INDUSTRY NEWS
BBC Director-General broadcasts new net zero ambitions
14 January, 2021 – Tim Davie, the Director-General of the BBC, has recently announced that the BBC has committed to a 2030 net-zero target. Details on how the BBC will reach this target are expected to be released in the next few months. The BBC’s net-zero plan is expected to include onsite renewable energy installations, along with increased energy efficiency measures. The BBC will join other large broadcasting organisations, such as Sky and BT, in committing to a net-zero target.
National Grid ESO hails 2020 as the greenest year ever for Britain’s electricity
13 January, 2021 – The National Grid ESO have announced that 2020 has been the greenest year for the UK’s electricity. Both wind and solar have reached new generation and percentage contributed to the electricity mix records in 2020. The renewable energy highlight of the year was that, in 2020, the UK was powered coal-free for 5,147 hours, which sufficiently tops previous years. It is hoped that 2021 will be a promising year for further renewable energy records.
‘The issue of wasted renewable power must be solved now for UK to reach net zero by 2050’
13 January, 2021 – Lane Clark & Peacock LLP have released a new study which indicates that 3.6TWh of generated wind power in the UK was wasted in 2020, which is enough to power a million homes for a full year. The main reason for the wasted energy was attributed to network constraints. Lane Clark & Peacock LLP have suggested that the installation of 20GWh of battery storage could help reduce the wasted energy by approximately 50%, as the energy could be stored in the battery until required at peak hours.
UK electricity prices hit record level as Britain's big freeze looms
12 January, 2021 – A cold snap in the UK this week has resulted in the price of electricity reaching a record high rate of £1,500 per megawatt-hour. The increase in the price is related to the extremely high demand in periods of low renewable energy generation. The price of gas has also risen in price by 1/5 during this freezing winter period. The installation of onsite renewable energy is a great way to ensure long-term cost-savings on energy and to avoid price volatility. Contact OnGen today to find out if onsite renewables are feasible at your site.
Power firm Aggreko invests £4.5m in 'future energy hub'
12 January, 2021 – Aggreko a temporary power provider has invested £4.5 million to create a ‘future energy hub’ in Scotland. The company are planning on turning their production facility in Dumbarton into an eco-friendlier site. Green initiatives include replacing diesel with low emission hydrotreated vegetable oil, installing standalone battery storage and replacing light bulbs with LED lighting. The latest investment at this site will help Aggreko work towards meeting their net-zero goal.
Renewables professionals ‘unfazed by Covid-19’
12 January, 2021 – The latest Global Energy Talent Index report, which surveyed 16,000 energy professionals across 160 countries, has highlighted that 77% of people believe that the renewable energy sector has grown in 2020. Furthermore, 85% of the responders are expecting the renewable energy industry to continue to expand over the next three years. This report clearly communicates a positive outcome for the renewables sector during the pandemic, which is expected to continue.
Distilleries receive first phase of £10m green whisky fund
8 January, 2021 – Distilleries across the UK have received up to £75,000 from the UK government to motivate sustainable produce. The funding is expected to help support jobs in the industry and help the industry transition to net-zero. The seventeen distilleries that have received funding are planning to invest in onsite renewables and low-carbon heating technologies, including biomass, biofuel boilers, hydrogen and geothermal energy. Our software, the OnGen Expert, allows for you to assess the feasibility of biomass CHP and biomass heating, along with an array of other onsite renewables and low-carbon technologies. Contact OnGen today for a software demo.
Norfolk to get 15,000 more LED street lights
8 January, 2021 – Norfolk County Council has unveiled energy efficiency plans to install a further 15,000 LED streetlights across the county to reduce emissions and become more energy efficient. The County Council is already making progress towards its carbon neutrality 2030 target, with earlier LED instalments providing 1,2000 tonnes of carbon savings. Our software, OnEfficiency, can recommend the best ways for your buildings to become more energy-efficient, providing greater cost and carbon savings. Contact OnGen for more information about OnEfficiency.
Vehicle-to-Grid rollout could deliver £880m in annual savings
7 January, 2021 – A joint Vehicle-to-Grid project with Nissan, E.ON and Imperial College London has highlighted the potential of EVs being used for distributed energy storage. The EV battery inside a plug-in parked vehicle could distribute energy from the EV battery to the electricity grid and back again during high demand. The research suggests that emissions from power networks could be lowered by using the Vehicle-to-Grid concept, while also giving annual cost savings of up to £880m.
OnGen: New tech fuels Scots firm's hope to lead nation to net-zero
7 January, 2021 – OnGen have completed a successful pilot with the North East Yorkshire and Humberside (NEYH) Energy Hub. OnGen’s software, the OnGen Expert, has been used to assess the feasibility of onsite renewables for 76 locations across 12 local and combined authorities. The pilot has identified an array of opportunities for large carbon savings within this Energy Hub. The NEYH Energy Hub Manager, Paul Taylor, has claimed that the project has been a “huge success, with public bodies identifying investable, decarbonisation schemes where they have not had the tools and expertise to do so before.”
Solar and battery installation to cover 30% of the energy needs of Portsmouth International Port
5 January, 2021 – Portsmouth International Port confirms plans to be the first UK port with a MW-scale battery and solar canopy installation, paired with 1,670 roof mounted solar panels. The 750 killowatt peak system solar and battery installation is expected to meet approximately a third of the site’s electricity requirements, with 159 annual tonnes of carbon savings. Onsite renewables are the perfect way to increase carbon savings at your site. Contact OnGen today to find out your potential for onsite renewables today.
Geothermal electricity to be produced and sold in UK for first time after landmark PPA agreed
4 January, 2021 – An iconic PPA between Ecotricity and Geothermal Engineering Limited allows for geothermal baseload electricity to be generated and sold within the UK for the first time. Approximately 3MW-5MW of geothermal electricity will be generated in Cornwall and distributed to Ecotricity via the national grid. This project highlights the possibilities of geothermal as an additional resource for generating renewable energy in the UK.
Green boost for regions to cut industry carbon emissions
4 January, 2021 – UK government funding of £8 million will be split across six projects in the UK to aid with creating the world’s first net-zero emissions industrial zone by 2040. The projects are located in West Midlands, Tees Valley, North West, Humber, Scotland and South Wales. These projects aim to create new employment opportunities while reducing emissions. The next step for the net-zero projects is to produce more in-depth plans for becoming net-zero in their industrial sector.
Good Energy to launch ‘time-of-use’ tariff for EV drivers
4 January, 2021 – Good Energy have launched a new electricity tariff which will benefit EV drivers. The energy company’s new tariff has an extended off-peak window which is paired with a lower energy price, allowing for EV drivers to charge their vehicles for a lower cost. Good Energy aims for this new initiative to make EVs more accessible, while also reducing strain on the electricity grid, as EVs would be charged at times of lower grid demand.
UK: Winlaton pioneering hydrogen energy pilot
3 January, 2021 – Gas users in Winlaton village in the Northeast of England are pioneering a blended hydrogen and gas network for heating and cooking. The customers in this village will receive gas that is blended with 20% hydrogen by the end of the first quarter of 2021. If the pilot is successful, a blended gas and hydrogen mix could be a great first step to decarbonising heating across the UK.
2020 'greenest' year for UK electricity
31 December, 2020 – The National Grid ESO has reported that 2020 is expected to be the greenest year on record for electricity generation in the UK, reaching an average grid intensity figure of 181gCO2/kWh in January to November. The average carbon intensity value has largely decreased when compared to previous years, with a 15% decrease from 2019. With an aim to reduce grid carbon intensity to 100gCO2/kWh by 2030, the UK still needs to continue increasing decarbonisation initiatives to reach this target.
Storm Bella helps Great Britain set new record for wind power generation
28 December, 2020 – Boxing Day’s Storm Bella provided record wind generation for the UK, with 50.7% of the total electricity consumption being generated by wind power for over 24 hours. Earlier in December, the record for the highest power supplied by wind farms was reached at 17.3 gigawatts. During the earlier record, the electricity demand was higher in the UK, resulting in wind making up a smaller percentage of total energy consumption. These wind records help celebrate a triumphant year of renewable energy records being met.
Ministers urged to cut VAT on batteries for homes after Brexit
22 December, 2020 – An open letter sent to UK Ministers that was signed by organisations, including the UK’s Renewable Energy Association and Powervault, urges the UK government to reduce VAT on home energy storage systems to 5%. Previously, when the UK was part of the EU, the VAT percentage increased across the EU for home battery storage systems in 2019, resulting in these systems becoming less affordable. Now, as the UK faces the Brexit transition, it could be the perfect time to reduce the VAT on home energy storage systems with the aim to help grow the energy storage sector and decarbonise the UK.
Eight energy majors agree on six ‘energy transition principles’ towards net zero
18 December, 2020 – A joint statement signed by eight large energy companies including Total, BP and Equinor agrees on six ‘energy transition principles’ for reaching net-zero. These energy companies have agreed to follow net-zero principles including supporting the Paris Agreement, aiming to reduce their carbon emissions and being more transparent with any climate change risks. It is hoped that these principles noted will help these energy giants reach their net-zero targets.
Renewables power to 90% of Scottish demand
18 December, 2020 – The latest annual energy statement for Scotland has highlighted that the Scottish renewable energy output for 2019 equates to the equivalent of 90.1% of the country’s total electricity consumption, another record year for the increase of renewable energy electricity generation. The Scottish government aim to further increase the percentage of renewables by decarbonising energy-intensive industries, heating and transport through acting on new sustainability policies announced in the Scottish government’s Climate Change Plan Update.
Budweiser and CleanEarth announce Magor Brewery to be Powered by Massive Wind Turbine
18 December, 2020 – Budweiser Brewing Group has increased sustainability efforts at Magor brewery in South Wales by installing a wind turbine to power the site. The wind turbine is located within 1 mile of the brewery and will power Magor brewery by purchasing the generated electricity through a power purchase agreement with CleanEarth. The recently installed wind turbine will generate approximately a quarter of the required electricity for this site, saving 2,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum. If you are interested in understanding the potential of onsite renewables at your site, contact OnGen today.
Scottish Water to install £2m solar and storage facility at wastewater plant
17 December, 2020 – Scottish Water have announced plans of installing over 1MW of solar paired with battery storage (800kWh capacity) at Perth’s wastewater treatment works. The project will result in 2,520 solar panels and four vanadium flow batteries being installed in 2021 and will reduce the site’s energy costs by 40%. The project is also predicted to reduce 160 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year to help Scottish Water meet their 2040 net-zero emissions target.
'Extremely encouraging': Why three-quarters of UK firms are now plotting net zero goals in 2021
17 December, 2020 – HSBC’s latest poll involving 1,000 UK-based companies has found that 73% plan to introduce new net-zero goals in 2021. Furthermore, 78% of these companies are expecting their sales to increase in 2021 as a direct result of concentrating more on sustainability. These companies would like to see more government support, with 42% of the surveyed organisations wanting more government funding for initiatives to reduce their emissions.
