David Anderson first started worrying about shortages around the time of the Brexit referendum. After reading reports that supermarkets could face disruption, he thought it would be sensible to have some supplies set aside for emergencies. My first seedlings appear (Image: T. Larkum) He also realised he
The Energy Price Guarantee in its current form will now only run until April, according to newly appointed Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Setting out new fiscal plans this morning, Hunt reversed much of what was announced in his predecessor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget on 23 September. While this did not include the total scrapping of the
Government announces plans to sever the link between renewables, nuclear and gas prices in new Energy Prices Bill. The Bill enshrines the support measures announced over the last few months into law, including the Energy Price Guarantee for domestic consumers and Energy Bill Relief Scheme for businesses and non-domestic properties. Additionally, it sets
A new energy flexibility scheme introduced by Octopus Energy could save customers £100 on energy bills and reduce demand during peak usage hours. Dubbed “Saving Sessions”, the scheme will entice customers of Octopus, who additionally have a smart meter installed, and around 5,000 businesses, to reduce energy usage at peak times with a financial incentive
While there is a risk of blackouts due to electricity shortages over the coming winter, National Grid ESO is ”cautiously confident”. The operator has released its Winter Outlook report, which this year models both the Base Case for the period 31 October 2022 to 31 March 2023, and an alternative scenario. This alternative is new for
Ministers are planning to ban solar farms from most of England’s farmland, the Guardian can reveal. The new environment secretary, Ranil Jayawardena, is understood to oppose solar panels being placed on agricultural land, arguing that it impedes his programme of growth and boosting food production. To this end, say government sources, he has asked his
Hurricane Ian knocked out power to 4 million customers in Florida. But one community was left largely unscathed by the Category-4 storm, CNN reported. Babcock Ranch, a planned town built with a focus on sustainability and renewable energy, kept the lights on during the storm. As Hurricane Ian battered Florida and left millions without power last
Back in 2017, I was in a home with solar panels, but no battery backup. Hurricane Irma passed overhead, and I found myself without power for 24-48 hours. We lost all of our food as a result. When the storm passed, I called up the company that installed my solar panels and found that adding in
EV owners sharing their home-generated energy reduces their cost of living, a study finds With the spectre of colossal electricity bills looming over us like some sort of fully charged Grim Reaper, there’s plenty of talk about how the cost benefits of running EVs might be about to suddenly disappear. But quite apart from
Octopus Energy has doubled its Fixed Outgoing tariff to help lower customers' bills as they head into winter. This will increase from 7.5p/kWh to 15p/kWh, with all customers on the tariff seeing their rate automatically changed from today (20 September). This includes domestic customers with solar installations that also use Octopus Energy as a supplier. Customers
