Low carbon generation

  • Low carbon generation

    CfD pathway becomes clearer for generators

    With the announcement last week of the key dates for CfD Allocation Round 4 (AR4), our head of Assets and Infrastructure James Brabben looks at what lies ahead for prospective bidders. So, we have the dates for AR4…nearly! Whilst most of the key dates have been provided, there is still the...

  • Low carbon generation

    Our Renewables Pipeline Tracker: In with the new – scoping projects and progression through planning stages

    Our latest Renewables Pipeline Tracker was published on 11 June, and this blog provides a summary of some of the recent developments in our coverage of the pipeline for new build and repowering renewables assets in GB. What’s new? Seabed leasing rounds, scoping projects and CfD announcements Since our previous...

  • Low carbon generation

    Data centres predicted to become prosumers of electricity

    In combination with Cornwall Insight and Bit Power, Host in Ireland published its Biannual report of Ireland’s Data Hosting Industry. The report highlights the importance of sustainability in Ireland’s digital transformation. The report confirmed the number of operational data centres in Ireland increased by 25 per cent over the past...

  • Energy storage and flexibility

    Investor optimism sparks PPA competition

    In recent months, Cornwall Insight has issued several of our regular subscription reports from our PPA Insights Service covering both renewable and flexibility Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) markets, namely the Green Power Forecast, Renewable PPA Market Share and Flexible PPA Market reports. As part of these reports, we conduct surveys...

  • Announcement

    Your invite to our wholesale Summer Outlook 2021 webinar

    We are delighted to invite you to our wholesale Summer Outlook webinar. On 12 May, Cornwall Insight will be hosting an open webinar covering our independent views, analysis and outlook of the upcoming summer 2021 period. As part of this session, we will explore a range of both historic and...

  • Regulation and policy

    Why energy system governance is not fit for purpose

    In my recent blog, the Emperor’s new clothes I referenced a poll of our Financing Net Zero (FNZ) membership which revealed 75% support for an energy systems architect to ensure we manage the net zero transition. In the spirit of independent thinking that Cornwall Insight is known for, I respectfully disagreed and...

  • Low carbon generation

    How nuclear energy can help the UK reach its net zero goals

    This article was originally written in Energy Spectrum on 21 March 2021. To find out more about a subscription to Energy Spectrum, please contact Nick on n.palmer@cornwall-insight.com. There are several challenges to reaching net zero, where its proponents believe nuclear could add value. Some of tomorrow’s main issues concern: How to provide low...

  • Low carbon generation

    Nuclear energy and its potential importance for net zero

    This article was originally written as a longer piece in Energy Spectrum on 21 March 2021. To find out more about a subscription to Energy Spectrum, please contact Nick on n.palmer@cornwall-insight.com. Nuclear energy has been an integral part of the UK’s electricity system for many decades. Currently, nuclear provides around...

  • Low carbon generation

    Up north and down south – trends for generator TNUoS charging

    The topic of generator Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) is becoming a subject of increasing interest for stakeholders as regulation, policy, and the generation mix create potential volatility for future charging trends. The significant costs posed through TNUoS are an important consideration for generators, with high variability between regions...

  • Low carbon generation

    New transmission charge forecast will help generators managing cost uncertainty and volatility

    Transmission network use of system (TNUoS) charges represent a significant proportion of operating costs for many renewables generators, often exceeding 50% of annual running costs. For some, as recently highlighted by SSE in a recent report and to Members of the Scottish Parliament, they could present a barrier to investment in generation...

  • Low carbon generation

    Let markets run or regulate to accelerate: a false choice or key net zero decision?

    Earlier this week Cornwall Insight convened a group of industry leaders from across the energy and investment space to discuss business preparedness for net zero, and what more can be done to unlock capital to make net zero a reality. The session, hosted by our non-executive chairman Volker Beckers, is...

  • Regulation and policy

    A look back at 2020 part 4

    As we take our first steps into 2021, we take our final look back at the biggest developments in the UK energy markets in 2020, setting us up for the significant year ahead. Ofgem issued its decarbonisation Action Plan on 3 February as Jonathan Brearley became Ofgem CEO, setting out...

  • Low carbon generation

    Divergent electricity prices in the wake of Brexit

    On 1 January 2021, the UK left the European Union (EU) and as such is no longer part of the Internal Energy Market (IEM). While the UK and the EU agreed a post-Brexit Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on 24 December, outlining how energy markets, interconnectors and regulation will be affected,...

  • Low carbon generation

    Renewables Pipeline Tracker: Higher, faster, stronger – the changing nature of offshore wind

    Having released our October 2020 Renewables Pipeline Tracker report, which covers the latest developments for pipeline renewables sites across GB, this blog explores our recent findings on the pipeline and in particular offshore wind. The Renewables Pipeline Tracker is updated quarterly and includes information across over 1,000 prospective renewables sites...

  • Low carbon generation

    Ireland to fall short of existing climate targets under BaU approach

    Published on 13 September, a report by the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) has called for a new policy system to enable the rapid deployment of renewable electricity. The third in a series of four studies which make up the 70by30 Implementation Plan, Building Onshore Wind identifies policy changes required for Ireland to deliver the...