Electric car battery pack prices fell 89% in just 10 years
16 December, 2020 – Bloomberg NEF report that the battery pack that is used in electric cars’ price has dramatically fallen by 89% over the past 10 years, falling 13% in 2019 alone. The battery pack now costs $137/kWh on average. The decrease in price should result in EVs becoming more affordable, as the battery pack currently makes up 21% of an EV’s cost. The decrease in battery packs prices will also positively influence the price of standalone battery storage.
‘Only 46% of SMEs in the UK are actively working to improve their energy efficiency’
14 December, 2020 – Yü Energy’s latest survey based on SMEs’ energy efficiency measures has found that just 46% of SMEs are making energy efficiency improvements to their businesses. Of the surveyed companies, less than 20% have buildings which have an EPC rating above B. Yü Energy suggest that by becoming more energy-efficient and achieving a higher EPC rating, an SME will not only be more eco-friendly but will also save up to 28% off energy bills. If you are interested in increasing your SME’s EPC rating, try OnGen’s newest software OnEfficiency for recommendations on how to make your business more energy efficient.
Government fund offers £34m to help manufacturing industries reduce emissions
11 December, 2020 – The Scottish Government’s decarbonisation manufacturing fund has now opened for applicants. The £34 million Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund allows for companies within the manufacturing industry to apply for grants of up to £125,000 to invest in onsite energy efficiency improvements and low-carbon technologies. The fund is open for applicants until the 26th of February 2021. If you are interested in taking advantage of this fund to deploy renewable and low-carbon technologies, contact OnGen to unlock the potential of renewables at your site.
Jacobs reaches 100% renewables and net-zero emissions for business operations
11 December, 2020 – Jacobs, the global engineering firm, has announced that it is now powered by 100% renewable energy. The engineering firm also revealed that it has become carbon neutral in its general operations and business travel. Jacobs is planning to take its ambitions further, with an aim to become carbon negative by 2030. Jacobs is a leading company in making sustainable choices and hopefully will inspire more companies to make a carbon-negative target.
Recycled wind turbine blades can help clean up cement production – but how?
10 December, 2020 – Plans for recycled wind turbines to replace raw materials in cement manufacturing in the US have been announced by GE Renewable Energy. The recycled wind turbine blades can replace up to 90% of the raw materials used to create cement. This recycling process has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in cement production by 27%.
Amazon becomes ‘world’s largest’ renewable energy backer with 26 new utility-scale solar and wind projects
10 December, 2020 – Amazon has released plans for 26 new renewable energy projects spanning from the UK to Australia to help power their company. Amazon is planning for a 3.4GW increase in electricity production because of these new projects, which will help Amazon become the world’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy. These projects are expected to be a mix of solar PV and wind installations.
Bloomberg NEF: Pandemic's effect on renewable energy investment has hit developing nations hardest
10 December, 2020 – Bloomberg NEF’s latest report highlights that the renewable energy investment market has been unevenly influenced by COVID-19 between developed and undeveloped countries. The report found that developed countries, such as the UK and Germany, were on track for meeting a similar percentage of clean energy finance as was seen in 2019. In contrast, in developing countries, including Pakistan and Haiti, investment was found to be around 20% lower than 2019 levels. Bloomberg NEF also has concerns that the renewable market will recover more slowly in developing countries.
Ofgem finalises RIIO-2 price control to get the grid ready for net zero
8 December, 2020 – Ofgem have announced plans for investing £40 billion into the national electricity grid infrastructure as part of the finalised RIIO-2 price control. Ofgem aims for this funding to help increase green energy investment. The investment will also help network companies make repairs and upgrades to the grid.
IEA: Energy efficiency improvements for 2020 'the weakest in a decade'
7 December, 2020 – IEA reported that 2020 has had the lowest level of investment in energy efficiency improvements within the past decade. IEA is alarmed by these findings, as they believe that energy efficiency improvements are necessary for meeting climate targets. We hope that the government’s funding packages, such as the UK’S Green Home Grant, should have a positive impact on energy efficiency in future years. If you would like to improve the energy efficiency of your organisation, contact OnGen to learn more about our software, OnEfficiency.
UK's first all-electric car charging forecourt opens in Essex
7 December, 2020 – The UK’s first electric charging forecourt has opened in a retail park in Essex with facilities to change 36 cars. The forecourt will be powered by a mix of a subsidy-free solar power from Bedfordshire, solar carport canopies and a battery storage system. The company Gridserve say that this project is the first of over 100 installations that are planned to be deployed within the next five years around the UK. Interested in powering your site by solar carport canopies and a battery storage system? Try the OnGen ExpertTM to assess the feasibility of these technologies at your site. Contact OnGen for a free demo.
UK vows to outdo other economies with 68% emissions cuts by 2030
4 December, 2020 – The UK Government have announced 2030 plans to reduce their annual carbon emissions by 68% when compared to the UK’s 1990 levels. This new target is a large rise in the UK’s reduction target when compared to the current target of 57%. It is hoped that the UK’s larger target will help lead the way in encouraging other countries to also increase their climate reduction target.
Local authorities 'need more government support to deliver net-zero visions'
4 December, 2020 – The latest report by Green Alliance has highlighted that local councils in England are struggling to meet their net-zero goals due to a lack of government funding. Although there is a significant amount of funding available for the public sector, it is still lower than in previous years and has decreased by 24% in the last decade. The report suggests that an increase in funding and the size of the skills force will be necessary for local councils to meet their net-zero goals.
Call for decarbonisation R&D projects
3 December, 2020 – The Welsh Government’s EU SMART Cymru program has announced a new funding opportunity for businesses that are interested in exploring the feasibility of decarbonisation initiatives. The funding is aimed at reducing carbon from products, processes and technologies for organisations with over 10 employees. This new funding is ideal for organisations that want to assess the feasibility of onsite renewables at their site by using the OnGen Expert. If you are interested in making use of this funding, contact OnGen today.
European Energy agrees UK solar partnership
3 December, 2020 – A new partnership between European Energy and Norstar will help support the deployment of 12 new solar projects in the North East of England. It is hoped that the expertise of both companies will allow for a strong partnership that will incorporate local and European solar knowledge.
Gresham House acquires another 50MW battery project for £32.75m
30 November, 2020 – The Gresham House Energy Storage Fund (GRID) have finished their investment in the 50MW standalone battery in Wickham Market, Suffolk. The battery installation has a storage capacity of 74MWh and has been connected to the distribution network. The completion of this project totals GRID’s operational standalone battery portfolio to up 315MW. The standalone battery is expected to gain revenue by trading within the wholesale market and National Grid’s FFR tenders and Balancing Mechanism.
University of Glasgow targets net-zero emissions by 2030
30 November, 2020 – The University of Glasgow has announced plans for a net-zero 2030 target. The university’s ambitious goal is aiming to be met by an array of eco-friendly changes including the installation of onsite solar panels and increasing energy efficiency improvements. Since 2015, the University of Glasgow has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 13%. The installation of onsite renewables is a great way to lower your carbon dioxide emissions. If you are interested in unlocking the potential of renewables at your site, contact OnGen.
InterGen unveils UK’s largest battery storage project with 320MW Essex site
30 November, 2020 – The UK’s largest battery storage project has been announced to be built in Essex at the Thames Estuary. InterGen is planning to install 320MW/640MWh of battery storage with the potential to expand the capacity to 1.3GWh. The battery storage will help balance the grid in Essex and is planned to be built by 2024.
Global investors plan to double proportion of renewable investments in next five years
24 November, 2020 – Octopus Energy’s latest study that surveyed institutional investors has highlighted that global investment in renewables is forecasted to double within the next five years. Investment in renewable energy is expected to increase from 4.2% to 8.3% within the next five years and continue to rise to 10.8% by 2030. The largest volume of investment is expected from investors in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
UK climbs to fifth for global renewables market outlook
24 November, 2020 – The UK has reached the top 5 in the global renewables market in EY’s Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI). The UK’s offshore wind commitments have helped the UK jump above the lower ranking spots that the UK has taken in previous years and overtake Germany to reach 5th The US has the top RECAI ranking after offering large COVID-19 packages that support renewables and China follows closely in second place because of their large solar installations continuing during 2020.
CfD: Government to back 12GW of renewable energy capacity in next auction
24 November, 2020 – The UK government have announced plans of increasing the renewable energy capacity by 12GW in the next CfD auction in 2021. The proposed increase is over double the capacity of the last auction at just 5.8GW. The rise in capacity will help the UK meet the net-zero goal. The renewable technologies will also be split into different groups when competing in the fourth round, resulting in onshore wind and solar being in a separate category from the other renewable technologies. Offshore wind will be in its own category.
Report: Renewables and flexible energy could cut £660m off UK's net-zero transition
23 November, 2020 – Wärtsilä Energy’s latest report suggests that if the UK government supported the installation of more renewables and battery storage rather than building a new nuclear plant, £660 million could be saved by 2030. The cost savings would be a mix of reduced operational and building costs. However, with many of the UK’s nuclear power plants closing, the government would prefer to not completely lose nuclear generation.
Full steam ahead for solar powered rail
23 November, 2020 – The Riding Sunbeams project was granted £2.5 million of UK government funding to support the world’s first railway that will be powered by solar energy. The planned solar railway line is the London to Eastbourne line. This railway line would be connected to a 3.75MW community solar project in East Sussex which would help power the railway line. The London to Eastbourne railway line is expected to be powered by solar by 2022 and there are plans for the project to be extended to other parts of the UK.
UK's advertising sector charts course to net-zero by 2030
19 November, 2020 – The Advertising Association have released a new framework to help the UK’s advertising industry meet net-zero emissions by 2030. The project will offer advice to companies in the advertising industry related to reducing emissions through renewable energy installations and energy efficiency investments. If advertising companies sign up to the framework, they are then committed to reducing their emissions and reaching their net-zero target.
Voltalia signs solar supply with City of London
19 November, 2020 – The City of London Corporation are going to pioneer a £40 million power purchase agreement (PPA) with Voltalia. The green energy for the PPA will be generated at a 50 MW solar plant planned to be built in south-west England. The project is the first PPA to be set up between a local authority and a renewable. The City of London Corporation is expected to save £3 million on energy costs over the next 15 years. If you are interested to understand the cost-savings from installing solar PV at your business site, contact OnGen today for a renewable energy site assessment.
More than half of UK councils have set a net zero goal for 2030 or sooner
19 November, 2020 – Carbon Copy’s latest report into local councils’ net-zero targets has highlighted that nearly three-quarters of local councils have declared a climate emergency. The report also demonstrated that over half of the local councils in the UK have set a net-zero goal for 2030 or earlier, which is 20 years sooner than the UK government’s target. As part of Carbon Copy’s study, they have also released an interactive map to look at climate targets in each local area.
UK launches research into space-based solar power station
18 November, 2020 – The UK is investigating if solar power from space could be used as a constant source of renewable energy. A space-based solar power system would be composed of large solar satellites that would generate renewable energy in space. The generated energy would then be converted into radio waves and beamed to ground-based receivers. The receivers could then be connected to the electric grid. Frazer-Nash Consultancy will be conducting the project research to understand if this project could be feasible.
Boris Johnson announces 10-point green plan with 250,000 jobs
17 November, 2020 – Boris Johnson unveiled a 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution to take place in the UK. The government have set aside £12bn to meet these goals, which include a ban on diesel and petrol cars by 2030 and investment in carbon capture initiatives. The 10-point plan is also expected to create up to 250,000 jobs throughout the UK. However, it is questioned if this plan is ambitious enough to meet the UK’s net-zero target.
