Thursday, November 21, 2024
Brookfield buys £1.75bn stake in Orsted’s UK offshore wind farms, marking major investment in renewable energy
News

Brookfield buys £1.75bn stake in Orsted’s UK offshore wind farms, marking major investment in renewable energy

Good Energy, approached by Dubai’s Esyasoft for a potential takeover, has acquired UK-based Empower Energy, expanding its solar installation reach in a deal worth up to £8 million.
News

Good Energy considers takeover offer from Dubai’s Esyasoft while expanding solar capabilities

Cornwall Council is set to complete its largest solar canopy project, installed over the visitor and council vehicle carparks at New County Hall in Truro. Comprising 543 solar panels, this renewable energy initiative will generate around 200,000 kWh of electricity annually—enough to power 74 homes. The canopy will meet a third of the council headquarters' energy demands, providing a more self-sufficient energy source while significantly reducing annual energy bills. The 230-kilowatt power system is expected to lower the council offices’ greenhouse gas emissions by 50 tonnes of carbon per year. This solar canopy marks the latest milestone in Cornwall Council’s ambitious renewable energy agenda. With a goal to increase renewable capacity across its buildings from the current 8 MW to an additional 10 MW by 2030, Cornwall aims to achieve one of the highest levels of local authority-generated renewable energy in the UK. This project follows previous installations at New County Hall, where rooftop solar panels already supply a quarter of the building’s energy. Cornwall Council’s approach to sustainable energy exemplifies a commitment to both reducing operational costs and supporting the UK’s net-zero objectives. By cutting down reliance on traditional energy sources, the council’s efforts are directly contributing to the region’s decarbonisation. The new solar canopy also supports Cornwall’s goal to expand electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, with additional EV charging bays set to be added for council vehicles. This aligns with the council’s strategy to reduce emissions from its pool car fleet, furthering Cornwall’s climate goals. Cllr Martyn Alvey, Cornwall’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, highlighted the solar canopy as a "flagship scheme" in the council’s broader renewable energy programme. “This is Cornwall’s largest solar canopy and a flagship scheme in our ambitious programme to increase renewable energy and decarbonise our council buildings,” he stated. Alvey hopes this project will serve as a model for other councils considering similar initiatives. The initiative also feeds into the development of Cornwall’s Local Area Energy Plan, an interactive effort inviting residents to contribute to discussions on energy generation for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. With Cornwall’s largest solar canopy nearing activation, the council continues to pave the way for localised, renewable energy solutions that prioritise sustainability and community engagement. As the council’s renewable capacity grows, projects like this solar canopy are expected to inspire similar efforts throughout the UK, driving local energy independence and climate action.
News

Cornwall’s largest solar canopy powers council HQ with clean energy

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.
News

Scotland unveils streamlined planning reforms for clean energy projects

NEWS

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.
News

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

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.
News

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

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.
News

Mark Carney Lobbied Reeves for Heat Pump Subsidy Changes

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
News

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

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.
News

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

POWERING YOUR HOME

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.
NewsPowering Your Home

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

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 government is proposing a significant shift in the way renewable energy companies are compensated for the electricity they generate, aiming to address the issue of substantial payments made to generators for shutting down operations.
Solar Power

How Can We Improve Solar Energy Harvesting?

Just over 3,000 solar installations are being carried out every week, according to trade association Solar Energy UK, up from 1,000 a week in July 2020.
NewsSolar Power

Mandatory solar panels on new-build homes could power an extra 1.17 million UK households

Power is flowing from the Shetland Isles to mainland Britain for the first time, thanks to the UK's most productive onshore windfarm, Viking, which has come on stream.
NewsWind Turbines

Shetland windfarm powers nearly 500,000 homes as renewables boom sparks debate

HEATING YOUR HOME

As energy costs continue to rise and environmental concerns grow, upgrading your home’s boiler might be easier on your wallet than you think. Whether you are looking for a free upgrade or financial aid, there is a way for you. 
Content

How to Get a Free Boiler Heading into 2025

As energy costs continue to rise and environmental concerns grow, upgrading your home’s boiler might be easier on your wallet than you think. Whether you are looking for a free upgrade or financial aid, there is a way for you. 

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

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

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.
News

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

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

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

INSIGHTS & OPINION

interest rate cuts could spark renewed interest in green energy investment trusts
Insights

Interest rate cuts could spark renewed interest in green energy investment trusts

As interest rates drop for the first time in years, green energy investment trusts could see a revival. Learn how falling rates may narrow discounts and impact renewable energy funding in the UK.

The electric vehicle (EV) industry is gearing up for a big change as the new Labour Government brings back the plan to ban new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
Insights

The EV industry and Labour’s plan to bring back the 2030 ICE deadline

What will the driveways of the future look like?
Insights

What will the driveways of the future look like?

In a historic victory, the Labour Party has won the 2024 UK General Election, marking a significant shift in the political landscape. This outcome reflects the electorate's demand for change, particularly in addressing the cost of living crisis and energy security.
Insights

Labour Wins 2024 UK General Election: A Call for Immediate Action on Energy and Cost of Living

How can businesses best walk the green walk?
Insights

How can businesses best walk the green walk?