Do we still need coal?

A 'historic turning point' has been reached, as declared by green energy supporters.

In the UK, part of our electricity is generated by coal. Last week the amount of electric energy that is created from coal fell to zero late on Monday 9 May, and remained this way until the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The last time this occured was during 1882, when the world's first public coal-fired generator opened in Holborn - according to Carbon Brief, reporters of climate science.

On top of this, our carbon emissions are now the lowest that they have been for at least the past 20 years. This shift in electrical energy generation has helped to cause this reduction, and the demand on electricity supplies in general have remained at a fairly flat level over the past ten years.

But what does this mean for energy prices?

The government have always been aiming to phase out coal generation by 2025 due to it's level of pollution, and with renewables on the up this is beginning to look like an acheivable target. With electricity less dependent on the fossil fuels of the industrial revolution the cost of producing the energy should begin to decline.

With companies looking to keep their profit margins looking healthy it's anyone's guess where the market will go, but the advice remains that looking around for the most competitive prices will continue to be the most effective way of saving money on your energy spend.

The Energy Advice Line is a free and impartial price comparison service, allowing you to compare the most competitive quotes in the UK and always end up with the best price for you. Find out more and get a quote today at energyadviceline.org.uk

Energy Advice Line calls for further price cuts

The Energy Advice Line has joined calls for energy companies to drop their prices after the cost of gas fell to its lowest level in more than a decade.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for domestic and business energy users, backed calls by consumer groups for energy companies to be more generous with their price cuts.

"Wholesale prices are at an historic low, yet suppliers have waited until recently - the end of winter - to make very modest cuts to household gas prices," Mr Morgan said.

"These companies can afford to make more significant cuts, and it should have happened sooner, not as we enter a period when most people are, or already have, turned their heating off.

"Energy companies talk about rebuilding trust with consumers but they need to do more than reduce prices by a meagre amount very late in the day if they are to win them back."

Figures released by price reporting agency ICIS showed that wholesale gas prices in the first quarter of 2016 were down by one third on the same period last year - the lowest since data was first collected in 2005.

ICIS analysts said falling prices were due to oversupply in all markets, and suggested prices could drop further, as wholesale gas contracts for delivery in future years were even lower.

Consumer groups have called for companies to make further cuts to their standard tariffs following only modest reductions in gas prices earlier this year.

The Big Six have offered customers gas price cuts of just 5% and no change to electricity prices, despite energy markets plummeting to historic lows.

"Energy companies are not doing the right thing, as they are refusing the pass on reasonable price reductions in line with falling wholesale prices," Mr Morgan said. "It is really important that consumers vote with their feet about this.

"Now more than ever it is crucial for consumers to stay informed about what is happening in the market and to demand a better deal from their suppliers.

"If supplier refuse to offer competitive prices then consumers need to switch to avoid paying more than they need to. With help from a reputable independent service like Energy Advice Line this can be quick and easy and most importantly completely free."

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 energyadviceline.org.uk

Tariffs cut are welcome, but more needs to be done

Leading online price comparison service The Energy Advice Line has welcomed plans by energy giant E.ON to cut gas prices by 5.1%.

The move follows a request to all energy firms from Energy Secretary Amber Rudd last year to pass on a fall in wholesale gas prices to consumers.

Julian Morgan, managing director of The Energy Advice Line, said E.ON's move was a step in the right direction, although consumers were unlikely to be impressed with the size od the cut.

What Happened at the Weekend

This weekend saw most of our energy news emerging from around the globe. The weather turning this week reminds us that winter is coming, it's time to make sure that your home or business is prepared - this will help you to avoid any unwanted costs come bill time.

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.

Business Electricity Price Review - Quarter One 2015

Business energy users should consider using longer fixed-term deals following new figures released by Energy Advice Line showing that the relative cost of short and long-term contracts continues to narrow.

Firms are opting for more short term contracts in response to the current price drops, and hoping that the trends will be similar when their contracts are up for renewal in the same quarter of 2016.

According to Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy consumers, longer-term contracts continue to be a more viable option than ever for firms as protection against price fluctuation in a volatile market.

Ofgem To Introduce Price Control Measures

The Energy Advice Line has welcomed initiatives that Ofgem claims will slash more than £2 billion from customers’ bills.

But Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service, said the price controls and other measures came after years of inaction by the regulator.

Many households and businesses would still struggle to pay their bills this winter and lack of competition in the UK energy market remained the main cause of high prices and poor service, he said.

Ofgem has announced a tough range of price control measures for power distributors that it claims will slash bills by the equivalent of £11 per household. The measures limit the amount distributors can charge for the job they do.

The controls follow Ofgem’s rejection of earlier plans put forward by operators on the grounds they failed to deliver “good enough value” to customers”.

What Happened at the Weekend?

The news this weekend tended to just focus around the latest price drops from four of the Big Six suppliers and whether or not these are a good thing for the business and domestic energy customers. A majority of the news from across the pond was centralised around the falling oil prices, spending cuts and moving towards creating a greater focus on energy efficiency.

Here's two highlights from the weekend, a bit of criticism about the price cuts, and an interesting piece revolving around the idea of helping to solve the planet's energy crisis.

Saturday, 24^th January

• Critics hit out as 4th energy firm lowers tariffs

Sunday, 25^th January

• Could a man-made star solve Earth's energy crisis?

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

• Visit energyadviceline.org.uk and chat with an advisor
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• Call us on 0800 915 1800 (Mon - Fri, 9am - 5:30pm)

Average Dual Fuel Bill Is Around £1,265 a Year

Business electricity users and householders were facing difficult decisions about their energy contracts, with wholesale prices dipping and some suppliers offering longer than usual fixed-rate deals, according to the Energy Advice Line

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users, said lower wholesale energy prices and increased competition were creating opportunities for customers to lock in good deals.

But he said the trade-off for consumers who opted for longer-term price protection was potentially missing out on cheaper prices if energy costs continued to fall.

“Consumers are facing some difficult choices at the moment and they need to take expert advice,” Mr Morgan said.

Energy Advice Line joins call for price cut

The Energy Advice Line has joined calls for the Big Six energy companies to cut gas and electricity bills for households and businesses following a sharp fall in wholesale costs.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the business electricity price comparison, switching and advice serve for energy users, said it was only fair that customers benefit from lower wholesale energy prices.

"It's now time for the energy regulator to consider putting pressure on suppliers to pass on some of these savings to customers," Mr Morgan said.

"There is no evidence that suppliers intend doing this of their own accord, nor are they making any attempt to explain why not.

"Customers deserve better. Suppliers are quick-off-the-mark to raise their retail prices when the wholesale cost of energy rises, but very slow indeed to react when wholesale prices fall.

"Customers who are struggling to power their homes and businesses pay the price when the wholesale cost of gas goes up. It's only fair they should benefit when it falls."