A 'Green' Budget, but is it green enough?

A new Green Investment Bank aimed at funding low carbon transport and energy schemes, such as nuclear power stations and wind farms, has been trailed in the press for a few weeks now. And it has appeared in Alistair Darling's pre-election Budget.

FIT and RHI: new acronyms to conjure with

As if energy, and renewable energy incentive schemes in particular, wasn't complicated enough already, two new schemes (and their obligatory acronyms) are due to be introduced in the next year or so.

Carbon Reduction Commitment - the basics

The Carbon Reduction Commitment is a mandatory emissions trading scheme. To be introduced under powers taken in the Climate Change Act 2008 its twin aims are to improve energy efficiency and reduce the UK's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The Renewables Obligation 2009: a new order

The 2009 vintage of the Renewables Obligation for England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland became law this week.

What you need to know about climate change law

In October 2008, the UK Government created the Department for Energy and Climate Change, recognising the central role of energy in the climate change agenda. It's a global issue, to which global solutions (such as the Kyoto Protocol) have been proposed.

Climate Change Act

Described by some commentators as a ground-breaking piece of legislation, the Climate Change Act hit the statute books on 26 November 2008 following extensive public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny. Its aims are certainly bold.

Planning Act receives Royal Assent

Alongside the Climate Change and Energy Acts, the Planning Act 2008 received Royal Assent on the 26 November 2008. This paves the way for the new Infrastructure Planning Commission.

The Energy Act 2008 becomes law

Last week saw three important pieces of legislation added to the statute books - the Climate Change Act, the Energy Act and the Planning Act.

Offshore electricity - 'Round 3' documentation

The Government is targeting 14 GW of offshore wind by 2020. An important step in achieving this target will be the speedy completion of the Crown Estate's third round of offshore windfarm leasing (Round 3).

Offshore - Ofgem update on tender process

Ofgem has issued a further consultation document regarding the competitive tender process by which offshore transmission owners (OFTOs) will be appointed

Ofgem probe: no evidence of cartel

Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain, has announced its findings after a seven-month investigation into the energy supply markets.

Offshore electricity transmission - publication of draft tender regulations

The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has published a first draft of regulations containing the legal framework for the methodology for determining how and to whom offshore transmission licences will be granted.

European Parliament backs deal reached with European Council to cap aircraft emissions from 2012

All airlines operating flights in to or out of the European Union will find themselves subject to the requirements of the European Union's emissions trading scheme (EU ETS) from 2012.

The Renewable Energy Strategy: finally a fair wind?

Yesterday, the Government announced its national renewable energy blueprint and put its renewable energy strategy out to consultation.

Citiworks: the end of private electricity distribution networks?

The so-called "Citiworks" case has gained a great deal of notoriety since the European Court of Justice (ECJ) delivered its judgment last month (22 May 2008).

Latest round of offshore wind gets the green light

The Crown Estate has today announced eagerly awaited further information in relation to the tender process for the latest round of offshore windfarms (Round 3) at the British Wind Energy Association conference in London.

Government Response to Renewables Obligation consultation

Energy Bill published

EU Third Energy Package: Reforming regulation of the energy sector

Energy White Paper: Banding proposals

Energy White Paper

Banding of the renewables obligation

(Further) Reform of the renewables obligation

The Energy Review

Yesterday Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling published the UK Energy Review Report 2006; following the UK Energy Review which was initiated in November 2005 at the direction of the Prime Minister.

EU action in the energy sector

In a public presentation yesterday,1 Neelie Kroes, the European Commissioner responsible for competition, has announced that the European Commission is preparing an assault on anti-competitive practices in the energy sector.

A vision for the future of EU energy policy

UK CHP and the European Cogen Directive

The European Directive on the promotion of cogeneration (2004/8/EC) came into force on 21 February 2004, and was to be implemented by Member States by 21 February 2006.

DTI's final decisions for the Renewables Obligation Order 2006

Weather report: the Electricity (Standards of Performance) Regulations 2005

The severe storms of October 2002, which swept across a large swathe of Wales and central and southern England, left around two million electricity customers without power.

The future of renewable energy after the Energy Act 2004 - Part 4

Preliminary consultation on the 2005/6 Review of the Renewables Obligation

At the end of March, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) published its preliminary consultation on the 2005/6 review of the Renewables Obligation.

