News Archives

Thursday, August 21, 2025

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.

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.

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South Yorkshire to become hub for UK’s first mini-nuclear reactor factory

September 22, 2024

US energy giant Holtec has chosen South Yorkshire as the preferred site for the UK’s first mini-nuclear reactor factory, set to create up to 3,000 high-tech jobs and boost the region’s clean energy ambitions.

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Labour’s ‘rooftop revolution’ aims to power millions of homes with solar energy

August 29, 2024

Labour’s ‘rooftop revolution’ plans to install solar panels on millions of UK homes, reducing energy bills and boosting green energy. Approval of large solar farms signals a major push towards renewables.

Associated British Ports and px Group plan a Clean Growth Hub at the Port of Barry, repurposing 100 acres for low carbon technologies and boosting South Wales' green energy credentials.

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Barry’s big green leap: new clean growth hub set to transform port’s future

August 29, 2024

Associated British Ports and px Group plan a Clean Growth Hub at the Port of Barry, repurposing 100 acres for low carbon technologies and boosting South Wales’ green energy credentials.

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.

News Solar Power

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

August 29, 2024

Good Energy’s analysis reveals that mandatory solar panels on 1.5 million new-build homes could generate enough surplus electricity to power an extra 1.17 million UK households, cutting costs and boosting renewables.

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.

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

August 29, 2024

The new Viking windfarm in Shetland, the UK’s most productive onshore site, begins powering 500,000 homes, highlighting the urgent need for more renewable projects amid concerns over environmental impacts and energy costs.

Sunswap, a pioneering UK clean-tech startup focused on decarbonising cold chain logistics, has secured £17.3 million in a funding round led by investment company BGF.

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BGF leads £17.3m investment in Sunswap to accelerate decarbonisation in cold chain logistics

August 26, 2024

Sunswap, a pioneering UK clean-tech startup focused on decarbonising cold chain logistics, has secured £17.3 million in a funding round led by investment company BGF.

Waracle, the Scottish technology services company, has announced a significant new partnership with SP Energy Networks, a deal set to accelerate the digital transformation of the electricity network operator over the next three years.

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Waracle secures three-year digital transformation partnership with SP Energy Networks

August 26, 2024

Waracle, the Scottish technology services company, has announced a significant new partnership with SP Energy Networks, a deal set to accelerate the digital transformation of the electricity network operator over the next three years.

Rural councils across England will be required to approve a significant increase in wind and solar farms under a new set of planning rules introduced by Housing Secretary Angela Rayner.

News Solar Power Wind Turbines

New planning rules will require rural councils to approve wind and solar farms as part of the UK’s push towards net zero

August 15, 2024

Rural councils across England will be required to approve a significant increase in wind and solar farms under a new set of planning rules introduced by Housing Secretary Angela Rayner.