cheap, renewable electricity in the region.
Energy firms should highlight cheap tariffs
British energy firms should do more to highlight good value energy deals for their customers, it has been claimed.
Business electricity customers should use government grants
UK businesses should take advantage of the £100 million worth of funding made available to them through the Carbon Trust, it has been claimed.
Offshore electricity transmission tenders to be launched
The UK energy regulator Ofgem is set to launch two tender rounds which will see firms bidding for contracts to link the UK's offshore wind farms to the National Grid.
Cheap electricity potential from wave power studied
A new study which will examine the potential of generating electricity from the waters surrounding England and Wales has been commissioned by the government.
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