Details of the Energy Bill have been released ahead of its publication next week, so what does it mean for your business energy bills? The main points in the Bill are: There will be a new government-owned ‘counterparty’ to give investors the confidence they need to provide funding for low carbon electricity projects; A capacity […]
Impacts of Gas Market Manipulation
How it could work and affect prices Our CEO, James Constant explains how gas market manipulation might work and how it could affect the prices your business pays. Despite the scant detail provided thus far, this looks like another classic example of how financial instruments can be abused for the gain of a party (or […]
Gas Market Manipulation, Suppliers Comments
What the suppliers say A whistle-blower has alleged that energy companies have been manipulating wholesale gas prices. The FSA and Ofgem are investigating, but what do the energy companies themselves have to say? Centrica (British Gas Business) – “Centrica has very robust governance and compliance policies, which regulate its market participation and behaviour. These policies are […]
Rising business energy costs affect 40%
40% of businesses say rising energy costs have affected their growth Businesses are worried about the security and cost of energy in the future, and government policies designed to help them may not be hitting the mark, according to the findings of a survey of 3,500 companies by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). On the […]
Whistleblower: Wholesale Gas Market Is ‘Regularly’ Manipulated
A whistleblower has alleged that the wholesale gas markets in the UK have been “regularly” manipulated by energy companies, according to an exclusive in the Guardian. The FSA and Ofgem are both investigating the claims, which were made by an employee of ICIS Heren, a company that provides data on energy prices for the industry and […]
Why the UK is 62nd for getting electricity
Business Juice CEO James Constant looks at why the UK came 62nd in the IFC’s Doing Business rankings. I like a good survey; I find it amazing how we’re willing to tell a perfect stranger our intimate details in return for an Amazon voucher. I always do wonder however whether anyone actually reads the results and […]
Ofgem to overhaul the business energy market
5 Energy Proposals Outlined Earlier this week Ofgem published its proposals to make the energy market better for domestic customers, and today it has also published its proposals for how it will make the market work better for businesses. The proposals are the result of the Retail Market Review, which started way back in 2010. Here are the main […]
Can Government Force Cheaper Energy Tariffs?
Could the government force energy suppliers to offer customers their cheapest tariff? Our CEO, James Constant, reflects on the PM’s leftfield announcement on energy prices that he made earlier today. “I can announce that we will be legislating so that energy companies have to give the lowest tariff to their customers.” Those were the words […]
Coalition Fight it out over the Energy Bill
Senior politicians are due to meet this week to discuss the Energy Bill, the piece of legislation that will play a big part in determining the future of our energy industry (and the size of your business energy bills). Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, the Chancellor George Osborne, Chief Secretary to […]
Heading for blackouts in 2015?
Guest Post by economist Lisa Waters of Waters Wye Associates Are we heading for a future of blackouts? It is being widely reported that energy regulator Ofgem is forecasting that the electricity system margin is getting very tight. Looking at the difference between the forecast peak demand and the available generation capacity (known as the plant […]