Tuesday 26 May 2015

What Happened at the Weekend


Over the Bank Holiday weekend, we saw a lot of the news stories focusing on climate control, renewable energy, and generally focusing on how we can all be a little greener with our habits. There was also a fair bit of focus across the Atlantic with regards to America's exports. With parliament back in action over the past week we can also expect to see a steady rise in energy relevant articles.




Saturday, 23rd May
Sunday, 24th May
Monday, 25th May
Don't forget that if you have any questions regarding your energy supply, or energy in general then feel free to get in touch:

Failing But Viable SMEs to be Protected by Government

Failing but viable SMEs to be protected by government

The Energy Advice Line has welcomed a government initiative to protect failing but viable small and medium-sized firms from having their energy supplies disconnected.

Under the plans, struggling SMEs will have their gas, electricity, water and essential IT services safeguarded while administrators put together a financial rescue package.

Suppliers will have their payments guaranteed before other creditors so that they can be certain their bills will be prioritized. Only if bills remain unpaid 28 days after the rescue package has been implemented will they be allowed to disconnect services.

Monday 18 May 2015

What Happened at the Weekend


This weekend we had a lot of energy news from all over the globe, including Ghana and New York among many others. Articles also had a local focus around what small towns are doing up and down the country in order to help save themselves money while also helping the environment - see the story about Shropshire farmers for more detail on that one. There is also more starting to come to light since the election results, and we're predicting more of that to come as various areas are being negotiated.




Saturday, 16th May

Sunday, 17th May

Don't forget that if you have any questions regarding your energy supply, or energy in general then feel free to get in touch:

New Mobile Access Makes Switching Supplier Easier Than Ever

new mobile access makes switching supplier easier than ever

A new quote engine designed specifically for mobile telephones will make it easier and quicker than ever for businesses to switch energy suppliers.

The mobile switching service, launched by The Energy Advice Line, will enable business leaders and decision makers to obtain energy quotes and switch suppliers while on the move.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service, said the new technology reflected increasing demand for quick, easy and seamless switching.

“It also reflects the fact that a significant proportion of our customers are working on the go, and are submitting information from their mobile phones, “ Mr Morgan said.

Monday 11 May 2015

What Happened at the Weekend

This weekend saw the election based energy stories starting to rise in the press with approaches from many angles. There was also quite a focus on green energy and oil this weekend and the former's benefit to businesses. We're expecting the election based news to build up this week so keep an eye out for any furrther developments.

Saturday, 9th May

Sunday, 10th May

Don't forget that if you have any questions regarding your energy supply, or energy in general then feel free to get in touch:

Bill Analysis Shows Consumers Could Save £200 By Switching

Bill analysis shows consumers could be saving £200 by switching energy supplier

The Energy Advice Line has welcomed the findings of a top-level probe that has found consumers can save around £200 a year by switching energy supplier.

But Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users, said it was crucial for the government to work out why some consumers were failing to switch, thereby losing out on savings.

An analysis of energy bills by the Department of Energy & Climate Change’s (DECC) Domestic Fuel Enquiry has found that 13.5 million households in the UK are losing out on a total of £2.7 billion by staying loyal to their supplier.

The figures were revealed as part of the Government’s Power to Switch Campaign to encourage the public to change suppliers.

Tuesday 5 May 2015

What Happened at the Weekend


Given the election this week there was little in the press about each of the party's plans regarding the energy sector - time will tell if that changes this week but it's looking unlikely.Instead we got more of a look at renewable energy and the power it can hold, along with some positive news about employment levels within the energy sector.




Saturday, 2nd May
Sunday, 3rd May
Monday, 4th May
Don't forget that if you have any questions regarding your energy supply, or energy in general then feel free to get in touch:

Ofgem Urged to Investigate Network Costs

Ofgem need to investigate energy network costs

The Energy Advice Line has urged Ofgem to investigate network costs as a matter of priority in a bid to improve competition in the UK energy market and deliver lower prices to consumers.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy customers, said the costs were a significant factor in domestic and business energy bills and needed to be tackled.

The energy watchdog, Ofgem, has come under fire from MPs for failing to crack down on the energy distribution and transmission costs charged by network companies and passed on to consumers by suppliers.

MPs said the price caps intended to keep the costs down were too generous, and network costs were now a significant and overlooked factor in high bills.

Mr Morgan said the average dual fuel bill now cost more than £1300 per year, with network charges making up almost a quarter of the total. Ofgem needed to do everything in its power to reduce the effective monopoly enjoyed by network companies such as National Grid, Scottish and Southern Energy and Northern Power Grid, he said.

“Ofgem claims it will take eight years to see whether value for money is being delivered to the UK energy market as a result of its regulatory reforms but this is too long for hard-pressed consumers to wait,” Mr Morgan said.

“It needs to put pressure on both network companies and suppliers to reduce these network costs and pass the savings on. There is ample room for customers to enjoy much better value for money.

“The system is also too complex and confusing for consumers, with prices varying around the country and many people very unsure about what these charges are actually for.

“It’s time Ofgem used its regulatory muscle to force energy companies to bring these charges down and it make this aspect of energy bills simpler.”

MPs have asked Ofgem to investigate the feasibility of a national tariff to simplify charging and make prices less volatile, and called on the government to do more to encourage smaller generators to enter the market to increase competition.

“While there are some things that consumers have no control over, like network charges, they can do what they can to keep their bills down by shopping around and switching supplier to make sure they’re on the lowest possible tariff,” Mr Morgan said.

The Energy Advice Line is one of the UK's leading price comparison and switching services for business and domestic energy customers. It is also an advocate for energy market reform and has campaigned for a better deal for energy users, including calling for a ban on cold calling and changes to regulations to make it easier for all consumers to switch suppliers.

The service is completely independent and free. Consumers can quickly and simply search the market for the best available energy deals from an extensive panel of small and large energy suppliers. The service also offers a free advice line for business energy customers.

For further information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk