St Andrews University plans a £25m energy centre/BBC News
A university hopes to cut its energy costs by building a £25m “green” centre. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-25448039
Wild Land Protection for Turbines/Border Telegraph
THE region’s more remote and rugged areas need protection from further wind farm developments and blanket afforestation. http://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/roundup/articles/2013/12/20/482864-wild-land-protection-from-wind-turbines/
Firms may be paid to turn out lights: Four- hour curfew to save Britain from blackouts/Daily Mail
Factories and businesses will be paid to turn out lights from 4pm to 8pm Emergency measures designed to head off threat of blackouts next winter Ofgem decides plan is necessary to ensure adequate supply of electricity http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2526772/Firms-paid-turn-lights-Four-hour-curfew-save-Britain-blackouts.html
Offshore wind decision must be reversed/Scottish government
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has criticised the UK Government for removing all planned Scottish offshore windfarms from their list of 10 projects which will get a FID (Final Investment Decision) contract, and has called on the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change to reverse their decision before the finalisation Read more
Green light for Wooler wind mast/Berwick Advertiser
Controversial plans to erect a wind turbine close to ancient monuments and historical sites in Wooler are set to go ahead after a campaigner lost his last-ditch bid to halt the development http://www.berwick-advertiser.co.uk/news/farming/green-light-for-wooler-wind-mast-1-3237669
RenewableUK warns of hasty policy effect on onshore wind as delivery plan issued/RenewableUK
RenewableUK today commented on the publication of the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s Electricity Market Reform Delivery Plan. http://www.renewableuk.com/en/news/press-releases.cfm/2013-12-19-renewableuk-warns-of-hasty-policy-effect-on-onshore-wind-as-delivery-plan-issued
Scottish renewable energy projects had ‘record-breaking’ year in 2012/Energy Voice
Scottish renewable energy projects had a record-breaking 2012, producing enough power to meet 40.3% of the country’s electricity needs. http://www.energyvoice.com/2013/12/scots-renewables-projects-record-breaking-year-2012/
UK energy market reform becomes law/Reuters
(Reuters) – Britain’s Energy Bill, which includes a new support mechanism for renewable energy and nuclear plants, was approved by the Queen on Wednesday, meaning it is now law. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/12/18/uk-britain-energy-law-idUKBRE9BH0Q720131218