British consumers could cut their energy bills by £1 billion a year if more interconnectors are built to other European countries, according to a think tank report. http://www.scottishenergynews.com/uk-electricity-interconnectors-cheaper-than-offshore-wind-says-think-tank/
Much has been written about the nuclear agreements signed at the UK-China summit. Given the boost to low-carbon electricity, to energy security and to jobs, the Chinese interest in taking forward investment at Hinkley Point C, the UK’s first nuclear station in a generation – is hugely welcome. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jun/17/we-can-turn-the-tide-of-climate-change-by-working-with-china
Windfarm owners say the head of Tony Abbott’s renewable energy review recently told them they were foolish to “build a whole business model on government largesse”, raising fears he will recommend a severe winding back of the renewable energy target. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/16/fears-for-renewables-after-energy-target-described-as-government-largesse
A £300 million project which will route an underground power line through the heart of Banffshire to connect an extensive offshore wind farm to the National Grid is expected to go to the planning stage this month. http://www.banffshire-journal.co.uk/News/Offshore-cable-poised-to-power-through-Shire-16062014.htm
The Ministry of Defence had a previously planned project for a site near Longtown stopped because the scheme would affect its work for the United Nations. http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1.1142813
David Ross Highland Correspondent Scotland’s three islands councils can look forward to receiving all the Crown Estate’s income from the seabed round their shores, if there is a Yes vote in the independence referendum. News that Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles stand to get 100 per cent of the rent Read more
Darren Staples/Reuters If building wind farms at sea is difficult and expensive, installing turbines beneath the waves is far more so. Currents batter them; salt corrodes them. Yet Britain’s coasts have become a playground for engineers and entrepreneurs intent on producing electricity from the tides. Their efforts are beginning to Read more
The Coalition has been “sleepwalking into an energy crisis” and must adopt a £65bn plan to insulate Britain’s homes, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis has claimed. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/coalition-accused-of-sleepwalking-into-an-energy-crisis-9538054.html