European Energy, Locogen to co-develop 800-MW wind pipeline in Scotland
16 November, 2020 – European Energy and Locogen have partnered up to develop plans to install 800 MW of onshore wind in Scotland. The project is expected to go ahead within the next five years and when complete, the installation could supply energy to up to 500,000 homes. If your business is interested in installing a wind turbine, contact OnGen to understand the feasibility of this technology at your site.
Tesco to co-create three UK solar farms
13 November, 2020 – Tesco has announced the installation of three UK ground-mounted solar farms to generate energy to power their UK stores. The excess energy will be exported back to the grid through a PPA. The installation of their solar farms will help Tesco reach their goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2030, in-line with their net-zero 2035 UK goal. The company also plan to install roof-mounted solar on a further 17 of their English stores. Interested in installing solar like Tesco? Contact us today to see if it’s feasible at your commercial site.
Almost 80% of people in the UK ‘support the use of renewable energy’
12 November, 2020 – BEIS Public Attitudes Tracker survey of 4,000 adults has found that nearly 80% of people in the UK support the use of renewable energy. The highest supported renewable energy technology was solar energy, with 85% public approval, while the lowest public approval percentage was onshore wind at 73%. The BEIS survey also highlighted that 80% of the public are concerned or fairly concerned about climate change.
SSE powers up net zero target for 2050 'at the latest'
11 November, 2020 – SSE have announced that they aim to have net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. The energy supplier has previously released plans to support this target, including investing £7.5 billion on renewable infrastructure such as Dogger Bank, the world’s largest offshore wind farm. SSE also plan to reduce their absolute Scope 1 and 2 2018 baseline emissions by 40% by 2030.
Renewable energy defies Covid-19 to hit record growth in 2020
10 November, 2020 – The International Energy Agency reported that 2020 has been a record year for global renewable energy installations. Nearly 90% of all energy installations during this year have been renewable technologies. Furthermore, the IEA suggest that due to recent trends of renewable installations increasing while fossil fuels decline, renewables are set to become the biggest global energy source by 2025. The results from this report come as great news after previous concerns that COVID-19 would slow down the renewable installation rate during 2020.
Scotland introduces further incentives for renewables
9 November, 2020 – The Scottish Government have announced £4.5 million of cashback funding to help support households installing renewable heating systems or energy efficiency measures. The installation of a renewable heating system offers 75% cashback up to the value of £7,500 and 40% cashback is offered for households taking energy efficiency measures up to £6,000. This new scheme should be a great incentive for households wanting to take more sustainable measures.
BEIS gives businesses extra 12 months to apply for RHI
9 November, 2020 – The UK government have extended the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) by 12 months until March 2022 to support the private sector during the impacts of COVID-19. The extension will help support businesses that are already considering installing a low carbon heat technology. The Renewable Energy Association’s head of policy, Frank Gordon, welcomes the decision and expects that the extension will help support hundreds of businesses. Contact OnGen to unlock the renewable heat potential of your commercial site.
Swansea schools receive solar education
6 November, 2020 – The Egni Co-op have installed roof mounted solar panels on multiple primary schools in Swansea, resulting in emissions being reduced by 1,600 tonnes over the course of 20 years between these sites. These installations are helping Swansea Council meet their aims of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The OnGen ExpertTM can be used to assess the feasibility of solar PV at your school or business. Contact OnGen today for more information.
ScottishPower Renewables succeed at re-energising power grid with wind energy
6 November, 2020 – A blacked out part of the transmission network been restored as a result of wind power from Dersalloch windfarm in South Ayrshire. The project used virtual synchronous machines to manage the frequency and voltage from the energy generated by the wind turbines. This technology was able to keep the system balanced and could also merge the energy supply with the grid to restore power to areas of the transmission system that had been blacked out. The success of the project is allowing Dersalloch windfarm to become a fully ‘black-start’ windfarm by 2022.
UK battery production centre of excellence charges up in Coventry
6 November, 2020 – A pioneering battery production centre has opened in Coventry as part of the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC). The site aims to bring different researchers and manufactures together to work on developing battery storage systems in the UK. This week, UKBIC have welcomed their first partners into the new site. The centre at present has 86 employees, with the hope to grow by making future industry partnerships.
Turbine turns into poppy to mark Remembrance Sunday
5 November, 2020 – Vattenfall have transformed a wind turbine in Leicestershire at the M1 motorway into a poppy to honour Remembrance Sunday. The wind turbine was modified to look like a poppy by projecting a 90-metre-wide poppy head onto the blades and smaller poppies surrounding the wind turbine. It is hoped that this installation will allow for people to see the wind turbine poppy for miles into the distance to pay remembrance in their own way.
UK’s total onshore wind capacity ‘could reach 30GW by 2030’
3 November, 2020 – RenewableUK estimate that onshore wind could reach 30GW capacity in the UK by 2030, producing enough power for over 19.5 million homes per annum. The deployment of onshore wind will also help drive a green recovery, with an estimated 30,000 jobs being supported. The predicted rise in capacity is partly due to onshore wind being part of the CfD auctions, as well as decreasing capital costs.
UK's largest battery comes online in South Yorkshire
3 November, 2020 – Flexitricity, on behalf of Gresham House, have deployed the UK’s largest battery storage system of 50MW/75MWh in Thurscroft, South Yorkshire. This battery storage system will be used to help the National Grid balance the grid as renewable installations continue to rise. Gresham House is aiming to continue increasing their onsite energy storage to 350MW by the end of 2020. If you are interested in finding out if a standalone battery system would be feasible at your site, contact OnGen today.
Primark commits to deliver net-zero value chain by 2050
29 October, 2020 – Primark are the latest fashion store to sign the UN’s Fashion Charter, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. The UN Fashion Charter launched in 2018 and has over 50 businesses committed to the net-zero goal, including H&M and Levi Strauss. Primark also aim to reduce their emissions by 30% by 2030 and are currently developing a decarbonisation roadmap.
Solihull Council secures £6.5m for low carbon energy network
29 October, 2020 – Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council have received over £6.5 million of funding to allow for the development of a low carbon energy network in Solihull Town Centre. Solihull plans to install an open-loop ground source heat pump which will provide heat to multiple properties within the town centre. The project will save over 280,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide once installed by 2022. Unlock the potential of ground source heat at your site by using the OnGen Expert. Contact OnGen for a software demo.
Scottish SMEs offered £4m cashback for energy efficiency and renewable heating
29 October, 2020 – The Scottish Government have announced a £4 million cashback grant scheme to help small and medium-sized businesses improve their energy efficiency and to install renewable heating technologies. The scheme will allow for SMEs to access a 75% cashback grant for up to £10,000 towards renewable heat measures and a 30% cashback grant for energy efficiency measures up to £10,000. Now is the ideal time to make the most of these grant schemes; contact OnGen to find out what renewable heating technologies are feasible at your site.
Highest SEG tariff launched as Tesla Energy Plan expanded to solar and Powerwall systems
27 October, 2020 – Tesla have announced the highest Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff in the UK as part of the Tesla Energy Plan. The Tesla Energy Plan is now available for homes with solar panels and Tesla Powerwall battery systems with or without an EV. The rate of £0.08/kWh for Tesla vehicle owners and £0.11/kWh for non-Tesla vehicle owners has been offered, which is significantly higher than the current SEG tariffs on the market. At OnGen you can assess the feasibility of solar PV with a battery system for your business with a chosen SEG tariff. Contact OnGen today for a free demo of our software.
Global PV installations to hit 115GW in 2020
27 October, 2020 – Wood Mackenzie’s latest quarterly market outlook expects photovoltaic installations to have increased globally by 115GW by the end of the year. However, an increase in COVID19 outbreaks may result in installation for the rest of 2020 slowing. Wood Mackenzie predict a 5% global increase in installations for 2020 when compared to 2019. The percentage of global increase is forecasted to steadily raise up to 2025. Photovoltaic installations are increasing the most in Asia, with 39GW being deployed in 2020.
Ofgem 'must deliver on net zero'
27 October, 2020 – 17 UK organisations, including Scottish Renewables and Energy Networks Association, have called for Ofgem to consider the UK net-zero target when deciding on price control. Chief executive of Scottish Renewables, Claire Mack, has emphasised the importance of Ofgem setting a regulatory framework for electricity and gas transmission, distribution and price controls, which would allow for the flexibility to work towards net-zero. The next policy changes by Ofgem are to be announced in December for the transmission of gas and electricity.
‘Energy efficiency has been forgotten as the easiest way to cut emissions’
21 October, 2020 – DNV GL has reported that a global effort and investment is needed to increase the uptake of energy-efficient measures. Energy efficiency is often a forgotten step in a company’s decarbonisation journey, although it is the easiest way to cut emissions. Energy-efficient measures should be remembered as another pillar to help reach emission reduction goals. If you are interested in helping your company become more energy-efficient, contact OnGen for a demo of our new software, OnEfficiency.
Birds can avoid rotor blades Vattenfall study finds
21 October, 2020 – Vattenfall’s ornithological study in Kilm Wind Farm, Denmark has found that birds are able to avoid the rotor blades of wind turbines far easier than previously thought. The study demonstrated that 99% of the short-billed geese and cranes that flew within the Kilm Wind Farm area were able to avoid the blades of the wind turbines. The results of this study are highly positive for the installation of wind turbines, especially as the studied area is also within an important natural area.
'Decentralise, digitalise, and decarbonise': Engie UK debuts low carbon housing retrofit solution
20 October, 2020 – Engie are helping local authorities and housing associations reduce their emissions to meet net-zero goals by releasing a new low carbon housing retrofit service. The retrofit service aims to make homes more eco-friendly and energy-efficient. The new services include the installation of solar PV, standalone battery storage and housing retrofit. With over half of the UK housing market having an EPC rating of D or less, this initiative is a great start to help the housing market be greener. Our new software OnEfficiency can help you increase your company’s EPC rating by becoming more energy efficient. Contact OnGen for a demo.
This winter could see 1.3GW of new wind come online
20 October, 2020 – Cornwall Insight estimate a 1.3GW increase in installed capacity of onshore wind this winter in the UK. The increase in capacity would result in a 5% increase in total capacity to 25.4GW. This rise in onshore wind is the result of this technology being included within the Contracts for Difference scheme which allows for this technology to be even more financially feasible. However, the National Grid ESO’s report estimates that a faster installation rate is needed to meet the UK’s net-zero goal.
Wood Mackenzie reports on the future of solar
19 October, 2020 – Wood Mackenzie’s latest report highlights that an increase in module efficiency rates and the power class of solar PV will significantly reduce the cost of solar energy during the next decade. The capex cost of a solar project is expected to reduce by 3-9% during this period as solar module technology rapidly evolves, with modules with small wafer sizes eventually being phased out of the market as large modules become more cost-efficient.
