
15 September 2006
The UK Government has published details of its planned £1bn energy research institute. With a mix of private and public funding, the Energy Technolgies Institute aims to pool expertise across the sector.
First mentioned by the Chancellor in his last budget, the government has published details of its planned £1bn energy research institute. The DTI has promised to provide £500m funding for the “Energy Technologies Institute” over the next decade, while private companies BP, Shell, EDF Energy and EOn UK have each offered £5m per year. The DTI is calling upon other private sector companies to come forward.
The initial aim is to look and more efficient ways of burning fossil fuels, but it will also look into energy saving techniques and more efficient forms of renewable generation. Growth in the Indian and Chinese economies is expected to contribute significantly to the expected 50% increase in global energy use over the next 25 years.
In response, critics have said research is not enough and only a carbon levy on fossil fuels will bring about the needed emission reduction. It is expected that the Institute will be fully operational by 2008. Aberdeen is already lobbying to host the centre.
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Chancellor for the day.........
 
22 March 2006
The market has ticked down a little with a sell of in April due to a relaxation in the supposed gas fears and the market has fallen on the back of this. Winter 06 still looks high and perhaps some of the shorts might come and sell at these levels, but there are not many shorts in the market, willing to take the risk.  
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Our Energy Challenge
 
24 January 2006
Perhaps it is about time that the government tested whether the public would embrace Nuclear as a fuel source for energy. Truth is I think that the answer will be a resounding yes....... another box ticked.  
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Solar in the UK - Not So Bright
 
01 November 2011
DECC has published the Comprehensive Feed-in Tariff (FiT) document and at the same time, many say, put a nail in the coffin for the Solar Industry in the UK. With the FiT rate for Solar Power to be cut by more than 50%, and with a proposal that eligibility to the scheme should be linked to a minimum energy efficiency requirement - many fear that this will be the end for the industry  
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Carbon Floor Price Announcement: The Market Reacts
 
25 March 2011
The tensions seen in the markets last week, as participants assessed the impact of Japan and nuclear withdrawal in Germany, appeared to have eased when the market started trading on Monday. The Government's mid week budget Carbon Floor Price announcement soon changes that though  
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We're borrowing less than expected....
 
20 August 2010
As the government prepares its spending review it will no doubt welcome the latest figures that show net borrowing for July at £3.8bn. While still sizeable, this is £1.2bn less than forecast and well down on the £6.1bn that was borrowed in the same month last year.  
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Energy Secretary gives the first annual energy statement to the Commons
 
28 July 2010
Chris Huhne, the coalition government Energy Secretary yesterday gave the first annual energy statement to the Commons. He set out plans to secure energy supplies and cut carbon emissions. In all 32 measures were outlined all with the aim of helping the UK achieve the legally binding target to cut emission by 80% by 2050.  
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Solar in the UK - Not So Bright
 
01 November 2011
DECC has published the Comprehensive Feed-in Tariff (FiT) document and at the same time, many say, put a nail in the coffin for the Solar Industry in the UK. With the FiT rate for Solar Power to be cut by more than 50%, and with a proposal that eligibility to the scheme should be linked to a minimum energy efficiency requirement - many fear that this will be the end for the industry  
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Investing in the Future
 
11 June 2010
The Wave and Tidal energy sector gets nervous ahead of the E-budget, concerned that funds will suffer as part of anticipated public spending cuts. Should this sector suffer?  
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Labour's Pre Budget Report - Good News for the Bingo Players!
 
09 December 2009
Labour's Darling delivered his (probably last) pre budget report which included a range of measures to "tackle" the country's balance sheet. Among a range of tax raising measures, it was heartening to see that the Bingo players out there will see duty fall 2% to 20%!  
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Energy Secretary gives the first annual energy statement to the Commons
 
28 July 2010
Chris Huhne, the coalition government Energy Secretary yesterday gave the first annual energy statement to the Commons. He set out plans to secure energy supplies and cut carbon emissions. In all 32 measures were outlined all with the aim of helping the UK achieve the legally binding target to cut emission by 80% by 2050.  
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Capacity Payments Discussed as a Tool to encourage Investment
 
30 June 2010
In a week when the engineering industry, in its State of the Nation report, said that the Energy Industry gave the most cause for concern in light of security of supply, Energy Minister Charles Hendry spoke of 'Capacity Payments' as a tool to incentivise plant development.  
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Investing in the Future
 
11 June 2010
The Wave and Tidal energy sector gets nervous ahead of the E-budget, concerned that funds will suffer as part of anticipated public spending cuts. Should this sector suffer?  
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Queens Speech: Energy Bill Outlined
 
25 May 2010
The state opening of Parliament is history personified, wrapped in lashings and lashings of ceremony, pageantry and tradition dating back centuries. But for all its spectacle, there is the serious business of the Queen's speech (actually the Government's) which this year included details of this coalition government's Energy Bill.  
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Green Investment Bank still a Concept
 
16 July 2010
Leading figures from across industry warned that the need for new tools to finance future investment in infrastructure are necessary to secure Britain's growth as a low carbon economy. While the coalitions Green Investment Bank (GIB) is supported, it is important to recognise that it is still at present only a concept.  
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Queens Speech: Energy Bill Outlined
 
25 May 2010
The state opening of Parliament is history personified, wrapped in lashings and lashings of ceremony, pageantry and tradition dating back centuries. But for all its spectacle, there is the serious business of the Queen's speech (actually the Government's) which this year included details of this coalition government's Energy Bill.  
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Government announces Green Investment Bank
 
24 March 2010
in the last budget before a general election, the Government unveiled plans to set up a Green Investment Bank that will control £2bn worth of equity. Initial focus will be investments in green transport and sustainable energy.  
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Nothing's Joined Up
 
01 March 2010
Sometimes you get so caught up in the detail that it is only when you step back that you realise that nothing appears to be joined up. With such mixed signals it is surprising that anything is achieved at all. In this instance we are talking about the UK's Climate policy!  
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