News Archive

Low carbon energy: vast potential rewards for a greener UK

Article written by Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, published in the Telegraph, 17 July 2010.
Two months ago the Coalition Government published its programme for government, in which we pledged a package of…

Huhne makes European push on climate change

“This shows how seriously Britain, France and Germany take the low carbon agenda and how we want to work together to make it happen. We’re determined to make the economic case for the EU to cut its emissions by 30% by 2020 as quickly as possible. Moving to a low…

Cornwall’s Wave Hub energy project ‘is going ahead’

The hub’s four cable sockets will feed power to a sub station in Hayle The £42m Wave Hub project off the coast of Hayle in Cornwall will go ahead as planned. It was feared the scheme could become a victim of the freeze on European funds and the scrapping of…

Cutting carbon emissions in construction

Industry action plan launched today Strategic Forum for Construction and the Carbon Trust

The humble construction site cabin is set for a makeover as part of an ambitious plan to cut the carbon footprint of sites by 15% within the next two years.
The plan, launched today, was…

You have until the end of September to meet your CRC commitments.

The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (widely known as the Carbon Reduction Commitment) is the UK’s mandatory CO2 emissions trading scheme. The scheme started in April 2010 and is administered by the Environment Agency. It is central to the UK’s strategy for improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions,…

Climate Change Minister sets out vision for local energy economies

“I want to see more homes, communities and businesses generating their own energy. We can literally bring power back to the people. ” (Climate Change Minister, Gregory Barker).

Climate Change Minister Greg Barker is today launching the first stage of…

Chris Hune Climate Finance Call

Chris Huhne calls for renewed focus on climate finance

“Helping developing countries tackle climate change is crucial if we are to secure a comprehensive and ambitious deal. ” (Secretary of State, Chris Huhne)

Chris Huhne warned today that a deal on climate finance is vital to breaking the climate deadlock.…

Scottish Energy minister announces £1.39 million funding support for AWS Ocean Energy.

Funding support for AWS Ocean Energy was announced today (Tuesday July 6th, 2010) by Jim Mather, the Scottish Government Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism ahead of his visit to Loch Ness to view trials of the company’s new wave energy device.

Mr Mather confirmed that Inverness-based AWS Ocean Energy…

US to provide nearly $2bn for two solar energy projects

The solar power plant planned for Arizona may be the biggest in the world Nearly $2bn (£1.3bn) in loan guarantees will be given to two companies to kick-start the US solar energy industry, President Barack Obama has announced. One of the firms, Abengoa Solar, says that it is planning to…

Marine energy making a splash with grants announced for wave and tidal technologies.

A doughnut and an oyster are among five marine energy projects sharing £13 million to harness the power of the sea. The grants from the WATERS fund (Wave and Tidal Energy: Research, Development and Demonstration Support) will…

Chris Huhne and Vince Cable: The green economy is still viable (Independent Article)

The coalition Government’s emergency Budget began to stabilise the public finances and lay the foundations for economic recovery. The next step is to ensure that what emerges from recession is a different kind of economy: rebalanced away…

£10 million grants for UK offshore wind technology

““Offshore wind will be very significant in the energy mix as we move to low carbon, sustainable energy supplies. The UK has a wealth of natural resource and coastlines for offshore wind. We are already world leaders in building offshore wind but we must do much, much more” (Secretary of…

Renewable UK Offshore Wind Conference (Transcript of Chris Huhne video message )

“I am committed to ensuring you have the right incentives for low-carbon growth. The offshore wind industry can be a key player in creating the investment, exports and jobs we need to bring back economic prosperity.”(Chris Huhne, video…

Statistical Press Release - Energy Statistics

Energy Trends and Quarterly Energy Prices publications are published today 24 June by the Department of Energy and Climate Change. Energy Trends covers statistics on energy production and consumption, in total and by fuel, and provides an analysis of the year on year changes.
The June edition of Energy…

Eigg wins green award amid forced return to diesel

Eigg usually gets its power from wind, hydro and solar power Islanders have been rewarded for their “green” power projects just days after a shortage of rain has meant them having to revert back to fossil fuel. The Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust has been named overall UK winner in…

Energy firm looses appeal over Lake District wind farm.

A decision to block a planned wind farm on the edge of the Lake District has been upheld by the government. West Coast Energy appealed against a decision by Eden District Council to refuse permission for nine turbines near the village of Greystoke. The council said the 334ft (102m) turbines…

Energy firms face pricing probe, says Ofgem.

The two, which have not been named, have been asked “serious questions” by Ofgem over price differentials. One must explain why the cost of energy is apparently different in one area of the country compared with another where it is competing for business. The pair will be named if an…

Cairn Energy begins Greenland oil exploration

An Edinburgh-based energy firm has begun drilling for oil off the coast of Greenland. Cairn Energy said drilling had started in the strait between Greenland and Baffin Island. The firm has a four-well exploration programme planned in the Disko West area offshore in western Greenland. Geological surveys have suggested that…