http://www.uswitch.com/ uSwitch 801371586 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/solar-panel-subsidy-cut-delayed-801371586/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The proposed cut to the solar power subsidy has been delayed until August 1st. Fri, 25 May 2012 12:19:12 GMT 801370645 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/scotland-could-supply-water-to-the-world-801370645/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Countries suffering from water shortages could have their demands met by Scotland, Infrastructure Secretary Alex Neil has announced. Thu, 24 May 2012 13:31:27 GMT 801370640 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/help-for-small-energy-firms-in-reformed-market-801370640/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The government is to find a way to help small independent green energy suppliers compete with bigger companies in a reformed market. Thu, 24 May 2012 13:26:52 GMT 801370630 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/private-tenants-paying-£31-more-in-energy-bills-801370630/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Tenants renting private accommodation in the UK are paying an average of £31 a year on energy bills than those who own their own home. Thu, 24 May 2012 13:24:47 GMT 801369609 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/draft-energy-bill-spells-large-reforms-801369609/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Wide reaching reforms across the energy sector will be implemented by the draft Energy Bill which was announced this week. Wed, 23 May 2012 13:02:43 GMT 900007707 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/energy-bill-debate-missing-out-affordability-says-uswitch-900007707/ nicolas.frankcom@uswitch.com The draft Energy Bill - released today - has stimulated a lot of debate about the support given to nuclear over renewable energy, but consumers will be left to foot the bill. Tue, 22 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT 801368393 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/energy-giants-call-for-68m-heat-pumps-801368393/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Eight of the biggest energy companies in the UK will meet with the government to discuss a report in which they called for a widespread rollout of heat pumps across the country. Tue, 22 May 2012 11:22:33 GMT 801368378 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/nuclear-expected-to-benefit-from-energy-bill-801368378/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The nuclear energy sector is expected to get the most benefit from the draft Energy Bill, to be announced today. Tue, 22 May 2012 11:16:26 GMT 801367310 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/thames-water-grants-hosepipe-reprieve-for-gardening-firms-801367310/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The hosepipe ban put in place by Thames Water in April has been relaxed with regard to gardening businesses. Mon, 21 May 2012 11:05:16 GMT 801367301 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/calls-for-inquiry-into-energy-demand-801367301/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Calls have been made for an independent inquiry into future energy demand by the head of an industry body. Mon, 21 May 2012 11:02:55 GMT 801367297 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/carbon-floor-price-will-mean-energy-bills-rise-801367297/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Customers will experience a rise in energy bills due to the carbon floor price, a tax to be extracted from energy companies for the greenhouse gas emissions they produce. Mon, 21 May 2012 11:01:53 GMT 801366329 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/further-solar-panel-cuts-suspended-801366329/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The second round of cuts to subsidies offered to those having solar panels fitted to their homes has been suspended, it has emerged. Fri, 18 May 2012 11:55:12 GMT 900007670 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/cost-of-energy-rises-5-times-faster-than-household-income-900007670/ nicolas.frankcom@uswitch.com The cost of household energy has rocketed more than five times faster than household income since 2004/05, according to new research from uSwitch. Fri, 18 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT 801365522 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/reducing-household-bills-801365522/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Over the past ten years UK households have been subject to a 71 per cent increase on their bills, according to research undertaken by Santander. Thu, 17 May 2012 14:56:35 GMT 801365228 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/green-deal-on-track-for-october-launch-801365228/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has spoken out against reports that there may be a last minute review of the Green Deal. Thu, 17 May 2012 11:38:19 GMT 801365215 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/solar-satellites-for-green-energy-tested-801365215/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Tests have begun on solar satellites which could be used to power cities using renewable energy in the future. Thu, 17 May 2012 11:31:24 GMT 900007660 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/fuel-poverty-figures-for-2010-show-a-fall-from-55m-to-475m-900007660/ nicolas.frankcom@uswitch.com Fuel poverty figures released today show that estimated fuel poverty in the UK in 2010 impacted 4.75m households, down from 5.5m in 2009, but 2012 likely to see increases. Thu, 17 May 2012 08:32:00 GMT 801364150 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/ofwat-releases-statement-of-principles-for-water-companies-801364150/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com A Statement of Principles has been released by the water regulator, Ofwat, which sets out a number of rules for water companies to follow. Wed, 16 May 2012 11:00:03 GMT 801364139 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/green-policies-will-reduce-energy-bills-by-£94-by-2020-801364139/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Low carbon policies will lead to a decrease in energy bills of £94 by the year 2020, the Department for Energy and Climate Change has estimated. Wed, 16 May 2012 10:57:57 GMT 801364131 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/concerns-electricity-reforms-could-deter-investment-801364131/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Plans set out by the government to reform the electricity market could lead to unpredictable pricing and act as a deterrent to investment, it has been warned. Wed, 16 May 2012 10:56:33 GMT 900007658 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/green-deal-‘needs-to-be-reviewed’--900007658/ editor@uswitch.com The Green Deal faces changes to avoid failing those it is designed to assist, according to a government review due to take place today. Wed, 16 May 2012 08:56:00 GMT 801363313 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/guide-to-green-deal-launched-801363313/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com A guide has been launched in order to help businesses offer services under the Green Deal scheme, which is soon to be launched by the government. Tue, 15 May 2012 12:41:16 GMT 801363311 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/drought-status-removed-in-19-counties-801363311/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Official drought status has been removed by the Environment Agency in 19 counties after the wettest April ever recorded. Tue, 15 May 2012 12:38:18 GMT 801363306 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/no-reassurance-on-energy-prices-801363306/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Several of the Big Six energy firms have refused to follow in the footsteps of E.ON and announce a price freeze on bills for the rest of the year. Tue, 15 May 2012 12:33:51 GMT 801362099 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/no-domestic-price-rises-from-eon-in-2012-801362099/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com E.ON has reassured its customers that there will be no price increases on domestic energy bills this year. Mon, 14 May 2012 11:02:28 GMT 801362082 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/solar-panels-still-a-great-option-801362082/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Solar panels are still an economically viable option for homeowners, as long as they have them installed soon. Mon, 14 May 2012 10:56:18 GMT 900007631 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/big-switch-winning-bid-undercut-by-new-first-utility-fixed-price-deal-900007631/ nicolas.frankcom@uswitch.com The Co-operative Energy’s reign as offering the cheapest fixed price energy plan after winning the Big Switch has been brought abruptly to an end by First Utility. Fri, 11 May 2012 15:17:00 GMT 801361174 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/carbon-capture-facility-opened-in-norway-801361174/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com The biggest carbon capture facility of its kind has been opened in Norway in order to test the so far unproven technology. Fri, 11 May 2012 12:07:28 GMT 801361120 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/more-solar-installed-than-any-other-device-in-europe-in-2011-801361120/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com Solar power devices were the most installed energy technology in Europe last year, according to the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). Fri, 11 May 2012 11:53:45 GMT 801361110 http://www.uswitch.com/news/utilities/british-gas-bills-will-increase-15-per-cent-next-winter-801361110/ martin.ellis@uswitch.com British Gas has warned that its customers will be subject to price increases again this year, despite recent cuts to their bills. Fri, 11 May 2012 11:47:32 GMT