27/05/25 – Useful Links

Interesting links, articles, news and blog posts sent out to members on 27/05/25.

News: Why UK energy costs too much – The Observer

22 May 2025, Fred Harter. Prices depend on the global gas market, but EU energy trading and more renewables can help:

Link: https://observer.co.uk/news/the-sensemaker/article/why-uk-energy-costs-too-much

Press release: Ministerial Appointment: 22 May 2025 – Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street

22 May 2025. The King has been pleased to approve the following appointment – Baroness Curran as a Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE has left the Government:

Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointment-22-may-2025

News: Britain should adopt the Passivhaus standard to cut energy costs in new homes – The Guardian Online

21 May 2025, Adrian Birch praises the German building standard, saying it can do away with the need for solar panels and heat pumps:

Link: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/21/britain-should-adopt-the-passivhaus-standard-to-cut-energy-costs-in-new-homes

News: How the Brexit reset could lower your energy bills – The i-paper

20 May 2025, Lucie Heath. The Government has claimed its new deal with the EU could drive down energy bills, but the impact is likely to be small:

Link: https://inews.co.uk/news/energy-bills-brexit-reset-lower-prices-3703978

News: UK could participate in EU electricity markets under new deal to streamline energy trade – Current News

20 May 2025, Molly Green. A new package agreed between the UK and EU could see the UK participate in the EU’s electricity trading platforms:

Link: https://www.current-news.co.uk/uk-could-participate-in-eu-electricity-markets-under-new-deal-to-streamline-energy-trade/

News: Zonal pricing feud escalates as Octopus accuses pollster – Energy Voice

20 May 2025, Jessica Mills-Davies. London-based opinion polling firm Survation has been forced to withdraw a survey on zonal pricing after Octopus accused the company of breaching an industry code of conduct:

Link: https://www.energyvoice.com/all-news/572983/zonal-pricing-feud-escalates-as-octopus-accuses-pollster/

News: Ofgem raises threshold for evaluation of TIA – Current News

14 May 2025, Kit Million Ross. Ofgem has announced that it will raise the threshold at which energy projects must undergo a Transmission Impact Assessment (TIA):

Link: https://www.current-news.co.uk/ofgem-raises-threshold-for-evaluation-of-tia/

News: National Grid starts consultation on new high-capacity cable project – Energy Voice

13 May 2025, Michael Behr. National Grid has begun consultations on three subsea and underground electricity links, including the newly proposed Eastern Green Link 5 (EGL5) project:

Link: https://www.energyvoice.com/renewables-energy-transition/572634/national-grid-consultation-high-capacity-cable-project/

News: National Wealth Fund puts £600 million toward electricity grid upgrades – Current News

9 May 2025, Molly Green. The National Wealth Fund will provide £600 million in funding to Iberdrola to upgrade the UK’s electricity grid via its subsidiary ScottishPower:

Link: https://www.current-news.co.uk/national-wealth-fund-puts-600-million-toward-electricy-grid-upgrades/

News: Centrica: Major gas facility to shut without government help – City AM

May 2025:

Link: https://www.cityam.com/british-gas-owner-gas-facility-could-close-without-government-help/