  • Low carbon generation

    New policy measures needed to drive renewable generation

    Published on 24 August, a new report by Energy Storage Ireland and the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) called for action to strengthen Ireland’s electricity grid. The second of a series of four studies which make up the government’s 70 by 30 Implementation Plan, Saving Power outlines how to minimise dispatch down and increase the use...

  • Low carbon generation

    Analyse thy neighbour: Interconnectors and their importance to future power prices

    Whilst we build towards 2021 and post-Brexit energy markets, focus has been applied to how we in GB strive towards net zero ambitions with a more independent policy agenda. However, regardless of future trading arrangements, interconnectors with EU nations will continue to play a pivotal role in driving wholesale power...

  • Low carbon generation

    All-Island wind dispatch-down rises year-on-year

    On 17 September, EirGrid published its Annual Renewable Energy Constraint and Curtailment Report 2019 which sets out the amount of wind and, for the first time, solar energy, that is available but cannot be used by the system (i.e. the dispatch-down of energy). Overall, the dispatch-down of energy from wind in Ireland...

  • Commercial and market outlook

    COVID-19: A collection of resources

    This year has seen Governments, businesses and industries coming to terms with the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. The arrival of the pandemic shook the energy market across the value chain. Throughout, our experts have provided the industry with coverage of how COVID-19 has impacted the energy market. We analysed...

  • Low carbon generation

    Mutualisation? Oversupply? Banking? Latest developments in the ROC market

    We track the ROC markets closely through our within-year and long-term market forecasts of ROC values and supplier costs. In this blog we provide a view on the latest market developments and our current forecast levels. If you are interested in the Renewables Obligation, or our market forecasts for the...

  • Low carbon generation

    Demand trends: August sees highest demand since March

    This article was originally published on 25 August 2020 in our ‘SEM and commodity pricing report’.   In this week’s blog we take a look at the latest fundamental developments impacting power prices in the SEM. This will see us take a look at wind generation in the SEM this year, while...

  • Low carbon generation

    Parties pledge a “revolution in renewables” in draft Programme for Government

    This article was originally published on 14 July 2020 in our ‘Energy Spectrum Ireland’ publication.  The leaders of the Green Party, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael signed off the draft Programme for Government (PfG) on 15 June. According to the PfG, energy will play a “central role in the creation of...

  • Low carbon generation

    RESS-won: renewables on the march

    Yesterday will be remembered as a good day for the Irish renewables industry, with the level of supported renewables capacity set to grow by over a quarter in the next 2-3 years. After years of waiting, the first Renewable Energy Support Scheme auction (RESS-1) results are here (provisionally, pending appeals)....

  • Low carbon generation

    EU COVID-19 stimulus plan – EU ETS impacts and environmental policy developments

    This article was originally published on 28 July 2020 in our ‘Irish energy market bulletin’ publication.   Two weeks ago saw the European Commission’s proposed €750bn stimulus plan and revised €1.1tn proposal for the EUs next long-term budget (2021-2027) agreed upon by EU member states at the European Council. The plan...

  • Low carbon generation

    Green Certificate Survey results | high availability, low demand, low prices

    The value for Green Certificates has fallen dramatically according to our quarterly Green Certificate Survey. The survey takes a snapshot of the Green Certificate market providing pricing views and trends for Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO), Guarantees of Origin (GoOs) and Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin (RGGO) certificate markets....

  • Low carbon generation

    Demand changes since the easing of COVID-19 measures

    In this week’s focus we will have another look at the ongoing impact on demand from COVID-19 mitigation measures. This comes in the light of the easing of restrictions in both Northern Ireland (NI) and Ireland. On 18 May, the Irish government started its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which...

  • Low carbon generation

    Podcast key takeaways | James Brabben discusses the role of gas in the UK power market

    James Brabben, our Wholesale Manager, spoke to William Powell, Editor in Chief, in the inaugural podcast for Natural Gas World. The podcast discusses the latest issues of the day in the gas market and includes a deep dive into the GB gas market by James. In this blog, we take...

  • Energy storage and flexibility

    FiT costs to reach all-time high amid COVID outbreak

    Energy Third Party Charges (TPCs) have certainly been in the limelight recently, and rightly so as less consumption from non-domestic sectors is resulting in a greater recovery of money from domestic households amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Several measures have been taken to date to protect domestic suppliers and consumers from...

  • Low carbon generation

    The Balancing Mechanism and BSUoS under lockdown

    The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions have severely impacted the GB energy market with demand and prices at record lows. As market conditions have drastically changed, National Grid Electricity System Operator (NG ESO) has been much in the spotlight, with the current low demand scenario providing new operational challenges....

  • Low carbon generation

    Yes, and..? Fast tracking Irish offshore wind

    The Irish Government’s announcement of seven offshore wind projects being able to apply for planning permission under the (yet to be enacted) Marine Planning and Development Management Bill, 2020 (MPDM) is positive for the Irish offshore wind sector. A consenting regime is one of the key pillars of any successful...