January 2009 news archive
Energy firms join forces for nuclear power development
RWE npower and E.ON are to embark on a joint venture to open new nuclear power stations.
Serviced household appliances can help reduce energy bills
Industry experts claim serviced household appliances can help to make them more efficient and reduce bills.
Brits 'suffering from high energy prices'
New figures show people are suffering due to the high energy prices in the UK.
Scottish MP calls for gas and electricity price cuts
SNP MP Adam Ingram has called for the UK government to force energy suppliers to reduce gas and electricity prices.
Brits 'confused about gas and electricity bills'
The energy spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives claims Brits are confused by their energy bills.
Fuel poverty households 'should benefit from special rates'
Energy firms should do more to help vulnerable people in society, according to Age Concern.
British Gas drops standard gas prices
British Gas is cutting its standard gas tariffs by ten per cent from next month.
Electricity and gas prices 'will drop soon'
All energy suppliers will drop their electric and gas prices soon, it has been claimed.
Centrica boosts North Sea energy supply
British Gas owner Centrica has boosted its North Sea oil and gas operations with a £22 million acquisition.
npower promoting energy efficiency in schools
Energy firm npower has launched its energy efficiency learning scheme Climate Cops Academy in Norfolk.
Businesses 'not placing importance on reducing energy bills'
A new survey has found only three per cent of UK small businesses are looking to reduce their energy bills.
Biomass heating 'could cut energy bills'
The Carbon Trust claims biomass heating could save businesses money on their energy bills each year.
Manufacturers see electricity cost increase
New research has found that manufacturers in the UK saw their electricity costs increase by 50 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Brits switching off TV for electricity bill savings
People across the UK are looking to save money on their energy bills by watching less TV and sharing things such as meals and bath water.
Good Energy cuts gas and electricity prices
Green Energy has announced reductions of both its standard gas and electricity prices.
Energy tariffs 'complex'
The chief executive of Consumer Focus has warned consumers that energy prices are complex to understand.
Age Concern: 'Energy firms need to follow British Gas and reduce prices'
The other energy firms need to follow British Gas's lead and reduce energy prices, according to a leading charity.
UK electricity prices leave families £4 worse off a week
Electricity and gas prices in the UK have pushed household bills up by £4 a week, according to new research from Asda.
Energy saving homes are 'few and far between'
Energy saving homes in the UK are few and far between, according to new figures released by Legal Marketing Services (LMS).
Wholesale energy prices 'to rise'
UK energy prices are set to rise by a fifth when the European Union makes carbon trading schemes a legal requirement, it has been claimed.
Scotland to export electricity to Europe
Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond is set to meet the European Union's North Sea grid co-ordinator to discuss the creation of an energy grid which would allow the country to export excess electricity to Europe.
Elderly 'affected by electricity and gas prices'
Age Concern has called on the government to reassess its £5 billion benefits package.
Energy saving lightbulb attack rebuffed
The government has rebuffed an attack on the compulsory use of energy saving lightbulbs – rejecting claims that partially sighted people will suffer when the legislation is introduced.
Energy saving lightbulb reduces electricity prices
Scientists have developed an energy saving lightbulb that can cut lighting bills by as much as 75 per cent.
Energy saving Scots face fines
Energy saving Scots, who have opted to burn coal or wood for heating, face £1,000 fines for breaching Edinburgh's strict anti-pollution laws.
Energy prices 'need cutting further'
More action to reduce electricity and gas prices has been called for by one Scottish MP.
Fluctuating energy prices 'don't curb Shell profits'
International oil exploration firm Royal Dutch Shell has announced record profits of £22 billion – almost £700 per second.
Welsh renewable energy firm received government funding
Renewable firm Dulas has received government funding to improve its solar power systems.
Council encouraging residents to apply for energy saving grants
Lincolnshire county council is hoping its residents apply for the government-run Everybody Benefits scheme.
Fears over possible gas price rises
There are fears the situation between Russia and Ukraine could result in increased gas prices for UK consumers, according to reports.