SSE gains green light for 1.5GW Scots pumped hydro
16 October, 2020 – Plans to build the first British hydro scheme within 30 years have been consented by the Scottish Government. The 1,500MW hydro storage scheme will be located at Coire Glas in the Scottish Highlands and, if the project goes ahead, will be extremely beneficial for meeting the UK’s net-zero target. The project is awaiting commercial approval before building can commence but consent from the Scottish Government is a big step in the right direction.
UK urged to show more ambition with solar
16 October, 2020 – Solar Trade Association (STA) chief executive, Chris Hewett, is urging the UK government to increase their solar and battery storage ambition. Hewett estimates that the UK will have to triple its solar capacity within the next 10 years to have a chance at meeting the net-zero goal. The STA chief executive wishes to see a similar boost in solar that has previously been seen with wind.
Government awards £700k for UK’s first smart energy blueprint
15 October, 2020 – The Cheshire Energy Hub has been awarded over £700,000 of government funding to build the first smart energy blueprint in the UK. The aim of the project is to create a local, low carbon, smart energy system for the Energy Innovation District in a port in Cheshire, which is made up of an array of businesses. The project will be used to explore energy generation potential with onsite renewables and hydrogen fuel.
Wind turbine orders 'down 45% in Q2'
14 October, 2020 – A 45% decrease in the ordering of wind turbines has been found globally for Q2 2020 when compared to Q2 2019. Wood Mackenzie estimated a total of 17GW was ordered globally, which would have cost £12.2bn. The percentage drop is thought to be directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The largest decrease in wind turbine ordering was seen in the USA and China, while countries such as the UK, Netherlands and France decided to increase their ordering after having a surge in offshore wind demand.
IEA signals peak oil in next decade as renewables take upper hand
13 October, 2020 – The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest report highlighted a promising future for renewables, while fossil fuels such as coal have a more gloomy outlook and may never return again to pre-pandemic consumption levels. IEA predict that solar could reshape the future of energy by becoming the leader of electricity due to record levels of deployment expected. The report also demonstrated that as a result of current policy commitments, renewable deployment should continue to grow, meeting up to 80% of projected growth.
Aggreko launches solar power rental scheme
13 October, 2020 – Aggreko has announced their new global rental scheme for solar panels. The company are allowing customers to rent up to 1MW of solar panels with the deployment of the rental technology taking place within just 4 months. The contract duration begins at 5 years and the solar panels can be co-located with a battery storage system to make the system even more energy-efficient. If you are interested in the potential of onsite solar, contact OnGen today for a desk-based feasibility assessment.
City of London Corporation vows to achieve net zero emissions by 2040
9 October, 2020 – The City of London Corporation has announced plans to reach net-zero by 2040. Plans include changing planning regulations for more energy-efficient buildings and creating extra pedestrian space. A total of £68m has already been set aside to begin working towards this target, with 800 green jobs planning on being made.
Survey: Businesses place higher importance on sustainability after Covid-19
9 October, 2020 – Carbon Trust’s annual survey has highlighted that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have placed more importance on sustainability. The survey involved 453 interviews from different companies across Europe, Mexico and Singapore and found that 63% of the interviewees reported that the sustainability budget of the company is planned to increase in 2020. The number of dedicated sustainability professionals will also increase by 4% compared to 2019.
South Yorkshire scheme updates RI policies with 2030 carbon neutral target
7 October, 2020 – The South Yorkshire Pensions Authority (SYPA) have set the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. SYPA aim to have an action plan to achieve this goal within the next 6-months and will work with Border to Coast Pensions Partnership to help reach this carbon neutral target. The SYPA is not the first pension organisation to announce a net-zero goal, with NEST, Aviva and BT’s pension fund previously announcing net-zero targets.
Boris Johnson’s pledge to power all UK homes with offshore wind power by 2030 is ‘ambitious, but achievable’
6 October, 2020 – The Prime Minister pledged for offshore wind to have the capacity to power all homes within the UK by 2030. Johnson aims to increase the offshore wind capacity from the current 10GW to 40GW by 2030. It has been questioned if this target is realistic, with Aurora Energy Research calculating that £50bn of investment would be required to reach this goal, while the pace of installation would also need to be ramped up. With the needed investment, the industry is confident that they can achieve this goal.
'Tech unicorn' Octopus Energy to create 1,000 new UK jobs
5 October, 2020 – Octopus Energy have announced plans to generate 1,000 more technology jobs with an aim to make the UK the ‘Silicon Valley of energy.” These jobs will be created in London, Brighton, Warwick and Leicester, along with plans to create a tech hub in Manchester. This initiative has been praised as a great opportunity for employment during the planned green recovery.
Ofgem says seven suppliers owe £34m in RO and FiT fees
2 October, 2020 – Ofgem announced that seven energy suppliers owe a total of £34 million for the Renewables Obligations (RO) and Feed-in Tariff levelisation payments. The levelisation payment will be used to provide the owner of onsite renewable energy a payment. If these suppliers do not attempt to pay these payments, Ofgem may remove their energy licence.
Amazon unveils largest solar rooftop installation in Europe
2 October, 2020 – The largest roof mounted solar site in Europe, which is operated by Amazon, has started generating energy at a warehouse in Essex. The installation comprises over 11,500 solar panels and covers the size of 28 football pitches. This project is part of Amazon’s Climate Pledge programme to help the company be powered completely by renewable energy by 2025. If you are interested in utilising the roof space of your organisation’s buildings for solar generation, contact OnGen for a site feasibility assessment.
Energy storage: Global capacity predicted to surge by a third every year in 2020s
2 October, 2020 – Wood Mackenzie have predicted that the energy storage capacity will continue to grow by one-third every year within the decade to reach 741GWh by 2030. The US are expected to dominate the growth over this period to make up around half of the worldwide capacity by 2030, while China will also greatly contribute to the energy storage increase. Europe are expected to contribute less to the energy storage capacity because of slower market growth.
RWE launches research into the salty storage of green electricity
2 October, 2020 – RWE Gas Storage West GmbH and CMBlu Energy AG have announced plans for research into the storage of renewable electricity within underground salt caverns. These caverns are currently being used for gas storage, but it is thought that they could be used as an organic battery. RWE plan to fill the caverns with an organic electrolyte solution, which would be used as the main energy source for the battery storage.
£2bn Green Homes Grant and £1bn Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme open for applications
1 October, 2020 – The £2bn Green Homes Grant and £1bn Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme have been officially launched by BEIS and are ready for applicants. The funds were first announced at the government’s Summer Economic Update and aim to help the economy recover by creating new jobs, while also working towards a greener future. The schemes together hope to support 130,000 jobs. Interested in claiming this funding but don’t know which project is best for your site? Get in touch.
NHS becomes world's first health system to commit to net zero
1 October, 2020 – The NHS announced plans to be the first health system in the world with a net zero target. The NHS aim to firstly reduce direct emissions by 2040 and then have their wider supply chain in line with reaching net zero by 2045. Plans to reach this target include electric vehicles, reducing single-use products and building more energy efficient buildings. Our software suite is suited to help organisations like the NHS meet their net-zero targets. Contact us today on how to get started.
Solar Is Biggest Job Creator In Global Renewable Energy, Says IRENA
29 September, 2020 – IRENA’s annual report highlighted that 498,000 full time roles have been created globally in 2019 within the renewable sector. This new addition of jobs in 2019 brings the total number of renewable energy jobs up to 11.5 million. The largest increase in roles over 2019 was found within the bioenergy sector, while solar made up one-third of the total renewable energy occupations. IRENA forecast that COVID-19 will have a positive impact on the sector due to the green energy transition.
More than 80% of UK oil workers consider leaving the industry, finds climate group report
29 September, 2020 – Recent survey results conducted by Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth Scotland have found that over half of offshore workers would consider a job within the renewable and offshore wind industry. The survey also found that 81% of oil and gas workers would consider a job outwith the oil and gas industry, as COVID-19 has resulted in job insecurity within the sector. We hope this is a promising move towards a greener economy.
Government opens £6.9m fund for energy efficiency skills training
24 September, 2020 – The UK government announced a further £6.9m of funding for energy efficiency skills training in preparation of the Green Homes Grant Scheme. This funding is open to organisations that currently offer low carbon retrofit training, with an aim to get the workforce ready for the expected increase of up to 100,000 jobs within the construction sector as the new scheme comes into place in England.
Climate technology investments growing five times faster than average market rates
24 September, 2020 – PwC’s latest report highlights that venture capital investment into climate-related technology is increasing five times quicker than the average rate of all other industry investments. PwC have found that, in 2019, $16bn has been invested into this sector. The growth within green technology is likely to be driven by corporate requirements to meet climate targets, with over 300 companies committing to a net-zero future.
Renewables secure bigger slice of UK energy mix in Q2
24 September, 2020 – BEIS announced that during the second quarter (Q2) of 2020, the contribution of renewables to the UK’s electricity output had increased by 9% in comparison to the same period in 2019. The production of coal and other solid fuels fell by 29% when compared to the 2019 Q2 timeframe. It is thought that this large change from 2019 is a result of electricity consumption dropping during Q2 as a consequence of COVID-19.
Consortium to build ‘world’s first’ 100% recyclable wind turbine
24 September, 2020 – Plans for the first 100% recyclable wind turbine have been announced as part of a collaboration project headed by the Zero Waste Blade Research project. LM Wind Power will be building the prototype blades for this project using Elium, which is a fully recyclable thermoplastic resin. Further research is taking place to understand the best method to recycle the Elium material.
World’s most powerful turbine to anchor largest offshore wind farm
22 September, 2020 – Dogger Bank, the world’s largest offshore wind project, has announced that it will be powered by the new 13MW Haliade-X turbine, which is the most powerful wind turbine available globally. This site will be the first in the world to install these turbines, which are 107 metres in height. As these turbines are so powerful, fewer wind turbines will be required at the site, which will help lower the operation costs and improve efficiency.
Green Gas Levy: Government to fund green gas plants with CO2 tax on gas suppliers
22 September, 2020 – The UK government has launched plans to introduce a carbon tax on UK gas suppliers. This new levy will help provide subsides for the building of more biomethane production plants, allowing for an increase in the decarbonisation of heating. It is expected this new levy will rise consumer gas bills by approximately 11p per month and will help the UK reach the net-zero goal.
Construction begins on Kent’s zero-carbon neighbourhood
18 September, 2020 – The UK’s most energy-efficient housing scheme has started undergoing construction in Kent. Each home will be carbon neutral by roof-mounted solar PV being established for electricity generation and an air source heat pump being installed for hot water and heating. Interested in going carbon neutral? Contact us today to find out more about the potential of onsite renewable and low carbon technologies at your site.
Solar the pacesetter with renewable energy on road to 1.4TW big boom: Fitch
17 September, 2020 – Fitch Solutions announced their latest renewable energy forecasts up until 2029. Fitch expects that the global renewable capacity will increase by over 1.4TW by 2029 and the capacity of solar PV will overtake wind as soon as 2021. The growing installation of solar PV is thought to be related to the variety of ways it can be deployed, from domestic roof-mounted solar to large-scale ground-mounted solar PV.
Plan set out for Scottish hydrogen network
17 September, 2020 – The ‘Green Hydrogen for Scotland’ plans have been released in partnership with Scottish Power Renewables, BOC and ITM Power. The project aims to increase hydrogen production facilities across Scotland, which would allow hydrogen fuel to power large vehicles. The process of creating hydrogen fuel will be powered by wind and solar energy to make the process fully sustainable.
