http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk RSS_DESCRIPTION en-us http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/a-trillion-euros-to-solve-the-eus-looming-energy-crisis Fri, 10 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000 I've just read an interesting piece by the BBC, which claims that "investment totalling a trillion Euros (£846 billion) is required before the end of this decade if the European Union (EU) is to stave off an energy crisis." http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/a-trillion-euros-to-solve-the-eus-looming-energy-crisis http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/is-an-energy-price-hike-coming-our-way Wed, 08 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000 City analysts are saying that the cost of changing our ‘energy mix’ has been underestimated by the government, and we might see big price hikes as a result. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/is-an-energy-price-hike-coming-our-way http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/we-are-hiring Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000 If you like the way we do things and you think you’d like to work for us, take a look at our Job Vacancies page. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/we-are-hiring http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/petrol-heads-more-like-efficiency-heads Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000 It seems Jeremy Clarkson’s mission to turn us all into petrol heads hasn’t been working... http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/petrol-heads-more-like-efficiency-heads http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/could-this-be-the-worlds-most-energy-efficient-led-light Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000 Despite people's early love affair with LED lighting, it’s had a struggle to overtake, or even match, the efficiency of discharge lamps, like high efficiency strip lights and sodium. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/could-this-be-the-worlds-most-energy-efficient-led-light http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/renewable-heat-incentive-rates-increase Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000 From 1st April 2013, new rates will apply to payments for renewable heat generation under the government's Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/renewable-heat-incentive-rates-increase http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/biomass-boilers---a-low-carbon-solution-for-student-accommodation Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000 Natural gas-fuelled Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units seem to be the technology of choice for new build accommodation blocks, to help them meet the low carbon requirements of Building Regulations. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/biomass-boilers---a-low-carbon-solution-for-student-accommodation http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/bitcoins---the-real-winners-are Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000 ... energy companies! The virtual currency 'Bitcoins' have come under scrutiny recently, as it's been revealed just how much energy its miners are using to obtain them. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/bitcoins---the-real-winners-are http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/does-having-a-renewable-energy-system-make-you-less-energy-efficient Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000 Over the last few years, traditional sources of energy have become so expensive that reducing energy costs, consumption, and doing more with the energy used on site has become de rigeur for many companies. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/does-having-a-renewable-energy-system-make-you-less-energy-efficient http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/ofgem-to-ensure-better-service-from-energy-suppliers-for-small-businesses Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000 Ofgem has announced that a new set of rules for small business energy contracts will be coming into force, to ensure that small businesses recieve fairer treatment from energy suppliers. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/ofgem-to-ensure-better-service-from-energy-suppliers-for-small-businesses http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/saving-energy-is-no-joke Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000 The Daily Telegraph decided to use energy efficiency as the subject of their April Fools joke article this year. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/saving-energy-is-no-joke http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/oh-dear---medium-sized-businesses-to-be-worse-off Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000 It looks as if the balance between the cost of establishing green energy and the money-saving benefits of energy efficiency & support policies falls unevenly across society. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/oh-dear---medium-sized-businesses-to-be-worse-off http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/solar-still-rules-the-feed-in-tariff-scheme---but-ad-is-on-the-up Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000 Ofgem’s latest update on the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme makes for interesting reading. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/solar-still-rules-the-feed-in-tariff-scheme---but-ad-is-on-the-up http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/rhi-for-households-put-back-to-2014 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 09:00:00 +0000 The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has announced that the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will not be available for households until next year. