Planning the UK’s energy future is a difficult task and getting more challenging. A secure, sustainable and affordable energy supply should be a priority for any government.
National Grid has today…Read more…
Finding a future for wind power
As the political storm over the UK government’s decision to end subsidies for onshore wind power rumbles on, we take a look at wind power developments in Scotland.
Renewables now generate almost half…Read more…
Joined-up energy strategy vital
The closure of the E.ON gas-fired power station at Killingholme in north Lincolnshire in September is a ‘wake up’ call for the government to talk to industry leaders and trade unions about a…Read more…
Wind farm subsidy – right policy, wrong timing
The UK government decision to exclude new onshore wind farms from a subsidy scheme a year earlier than planned, is the right energy policy, but wrong on timing.
The subsidies, which are paid for by…Read more…
Balanced energy policy call
The announcement that new subsidies for onshore wind farms will end from April next year is ‘misguided’, Unite warned today (June 18) “The UK faces a serious energy supply problem in…Read more…
Pre-payment meters masking fuel poverty
Pre-payment energy meters are being used to mask the real levels of fuel poverty in the UK.
An investigation by BBC 5 Live has highlighted that more than half a million pre-payment energy meters have…Read more…
Hammer blow for workers
The proposed closure of the coal-fired power station at Ferrybridge in West Yorkshire is ‘a hammer blow for the workforce’, Unite said today (Wednesday 20 May). Unite said that that there were 172…Read more…
Why this election matters – energy policy
One issue that has received very little attention in this election is energy policy. While there are some devolved aspects, the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity…Read more…
Stop fracking and lobby for sustainable energy
#stuc15 Delegates backed a Fife TUC call to oppose fracking and underground coal gasification (UCG) until their potential impact on local communities and the environment is fully investigated and understood. Instead, the STUC will lobby for the development of sustainable energy including investment in renewables and lower carbon emissions.
This mirrors UNISON’s precautionary approach with regardRead more…
Longannet – three reasons why it’s closing early
The early closure of Longannet power station in Fife is a shocking blow to the workforce and the Fife economy. The causes are a toxic cocktail of company indifference, absurd regulations and an…Read more…
Energy profits and the failed market
Scottish Power profits have increased by 41% year-on-year in its generation and supply business for 2014. This comes after the Competitions Authority said the Big Six providers, including Scottish…Read more…
Energy efficiency: Small businesses certainly don’t have money to burn
The UK’s largest small business organisation, the UK Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), is campaigning and lobbying to help small and microbusinesses to become more energy efficient. It’s an organisation with over 200,000 businesses and is concerned to help them to reduce emissions, become low…Read more…
Unions and Fracking: the need for an “honest conversation”
It’s been a busy week for the debate on fracking. A new report said that the current debate on fracking “reveals a lack of public acceptance, or social licence, for it”. The Scottish Parliament put a moratorium in place pending an inquiry. Westminster MPs backed Labour’s stronger…Read more…
Why energy bills should be falling faster
Energy prices are back in the news as politicians call on the energy companies to reflect the oil price fall in their gas and electricity prices.
EoN were first out with a gas price cut, followed by…Read more…
Fracking – over to you!
Some astute politics by Labour and Tom Greatrex MP puts decisions on fracking very firmly in the Scottish Government’s court.
The Smith Agreement proposes the devolution of licences for gas…Read more…
#AutumnStatement 2014: No budget for a green economy
This was no budget for a green economy. There’s no notion of how the Chancellor’s infrastructure plans or business incentives would contribute to green growth, nor how to avoid any of the downside risks of these plans. Environmental levies look increasingly like a straight revenue raiser….Read more…
Coalition against Ineos fracking plans
Fracking is back in the news with the announcement that Ineos, the owners of the Grangemouth plant, has £640 million plans for shale gas exploration and appraisal. It already has two licences for…Read more…
Diversifing energy ownership needs a more radical approach
Community energy provides an opportunity to diversify Scotland’s energy ownership from the dominance of big energy companies. The Scottish Government has published a Community Energy Statement that…Read more…