Zero Carbon Heating Taskforce: UK experts bid to overcome barriers to greener buildings
17 September, 2020 – A Zero Carbon Heating Taskforce has been launched this week, made up of industry experts in energy, construction and finance, to research zero-carbon heating alternatives for domestic heating. It is hoped that the work that the taskforce completes will help increase investment and knowledge within this sector.
Renewables players call for 'ambitious' CfD4
16 September, 2020 – Calls for the UK government to increase the size of the next CfD auction in order for the different renewable technologies to be able to equally participate. Industry experts from the solar, offshore wind and tidal energy sectors are calling for a boost in capacity and financial support from the government. The final details of the next CfD auction have yet to be announced but it is hoped that it will keep the UK keep on track to meet the 2050 net-zero target.
Just 0.5% of global GDP needed to reach net-zero by 2050, report finds
16 September, 2020 – The Energy Transitions Commission’s (ETC) latest report, which is backed by 40 large energy company leaders, highlights the best pathway to globally reach net-zero by 2050. ETC claims that only 0.5% of the world’s GDP is required to meet global net-zero by 2050. The report also outlines guidance for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, including recommending that no more new coal-fired power capacities should be built.
Industry bodies unite to promote tech-enabled renewables-powered future
11 September, 2020 – Solar Trade Association, TechUk and Renewable UK have issued a joint declaration to promote a green recovery. The partnership will be promoting long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) within the tech industry to help increase onsite renewables and examine the impact that technology can have in advancing the renewable sector.
UK citizens back wind and solar to hit net zero
10 September, 2020 – Climate Assembly UK have reported that the UK’s citizens assembly are in strong favour of the deployment of wind and solar renewable technologies to meet the net-zero target. Offshore wind scored 95% in public favour, while solar power received 81%, clearly demonstrating that renewable energy is largely accepted as the way forward for a low carbon future.
Second generation smart meters hit five million mark
8 September, 2020 – Over five million second-generation smart meters have been installed within the UK, helping UK residents keep track of their energy use. The large volume of installation of these smart metres highlights that Britain is concerned about their carbon impact and are taking steps towards a greener future.
UK slipping behind on build rate required for net-zero target
8 September, 2020 – An Atkins report highlights that the UK is behind in the build rate required to meet the country’s net-zero target. The deployment of over 6,520 wind turbines and 80GW of solar PV is still needed to be built, along with a wealth of other technologies to help generate enough clean energy to meet the 2050 goal.
Battery trends: Innovative rent model for vanadium electrolyte
7 September, 2020 – A new battery storage rental option for the vanadium electrolyte has been recently announced by battery provider Invinity. This innovative idea will allow for the cost of battery storage to be spread over the course of a project to help make batteries more affordable.
Blueprint published by Moray Council to fulfill aim of being carbon neutral by 2030
6 September, 2020 – Moray Council have published an initial action plan to meet their ambitious 2030 net-zero goal. Actions include deploying onsite renewables at council-owned buildings, eliminating single-use plastics and supporting local renewable energy schemes. OnGen can help councils meet their net-zero targets through onsite renewables. Contact us today to kickstart your renewable journey.
UK residential battery company Social Energy wins firm frequency response grid services contract
4 September, 2020 – The first completely domestic weekly Firm Frequency Response deal was won by Social Energy, who offer domestic battery storage systems with an artificial intelligence platform. It is hoped that this trial deal will help balance the electricity demand on the national grid while reducing customers’ energy costs.
Britain's electricity demand returns to 2019 levels as lockdown lifts
4 September, 2020 – Cornwall Insight report shows that during the Covid-19 outbreak in March, the demand for power in the UK was 15% lower than 2019 levels. As Britain returns to work and school, the electricity rates have risen back to 2019 levels over the summer months and are expected to remain at higher levels. Are you interested in reducing your organisation’s grid energy consumption? Contact OnGen to see how onsite renewables could help your organisation.
Renewables set UK power generation records in 1H 2020
31 August, 2020 – Recent Drax Report finds that the UK renewables generation for the second quarter of 2020 has increased by 32% when compared to 2019. The large increase in renewable electricity generation (up to 70% of the UK’s total electricity demand) is the result of new generation records being reached for biomass, wind, and solar, as well as a decrease in demand.
GE Renewable Energy chosen to deliver 25MW DC-coupled energy storage system
28 August, 2020 – A new collaboration between GE Renewable Energy and Wykes will allow for the UK’s first DC-coupled battery storage system to be developed. The new battery system will be combined with the 60MW ground-mounted solar PV site located at Chelveston Renewable Energy Park.
UK remains ‘world’s biggest offshore wind market’ in first half of 2020
28 August, 2020 – World Forum Offshore Wind report findings highlight that the UK continues to remain the largest global offshore wind market for the first half of 2020. In the last six months, the UK has added an installed capacity of 714MW. China is a strong contender in this race, with its offshore wind market dramatically growing, with 1.4GW installed over the six-month period.
August sees wind blast UK records
Going solar increases average house prices in the UK by £32,459 finds solar panel specialists
19 August, 2020 – New research by solar panel specialists has found that installing panels on properties can increase house prices across the UK by £32,459 on average, an increase of 14%. The highest increase was seen in London, followed by Bristol and Edinburgh. The ability to sell surplus generation to the grid and the reduced energy bills makes solar extremely desirable for home buyers.
Non-domestic RHI projects impacted by COVID-19 granted six-month extension
18 August, 2020 – The government has announced a six-month extension for applications to the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive in the wake of coronavirus. The decision postpones the scheme’s planned closure in March 2021 to September 2021. The move is only an extension for projects already under development and those that have not benefited from recent extensions to tariff guarantees.
BEIS eyes CfD model to help scale-up UK's green hydrogen economy
18 August, 2020 – According to a report by Frontier Economics, support for green hydrogen through the CfD mechanism would give investors more certainty than providing regulated returns. Frontier Economics state the worst option would be an obligation scheme guaranteeing purchases, which could expose business and domestic consumers to paying high payments.
Engie offers fixed-price PPAs in the UK
14 August, 2020 – Engie is offering fixed-price long-term power purchase agreements that are tailored to fit the individual requirements of developers and funders. These PPAs will provide guaranteed income that is often needed to secure funding. Developers can choose PPAs of any length up to 10 years.
Wind lifts UK renewables Q1 output by 30%
13 August, 2020 – Compared with the same period in 2019, offshore wind helped the UK’s renewable generation increase by 30% in the first quarter of 2020. Wind generation increased significantly for both offshore (53%) and onshore (29%). However, solar generation decreased by 11% in the first quarter of this year compared to last year.
Schools across England ‘wasting more than £326m each year on inefficient lighting’
12 August, 2020 – Schools across England waste more than £326 million each year on inefficient lighting, which generates more than 572,000 tonnes of unnecessary carbon dioxide emissions annually. Many state schools are tied down by procurement rules preventing them from upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment.
Britain urged to hit 65% renewables by 2030
11 August, 2020 – The National Infrastructure Commission has advised the UK to increase its renewable electricity target from 50% to 65% by 2030. New research shows this can be delivered at the same cost as meeting only half of the total demand. The commission recommends a refreshed pipeline of contracts for difference auctions to accelerate more offshore and onshore wind, as well as solar power projects.
UK Government announces plans to quadruple offshore wind power by 2030
7 August, 2020 – Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng has announced a review of current energy infrastructure at sea, focusing on improving the cabling and transmission network to reduce costs and impacts of connecting new wind farms to the onshore grid. The announcement follows an Oil and Gas Authority report which found that offshore renewables could account for 30% of the emissions reductions needed by 2050.
Lincolnshire LEP lays groundwork for Humber wind hub
7 August, 2020 – The Greater Lincolnshire LEP has agreed to finance a land preparation project that will prepare a site for the development of a wind hub. The project is one of seven to secure backing from the LEP’s £25.8 million Getting Building Fund. Plans include 1,270 metres of heavy duty quays and an 80-hectare marshalling area.
Bank of England accused of 'missing significant green recovery opportunity'
7 August, 2020 – The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Reports have shown that the Bank has been offering support packages to large companies without environmental conditions, going against their stated prioritisation of low-carbon finance. The Bank’s Corporate Bond Purchase Programme has invested £11.4bn of the total £20bn in energy-intensive and high emitting sectors.
Climate crisis: World’s largest coal mine sees value slashed by £1.4bn amid surge in demand for renewables
6 August, 2020 – The world’s largest coal mine, North Antelope Rochelle, has reported a loss of £1.17bn for the second quarter of this year, owing to cheap gas and increasing wind capacity coming online. Mine production has decreased by over 50% since 2014, which can be attributed to increased demand for clean energy.
Scots call for onshore wind consent overhaul
6 August, 2020 – Industry figures are calling for the Scottish government to set fixed timelines for each stage of the planning and decision-making process for onshore wind. It was also stated that excessive weight had been given to landscape in the planning system, potentially inhibiting the drive for green infrastructure.
University of Surrey set to start work on battery that can capture carbon dioxide emissions
5 August, 2020 – The University of Surrey is set to start developing a battery that captures carbon dioxide emissions. This project aims to position the UK as a leader in portable energy storage through breakthroughs in efficient carbon dioxide fixation.
Iberdrola to build ‘world’s largest’ onsite self-consumption solar system
5 August, 2020 – Iberdrola has announced it will build and operate the world’s largest onsite self-consumption solar power system in Spain. The 100MW array will create up to 500 jobs during construction and will provide green electricity to SABIC’s industrial plant, making the industrial complex the first large-scale chemical production facility to operate fully on renewable electricity.
Google owner issues largest corporate sustainability bond in history
4 August, 2020 – Alphabet Inc, Google’s parent company, has issued £4.4bn in sustainability bonds, which is the largest sustainability bond issued by a corporation to date. Projects that can receive support from the bond include energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, as well as those addressing racial equality and circular economy.
‘UK’s first-ever heat pump tariff’ set to be launched this autumn
27 July, 2020 – Good Energy has announced a new heat pump tariff, which is set to offer cheaper rates when the grid is greener and experiencing lower demand. The tariff thus aims to make greener heating more cost-effective for UK households. After Rishi Sunak’s announcement of the Green Homes scheme, where homeowners can claim up to £10,000 for heat pumps, this tariff is a welcome additional push to help heat pump deployment increase.
UK power sector 'could have negative emissions by 2033'
27 July, 2020 – The expansion of offshore wind, bioenergy and carbon capture and storage could lead to negative emissions in the power sector by 2033. Demand-side response and storage will also contribute to this net zero projection. However, to achieve this, we need immediate action across key technologies and policy areas, most notably in the transport, heating and energy efficiency sectors.
Climate crisis: Offshore wind power ‘so cheap it could return money to consumers’
27 July, 2020 – Renewable energy is likely to become the cheapest kind of power to produce in the UK, meaning that consumers may benefit from cheaper energy bills. With the UK is dominating the global offshore wind market, offshore wind may become cheaper than fossil-fuelled power stations. Rapid technology development, allowing larger turbines to be built further out at sea, has allowed for this decrease in price.
