News Archives

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

The UK and Scottish governments propose reforms to streamline the planning process for Scotland’s clean energy projects, enabling faster approvals and greater community engagement.

Scotland unveils streamlined planning reforms for clean energy projects

October 30, 2024

The UK and Scottish governments have announced a joint initiative to reform the planning process for new energy infrastructure projects in Scotland.

Atrato Onsite Energy’s £39.4m solar farm, Yorkshire’s largest, goes live to provide enough clean energy for 20,000 homes and support OVO’s zero-carbon goals by 2035.

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Yorkshire’s largest solar farm goes live, set to power 20,000 UK homes

October 30, 2024

Atrato Onsite Energy’s £39.4m solar farm, Yorkshire’s largest, goes live to provide enough clean energy for 20,000 homes and support OVO’s zero-carbon goals by 2035.

Iberdrola and Masdar complete turbine installation at the 476 MW Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm, which will provide clean energy to 475,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions by 800,000 tonnes annually.

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Iberdrola and Masdar complete turbine installation at Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm

October 16, 2024

Iberdrola and Masdar complete turbine installation at the 476 MW Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm, which will provide clean energy to 475,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions by 800,000 tonnes annually.

Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney is under scrutiny for allegedly lobbying ministers, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, to relax rules on heat pump subsidies, a move that would benefit Brookfield Asset Management, the company he chairs.

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Mark Carney Lobbied Reeves for Heat Pump Subsidy Changes

October 13, 2024

Former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney allegedly lobbied Chancellor Rachel Reeves to relax heat pump subsidy rules.

Iberdrola, the Spanish energy group and owner of Scottish Power, has announced a £24 billion investment to upgrade the UK’s energy infrastructure over the next five years

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Scottish Power owner Iberdrola commits £24bn to upgrade UK’s green energy infrastructure

October 12, 2024

Iberdrola, owner of Scottish Power, pledges £24bn investment to upgrade the UK’s energy grid and build new wind farms as part of its commitment to boost Britain’s green energy future.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to introduce significant tax cuts for electric car, heat pump, and biofuel manufacturers to accelerate the UK’s path to net zero.

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Electric car makers and heat pump firms ‘deserve net zero tax break’

October 8, 2024

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to introduce significant tax cuts for electric car, heat pump, and biofuel manufacturers to accelerate the UK’s path to net zero.

Households across the UK may enjoy free electricity on certain days of the week, thanks to Ed Miliband’s green energy revolution, according to EDF Renewables.

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Free electricity on Sundays could become a reality under Miliband’s green energy plans, says EDF

September 24, 2024

EDF Renewables suggests free electricity on Sundays may be possible under Ed Miliband’s green energy push, as renewable capacity grows. Smart meters and surplus energy could drive down prices.

The Scottish government has temporarily halted plans to ban wood burning stoves in newbuild homes, following backlash from rural communities and political opponents.

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Scottish government pauses wood burning stove ban in rural U-turn

September 24, 2024

The Scottish government has temporarily paused its ban on wood burning stoves in newbuilds following a backlash from rural communities, with a final decision expected by December 2024.

The Scottish government has temporarily dropped restrictions on the installation of wood burning stoves in newbuild homes or conversions. The Scottish Conservatives, who campaigned against the regulations, described the move as a "humiliating U-turn". Regulations known as the New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) came into effect at the start of April. They said new homes and buildings were not allowed to use direct-emission heating systems including gas or oil boilers. But the rules were put under review in May after concern a ban on wood burners would negatively impact on people living in rural areas. The new rules were designed to help reduce air pollution and tackle climate change by encouraging builders to install clean heating systems such as heat pumps or heat networks. But some opponents of the legislation had said they did not have access to the main gas supply and relied on log burners for heat during power cuts. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes previously said she had concerns about the ban, citing the impact it could have on older people in her Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency. A ministerial direction means that wood burners and other biofuel heating systems including peat can still be installed pending the outcome of the review. 'Deeply flawed ban' Climate Action Minister Alasdair Allan has written to council bosses across Scotland confirming that the restriction have been temporarily dropped. His latter said: "The review is now concluding and we will implement the outcome of this by the end of December 2024." Conservative deputy rural affairs spokesman Jamie Halcro Johnston described the move as a "long overdue climbdown" and welcomed the decision to halt what he called a "deeply flawed ban". "Sustained pressure from the Scottish Conservatives as well as from our rural and island communities has now forced ministers into a humiliating U-turn," he said. "The consequences of imposing such a ban on installing wood burning stoves in new homes would have been devastating for those that rely on them, especially when there are periods of extreme weather. "However, with the lifting of this ban still only temporary, the Scottish Conservatives will continue to urge the SNP to do the right thing and make it permanent." 'Common sense' The Stove Industry Association (SIA) has welcomed the announcement, calling it a “common sense and progressive step”. The SIA had called for a review of the NBHS, arguing that modern wood burning stoves are a lower carbon-emitting heating option to direct electric heating. SIA chairman Andy Hill said: “We commend the Scottish government for taking this common sense and progressive step. "This direction not only promotes the use of renewable energy sources but also provides homeowners with more options for efficient and sustainable heating.” The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has meanwhile repeated its opposition to wood burning to be phased out in urban areas because of pollutants given off. It wants wood burning stoves to be phased out in urban areas, and support given to rural residents to transition to cleaner heat sources.

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New solar farm could power 363,000 homes annually as Norfolk consultation begins

September 24, 2024

Residents in Norfolk have been invited to share their views on a new solar farm project, which could generate enough energy to power 363,000 homes each year.

Scottish Power has announced plans to invest £8 million to establish its long-term offshore wind operations base in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

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Scottish Power selects Lowestoft as new offshore wind base, boosting local economy

September 24, 2024

Scottish Power invests £8m to establish a new offshore wind base in Lowestoft, supporting the East Anglia Three wind farm and creating local jobs amid growing electricity demand.