What is going on in energy efficiency in the UK?

For the past couple of weeks, EiD has had posts on the VAT spat that the British government is having with the European Commission. Already this year, there have been raised concerns about the flagship financing programme, the Green Deal. Now we have another major issue that appears to be going to the courts to … Continue reading What is going on in energy efficiency in the UK? →

India’s latest energy efficiency efforts turn to the market

Ashwini Swain writes in Business Standard about new initiatives in India to unlock energy efficiency opportunities. This is a good article for those who want to learn more about what is going on in India. Taking energy efficiency to the market India's current initiatives to unlock energy efficiency opportunities rely heavily on market players for … Continue reading India’s latest energy efficiency efforts turn to the market →

Renewables in Poland

Sandra Enkhardt writes in PV magazine about the progress underway in Poland to pass a renewable energy law. Poland: Renewable energy law could be adopted in March Poland’s new renewable energy law is expected to be adopted by the government by the end of March. However, due to the EC notification process, it is … Continue reading Renewables in Poland →

More on UK’s VAT issue with European Commission

In the recent post on Britain's taxing issue, EiD quoted Andrew Warren, Director of the UK Association for the Conservation of Energy. Following other comments that EiD has received, Andrew has kindly provided the following extended note. As all Europeans are trying to address how to finance energy efficiency investments, this is an important issue … Continue reading More on UK’s VAT issue with European Commission →

When you wish upon a . . .?

Roland Gribben has recently written in the Telegraph about a Bloomberg New Energy Finance report that questions what bonanza will really come to the Britain by its development of its shale gas reserves. Obviously, the jury is still out. UK shale gas revolution is 'wishful thinking' There is little prospect of a repeat of the … Continue reading When you wish upon a . . .? →

Letter to the editor of The Independent

This is a very interesting letter to the editor of a major British newspaper published February 12th. It was written by a friend of EiD, Bill Bordass, who has been part of a group battling with how the UK government is implementing the display of energy performance certificate. Our red tape John Morgan . . … Continue reading Letter to the editor of The Independent →

Energy taxes in the US now being discussed

Eduardo Porter wrote recently in the New York Times about the pros and cons of introducing energy taxes in the US. Droughts and hurricanes are starting to stir some debate. But the conclusion is that, even with all the benefits of new energy taxes, the US seems a long way off from introducing them. In … Continue reading Energy taxes in the US now being discussed →

Is the Green Deal a big deal?

Everyone in Europe is watching with great interest how the Green Deal will be implemented in Britain. It is one of the big “experiments” in trying to improve financing for building retrofits. The Green Deal has just started and it has, not surprisingly, gained much press attention. This article by Lisa Bachelor for The Observer … Continue reading Is the Green Deal a big deal? →

Renewables in Poland – hard to get consensus on way forward

Jan Cienski recently wrote a blog for the Financial Times about the difficulties in getting renewable energy policies firmly established within Poland. Renewable energy in Poland: endlessly renewable squabble Poland’s long-running reluctance to tackle a new law on renewable energy is starting to impose growing economic and political costs, as big energy companies freeze … Continue reading Renewables in Poland – hard to get consensus on way forward →

The problems bringing basic heating to many Russians

Mikhail Loginov writes a very detailed report for Open Democracy Russia on the problems and hardships related to heating in Russia. It really shows the challenges that are being faced to bring decent comfort to the population. Unfortunately, these examples are all too often the case in many smaller cities and towns throughout the country. … Continue reading The problems bringing basic heating to many Russians →