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Low-carbon generation

Latest in Low-carbon generation

T-4 capacity auction clears at record high price
The four-year-ahead (T-4) Capacity Market auction has cleared at a new record high price of at least £60/kW/yr. According to National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO), the descending-clock auction for delivery starting in 2026/27 cleared in the third round covering the price range £60-65/kW/yr.
News
UK low-carbon investment set to be blown off course
With economic and political headwinds threatening the UK’s transition to net zero, Energy UK fears that the country is set to lose out on £62 billion of low carbon investment over the next decade. Yet the trade body believes it is not too late for the government to act. Writing for Utility Week, policy experts Adam Berman and Mark Williams outline a series of measures they believe the UK will need to make the market sufficiently attractive for investors.  
Opinion
Hinkley C’s £6bn cost hike tests UK’s nuclear resolve
A further £6 billion cost increase at Hinkley Point C will test the government’s commitment to funding future large-scale nuclear projects, according to energy industry experts. EDF has admitted that construction of the 3.2GW power plant is now estimated to cost as much as £32.7 billion.
News
UK faces £62bn green investment shortfall
The investment climate for low carbon generation has “deteriorated significantly” in recent months, with the UK facing a potential £62 billion shortfall over the next decade, industry experts have warned. A report published by Energy UK states that without “rapid government intervention” the UK’s energy security and net zero targets will be undermined due to a lack of private sector investment, with “crippling consequences for the country”.
News
Weekend press round-up: Japanese owners put SES Water up for sale
The Japanese owners of SES Water are reportedly putting the business up for sale due to their reluctance to inject fresh equity into the highly-geared company. Meanwhile, Grant Shapps, head of the newly-formed Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, discusses his plans to make British energy the cheapest in Europe. This and more in Utility Week’s latest round-up of the weekend’s papers.  
News
ESO saves £80m with early start to constraint management scheme
National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) says it has saved £80 million by allowing renewable generators to begin providing a new constraint management service ahead of schedule. The Constraint Management Pathfinder will give more flexibility to the ESO’s control room by enabling renewable generators to continue operating, rather than being pre-emptively curtailed to avoid overloading the transmission network in the event of a fault.
News
Strong nuclear output sees EDF post £1 billion UK profit
EDF Energy has posted a more than £1 billion profit thanks to its strong nuclear output, despite its retail arm suffering heavy losses due to the soaring cost of energy. Across the year EDF’s UK nuclear fleet produced 43.6TWh of power, up 1.9TWh on the year previously. It comes following British Gas parent company Centrica’s recent announcement of record profits.
News
Solar target would swallow less land than UK’s airports
Meeting the government’s target for a fivefold increase in solar generation by 2035 would require less new land than that currently covered by the UK’s airports, according to backers of solar power. Solar Energy UK has presented figures MPs in a bid to counter concerns that valuable agricultural land will be swallowed up in order to meet increased solar generation.
News
UK green economic growth ‘unspectacular’ despite 30% boost
The UK's green economy grew by 30% in 2021 while the number of jobs in low-carbon industries increased by 16% year-on-year. Despite being worth £54.4 billion, a leading thinktank warned the UK was at risk of falling behind other countries because of limited political ambition and slower innovation than other nations.
News
How smart are Britain’s energy tariffs?
With energy emerging as a kitchen table issue, smart tariffs offer a way for households to save money on their bills, while contributing to the creation of a secure, decarbonised electricity system. But suppliers face numerous challenges in unleashing their full potential, including outdated systems and markets that fails to properly reward households for their flexibility. Tom Grimwood examines the current state of the market for smart tariffs and remaining barriers to their widespread adoption.
Analysis
Capacity Market secures record year-ahead power
The latest year-ahead Capacity Market auction has delivered a record amount of contracted back-up power. The results of the T-1 capacity market auction for 2023-24 show that 5.8GW of capacity has been secured, with a clearance price of £60/kW - the second highest in a T-1 auction. Among the talking points from the auction were the success of nuclear plants and the extension of a coal power station unit's life, which one analyst said was a sign that "coal is not dead … yet”.
News
UK offshore wind pipeline just shy of 100GW
The pipeline of offshore wind projects in the UK now stands at 99.8GW, with 130 offshore wind projects currently in development, representing an increase of 14GW compared to this time last year.
News
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