Green Energy Scene

This is a start. The announcement of new clean coal power stations to be built across the UK was welcomed with open arms, then the penny drops and everyone realizes that this will cost the average consumer an extra 3% on their energy bills by the year 2020. Not good news for customers who fall into the fuel poverty bracket.

Over the last 10 years the cost of domestic energy has exploded and no doubt the cost of energy will continue to rise.  
The Queens speech will give OFGEM the powers to protect customers who spend ten percent of their disposable income on domestic energy (Classed as Fuel Poverty).
  
Some cynics have accused this bill as nothing but spin by Labour, trying to drum up support before the next general election and some even say there is not enough time for the bill to be scrutinized before the general election, so the bill ultimately won’t be passed.
 
At this moment in time the best way to save money is by switching electricity suppliers once a year providing you are getting a better deal off-course. Whatever happens in the future let’s make sure the old, the sick and other people in fuel poverty can get the fuel they need at the right price at the right time.  

With the energy watchdog having carried out their investigation into the big six overcharging direct debit customers, it did not find any evidence or suggest any foul play but it did recognize that most of the 40% who pay by D/D where paying more than they needed to, the customer did get this back eventually, or if they asked for it they got it by check.

They found that over a quarter of the customers that were in credit had built up credit of over £100 and in some cases £200, this is totally unacceptable as the suppliers are basically granting themselves big interest free loans.

It is time the gas and electricity supplier 's start playing fair and start charging customers an appropriate level of direct debit when making up payment plans, it can’t be that hard.

Ofgem suggested that customers should regularly cross-check their meter reading with the bill, and go to their supplier with any concerns over direct debit levels.

Wales is heading out of the carbon age with hundreds of renewable energy schemes in place and in the pipeline for future green energy programs; the likes of pitheads are being replaced with wind power turbines to tackle the ever closer consequences of global warming.
Wales already leads the UK in reducing its carbon footprint by getting all its electricity from renewable sources.
By the year 2020 Wales hopes its plans will have stopped its yearly rise in carbon footprints and then will focus on reversing the problem but phase1 is the current focus, with Iceland, Norway, Costa Rice and New Zealand aiming to be carbon free - our governments will need to watch and learn from these countries as we create our own blue print for the future.
   

 

What is Climate change levy?

In the year 2001 the government hit the energy industry with new tax rules to prop up there energy efficiency program, They have called it the climate change levy and for obvious reasons too, the plan is to use the research and in invest in ways to bring down greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2010, for every 0.43/KWH of electricity, 0.15/kWh natural gas, 0.96/kWh or 1.17/kWh the government will tax a percentage.

The likes of fossil oils will be exempt as they already incur excise tax and duty, the government wants to raise  1 billion pounds to redistribute the levy collected by a 0.3% reduction in national health contributions, Although this will mean a rise  in rates – especially in business electricity prices.      

The political parties in Wales has been accused of neglecting and undervaluing a major energy sector that puts millions upon millions of pounds every year into the Welsh economy that helps with business energy efficiency. BWEA, representing wind, wave and tidal energy technologies, claims that Welsh political parties are failing to deliver and give due recognition to the economic contribution of the renewable energy sector that is worth millions of pounds each year in directing and developing projects in Wales.

In the wake of the initial results, BWEA has decided to undertake a survey of the sector to gain a better understanding of the true value of the industry and the role it plays by creating a strong vibrant Welsh economy. The results of the report will be published at the inaugural BWEA Conference in Cardiff and will posted here in the early part of 2009.