YouGov poll finds that only 23 percent of British citizens believe burning wood from forests should be classed as ‘renewable energy’
24 July, 2020 – A YouGov poll found that only 23% of British citizens think biomass should be classified as renewable energy, while 55% oppose continued Government subsidies for this technology. Research has shown that large-scale biomass use can release more carbon than a coal plant, especially when including the emissions from importing biomass overseas.
UK Treasury Committee relaunches green finance probe
24 July, 2020 – The Treasury Committee is relaunching an inquiry to examine whether the UK’s response to coronavirus should take net zero targets into account. Specifically, the committee wants to address whether support packages should distinguish between companies based on their pollution levels. Without green conditions on financial assistance, public money will be used to support businesses whose efforts do not align with net zero targets.
Boris Johnson outlines £750m green spending for heavy industry and aviation
22 July, 2020 – The UK government has announced a suite of funding that targets emissions reduction in the heavy industry sector. Investments will be used to help decarbonise aviation, construction and transport, as well as bring CCS technologies online and at scale. Although this helps address important areas of reduction, carbon pricing, as well as stricter mandates on embodied carbon and energy efficiency will likely be needed.
Can a hydrogen boom fuel a green recovery for Britain?
19 July, 2020 – The potential for green hydrogen production in the UK is immense, owing to high winds from the North Sea. The UK has all the ingredients to make hydrogen successful, but significant government intervention is needed. Successful expansion of hydrogen will reduce emissions, provide real export opportunities and boost job prospects in regions suffering most from the impact of coronavirus.
London Underground plots PPA revolution
17 July, 2020 –Transport for London (TfL) is aiming to source all its electricity requirements from zero-carbon sources by 2030 through power purchase agreements. As TfL is one of the largest electricity consumers in the UK, this will act as a significant step to reaching the UK’s net zero target. The plans will also explore the potential for meeting the Greater London Authority group’s wider demand for renewable electricity.
Onshore renewables ‘could pump £28.9bn into UK economy by 2035’
16 July, 2020 – A new analysis by Thrive Renewables suggests that onshore renewables could pump £38.9bn into the UK economy by 2035 and save energy users up to £1.5bn a year. This would require building 5.5GW of onshore renewable capacity annually between now and 2035. The report suggests that policy stability and the removal of planning difficulties will be needed for onshore renewables to reach their full potential.
BEIS launches offshore wind transmission review
15 July, 2020 – Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng launched a review into the existing offshore transmission regime to address the barriers it creates for future offshore deployment. The review will see a focus on projects due online before 2025 and will consider how to give developers the flexibility to test new ways of bringing power to shore. It will also look further into the future, seeking to create a long-term regime that helps limit environmental, social and economic costs.
Green hydrogen production ‘could become cost-competitive by 2030’
15 July, 2020 – A new analysis by IHS Markit Hydrogen and Renewable Gas Forum states that green hydrogen production could become cost-competitive by 2030, owing to increased scale and standardised manufacturing. The study suggests that hydrogen will be used increasingly to decarbonise the transport, heating, industry and power generation sectors.
Energy storage planning regulations eased in bid to spur net-zero transition
15 July, 2020 – BEIS ministers voted to enable storage projects above 50MW and have altered local planning frameworks to shorten the application process. BEIS believes that this will help more renewable generation come online and balance the grid, as well as boost the economy after lockdown. These changes are a welcome step on our way to net zero.
Offshore wind energy investment quadruples despite Covid-19 slump
13 July, 2020 – Despite the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, global offshore wind investment more than quadrupled in the first half of 2020. BNEF believes this can be attributed to falling capital costs. The growth in offshore wind powered a 5% rise in total renewable energy investment to $132.4bn, despite a slump in onshore wind and solar projects.
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust unveils solar power plan to cut emissions
13 July, 2020 – East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust has released a plan to power half of Margate’s Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital with 1,200 solar panels. Plans also include the deployment of LED lighting and the upgrade of heating systems. This project is expected to save more than 2,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and £1.2m per year. Interested in cost and carbon savings? Contact us today.
Work begins in Lincolnshire on world's longest subsea power cable
13 July, 2020 – Construction has begun on the world’s longest subsea power cable, which will transport renewable energy between Britain and Denmark. This ‘Viking Link’ project aims to increase Britain’s access to green power and help prevent homegrown renewable energy from going to waste when generation is too high. The cable is set to be operational in 2023.
£35bn green energy overhaul to prepare UK for zero-carbon electricity system – and makes bills cheaper
9 July, 2020 – Ofgem has proposed a £35bn overhaul of the energy network, making it greener and more resilient. The money will be invested in new wind and solar farms, as well as network upgrades to deal with the intermittent nature of renewable energy. Further changes will include the addition of hydrogen into the grid to help decarbonise heat.
Huge Flywheel Project to Aid UK's Renewable Energy Uptake
8 July, 2020 – A flywheel project in north-east Scotland aims to be operational by winter of 2021 and will help stabilise the grid’s electrical frequency, removing the need for carbon-emitting spinning turbines. This project will allow the grid to use more renewable energy and help prevent future blackouts, like that seen in August 2019.
‘Renewable energy can provide 12,000 jobs and £20bn of new investment to the UK’
8 July, 2020 – According to RenewableUK, renewable energy can provide 12,000 new jobs and £20bn of new investments to the UK. If policymakers lift capacity caps for the renewable energy auction in 2021, 11GW of new onshore and offshore wind could be secured. Further boosting of the development of renewable infrastructure would support faster decarbonisation of the transport and domestic heating sectors.
UK's first eco-powered greenspace created in Edinburgh
8 July, 2020 – Edinburgh’s Saughton Park has become the UK’s first fully eco-powered greenspace. Its micro-hydro technology generates electricity for all the park’s needs, including the running of two ground source heat pump systems, which heat the buildings. Over 90 tonnes of carbon dioxide and £19,000 will be saved annually
Exeter City Council builds its first solar and battery storage project
8 July, 2020 – Exeter City Council has announced plans to build a 1.2MW solar array co-located with a 1MW battery. This scheme will help the city reach its net zero by 2030 target. Interested in becoming a world-leading green city? Contact us to see how onsite renewables can reduce your organisation’s carbon emissions while saving money on energy bills.
REA brands green recovery funding 'drop in the ocean'
8 July, 2020 – The Renewable Energy Association has described the £3bn of green recovery offered by the UK Government as a “drop in the ocean.” With no mention of renewables, the plans have been criticised as uncomprehensive. Although money will contribute to energy efficiency improvements and a drive on green job creation, £3bn is not in the right ballpark for a world-leading green recovery.
Government approves Norfolk Vanguard offshore wind farm
2 July, 2020 – The UK government has granted consent to the 1.8GW Norfolk Vanguard project, which would provide electricity for nearly two million homes. Located 30 miles offshore, the farm will consist of 90-180 turbines and will provide 400 jobs during the construction phase. This project will boost the government’s chances of delivering 40GW of offshore wind by 2030.
‘Improving energy efficiency of UK homes could save the NHS £1bn’
30 June, 2020 – Improving the energy efficiency of UK homes by increasing insulation could create 8,000 jobs, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, save on household energy bills and help protect the NHS. Increased physical and mental health benefits will prevent excess winter deaths and could save the NHS £63 million in the first year of roll-out.
Renewable Heat Incentive business applicants land 14-month extension due to coronavirus
30 June, 2020 – Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) applicants have been given a 14-month extension to complete projects delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. This extension will provide certainty and security to those in the renewable heat industry, helping stop 108 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from being emitted and providing new green-collar jobs.
Boris Johnson promises to “build build build” to help UK recover from coronavirus crisis
30 June, 2020 – Boris Johnson has committed to plant more than 30,000 hectares of trees per year and spend £40 million on local conservation projects. He said he would step up investments in technologies like net zero planes and renewables, however, he made no mention of improving home insulation. We need to retrofit and renovate to meet net zero, as, by 2050, 80% of UK families will still be living in homes that have already been built today.
Yorkshire Water plans solar surge
29 June, 2020 – Yorkshire Water hs opened a tender for an agreement that covers the development of solar arrays across 150 of their sites. The generated electricity will be purchased by the water company under a PPA, with all surplus exported to the grid. Once operational, 6000 tonnes of carbon dioxide will be saved per year, energy costs will be reduced and biodiversity will be enhanced. We can help companies like Yorkshire Water meet their net zero goals through onsite renewables. Contact us to get started today.
COVID-19: UK grid balancing costs deferred
26 June, 2020 – Ofgem, the UK energy regular, has deferred extra grid balancing costs arising from the impact of the pandemic. National Grid will recover excess charges equally across 2021-22 instead. BSUoS charges being capped at £15/MWh should avoid generators and suppliers going bust.
Clean energy trade bodies call to Chancellor to put renewables at heart of green recovery
25 June, 2020 – A consortium of trade associations related to the renewables industry has sent an open letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak calling for renewables to be embedded in the UK’s recovery package. The letter highlights the value of developing a circular economy to help meet net zero targets and provide a return on investment, as well as millions of jobs and energy security.
Renewable energy breaks UK record in first quarter of 2020
25 June, 2020 – In the first quarter of 2020, 47% of the UK’s electricity generation was provided by renewable generation, surpassing the previous record of 39%. The increase seen was driven by growth in solar and wind generation, with a notable increase of 53% in offshore wind power generation since last year.
Hydrogen 'could provide half of the UK's net-zero energy demand'
24 June, 2020 – The latest Aurora Energy Research report suggests that hydrogen could provide around half of the energy needed to power the UK’s industrial sector. For this to happen, policy and industry will need to collaborate at a rapid scale and will require a collective investment of £450bn. Hydrogen doesn’t only present a great path to net zero, but it is suggested that 55,000 jobs will be safeguarded.
Brighton Council to install solar panels in hundreds of homes to slash energy bills
22 June, 2020 – Brighton Council plans to install solar panels on 500 households, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 300 tonnes per year. Set to finish by 2023, the scheme will have a significant impact on meeting their carbon-neutral by 2030 target. At OnGen, we have helped several local authorities meet their targets through onsite renewables. Contact us to kickstart your journey today.
How can an electrician help make your home energy efficient?
22 June, 2020 – The benefits from solar, LED lights and ground source heat pumps are immense; from energy security to cost savings, the consumer is likely to benefit in more ways than one. Interested in transforming your energy consumption? Contact us to find out what renewable and energy efficiency options are right for your site.
Government sets out plans to ramp up smart meter installations
18 June, 2020 – The UK government has rolled out plans to increase smart meter installation through increased publicity. Smart meters can save consumers up to £250 on their bills and can slash carbon dioxide emissions by 45 million tonnes. Smart meters can, therefore, help the UK reach its important net zero target.
Climate emission killer: construction begins on world’s biggest liquid air battery
18 June, 2020 – Construction near Manchester is beginning on the world’s largest liquid air battery, which will store renewable electricity. The system will use spare green energy to compress air into a liquid and store it to be later released into a gas to power a turbine. This project, set to be operational in 2022, will be able to power 200,000 homes for 5 hours.