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/rhi-for-households-put-back-to-2014 http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/save-75000-on-your-gas-bill Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:00:00 +0000 Last week alone, we saved two of our clients a total of £150,000 in ‘management fees’ on their gas bills. In each case, there was a slightly different ‘game’ being played... http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/save-75000-on-your-gas-bill http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/why-has-the-price-of-gas-suddenly-gone-up Fri, 08 Mar 2013 09:00:00 +0000 The price of gas has been creeping up steadily over the last two months, but in the last few days it has stepped up another gear ... So why has this happened? http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/why-has-the-price-of-gas-suddenly-gone-up http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/rhi---more-breathing-space-on-flue-gas-emissions Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:00:00 +0000 The new flue gas emission limits for biomass boilers claiming the RHI will now be introduced in Autumn 2013 — rather than by 1st April as originally planned. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/rhi---more-breathing-space-on-flue-gas-emissions http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/the-government-needs-to-do-better-than-the-green-deal Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:00:00 +0000 So, our politicians have finally woken up to the fact that electricity is going to be a bit short for a few years. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/the-government-needs-to-do-better-than-the-green-deal http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/a-bit-of-light-reading Thu, 07 Feb 2013 09:00:00 +0000 I just finished reading Bill Bryson’s book At home – a short history of private life. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/a-bit-of-light-reading http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/renewable-energy-versus-gas---its-all-about-economics Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:00:00 +0000 I read today that E.ON — the biggest generator of electricity in Germany — is considering the part-closure of its power stations in Irsching (Europe's most modern gas-fired plant), due to high running costs. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/renewable-energy-versus-gas---its-all-about-economics http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/new-solar-energy-research-centre-opening-in-cornwall Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:00:00 +0000 The government is backing a new UK solar energy research facility, which will aim to create a hub of solar energy expertise. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/new-solar-energy-research-centre-opening-in-cornwall http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/new-led-lighting-cuts-sainsburys-energy-by-59-â€-or-does-it Mon, 28 Jan 2013 09:00:00 +0000 Sainsbury’s have installed a headline-grabbing low energy LED lighting system in their Leek (Staffordshire) ‒ not leek (potato and leek) ‒ store. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/new-led-lighting-cuts-sainsburys-energy-by-59-â€-or-does-it http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/people-vague-on-green-deal Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:00:00 +0000 A YouGov poll undertaken just days before the Green Deal launches tells us that four out of five people have never heard of it — which is a pretty damning indictment of the clarity with which it has been introduced. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/people-vague-on-green-deal http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/want-to-find-out-how-energy-efficient-you-are-why-not-ask-your-neighbours Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:00:00 +0000 When it comes finding out how energy efficient you are, there’s a new idea going round about sharing the information on your bill with your neighbours. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/want-to-find-out-how-energy-efficient-you-are-why-not-ask-your-neighbours http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/even-we-can-get-it-wrong-sometimes Thu, 10 Jan 2013 09:00:00 +0000 I’m sure you’d agree with me that, for those of us that have desk-based jobs, a nice warm office is something we have come to expect. So when we found that our office boiler had not switched on as programmed this morning, we began to investigate… http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/even-we-can-get-it-wrong-sometimes http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/waste---theres-still-a-long-way-to-go Thu, 10 Jan 2013 09:00:00 +0000 So, according to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, it appears that half the food the world produces is wasted and never actually makes its way into our bellies. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/waste---theres-still-a-long-way-to-go http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/streetwise-lighting Wed, 09 Jan 2013 09:00:00 +0000 Local Authorities are switching off millions of street lights to reduce their electricity bills, with many areas now seeing (or not seeing) lighting cuts between midnight and the early hours. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/streetwise-lighting http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/new-water-charges-coming-for-student-accommodation-in-scotland Wed, 09 Jan 2013 09:00:00 +0000 It's come to our attention that many student accommodation sites in Scotland will see new water service charges from Scottish Water this year. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/new-water-charges-coming-for-student-accommodation-in-scotland http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/the-green-deal-kicks-off Wed, 09 Jan 2013 09:00:00 +0000 The new year sees the launch of the Green Deal in the domestic market.  http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/the-green-deal-kicks-off http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/control-is-everything Wed, 09 Jan 2013 09:00:00 +0000 Having completed energy audits for six student accommodation blocks in the last month, it’s clear that control is king when it comes to reducing costs. