Significant misperceptions in our views on renewable energy subsidies

The Press Association in the UK provides an important news item in The Guardian about how we view energy subsidies, in particular wind power subsidies. Recent polling finds misconceptions around wind power despite popular support for the technology. What other important sustainable energy areas do we have misperceptions about? British public thinks wind power … Continue reading Significant misperceptions in our views on renewable energy subsidies →

Two important new reports to help in the low-carbon energy transition

There are two important reports related to sustainable energy from the OECD and the Nordic Council of Ministers together with the Global Subsidies Initiative of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). • Mapping Channels to Mobilise Institutional Investment in Sustainable Energy The OECD has recently published an important report related to investment in … Continue reading Two important new reports to help in the low-carbon energy transition →

How the spread of bigger wind turbines is being boosted in the UK

Pilita Clark explains in the Financial Times how a loophole allows large-sized wind power project developers to take advantage of the feed-in-tariff that had been designed for smaller systems. Wind subsidy loophole boosts spread of bigger turbines A loophole in a popular subsidy scheme for small wind power projects is boosting the spread of … Continue reading How the spread of bigger wind turbines is being boosted in the UK →

Is this a good time to cut energy subsidies?

We are currently in a period of low oil prices that are having repercussions throughout our economies. Clifford Krauss writes in the New York Times about whether this is the time to seize the opportunity to reduce or even remove energy subsidies. Low Energy Prices Offer Opening for Subsidy Cuts In Saudi Arabia, drivers … Continue reading Is this a good time to cut energy subsidies? →

Renewable energy subsidies under attack in the UK

UK’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, says ‘enough is enough’ over payments for energy source and says put them in planning system, according to a recent column by Patrick Wintour in The Guardian. Cameron pushes for removal of onshore windfarm subsidies David Cameron claimed on Tuesday the public was “fed up” with onshore windfarms and … Continue reading Renewable energy subsidies under attack in the UK →

New report on fossil fuel subsidies in developing countries

An important new report by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) in the UK reviews the organisations and governments involved in supporting other countries to reform their fossil fuel subsidies and the approaches being undertaken. Entitled Fossil fuel subsidies in developing countries: A review of support to reform processes, the report builds a comprehensive understanding of … Continue reading New report on fossil fuel subsidies in developing countries →

The EU subsidy rules: balancing energy and competition objectives?

No one said the energy transition would be easy and it is certainly proving to be true. Alex Barker and Jeevan Vasagar write in the Financial Times about the tug-of-war between Germany and the European Commission over subsidies for renewable energy Germany and EU row over energy subsidies Brussels and Berlin traded barbs on Thursday … Continue reading The EU subsidy rules: balancing energy and competition objectives? →

New critique of “green” energy subsidies in the UK

Terry Macalister writes in The Guardian about the analysis of one consumer group in the UK that challenges the cost-effectiveness of energy subsidies. The organisation warns planned green energy subsidies may not be value for money, as more cost effective options may be overlooked Consumer group Which? questions virtue of green energy subsidies A … Continue reading New critique of “green” energy subsidies in the UK →

Guess what is missing?

Archie Prentice writes an important article in Business for Scotland about the role subsidies play in energy policy in Scotland. Interestingly, the subsidies for renewables gain more public attention but one has to be aware of the subsidies that are also given to fossil fuels and nuclear energy. It would have been good for the … Continue reading Guess what is missing? →

When should state aid be allowed?

The European Union, as almost anywhere, has to juggle many priorities at once. Obviously the EU has benefited from the internal market and that has meant a level playing field. Always vigilant, the European Commission has questioned the use of state aid for sustainable energy. Ewa Krukowska writes for Bloomberg news service about the possibility … Continue reading When should state aid be allowed? →