Shetland plans for UK's biggest onshore wind farm to proceed
17 June, 2020 – SSE Renewables has plans to press ahead with the UK’s biggest onshore wind farm, a 443MW project on Shetland. It is hoped that the project will be completed in 2024 and would create about 400 jobs at peak construction. This project will help Shetland harness its renewable potential, securing its electricity supplies and decarbonising its energy source.
More than 27,000 global green jobs lost during May
17 June, 2020 – More than 27,000 clean energy jobs were lost in May, owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic, it is suggested that over 620,500 clean energy workers have become unemployed. Through a green recovery, we hope this number bounces back and green jobs are prioritised to deliver a clean and green future.
UK urged to set 40GW PV goal for 2030
16 June, 2020 – In a new letter to the Secretary of State of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, the Solar Trade Association states that the UK government should commit to a 40GW solar capacity target. The government should also implement green tax reform to ensure sustainable growth of rooftop solar and battery storage. Green finance should be available for solar installations through grants or zero-interest loans.
Domestic renewable energy installs rise 37% in ‘early signs’ of recovery
16 June, 2020 – As coronavirus lockdown restrictions begin to ease, there are early signs that domestic renewable energy installations are recovering. The average number of solar installations in May rose by 37% compared to April, as caution eases and the supply chain begins to be restored. Interested in solar? Assess the feasibility on your site using the OnGen Expert. Contact us for more information.
Scotland launches £62m energy recovery fund
12 June, 2020 – The Scottish Government has launched a £62m fund to help the energy sector recover from the coronavirus pandemic. This Energy Transition Fund will support businesses grow and diversify, ultimately helping Scotland meet its ambitious net zero targets. Projects that are being considered for funding include a hydrogen hub and an energy transition zone.
Coronavirus: Home insulation 'could create cheap jobs'
11 June, 2020 – Jobs insulating homes can be created at a fraction of the cost of other construction jobs and help cut local pollution and energy bills. 700,000 direct jobs could be created in England’s low-carbon and renewable energy economy by 2030, with 46% of those related directly to clean electricity generation and 21% involved in energy efficiency product installation.
Scots Crown launches 10GW ScotWind lease round
10 June, 2020 – Crown Estate Scotland has launched a leasing round for up to 10GW of offshore wind, the first in Scottish waters for a decade. Agreements can lead to leases for offshore wind farm development, forming a large part of Scotland’s green recovery. Total investment could surpass £8 billion and deliver more than enough green electricity to power every Scottish household.
How will the CSR community respond to the Black Lives Matter movement?
10 June, 2020 – Think tank Policy Exchange found that environmental professionals were the second-least diverse profession in the UK, with only 3% of professionals identifying as non-white minorities. Companies listed at the top of racial and ethnic diversity parameters are 35% more likely to deliver financial returns. Everyone must talk about racism more, call out instances of racism and take action to rectify them. Black Lives Matter.
Why your business should consider generating its own renewable electricity
9 June, 2020 – Reductions in carbon dioxide emissions during the lockdown are likely to be temporary unless we make real changes. Onsite renewables can help take pressure off the grid, improve energy security and save money on energy bills. Interested in joining the collective fight against climate change through installing onsite renewables? Contact us today to get started.
Five key questions about energy after Covid-19
9 June, 2020 – The lockdown caused by the pandemic has the potential to change the energy industry long term. Wholesale electricity prices went negative, causing grid operators to pay their customers to use power and nuclear plants provided nearly half of the low carbon electricity used in Europe; how will the energy sector look following the pandemic?
Alok Sharma announces green recovery working group
8 June, 2020 – Business secretary Alok Sharma has launched a recovery round table to examine ways of stimulating economic growth through a green transition. The round table acts to increase efforts to listen to the business and academic communities to ensure a green economic bounce-back. The work from the round table will feed directly into how the government structures their economic recovery.
COVID-19: BEIS outlines changes to CfD obligations
4 June, 2020 – BEIS plans to protect suppliers from 80% of the increase in suppliers’ obligations under the CfD, owing to the impact of the pandemic. CfD regulations will also be amended to defer an increase in obligations by an additional quarter, pushing to the second quarter of 2021. Proposals are now going to parliament for approval, which is predicted before 9 July.
EU, UK trade groups call for ‘efficient future energy relations’
3 June, 2020 – WindEurope and other trade groups are calling on the UK and the EU to work towards net zero emissions in tandem. Trade groups state that linkages and cooperation are needed to preserve the current system functioning and enable the evolution of future systems. Specific focus was placed on the benefits of efficient and cost-effective trading over interconnectors and the importance of continued collaboration.
UK unveils emissions trading plans
2 June, 2020 – The UK has unveiled plans for a country-wide emissions trading scheme to replace the European Union’s version. This new scheme would increase the emissions cap by 5% as compared to the current EU system, with further amendments predicted in future to align the cap with the net zero emissions target. The new scheme aims to have enough similarities to ensure a seamless transition after Brexit.
UK electricity coal free for first month ever
2 June, 2020 – May was the UK’s “greenest” month since the Industrial Revolution, running without coal-fired electricity for a full calendar month. Wind and solar made 28% of May’s energy mix and gas contributed 30%. The collapse in energy demand due to the coronavirus lockdown, as well as the unseasonably sunny weather, contributed to this dramatic change in the energy mix.
UPDATE: BEIS refuses 340MW Thanet extension
2 June, 2020 – The UK Government has refused planning permission for Vattenfall’s up to 340MW offshore wind farm due to potential impacts on commercial shipping routes. This expansion was thought to be an important development for the local area and the road to net zero. To achieve the 40GW capacity by 2030 target, new projects will need to be progressed.
Make Covid-19 recovery green, say business leaders
1 June, 2020 – More than 200 top UK firms and investors, including Asda and Siemens, have signed a letter calling on the government to deliver a green recovery plan. The key proposals include driving investment in low carbon innovation, focusing support on environmental sectors and ensuring bailout cash is well aligned with climate goals.
UK gives go-ahead for 350MW mega-solar
28 May, 2020 – The UK Secretary for BEIS, Alok Sharma, has approved a 350MW solar farm in Kent, which will generate enough energy to power 91,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions by 68,000 tonnes annually. The solar farm will also include energy storage and will significantly contribute to the net-zero agenda.
Surplus wind energy could heat Scottish homes
28 May, 2020 – National Grid and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) are exploring using surplus wind energy to heat Scottish homes to prevent wind curtailment. There are currently 380,000 homes in Scotland that could benefit from electric heating solutions such as ground source heat pumps. Interested in ground source heat? Contact us to see if it’s the right option for your site.
Record drop in energy investment, warns International Energy Agency
27 May, 2020 – Due to the coronavirus pandemic, global energy investment is predicted to fall by 20%, according to the International Energy Agency. The IEA also warns that fossil fuels are likely to rebound following the crisis, leading to a spike in carbon emissions. The plunge in investment also means the loss of jobs and economic opportunities, as well as a loss of energy supply that may be needed urgently in future.
COP26 to be delayed until November 2021
27 May, 2020 – COP26 has been further postponed to November 2021 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic having placed restrictions on events and public gatherings. The delay is notable due to the US elections scheduled for later this year, which would either enable Trump to fully withdraw from the Paris Agreement or allow Biden to rejoin the agreement. Further, the UK has yet to unveil a clear roadmap to net-zero; this additional time should allow the UK to lead the way with a green recovery.
NextEnergy to build subsidy-free UK solar plants
26 May, 2020 – NextEnergy Capital has secured £100m debt financing with Santander to built two subsidy-free solar plants. Llanwern solar farm in Wales will be the largest subsidy-free plant, as well as the largest solar farm in the UK to date. The intention is to move the two farms to a new subsidy-free private fund, which will target new-build solar projects in the UK.
UK power emissions 'fall to record low'
25 May, 2020 – On 23 May, the carbon intensity of the grid fell to a record low of 61 gCO2/kWh due to increased solar and wind generation. The lowest grid carbon moment reported on the 23rd was as low as 33 gCO2/kWh. As lifestyles shift and demand patterns change, we hope the grid continues to decarbonise at a fast rate.
Renewables to account for three-quarters of UK's power demand by 2050
22 May, 2020 – According to a report by RenewableUK, the UK could source 76% of its power demand from renewables by 2050. Overall wind capacity could grow by 66 GW by 2030 to provide more than half of the UK’s power demand. With a large renewable capacity, the UK could also produce hydrogen using renewables, helping hydrogen become competitive quickly and helping it decarbonise the grid.
Renewable energy may be switched off as demand plummets
22 May, 2020 – Hundreds of renewable energy projects may be asked to turn off this bank holiday weekend to avoid overloading the grid, as electricity demand in the UK plummets to new lows. Sunny weather is expected to generate more electricity than needed, threatening to overwhelm the energy system. Small wind turbines and solar installations, therefore, will be paid to stop generating by a new Nation Grid scheme.
National Grid ESO integrates wind for frequency response
20 May, 2020 – National Grid has launched a new signal for wind generators, providing live data on the potential maximum power output of wind farms while comparing the data to actual output. National Grid can then calculate the response and reserve capability held by each wind generator, helping boost the potential for involvement in real-time frequency response.
UK Government publishes Capacity Market response
20 May, 2020 – The UK Government has published its Capacity Market response, with plans to reduce the minimum capacity threshold for participating generators from 2MW to 1MW. Other changes include reporting and verification mechanisms for the introduction of carbon dioxide emission limits in the Capacity Market. These, alongside the other changes, will help cutting-edge clean technologies compete.
How renewable energy could power Britain's economic recovery
19 May, 2020 – Analysts, economists and environmentalists argue that renewable energy should help power a green economic recovery following the coronavirus lockdown. After the last financial crisis, the UK’s green economy supported tens of thousands of jobs and helped contribute to fiscal growth. The Social Market Foundation predicts that clean energy could provide 1.4 million new jobs with little risk, as renewable energy technology costs plummet.
London launches plans to become ‘one of the largest car-free zones in the world’
15 May, 2020 – After the lockdown, London has plans to turn itself into one of the largest car-free zones in any capital city. Places like Waterloo Bridge and London Bridge will be restricted to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. The Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone will be reintroduced on 18 May, with propositions to increase the charge and hours of operation.
UK’s largest battery to help keep the nation’s lights on
15 May, 2020 – Edinburgh-based Flexitricity will optimise revenue and help balance supply and demand for Europe’s largest battery. The lithium-ion battery storage site will be monitored from Flexitricity’s 24/7 control room and Flexitricity will dynamically move the asset between different markets. Investment in batteries will help decarbonise the grid and transition to a renewables-led electricity market.
Green energy firms on track to deliver multibillion-pound windfarms
13 May, 2020 – Scottish Power has unveiled plans to repower Scotland’s oldest windfarm as part of a £150m scheme to deliver 100,000 homes with green electricity in central Scotland. This windfarm is expected to create 600 jobs at its peak and 280 long-term jobs. Similarly, SSE and Equinor have plans to use the Port of Tyne for the world’s largest offshore wind development, creating 200 permanent jobs. These projects, alongside others, will help boost the economy when the pandemic ends.