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/control-is-everything http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/shutting-down-over-christmas-make-sure-youre-not-wasting-energy Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Christmas is coming... http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/shutting-down-over-christmas-make-sure-youre-not-wasting-energy http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/green-lights-for-energy-efficiency Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Now here’s an interesting twist on energy efficiency incentives: Fancy being paid for every unit of energy you don’t use? http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/green-lights-for-energy-efficiency http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/the-power-hungry-internet---getting-hungrier-all-the-time Tue, 18 Dec 2012 09:00:00 +0000 I’ve just come across an eye-opening article about the Internet’s energy use… http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/the-power-hungry-internet---getting-hungrier-all-the-time http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/business-energy-efficiency---the-way-forward Thu, 22 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000 The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published the UK's first national Energy Efficiency Strategy. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/business-energy-efficiency---the-way-forward http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/at-gateway-we-even-take-work-home Thu, 22 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Having recently moved into a new flat where heat is provided from notoriously expensive and inefficient electric panel heaters, high electricity costs are always a concern. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/at-gateway-we-even-take-work-home http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/energy-costs-raised-as-big-concern-at-student-accommodation-2012 Thu, 22 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000 We really enjoyed our first ever time at the Student Accommodation 2012 conference, which myself and Andrew attended. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/energy-costs-raised-as-big-concern-at-student-accommodation-2012 http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/small-businesses-look-forward-to-fairer-treatment-by-energy-companies-under-new-ofgem-proposals Fri, 16 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Ofgem has announced that it is looking to improve protection for small companies against unscrupulous energy companies and brokers. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/small-businesses-look-forward-to-fairer-treatment-by-energy-companies-under-new-ofgem-proposals http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/saving-energy-in-student-accommodation Fri, 16 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Oli and I carried out some energy surveys on student accommodation this week, to look at where energy is being wasted in the buildings, and so find ways to improve their energy efficiency. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/saving-energy-in-student-accommodation http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/great-news-for-small-business-energy-customers Wed, 14 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000 I’ve just been reading Ofgem’s updated Retail Market Review proposals for businesses, and it certainly looks as if smaller businesses are in for much fairer treatment by energy suppliers when the proposals kick in. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/great-news-for-small-business-energy-customers http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/all-set-for-student-accommodation-2012 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Tomorrow, we’ll be exhibiting at 'Student Accommodation 2012' at the Lancaster London Hotel http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/all-set-for-student-accommodation-2012 http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/back-billing---how-to-avoid-it-happening-to-you Wed, 14 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000 I speak to a lot of people who've been asked by their energy supplier to read their meters and keep their supplier up-to-date with their meter readings ... But then, after providing their readings, they still end up with an estimated bill. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/back-billing---how-to-avoid-it-happening-to-you http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/renewable-heat-incentive---confusion-reigns Tue, 13 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000 With the first anniversary of the launch of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme coming up on 30th November, you’d think things would be starting to settle down... http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/renewable-heat-incentive---confusion-reigns http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/colder-weather-causes-tightening-of-diesel-and-heating-oil-supply Fri, 09 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000 With colder weather now settling in on Europe and Northern Asia, the stocks situation in the north-eastern US, where most heating oil is consumed, is becoming very tight. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/colder-weather-causes-tightening-of-diesel-and-heating-oil-supply http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/look-out---the-triads-are-on-their-way Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000 The 'Triad season' is now upon us! This is the four-month winter period that National Grid looks back over every year to find the three half-hour periods when electricity demand was at its highest in the UK. These are known as the 'Triad' demand periods. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/look-out---the-triads-are-on-their-way http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/energy-suppliers-must-offer-the-cheapest-tariff---but-what-does-this-mean-for-businesses Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000 There's been a lot of coverage in the press and on the web over the last few days about Ofgem's proposals to force energy suppliers to offer the cheapest possible tariff to their customers... http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/energy-suppliers-must-offer-the-cheapest-tariff---but-what-does-this-mean-for-businesses http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/blackouts-in-britain-by-2015 Wed, 10 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Ofgem's recent 'Electricity Capacity Assessment' report certainly caused a bit of a stir in the media, with scare stories about Britain running out of capacity to generate energy by 2015. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/blackouts-in-britain-by-2015 http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/on-your-bike Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:00:00 +0000 We’ve got the cycling bug here at Gateway. I don’t know if it was the Olympics, a wish to be a bit more healthy or just an aversion to spending cash on fuel, but our cycling mileage must be the highest per employee ‒ bar none! http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/on-your-bike http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/no-more-incandescent-light-bulbs Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Traditional incandescent light bulbs are now a step closer to disappearing, as the final stage of their gradual phase-out across the European Union (EU) has come into effect. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/no-more-incandescent-light-bulbs http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/led-lighting----getting-better-and-cheaper Fri, 10 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Comment from Gateway's Managing Director - Andrew Kneeshaw http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/led-lighting----getting-better-and-cheaper http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/uk-top-in-energy-efficiency Fri, 20 Jul 2012 09:00:00 +0000 It’s official – the UK is leading the way with energy efficiency! http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/uk-top-in-energy-efficiency http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/food-waste-could-expand-ad-industry-by-800 Fri, 13 Jul 2012 09:00:00 +0000 All waste food should go to anaerobic digestion (AD) and be banned from landfill, according to a new report from the influential policy think tank Centreforum. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/food-waste-could-expand-ad-industry-by-800 http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/failing-to-report-crc-data-proves-to-be-an-expensive-business Wed, 11 Jul 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Four firms have been fined a total of £99,000 for failing to report Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) data. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/failing-to-report-crc-data-proves-to-be-an-expensive-business http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/have-you-heard-our-radio-advert Fri, 29 Jun 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Business electricity and gas – getting the best deal When your energy contract end date is looming, shopping around can be a daunting prospect. Which suppliers do you call and how do you compare the small print and make a well informed choice? http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/have-you-heard-our-radio-advert http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/carbon-dioxide-levels-still-on-the-rise Wed, 20 Jun 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Monitoring stations in the Arctic saw carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere reach a record high this spring. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/carbon-dioxide-levels-still-on-the-rise http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/rhi-spending-cap-announced Mon, 18 Jun 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Government has now made its decision on how it will control expenditure on the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), the subsidy on the production of heat from renewable sources. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/rhi-spending-cap-announced http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/government-stresses-unshakeable-commitment-to-renewables-but-admits-it-must-do-more-to-get-the-public-on-board-with-wind-projects Mon, 18 Jun 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Britain has gone from the “new kid in class to the star pupil” on renewable energy generation – so said Energy Secretary Edward Davey at a recent Global Offshore Wind Energy conference in London. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/government-stresses-unshakeable-commitment-to-renewables-but-admits-it-must-do-more-to-get-the-public-on-board-with-wind-projects http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/poland-opposes-european-energy-roadmap Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:00:00 +0000 The European Commission’s plans for a European energy roadmap – a document laying out potential energy strategies for Europe to meet its future energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions before 2050 – have run into opposition from Poland for the second time. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/poland-opposes-european-energy-roadmap http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/will-latest-fit-cuts-wipe-out-financial-returns-for-solar Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Feed-in Tariff (FiT) rates will soon be cut yet again as part of a new set of changes to the FiT scheme, meaning those generating their own electricity using solar panels will receive smaller payments from the government. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/will-latest-fit-cuts-wipe-out-financial-returns-for-solar http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/british-gas-warns-of-15-increase-to-energy-costs-this-winter Thu, 31 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000 British Gas owner Centrica has warned that UK wholesale gas costs will be around 15% higher for this coming winter than the last winter, causing gas bills to rise significantly. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/british-gas-warns-of-15-increase-to-energy-costs-this-winter http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/is-germany-nearing-a-blackout Mon, 21 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Germany’s national grid agency has warned that the country’s power grid faces collapse if old coal power plants are closed down as part of its drive to clean up its energy supply. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/is-germany-nearing-a-blackout http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/warnings-of-climbing-uk-energy-prices Tue, 08 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Comment from Gateway’s Managing Director, Andrew Kneeshaw: http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/warnings-of-climbing-uk-energy-prices http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/poll-finds-only-3-of-the-public-are-strongly-apposed-to-wind-power Tue, 08 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Two thirds of public broadly support the use of wind power, with only 3% strongly opposed. So says an Ipsos MORI poll commissioned by RenewableUK (formerly the British Wind Energy Association). http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/poll-finds-only-3-of-the-public-are-strongly-apposed-to-wind-power http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/decc-figures-reveal-87-drop-in-new-solar-panels-following-feed-in-tariff-cuts Fri, 04 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Since the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) payments were cut on 1st April 2012, demand for solar panels has dropped by nearly 90%. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/decc-figures-reveal-87-drop-in-new-solar-panels-following-feed-in-tariff-cuts http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/optional-green-schemes-get-best-energy-efficiency-results-says-new-report Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000 When it comes to encouraging businesses to improve their energy efficiency, success lies in in the government presenting green schemes which are voluntary, rather than compulsory. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/optional-green-schemes-get-best-energy-efficiency-results-says-new-report http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/wind-farms-safe-for-most-birds Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Many species of birds are unaffected by onshore wind farms, according to a new study carried out by researchers working for UK bird charities. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/wind-farms-safe-for-most-birds http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/chamber-offer Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Special offer for Chamber of Commerce members: FREE bill check   Could you be saving money on your business’ gas or electricity…? We’re offering a FREE bill check for all Chamber of Commerce members which will tell you just that! http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/chamber-offer http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/decc-proposes-cost-control-measures-for-the-rhi Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000 The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has released a consultation document which outlines new cost control measures for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which will ensure that the scheme doesn’t go over budget. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/decc-proposes-cost-control-measures-for-the-rhi http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/the-carbon-reduction-commitment-to-be-reformed-or-abandoned Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000 At the launch of the 2012 Budget last week, Chancellor George Osborne promised to simplify the Carbon Reduction Commitment by autumn 2012 – or replace it with an alternative, simpler environmental tax. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/the-carbon-reduction-commitment-to-be-reformed-or-abandoned http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/the-government-loses-its-solar-feed-in-tariff-appeal Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000 The government has lost its bid to appeal to the Supreme Court over the High Court’s ruling that the way in which it halved the solar Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs) before the consultation period had officially ended was illegal. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/the-government-loses-its-solar-feed-in-tariff-appeal http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/rhi-tariffs-to-increase-by-48-in-april-2012 Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000 If you’re submitting an application to receive payments under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme for the heat you generate, you can now look forward to receiving a higher tariff as of 1st April 2012. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/rhi-tariffs-to-increase-by-48-in-april-2012 http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/reduction-in-standing-charges-for-some-gas-supplies-expected-in-april-2012 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000 If you have a daily metered gas supply and were forced to convert from an interruptible supply to a non-interruptible supply last October, the good news is that it’s looking as if your standing charge rate will be significantly reduced next month. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/reduction-in-standing-charges-for-some-gas-supplies-expected-in-april-2012 http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/electricity-you-may-not-even-know-youre-using-could-be-costing-you-up-to-50-of-your-bill Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Almost half of the money that small and medium-sized UK businesses pay for electricity is spent on powering their business after staff have gone home for the day, according to new analysis from British Gas.* http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/electricity-you-may-not-even-know-youre-using-could-be-costing-you-up-to-50-of-your-bill http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/decc-release-provisional-statistics-for-uk-energy-in-2011 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000 The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published its statistics for energy in the UK in 2011, allowing trends in energy consumption, production and transformation to be assessed. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/decc-release-provisional-statistics-for-uk-energy-in-2011 http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/ofgem-offers-a-helping-hand-to-independent-energy-suppliers-with-new-electricity-market-reforms Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Ofgem has laid out three clear objectives for the ‘Big Six’* energy suppliers, which it feels will open up the electricity market and aid smaller, independent energy companies. This follows its announcement in March 2011 of its intention to free up the trading of electricity. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/ofgem-offers-a-helping-hand-to-independent-energy-suppliers-with-new-electricity-market-reforms http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/success-as-gateway-gains-approval-on-the-first-of-many-rhi-applications Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000 The first of many Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) applications that Gateway Energy Solutions has been involved in has received notice of approval for accreditation under the RHI scheme. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/success-as-gateway-gains-approval-on-the-first-of-many-rhi-applications http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/decc-announces-improvements-to-the-feed-in-tariff-scheme-and-proposals-for-the-schemes-future Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000 As we await the government’s appeal to the Supreme Court, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has announced a set of changes to the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme, along with the release of two new consultation documents laying out proposals for the scheme’s future. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/decc-announces-improvements-to-the-feed-in-tariff-scheme-and-proposals-for-the-schemes-future http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/energy-efficiency-deployment-office-officially-launches Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000 The Energy Efficiency Deployment Office (EEDO)—a dedicated team within the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)—was officially launched on 8th February 2012 by the new Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/energy-efficiency-deployment-office-officially-launches http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/decc-publishes-final-estimates-of-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-2010 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Yesterday, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published its final estimates of UK greenhouse gas* emissions for 2010. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/decc-publishes-final-estimates-of-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-2010 http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/how-did-world-events-affect-energy-prices-in-2011 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000 When it comes to energy, there are a number of factors which have an influence over costs. Although latest trends and energy market projections both play a big part in determining energy prices, the main influencing factor is something that no-one can predict—world events. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/how-did-world-events-affect-energy-prices-in-2011 http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/the-outlook-for-oil-prices-in-2012 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Comment from Gateway Energy Solutions’ Managing Director, Andrew Kneeshaw: http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/the-outlook-for-oil-prices-in-2012 http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/record-breaking-renewable-wind-energy-in-december-2011 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000 December 2011 saw a record amount of renewable wind energy generated, as the UK experienced wind levels that were, on average, 16% higher than the previous year’s. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/record-breaking-renewable-wind-energy-in-december-2011 http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/hmrc-announces-change-to-enhanced-capital-allowances Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000 HMRC has announced an upcoming change to how Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs) can be received alongside other subsidies. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/hmrc-announces-change-to-enhanced-capital-allowances http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/decc-is-denied-grounds-for-appeal-over-fits-ruling---but-its-not-giving-up Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000 It was announced yesterday (25th January 2012) that the government has lost its appeal against the High Court’s ruling that the way in which Feed-in Tariff (FiT) cuts were introduced in December 2011 was “legally flawed”. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/decc-is-denied-grounds-for-appeal-over-fits-ruling---but-its-not-giving-up http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/funding-given-to-universities-to-help-cut-carbon-emissions Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000 A selection of English universities has been given a total of £11 million to cut carbon from the Revolving Green Fund (RGF). The funding is intended to help projects at 27 universities reduce their level of CO₂ emission by around 229,000 tonnes per year. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/funding-given-to-universities-to-help-cut-carbon-emissions http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/decc-announces-proposal-for-feed-in-tariff-reduction-date-compromise Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000 As the solar industry awaits the outcome of the Government’s appeal against the High Court’s ruling that their Feed-in Tariff (FiT) reductions were “unlawful”, the Government has revealed its ‘Plan B’. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/decc-announces-proposal-for-feed-in-tariff-reduction-date-compromise http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/new-radar-means-go-ahead-for-4-gw-of-wind-turbine-projects Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000 A long-term obstacle that has been preventing many proposed wind farms from going ahead has now been removed, thanks to a new ‘wind turbine-friendly’ radar. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/new-radar-means-go-ahead-for-4-gw-of-wind-turbine-projects http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/government-appeals-against-high-courts-ruling-that-fits-cuts-were-legally-flawed Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000 The future of Feed-in Tariff (FiT) cuts remains uncertain, following the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)’s decision to lodge an appeal against the High Court’s ruling that their proposed reductions to the tariff rates were “legally flawed”. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/government-appeals-against-high-courts-ruling-that-fits-cuts-were-legally-flawed http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/feed-in-tariff-reductions-ruled-legally-flawed-by-high-court Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000 It’s looking as if the Government’s decision to suddenly cut Feed-in Tariff (FiT) payments has come across major obstacles following challenges and concerns from both MPs and interested parties from the solar industry. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/feed-in-tariff-reductions-ruled-legally-flawed-by-high-court http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/ofgem-suggests-reducing-back-billing-time-limit-for-microbusinesses-to-one-year Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000 Ofgem have given their views on how energy suppliers tackle the issue of back-billing for microbusinesses, following recent work that has been done to standardise the practice.  http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/ofgem-suggests-reducing-back-billing-time-limit-for-microbusinesses-to-one-year http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/feed-in-tariff-cuts-sees-number-of-solar-pv-installations-soar Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000 The solar industry has seen the number of solar PV installations skyrocket, following the deadline for submitting a Feed-in Tariff application to achieve the previously higher tariff rate. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/feed-in-tariff-cuts-sees-number-of-solar-pv-installations-soar http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/british-gas-focus-on-biomass-heating-by-acquiring-ecoenergy-ltd Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000 British Gas has added to its existing holding in Ecoenergy Ltd by purchasing the remaining share of the company. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/british-gas-focus-on-biomass-heating-by-acquiring-ecoenergy-ltd http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/record-amounts-of-petrol-exported-from-the-usa Sat, 10 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000 The United States is awash in petrol; so much so that the country is exporting a record amount of it.  http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/record-amounts-of-petrol-exported-from-the-usa http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/energy-suppliers-demanding-unaffordable-up-front-payments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000 A recent article published by the Guardian has highlighted the huge barriers that the policies of the ‘big six’ energy companies are causing for their customers.  http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/energy-suppliers-demanding-unaffordable-up-front-payments http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/more-climate-change-levy-discount-and-a-boost-for-efficiency Sun, 04 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000 Clients who have benefited from Climate Change Levy (CCL) discount can look forward to an increase in the discount rate for electricity from 65% to 90% (equivalent to a 38% increase in cash terms) from 1st April 2013.  http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/more-climate-change-levy-discount-and-a-boost-for-efficiency http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/renewable-heat-incentive-goes-live Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0000 The long-awaited Renewable Heat Incentive has finally gone live today. Businesses can now apply to receive a fixed rate payment from the Government for heat they produce using a renewable heat system, such as solar thermal panels, heat pumps or a biomass boiler. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/renewable-heat-incentive-goes-live http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/renewables-ramp-up---but-for-how-long Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0000 September 2011 was a ‘record-breaking month’ for the Feed-in Tariff scheme, with over 16,000 projects becoming accredited (totalling 85 MW). The previous record of 11,500 installations was set in August 2011. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/renewables-ramp-up---but-for-how-long http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/government-proposes-dramatic-cuts-to-feed-in-tariffs Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0000 The Government has announced a proposal to make large cuts to the subsidies available for those installing solar photovoltaic (PV) installations up to 250 kW. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/government-proposes-dramatic-cuts-to-feed-in-tariffs http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/uk-business-electricity-prices-are-comparatively-low-says-brussels Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:00:00 +0000 The European Commission’s last quarterly report on electricity prices showed UK prices to be amongst the lowest in the EU for business customers.  However, Bulgaria, Finland and France are still cheaper. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/uk-business-electricity-prices-are-comparatively-low-says-brussels http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/a-bleak-future-for-british-oil Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:00:00 +0000 This summer saw an historic dip in oil production by oilfields within the British sector of the North Sea. For just the second time in over 30 years, the amount produced fell below one million barrels per day. