Energy Statistics

Energy Trends and Quarterly Energy Prices publications are published today 4 January by the Department of Trade and Industry.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Consultation on resilience of overhead power line networks

For details, see the consultations area of the website.

Darling and Miliband give green light to Thames Estuary revolution

The Government today gave the go-ahead for two major offshore wind farms to be built in the Thames Estuary.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Nuclear Materials Balance 2005/06

The table Nuclear Materials Balance - 2005/06 gives details of “material unaccounted for” (MUF) arising from the use of plutonium and/or uranium in civil nuclear programmes during 2005/06. The figures are provided on behalf of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) and Urenco (Capenhurst) Ltd. The figures aggregate the various operations at each site and follow the practice introduced in 1977.  All of the figures are within internationally accepted standards published by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for expected measurement uncertainty associated with nuclear materials accountancy. The 2005/06 figures conform to the pattern over previous years and give no rise to concern over either the safety or the security of the operation of the plants.

For more information, please see the Nuclear Materials Balance area of this website.

Combined Heat and Power Guidance published

The DTI issued new Guidance to power station developers to maximise the use of CHP where feasible. In issuing this Guidance the Government is signalling its strong commitment to CHP, whilst recognising that it is up to the market to bring forward the most competitive proposals to help ensure security of supply.  For the first time, this Guidance gives developers access to information on regional heat customers through Defra’s interactive heat maps.  The Guidance also includes clearer instructions on what information is required from developers. The issuing of this Guidance was a commitment in the Energy Review and it is accompanied by a Regulatory Impact Assessment.

Open letter to industry from Lord Truscott in conjunction with publishing Combined Heat and Power (CHP) guidance   (49Kb)

Guidance on background information to accompany notifications under section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 and applications under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989: December 2006   (75Kb)

Revised guidance on information to accompany notifications under section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 and applications under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989: Final Regulatory Impact Assessment   (77Kb)

Seventh JESS Report published

The DTI and Ofgem monitor energy security in the UK gas and electricity markets through the Joint Energy Security of Supply Working Group (JESS) which published its seventh and last report today.

For more information, see the JESS webpages.

We need more low carbon buildings - Darling

The next step in the Government's drive to increase microgeneration begins today as Phase 2 of the DTI's Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) opens.

For more information, see the full press statement and the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 website.

Appointment for energy regulator

Professor George Yarrow has been appointed as Non-Executive Director of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA) with effect from 1 December 2006 Alistair Darling announced today.

For more information, see the full press statement.

First gas from new Dutch pipeline brings further energy security to UK

Gas will flow for the first time today [Friday 01 December] through a new pipeline under the North Sea which connects the UK to the Netherlands.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Innaugural Franco-British nuclear forum to share long term energy visions

The opening meeting of the "Franco-British Nuclear Forum" will take place in Paris, Wednesday 29 November 2006, in the Bercy Conference Centre.

For more information, see the full press statement and Franco-British Nuclear Forum webpage.

North Sea 'absolutely critical' to UK energy security - Darling

The North Sea was, is and will be 'absolutely critical' to delivering the energy needs of the country, Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling will say today.

He will also announce that the Government has today begun a consultation on plans for having more offshore gas storage and creating new 'energy platforms' for the unloading of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

For more information, see the full press statement and the consultations area of the website.

Reaping the Wind Resource

Licensing green energy links from offshore renewables.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Ministerial responsibilities at the Department of Trade and Industry

Changes to Ministerial responsibilities at the Department of Trade and Industry were outlined today following the retirement last week of Lord Sainsbury.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Cutting costs and cutting carbon - Government outlines plans to reduce the energy we use at home

New technology in the home so you can track the energy you use and clearer more understandable energy bills are part of a consultation launched by Trade Secretary Alistair Darling today.

For more information, see the full press statement and the consultations area of the website.

Reforms to energy planning will keep the lights on - Darling

Planning inquiries for large-scale electricity projects will be overhauled by new rules outlined today by Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Europe must have a common energy policy - Wicks

Energy Minister speaks to Brussels think tank as new report ranks the UK's energy markets the most competitive in the EU and G7.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Government seeks boost for local energy

A radical shift away from large centralised power production to community based 'locally grown' energy could help cut carbon emissions and improve efficiency, Alistair Darling said today.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Wicks gives a helping hand to green householders

There will be £6.2 million more funding available under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) for people who want to install micro-wind turbines, solar panels and other microgeneration technologies on their homes, Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks announced this week.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Government announces next steps for BNG sale and plans for a National Nuclear Laboratory

The future of BNFL's nuclear clean-up and research arms were today outlined by the Government, as it approved plans to break up and sell off British Nuclear Group and announced its intention to establish a new National Nuclear Laboratory.

For more information, see the full press statement.

What happened when you quizzed the energy minister

10 Downing Street held a webchat about energy security with minister Malcolm Wicks today. He spoke about renewable energy sources, coal and nuclear technology, climate change and his own energy-conservation habits.

You can read the transcript on the 10 Downing Street website.

16 October 2006

PM ushers in new era of enhanced energy security for the UK

A new era of enhanced energy security for the UK was ushered in today by Prime Minister Tony Blair with the official opening ceremony of the Norwegian Langeled pipeline, set to deliver up to 20% of the UK's average winter gas needs. A consultation on the resilience of the UK gas market was also published today.

For more information, see the full press statement.

10 October 2006

Consultation on improving public participation provisions in environmental impact assessment regulations for energy infastructure

For details, see the consultations area of the website.

9 October 2006

Ground-breaking day for Green Energy - Darling

Construction today started on what will be Europe's largest onshore wind farm, as the Government set out proposals outlined in the Energy Review to see a five-fold increase in the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources in the UK.

For more information, see the full press statement.