The future of renewable energy after the Energy Act 2004 - Part 3

The first of these briefing notes looked at the background and scope of the Energy Act 2004 (the Act). The second was a brief review of the legislation relating to offshore energy production.

Mutualisation of the Buy-Out Fund: Securing the Renewables Obligation

Supplier default, leading to a shortfall in the buy-out fund, has occurred in each of the two completed renewable obligation periods to date. Confidence in the renewables market has been weakened as a result.

The future of renewable energy after the Energy Act 2004 - Part 2

In the first of this series of short briefing notes we looked at the background and scope of the Energy Act 2004 (the Act).

The future of renewable energy after the Energy Act 2004 - Part 1

The Government's Energy White Paper, published in February 2003, recognised not only the challenges faced by all industrialised countries in the world, climate change and dependence on imported gas and oil

The EU Cogen Directive - the rebirth of CHP or a lost opportunity?

The recent British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) programme 'If...the lights go out' presented a bleak (and somewhat alarmist) view of how the United Kingdom will meet its energy needs in 2010.

NFFO sterilisation - reversing the process (the sequel)

The Government's 'technical' review of the RO comes at a time of recent market setbacks, particularly surrounding TXU's administration.

A lot of hot air...

Undermining ROCs - shortfalls in the buy-out fund

The Renewables Obligation (RO) was introduced in a blaze of publicity in April 2002.

Energy White Paper

If you want the bottom line on the Energy White Paper, without the spin, read on. The Government's new energy policy is big on ambition but light on substance. This note summarises the facts and highlights what future developments to look out for.

The Freedom to Choose? Negotiating Energy Supply Contracts

The energy supply markets have been open to competition for quite some time. Larger industrial and commercial (I&C) customers have been able to exercise their right to choose their own electricity and gas suppliers since 1994, and all customers since 1999.

UK Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading Scheme - Meeting your company's targets

The UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme 2002 (ETS) was introduced by the UK Government to manage climate change and to reduce carbon emissions by UK companies. The ETS runs for five years from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2006.

UK Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading Scheme - Meeting the industry targets

The UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme 2002 (ETS) was introduced by the UK Government to manage climate change and to reduce carbon emissions by UK companies. The ETS runs for five years from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2006.

Wragge & Co advises Partnerships for Renewables on market-leading renewable energy deal

Wragge & Co LLP Energy Infrastructure team is advising Partnerships for Renewables (PfR) on proposals to generate renewable energy at UK canal and riverside locations. The proposals spearhead the use of public sector land for wind turbines.

Wragge & Co closes social housing deal for Sanctuary Housing Group

Wragge & Co LLP's Real Estate, PFI and Energy teams have advised Sanctuary Housing Group on a key worker housing project for Cambridge University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust.

Wragge & Co advises Ocean Power Technologies on marine energy project

Wragge & Co LLP Energy Infrastructure team has advised Ocean Power Technologies Limited on a berth agreement with the European Marine Energy Centre. The agreement will allow OPT to install its PowerBuoy® wave-energy device at EMEC's facility in Scotland.

Wragge & Co advises Associated British Ports on flagship energy project

Wragge & Co LLP Energy Infrastructure team has advised Associated British Ports (ABP) Port of Southampton on a flagship combined heat and power energy deal.

Wragge & Co secures green light for E.ON UK plc on a trio of energy agreements

Wragge & Co LLP Energy team has advised E.ON UK plc on three long-term agreements for the purchase of renewable electricity.

Matheson Ormsby Prentice and Wragge & Co play key advisory role in launch of Single Electricity Market on the island of Ireland

Wragge & Co completes first corporate deal for Carron Energy

Wragge & Co LLP Corporate Group has completed its first transaction for Carron Energy Limited.

Wragge & Co advises E.ON on major combined heat and power station deal

Renewable energy incentives

The Landfill Allowances Trading Scheme and the Landfill Tax Accelerator are the cornerstones of UK waste policy, and will continue to be the primary factors underpinning any residual waste treatment project.

Wragge & Co advises Welsh Power Group on power plant acquisition

Wragge & Co LLP Corporate group has advised Welsh Power Group on its acquisition of the Redditch power plant in Worcestershire for an undisclosed amount.