COVID-19: BEIS proposes changes to CfD obligations
13 May, 2020 – Due to the impact of coronavirus, the UK government is seeking views on a proposal to defer raises to electricity suppliers’ obligations under CfD rules. Owing to the decrease in electricity demand and higher payments to CfD generators because of lower wholesale electricity prices, suppliers would have faced an unexpected increase in their obligations. BEIS later extended the closing date for the fourth CfD consultation by a week to ensure interested parties have ample time to respond.
CCS technologies ‘must form a key part of developing climate-neutral economies’
13 May, 2020 – A report by the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute suggests the CCS technologies must form a key part of delivering net-zero emissions by 2050. CCS will help reduce emissions in hard-to-abate industrial sectors and help decarbonise hydrogen production. The institute predicts that more than 2,000 CCS facilities will be needed by 2050, a large increase compared to the 19 large-scale facilities that are currently operating.
UK project seeks 'flexible' approach to net zero
12 May, 2020 – The Flexibility in Great Britain project, led by the Carbon Trust and Imperial College London, will investigate how flexibility in the heat and power sectors can reduce consumers’ costs and explore how an integrated flexible system can be delivered. Findings will be published in 2021 and will inform the rapid transition towards net zero and low emission transport options through new flexibility. The project consortium includes organisations like EDF Energy and the Greater London Authority, as well as the engagement with BEIS and the CCC.
Remote working ‘could shrink employee-generated emissions by 28%’
11 May, 2020 – According to research by Longevity Intelligence, the average UK employee could emit 28% fewer carbon emissions through continuing remote working. Research states that office occupancy will decrease by roughly 50% due to the prolongation of home working to ensure employees’ safety. We hope this helps some businesses achieve net zero at a quicker rate. Does your business still have offices? Why not reach net zero emissions through onsite renewables? Contact us for more information.
Drax Launches New Biomass Carbon Calculator
Renewables win 82% of public support in UK poll
CCC: Reducing emissions and adapting to climate change ‘integral to UK’s recovery from coronavirus’
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust ‘to save £1.4m a year’ with green upgrades
Tyneside abandoned coal mines to be transformed into multimillion-pound renewable energy system
IEA: Coronavirus lockdown to see global emissions fall by record 8%
Covid-19 crisis will wipe out demand for fossil fuels, says IEA
UK Government seeks views on future low carbon heat support beyond the RHI
Solar surge pushes coal from UK energy mix
£320m deal allows wind farm project to proceed
Countries need to 'step up clean power support'
Renewables ‘could stimulate economic growth while benefiting the environment’
Energy Superhub Oxford kickstarts EV revolution
Surge in community renewables projects
Proximity to offshore wind could make Humberside a green hydrogen hub
Solar market ‘significantly hit’ by coronavirus crisis
Oil price explained: What negative prices mean for climate change and greenhouse gas emissions
UK smashes record solar peak
Green energy could drive Covid-19 recovery with $100tn boost
‘Clapping for NHS led to 950MW spike in electricity demand’
COVID-19: UK wind farms could be 'switched off'
Coronavirus: New UK wind capacity to fall 20% this year
Net-zero: Is the UK's gas grid ready to go green?
Climate crisis: UK aid money funnelled into fossil fuel companies
Almost half of UK drivers ‘consider EV switch in the wake of Covid-19’
SSE warns UK government over 40GW offshore wind policy
Edinburgh firm OnGen rolls out innovative energy saving tool
No Covid-19 delay to offshore wind power auction delivery, UK Gov says
From 2050, carbon sinks ‘could see reduced capacity under warmer climate conditions’
UK first: Renewables overtook coal in Q1 2020, partly thanks to COVID-19
In charts: How coronavirus is impacting sustainability professionals across the UK
Clean hydrogen ‘could cut emissions by 34% by 2050’
Households to be paid for daytime green electricity use during lockdown
Hackney Council powered by 100% renewable electricity
Goodbye renewables. Enter cheap oil
COVID-19: COP26 climate summit postponed
One year on: How has the solar feed-in-tariff closure impacted renewables in the UK?
Increase in virtual events ‘sees 99% reduction in emissions’
UK slashes CO2 emissions by 41% since 1990
Power demand in Lockdown – Initial COVID 19 impact on the power market
UK greenhouse gas emissions fall for seventh year in a row
Climate change: Green energy plant threat to wilderness areas
Oxford postpones zero emission zone launch due to coronavirus
Coronavirus: Now is not the time for environmental grandstanding
COVID-19: Electricity sector ‘critical’ to UK virus response
CfD set to make a big difference for UK renewables sector
Green light for 150MW UK battery giant
Tracking COVID-19: A look at the UK energy sector’s response
COVID-19: 'Give energy staff key worker status'
Council buildings to be powered with 100 per cent renewable energy by next Spring
Planning applications for UK clean energy projects hit new high
More than a million outdated smart meters installed as roll-out slowed
UK Budget 2020: What do energy stakeholders think?
Budget 2020: Solar industry ‘disappointed’ as much-anticipated ‘green’ Budget falls short
Scottish ‘green’ ice cream scoops away CO2
UK 'needs renewables ramp up to hit net zero'
Coronavirus likely to see oil demands decline throughout 2020
UK water sector targets renewables and efficiency improvements for net-zero 2030 goal
Forget wind turbines. Here's how we can meet Net Zero without derailing the economy
Coronavirus 1 – 0 Energy sector
'A climate first': Ikea slashes global emissions as business growth continues
UK’s carbon emissions ‘now at 1888 levels’
Existing climate solutions, not innovations, crucial to meeting net-zero
Taskforce targets hydrogen growth in the UK
UK government lifts block on new onshore windfarm subsidies
Confirmed: Low carbon generation delivers over half UK's power
Octopus launches new Panel Power tariffs for businesses with solar
Going green: What ‘Net zero’ means for small businesses
Westminster sets out EU energy agreement terms
Drax to end use of coal at UK’s biggest power plant 3 years early
World’s ‘largest, most ambitious’ energy flexibility market trials to launch in the UK
Peterborough unveils plans for UK's largest low-carbon 'smart-city' regeneration project
UK 'urged' to deliver a more flexible future
Scottish parks ‘could warm homes with low carbon energy’
Biggest battery in Europe set to land on British shores
Gas heating to be banned in Scotland's castles
Wandsworth Council takes 'massive step' towards carbon neutrality thanks to clean energy approval
Can flexible workspaces help businesses reduce their carbon footprint?
Renewables barely feature in building programme for 500 schools
Greencoat Capital launches €333m clean energy fund
Government focuses on hydrogen in £90m industrial decarbonisation funding
ScottishPower unveils green tariff powered by wind
UK’s renewable adoption rate ‘has driven fastest decarbonisation in world’
Call for communities to be ‘unleashed’ on climate change
'A landmark moment': NHS to boost renewable energy sourcing
Climate change ‘could cost global economy nearly $10tn by 2050’
Alok Sharma: What we know about the COP26 President's views on climate change
Ofgem reviews green potential of UK grid setup
Cabinet reshuffle: All the key personnel changes that will impact the green economy
Scottish Budget announces £1.8bn of investment in low carbon infrastructure
Climate change: Clean tech 'won't solve warming in time'
Britain Has Left Europe. What Does That Mean For Green Energy?
Households 'misled' by energy tariffs which pretend to be green, says regulator
Ofgem sets out planned pathway for UK decarbonisation
Business leaders join forces to launch net zero infrastructure taskforce
Sainsbury's commits £1bn to become net-zero by 2040
The road to net zero
NHS writes out prescription to tackle climate change
Carbon emissions: Scale of UK fossil fuel support 'staggering'
Planting trees cannot offset burning wood, warn experts after government advisers recommend it as renewable fuel
Energy wasted by City of London offices ‘could power more than 65,000 homes’
New solar power source and storage developed
Octopus Energy snaps up ENGIE UK's domestic supply business
Is Scotland leading the way on climate change?
Latest Government figures spark fears that UK's green economy is 'stagnating'
SSE clears way for renewables with completion of £500m deal with Ovo Energy
National Trust commits to net zero carbon by 2030
TCR: Triads and tribulations for large energy users
Global energy use projected to nearly double by 2050
Welsh solar farm to power residents and profit locally with Gower Power and Bristol Energy
UK first: Hydrogen injected into gas grid as landmark trial gets underway
UK's first net-zero offices certified in Manchester and Liverpool
New rules for low carbon heating in Scots homes
Shell updates SEG to 3.5p/kWh days after scheme’s introduction
Social Energy comes out on top as Shell issues 0.001p/kWh SEG
From smart meters to suppliers going bust - it's been an eventful decade for the energy industry: where are prices and production heading next?
Renewables should be high on new UK government’s agenda as climate conference beckons – SSE
Solar-storage hybrid feeds UK council
UK renewables outperform gas
Biomass delivers ‘questionable carbon savings’, says new report
Winter temperatures ‘could cost households an additional £12.9bn’
Southern Africa’s renewable energy fuel mix ‘puts the UK to shame’
Conservatives take the win – but what have they promised?
Four green policy concerns Boris Johnson must address immediately
Wind industry commits to greater gender diversity at industry events
Conservatives take £1m in election ‘dirty money’ from fossil fuel investors responsible for climate emergency, research finds
Drax pledges to be ‘world’s first’ carbon negative energy firm by 2030
Thousands were paid to use extra renewable electricity on windy weekend
'Win-win-win': Heat pumps under parks could warm five million homes
Wind turbine fears on horizon at Cairngorms
Labour plans will 'slow' climate change fight, says energy firm
Why ‘100% renewable energy’ pledges are not enough
Pointless emails: they’re not just irritating – they have a massive carbon footprint
New York backs tech that cuts installation time for ground-source heat pumps
UK first: Solar power plant helps keep the lights on at night
Ofgem charges ahead with UK grid reforms
UK climbs world rankings for green energy attractiveness, EY says
Wind speeds are increasing worldwide in boost for renewables
British Gas wins legal challenge against Ofgem over price cap calculations
Thanks to sunflowers, solar panels could harvest 400% more energy
Cheshire West & Chester Council to install solar plus storage
SSE looks to entice Aberdeen oil and gas contractors with offshore wind work
Key milestones in generation transformation
Trump begins formal US withdrawal from Paris Agreement
Climate policies ‘could determine the UK’s next election’
Guest Blog: Stuart Reid – The road to decarbonisation – what steps should businesses be taking now?
Tesco unveils major green electricity project, including 187 onsite rooftop solar installs
Net Zero: UK should aim install 25 million EV chargers and 22 million heat pumps, report claims
EU approves UK’s Capacity Market scheme
How UK's disused mine shafts could be used to store renewable energy
Smart Export Guarantee: neither smart, nor much of a guarantee
Brexit uncertainty ‘is delaying hundreds of innovative energy projects’
UK renewable energy generation tops oil and gas for first time, analysis suggests
Undersea cable to restore renewable energy to Guernsey
Five tips for success with renewable energy
To keep the lights on during California’s blackouts, people are using solar power
Ofgem: UK’s progress in cutting emissions has slowed
Edinburgh Uni granted £1.12m for hydrogen storage research
Edinburgh University assessed their onsite renewable potential to meet their carbon neutral promise by 2040, ultimately uncovering 4000 tonnes of lifetime carbon savings.