MPs angry at 'energy profiteering'
A number of backbench Labour MPs are calling for Gordon Brown to issue a windfall tax on energy firms following accusations of profiteering through the winter months.
Entrepreneur set to take on energy providers
A Plymouth entrepreneur is launching his own energy firm, aiming to provide cheaper gas and electricity to consumers.
Consumers 'should search for better energy deal'
People should look for cheaper energy deals, according to a utilities specialist.
Energy smart meter 'increasingly important for consumers'
An energy smart meter is increasingly important and can help change consumers' behaviour, according to reports.
Energy suppliers 'set to reduce gas prices'
Rumours are circulating that all energy firms will reduce their gas prices over the next three months.
ScottishPower launches new 10% reduction gas tariff
ScottishPower has announced its new gas tariff.
Scottish schools to be made more energy efficient
The Scottish education secretary has announced new measures to help make schools across the country more energy efficient.
Scottish minister lodges energy price notion
Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, has launched a new notion calling for the reduction of unacceptably high bills.
Gas and electricity bills at hospital shoot up
Gas and electricity bills at York Hospital have shown a rapid increase in the past year, according to reports.
Northumberland windfarm given planning permission
ScottishPower has been granted planning permission for a new windfarm which will produce enough power for 16,000 homes.
Offshore windfarm producing energy again
E.ON has announced it has repaired an offshore windfarm in Northumberland.
Being energy efficient can save £1,000 a year
Two industry experts claim making energy efficient lifestyle changes can result in large energy bill reductions.
Brits 'unsure about energy efficiency'
Two energy efficiency experts claim large numbers of Brits do not know how to reduce their energy bills by going green.
EDF Energy 'in a strong position'
EDF Energy's integration with British Energy can help the firm to grow its customer base, according to its chief executive officer.
Sian Lloyd supporting energy helpline
TV weather presenter Sian Lloyd is urging people to contact the Home Heat Helpline as January is predicted to be a colder than average for the month.
Smart meters 'extremely useful for businesses'
Business Link claims smart meters are vital to help businesses save money on their energy bills.
E.ON receives consent for new wind farm in Scotland
E.ON has received consent from the Highland council for a new windfarm in Caithness.
Conservative smart meter plans welcomed by ERA
The Energy Retail Associations has said the Conservative party's plans to install smart meters in homes across the UK can help people to save money.
Energy price restrictions 'should be introduced immediately'
A campaigner is calling on Gordon Brown to introduce energy price restrictions.
npower launches new energy service for businesses
npower has unveiled its new Risk Navigator, which aims to save businesses money on energy bills.
Campaign convinces gas and electricity providers to change billing practices
Gas and electricity providers have agreed to change their code of practice following a campaign by the Financial Mail.
Lib Dem leader to hold meeting over gas and electricity bills
Nick Clegg has announced plans to hold a meeting between energy industry leaders to discuss alternatives to helping families struggling with gas and electricity bills.
Electricity-guzzling plasma TVs to be banned
Energy-guzzling plasma TVs are likely to be banned under new European Union legislation due to be agreed this spring.
Firms 'not investing in energy and water efficiency'
Firms are not investing in green measures such as energy and water efficiency due to the current economic climate, according to new research.
Sir John: 'Cheap energy will never return'
The former chairman of the Environment Agency claims the days of cheap energy are over.
Community leader claims residents 'too scared to switch heating on'
People on one estate in Blackpool are sitting in the cold as they are too afraid to put their heating on due to the high costs, according to a community leader.
Council's energy bill doubles in 1 year
Cambridgeshire county council claims its bill for street lighting has almost doubled in the space of one year.
Miliband: 'No worries over gas supply'
People should not worry about the UK's gas supply, the Energy Secretary has said.
Gas dispute 'should not affect UK prices'
Gas prices could fall across the UK in the next few weeks, despite the dispute between Russia and Ukraine, according to one expert.
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