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/a-bleak-future-for-british-oil http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/consumers-baffled-by-energy-tariffs Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:00:00 +0000 A test run by the consumer experts Which? has highlighted that energy tariffs are in desperate need of simplification, as consumers continue to struggle to understand how they work. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/consumers-baffled-by-energy-tariffs http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/large-renewable-heat-plans-take-a-knock Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:00:00 +0000 Following the European Union (EU) rejection of the Renewable Heat Incentive tariff rates for large biomass, a revised figure has now been proposed. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/large-renewable-heat-plans-take-a-knock http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/uk-blown-away-by-septembers-record-breaking-wind-energy Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:00:00 +0000 Last month’s wind energy reached new heights, with the National Grid’s figures showing that the UK generated a record-breaking amount of wind energy on Tuesday 6th September. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/uk-blown-away-by-septembers-record-breaking-wind-energy http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/energy-contracts-harder-to-switch-than-mortgages Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:00:00 +0000 A third of SMEs are missing out on cheaper energy bills because they find the business energy market so baffling, warns uSwitchforbusiness.com. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/energy-contracts-harder-to-switch-than-mortgages http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/light-bulb-ban-triggers-panic-buying Sun, 18 Sep 2011 09:00:00 +0000 The 100 W light bulb has gone the same way as the 60 W bulb and has now been banned for manufacture or import into the EU. So many avid tungsten bulb addicts are stock-piling 100 watt incandescent light bulbs to give them a few more years of tungsten light. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/light-bulb-ban-triggers-panic-buying http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/more-action-required-to-close-energy-savings-gap Sat, 17 Sep 2011 09:00:00 +0000 Although the EU currently has a target to save 20% of its primary energy consumption (against business-as-usual projections) by 2020 through improvements in energy efficiency, the European Commission has estimated the EU is currently on-track to achieve only half of this target. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/more-action-required-to-close-energy-savings-gap http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/carrots-and-sticks Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:00:00 +0000 The Government still thinks that environmental taxes can be effective in driving the change required to achieve a greener economy – although policy up to 2020 will be to explore voluntary agreements and less burdensome alternatives as far as possible. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/carrots-and-sticks http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/it-pays-to-be-smart Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:00:00 +0000 Even though smart meters are brilliant at identifying energy hotspots, 20% of businesses in a recent panel survey by the Forum for Private Business thought that the technology was “not appropriate” for smaller companies. Issues mentioned included lack of an economy of scale, inconvenience and difficulties over installation. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/it-pays-to-be-smart http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/new-green-roadmap-sidelines-solar Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:00:00 +0000 The Government’s ‘Roadmap to Renewables’ published last month sets out how it sees green fuels going in the future. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/new-green-roadmap-sidelines-solar http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/electricity-market-shake-up-supports-renewables Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:00:00 +0000 Electricity market reform may sound like a vague bureaucratic concept but it will touch us all in the future with higher energy prices. The Government published a White Paper dealing with the reform on 12th July. It’s scheduled to reach the statute book by Spring 2013 and sets out systems which will: http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/electricity-market-shake-up-supports-renewables http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/energy-efficiency-slips-down-corporate-agenda Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:00:00 +0000 Chief executives now see energy efficiency as less of a priority than they did a year ago in spite of the introduction of the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme. So says a recent report from analyst T-Systems and the Economist Intelligence Unit. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/energy-efficiency-slips-down-corporate-agenda http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/oil-demand-set-to-increase-in-2012 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:00:00 +0000 Global oil demand will increase further next year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted. The IEA, which represents the main oil consuming nations, said the increase in crude usage would continue to be driven by emerging economies. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/oil-demand-set-to-increase-in-2012 http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/fit-installations-gather-pace Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:00:00 +0000 30,263 installed renewable installations were registered within the first year of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme (from its launch in April 2010 to 31 March 2011), representing 108.5 MW of total installed capacity. http://www.gatewayenergy.co.uk/news/fit-installations-gather-pace