Written ministerial statement - The Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP: Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

Further to my statement to the House on Wednesday 18 April (Hansard, Cols 301-302), I am now able to announce the terms of reference for the Inquiry that I have asked Mr Michael Redfern QC to carry out.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Fuel Poverty Advisory Group Fifth Annual Report published:

Fuel Poverty Advisory Group press notice: fifth annual report   (17Kb)

Fuel Poverty Advisory Group (for England): fifth annual report 2006   (114Kb)

Connecting offshore wind to the National Grid

The development of the UK's pioneering offshore wind energy sector continues apace as details were announced today of the licensing regime for would-be electricity transmission owners.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Darling approves 350th North Sea field

The continued central role of the North Sea in meeting the UK's oil and gas needs was underlined today as Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling announced approval for the 350th offshore field in its 40 year history.

For more information, see the full press statement and the DTI's Oil and Gas website.

Energy Statistics

Energy Trends and Quarterly Energy Prices publications are published today by the Department of Trade and Industry. Energy Trends covers statistics on energy production and consumption, in total and by fuel, and provides an analysis of the year on year changes.

For more information, see the full press statement and our Energy Trends and Quarterly Energy Prices webpages.

Extra £6m for green householders - Darling

A 50% increase in funding for householders to install small scale renewables such as micro wind turbines and solar panels was announced in the Budget today.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Darling outlines race to lock up Carbon Emissions

The UK can be the birthplace of the world's first full scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) demonstration plant, Alistair Darling said today.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Draft Climate Change Bill published

The Government’s blueprint for tackling climate change is published today.

The draft Climate Change Bill, the first of its kind in any country, and accompanying strategy, set out a framework for moving the UK to a low-carbon economy. It demonstrates the UK’s leadership as progress continues towards establishing a post-Kyoto global emissions agreement.

For more information, see the links below:

Defra: Press Statement
Defra: Draft Climate Change Bill
Parliamentary Statement by David Miliband
Defra: Climate Change
DTI: Climate Change and Energy

IEA commends UK energy policy for supporting investment and energy efficiency

For more information, see the International Energy Agency (IEA) press statement.

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority budget settlement statement

For more information, see the full press statement.

Nuclear Policy Framework

The 2006 Energy Review report was accompanied by a consultation document on the policy framework for new nuclear build.  Since that time, the Department has been involved in a Judicial Review with Greenpeace on work which lead up to that consultation.  Following the Court’s judgment, the Secretary of State made a written statement to the House on Thursday 22 February 2007:

Parliamentary statement by Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry: Energy Policy and Nuclear Power   (37Kb)

Green light for Greater Gabbard wind farm

Darling gives go-ahead for Thames Estuary green energy project.

A wind farm with the power to supply clean electricity to over 415,000 homes, more than all the demand in Suffolk, will be confirmed by Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry today.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Judicial review DTI statement

For more information, see the full press statement.

World first for giant ship delivering increased energy security for Britain

A world first 'liquid gas' shipment on Teesside is helping Britain lead globally in diversifying energy supply, Alistair Darling, Trade and Industry Secretary said today.

For more information, see the full press statement.

World's first wind and gas offshore energy project given green light

A unique dual energy scheme to be sited off the Cumbrian coast was given the go-ahead today by Energy Minister Lord Truscott.

For more information, see the full press statement.

7 February 2007

Environmental conditions placed on South Wales pipeline

Stringent environmental conditions have today been placed on National Grid for the construction of the second phase of the pipeline connecting new gas import terminals at Milford Haven to the national transmission system. The 196km pipeline will run from Felindre near Swansea to Tirley in Gloucestershire and is one of a number of critical new gas infrastructure projects helping the UK adjust to being a net importer of gas.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Appointments to the Renewables Advisory Board

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy Lord Truscott today announced the appointment of six new members to the Renewables Advisory Board.

For more information, see the full press statement.

Oil is well under the North Sea

Continued record investment as the 24th Licensing Round awards are announced.

For more information, see the full press statement.