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Major plans for tidal energy farm
Monday, September 29, 2008
A major tidal energy project is being planned for waters off the coast of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Scottish Power has identified the Pentland Firth, Sound of Islay and Antrim coast to test sea turbines which could power thousands of homes.
It comes as Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond, visits the far north and the Crown Estate opens up the Pentland Firth seabed for leasing to developers.
Mr Salmond said the firth could be seen as the "Saudi Arabia of marine energy".
Scottish Power has been working on the Lanstrom device, which is said to be the world's most advanced tidal turbine.
The Scottish and Irish sites would host up to 60 of the turbines - 20 at each site - generating 60 megawatts of power for up to 40,000 homes.
The company is expected to apply for planning permission next year.
The device, similar to an underwater wind turbine, has been tested in a Norwegian fjord.
Scottish Power insists there is no threat to marine life, but the Marine Conservation Society said it would want to look closely at the proposals and see a rigorous environmental impact assessment.
The director of Scottish Power's renewable arm, Keith Anderson, said: "The rapid technological advancement of tidal power has enabled us to progress plans for this substantial project which has the real potential to deliver significant environmental and economic benefits."
Speaking ahead of his visit to Caithness, Mr Salmond said: "The potential of the Pentland Firth is quite staggering.
"Well known for centuries amongst mariners as a rough and foreboding sea, I believe that its awesome power will soon come to be seen across the world as the centrepiece of global efforts to take green energy from waves and tides.
"The Crown Estate will play a crucial part in enabling developers to take the next step and turn tested, reliable technology into the next wave of generating stations, pumping out electricity for homes and business.
"A strong marine renewables sector will drive further investment, cut emissions and give us a new contribution to sustainable economic growth."
Generating power from the sea could also be key to supporting the far north economy as jobs are reduced at Dounreay, a former nuclear power complex.
The first minister will join 150 delegates and representatives from about 20 marine energy developers at the Caithness Regeneration Conference.
'Working together'
Creating work in the area has become increasingly important because of the decommissioning of Dounreay.
The Thurso conference - taking place for the second time - will discuss progress on an action plan drawn up to steer the region through the effects of the plant's wind down and eventual closure.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Highland Council, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Scottish Government and local community are involved in the project.
Eann Sinclair, of Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, said: "Proposals are under way for projects such as the Pentland Firth Tidal Energy project and the development of Scrabster and Wick Harbours, as well as the creation of new jobs in the engineering sector."
This article was featured on the BBC News website, here.
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British Gas turns up heat on brokers
Sunday, September 21, 2008
[Business Cost Consultants are NOT brokers. We are "consultants" meaning that we do not take commissions from the energy suppliers.]
British Gas looks set to lift the lid on the secretive energy supply market to businesses by making it compulsory for brokers to declare the commission they are paid to woo customers.
British Gas looks set to lift the lid on the secretive energy supply market to businesses by making it compulsory for brokers to declare the commission they are paid to woo customers.
The move follows last week's revelation by Financial Mail that tens ofms of pounds a year are paid to 'independent' brokers by energy suppliers to draw in lucrative deals with small or medium-sized companies. These payments are rarely declared, leading to claims the market is effectively rigged.
British Gas says it stopped using brokers three months ago, though some in the market say agents for the company are still operating. The group says it will start using brokers again at the end of the year, on condition they tell customers how much commission they are paid.
'If this is correct it is a massive breakthrough that others will find hard not to follow,' one senior energy buyer told Financial Mail.
'Why is this industry so different from insurance and mortgages where, I believe, non-disclosed commissions are illegal?'
Worries that brokers sign business customers to the energy provider paying the highest commission, without-disclosing such payments, means there must be market clarity, British Gas said. 'Customers should know what they are paying,' said a spokesman. 'We encourage business users to ask and, if the broker will not disclose this, to question why.'
Attempts to introduce clarity are hampered by the lack of regulation in the market.
EDF Energy said only that it 'complies with all legal regulations regarding brokers' fees'. Total Gas & Power, Scottish & Southern Energy, and Biz Energy all declined to comment.
This article was featured on ThisIsMoney.co.uk.
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