FT Energy News 9 December

Green deal needs better incentives, says industry (Page 4)

Business and consumer groups have cast doubts over government claims that its flagship policy o insulate Britain’s homes will lead to a green revolution, saying that more incentives will be needed to help meet tough emissions targets. The “green deal” will encourage consumers and businesses to make their premises more energy efficient at no upfront cost. Instead, they will pay through a charge on their energy bill that is intended to be less than the savings made by the improvements.

U-turn fuels fears over higher bills (Page 4)

A Conservative pledge to require gas companies to guarantee supplies will not be included in the energy bill. The Tories had promised to force suppliers to guarantee gas provision even in an emergency but the government is now planning to merely ask them to pay a market price for such supplies, even if a squeeze on supplies has sent that price soaring.

Energy jobs in peril as grants expire (Page 6)

Renewable energy industries in the US face the prospect of falling off “a market cliff” if investment grants for projects such as wind farms are not extended by Congress.