Blog - Guest Blogs & Editorials

"Energy regulation, market intervention: what’s it all about?” A supplier’s view

  • 6 years ago (2017-09-28)
  • Junior Isles

Doug Stewart, Chief Executive of Green Energy UK

When five former energy regulators, including Professor Stephen Littlechild, and the electricity regulator for the 10 years post-privatisation, are questioning the regulation of the energy market (as they did in 2015 as part of the CMA Inquiry), I tend to listen and take stock. Littlechild & Co said it was time to dial-down the level of regulation in the UK energy sector.  Whereas there’s a body of opinion, among consumer groups, some politicans and sections of the press who would suggest that even more regulation is required. In my world, I’d call it intervention. 

Charged with potential

  • 6 years ago (2017-08-05)
  • Junior Isles

By Darren Farrar, energy segment manager at Schneider Electric

Partly thanks to the declining price of Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), battery storage technology stands on the precipice of strong growth. 

Taiwan and the UK can cooperate on green energy solutions

  • 6 years ago (2017-05-01)
  • Junior Isles

By Jeremy Horng, Managing Director of Taiwan Trade Centre, London, United Kingdom.

Although Brexit makes the future of energy cooperation between the UK and the EU unclear, Taiwan will keep abreast of the UK energy industry trends, and provide timely green energy solutions and services to UK businesses. Accordingly, in May Taiwan will be sending their first delegation to the UK to promote its green energy expertise and to foster cooperation both in the business and academic fields.

 

Sustainable growth in the Middle East

  • 7 years ago (2017-02-10)
  • Junior Isles

By DLA Piper's Maher Ghanma and Micael Johnstone

2016 saw the international community finally reach agreement for collective action on climate change with the rapid ratification and entry into force of the Paris Agreement. DLA Piper's Maher Ghanma and Micael Johnstone assess the impacts and opportunities that the transition to a low carbon future presents to businesses and policy-makers in the Middle East.

Green energy must be cheaper than fossil energy

  • 7 years ago (2016-09-26)
  • Junior Isles

By Henrik Poulsen, CEO, DONG Energy

More than 80 per cent of the world's energy supply comes from coal, oil and gas. There is a general consensus that CO2 emissions place a strain on our climate, yet our inability to set a proper price on these emissions means that it is still far too cheap to pollute. The costs of our inaction are already all too clear. At current emissions rates, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change expects that global temperatures will rise by two degrees compared to pre-industrial levels, even before 2040.

France: Pioneering Lower-Carbon Solar Energy

  • 7 years ago (2016-09-26)
  • Junior Isles

Andreas Wade, Global Director, First Solar

In recent months, news about the solar energy industry was dominated by headlines describing record-breaking tariffs, reflecting the fast declining price of solar electricity. And while the focus has been on the attractive economics of utility-scale solar, it is often taken for granted that solar energy is inherently environmentally sustainable and that its carbon credentials don’t require scrutiny.

Energy volatility, now

  • 7 years ago (2016-09-26)
  • Junior Isles

Andy Dewis, VP energy and sustainability services, Schneider Electric

With the ongoing dip in crude oil prices, it is natural to assume that utility prices would follow a similar, downward trajectory. Yet electricity prices remain stagnant.