UK chief nuclear inspector gives the all safe

The head of the Office of Nuclear Regulation's interim report has confirmed there is "no need for immediate action to improve safety" in the UK's nuclear energy plans following Japan's nuclear crisis.

Fukushima and beyond

In light of the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, many countries are taking stock in relation to their strategies for nuclear power.

All change... drastic overhaul to the electricity market ahead

Major changes are afoot. The Government's Electricity Market Reform paves the way for the most fundamental reforms to the UK electricity market since liberalisation in the 1990s.

Electricity Market Reform

The Government's much anticipated consultation on Electricity Market Reform has been published today.

The National Infrastructure Plan 2010

The first National Infrastructure Plan for the UK has been published by the Coalition Government.

Coalition Watch - Spending Review special edition

Welcome to this special edition of the Public Law & Regulation team's Coalition Watch alert series.

RHI and FIT survive the cuts

The Government has announced that the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will go ahead and will be funded from the Department of Energy and Climate Change's annually managed expenditure.

The Renewables Obligation Order 2011: phased offshore accreditation and requirements for sustainable fuel

In an annual review of The Renewables Obligation Order 2009, the Department of Energy and Climate Change is proposing a number of significant changes.

Utility companies and environmental information - pulling the plug

Until recently, most utility companies believed that they had a legal duty to make a range of environmental information available to the public. The Information Commissioner said that this was the effect of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

Energy Act receives Royal Assent

The Government has met its ambitious legislative timetable, as one of the final actions taken by the current Parliament during the "wash-up" period was to pass the Energy Bill, which received Royal Assent on 8 April 2010.

A 'Green' Budget, but is it green enough?

A new Green Investment Bank aimed at funding low carbon transport and energy schemes, such as nuclear power stations and wind farms, has been trailed in the press for a few weeks now. And it has appeared in Alistair Darling's pre-election Budget.

FIT and RHI: new acronyms to conjure with

As if energy, and renewable energy incentive schemes in particular, wasn't complicated enough already, two new schemes (and their obligatory acronyms) are due to be introduced in the next year or so.

Local authorities: the new generators?

It is widely acknowledged that the UK Government's targets for tackling climate change are incredibly challenging. It is also universally accepted that local authorities will have a key role to play in efforts to tackle climate change.

Energy Bill

Although the energy industry has had its fair share of parliamentary attention, one of the 13 new bills included in the Government's ambitious timetable for getting new law on the statute books before the next general election is the Energy Bill.

Regulating energy networks - future investment

In August 2009 we reported on Ofgem's Working Group paper, published as part of its RPI-X@20 Review is a two-year project to evaluate the current approach to regulating Great Britain's energy networks and to develop future policy recommendations.

Carbon Reduction Commitment - the basics

The Carbon Reduction Commitment is a mandatory emissions trading scheme. To be introduced under powers taken in the Climate Change Act 2008 its twin aims are to improve energy efficiency and reduce the UK's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The Renewables Obligation 2009: a new order

The 2009 vintage of the Renewables Obligation for England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland became law this week.

What you need to know about climate change law

In October 2008, the UK Government created the Department for Energy and Climate Change, recognising the central role of energy in the climate change agenda. It's a global issue, to which global solutions (such as the Kyoto Protocol) have been proposed.

Climate Change Act

Described by some commentators as a ground-breaking piece of legislation, the Climate Change Act hit the statute books on 26 November 2008 following extensive public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny. Its aims are certainly bold.

Planning Act receives Royal Assent

Alongside the Climate Change and Energy Acts, the Planning Act 2008 received Royal Assent on the 26 November 2008. This paves the way for the new Infrastructure Planning Commission.

The Energy Act 2008 becomes law

Last week saw three important pieces of legislation added to the statute books - the Climate Change Act, the Energy Act and the Planning Act.

Planning and Energy Act 2008

The Planning and Energy Act received Royal Assent on the 13 November and came into force on the same date. The Act allows local councils in England and Wales to set reasonable requirements in their development plan documents.

Offshore electricity - 'Round 3' documentation

The Government is targeting 14 GW of offshore wind by 2020. An important step in achieving this target will be the speedy completion of the Crown Estate's third round of offshore windfarm leasing (Round 3).

Offshore - Ofgem update on tender process

Ofgem has issued a further consultation document regarding the competitive tender process by which offshore transmission owners (OFTOs) will be appointed

Ofgem probe: no evidence of cartel

Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain, has announced its findings after a seven-month investigation into the energy supply markets.

Offshore electricity transmission - publication of draft tender regulations

The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has published a first draft of regulations containing the legal framework for the methodology for determining how and to whom offshore transmission licences will be granted.

The Renewable Energy Strategy: finally a fair wind?

Yesterday, the Government announced its national renewable energy blueprint and put its renewable energy strategy out to consultation.

Defra Changes Guidance on Green Tariffs

On 16 June, Defra issued new guidance on how companies should calculate their carbon footprint. Read our expert comment on the new guidance.

Offshore electricity transmission: another piece of the jigsaw

Last Friday, Ofgem and BERR published a Policy Update. Read Wragge & Co's expert analysis of the update and take note of any relevant action points.

Latest round of offshore wind gets the green light

The Crown Estate has today announced eagerly awaited further information in relation to the tender process for the latest round of offshore windfarms (Round 3) at the British Wind Energy Association conference in London.

The property developer's step-by-step guide to generating green energy

Wragge & Co's construction and energy experts have compiled an analysis of the ways in which green energy can be produced and a step-by-step guide on how to become a renewable energy producer.

EU Third Energy Package: Reforming regulation of the energy sector

Energy White Paper: Banding proposals

Energy White Paper