Archive for the ‘Business Gas’ Category

Business gas – possibility of renewable generation?

29 July 2010

Up to 16 per cent of the UK’s gas needs could be met by renewable energy, according to National Grid.

By producing biomethane from waste through anaerobic digestion or thermal gasification the UK could help secure gas supply and keep prices as low as possible.

We hear a great deal about renewable technologies when it comes to generating electricity. But business gas customers will also know that the same concerns about price and supply exist for both utilities.

There has been less investment in renewable gas technologies and currently anaerobic digestion and thermal gasification are not commercially viable.

However, National Grid, which supplies gas and electricity in both North East USA and the UK, has been researching how to make these technologies more affordable.

In another story from Energy Efficiency news, it emerges a UK brewery, Adnams, has created its own anaerobic digestion system, feeding renewable gas directly into the national grid, in partnership with British Gas and National Grid.

The plant will generate 4.8million kwh per year, and in future enough to power both the brewery and its fleet of lorries, with 60 per cent left over to put into the grid.

For business gas price comparison and advice, contact Energy Advice Line.

Read about the possibility of renewable gas generation in Energy Efficiency News.

And read the Adnams story here.

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British Gas see 98% rise in profits, don’t cut prices

28 July 2010

British Gas profits have risen by 98 per cent, but the energy giant will not pass this on to customers in the form of price cuts.

One of the ‘big six’ business energy suppliers, British Gas’s profits have almost doubled in the first half of this year.

Centrica, its parent company, has posted the massive leap in profits thanks to the coldest winter in 30 years. Wholesale energy prices have also been low, but none of this will be passed on to customers. British Gas argues that wholesale gas prices are set to rise once more.

While business gas customers on fixed contracts will be protected from any price increases for the duration of their contract, they could face sharp increases at contract renewal time.

That’s why shopping around for your business utilities is important. For advice on getting the best deal for business gas and electricity, contact Energy Advice Line.

Read the full story at the BBC.

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BT proposes long wave radio for smart meter network

22 July 2010

BT aim to create a secure, dedicated communications network for the millions of smart meters set to be installed for home and business electricity and gas customers across the UK.

The telecommunications giant has joined forces with Arqiva, specialists in broadcast infrastructure, and business consultants Detica to take advantage of the proposed smart metering initiative.

Under the scheme, by 2020 28 million homes and businesses will have smart meters installed. These will enable users to monitor how much energy is being consumed – vital to businesses aiming to keep overheads of business gas and electricity as low as possible as it then means steps can be taken to use energy more efficiently.

Smart meters will also help utility companies make their networks more efficient, and may lead to the introduction of specially tailored energy package based on customer usage data.

BT is proposing a long range radio scheme, which a BT spokesperson told Telecoms.com “can provide truly nationwide coverage and dependable reception indoors.” This makes it more reliable than mobile telephone communications.

Smart meters were first introduced as standard in the UK in 2008.

Read the full article in Telecoms.Com.

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Rising business energy costs and double-dip recession fears for SMEs

2 July 2010

Business energy consumers should expect sharp increases in business gas and electricity prices in coming months, according to a stark warning in The Daily Telegraph.

Research from energy analysts ICIS Heren, wholesale gas prices have risen sharply, and come this winter these price rises are likely to be passed on to consumers.

While business energy customers, who are on fixed deals, may be protected from price rises initially, when the time comes to renew business electricity and gas contracts, a nasty surprise could be waiting.

These increases come at a time when economic forecasters are warning the global economy may be heading for a double-dip recession.

Just as SMEs are starting to see some signs of recovery, global bond markets report a sharp slowdown in growth across the world. The prospect of deflation is becoming ever more realistic.

Keeping a close eye on overheads such as business gas and electricity has never been so important.

Energy Advice Line can keep a note of your contract renewal date so that you don’t risk missing out on getting the best deal by shopping around.

EAL can also advise you on switching business energy suppliers, and help you find the best prices.

We’d like to know your thoughts on the state of the economy and how it’s affecting your business. Are you concerned by the prospect of increased business energy prices? Leave a comment and let us know…

You can read the full story about the end of cheap deals in The Daily Telegraph.

And the full story about fears of a double-dip recession here.

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Waste not, want not for business energy customers

11 May 2010

According to a new study from Cranfield University, more than 50 per cent of the UK’s renewable domestic and commercial energy could come from waste by the year 2020.

The study, undertaken by the university’s Centre for Resource Management Efficiency, highlighted the unsustainable nature of landfill sites as a means of waste disposal. By addressing this concern along with the need to meet strict targets for renewable energy generation over the next ten years, it may be possible to tackle two problems at once.

Energy from waste is one of the green energy solutions that is less well known. For business energy customers concerned about reducing their carbon footprint, wind and tidal generation are among the more popular options.

These days, small business owners are all too aware of the onus to reduce carbon emissions. However, for many, there is a perceived conflict of interest with reducing business energy costs.

For free and impartial advice on a wide range of business electricity and business gas contracts, from the cheapest to the greenest, contact Energy Advice Line.

Read the full Cranfield University report here.

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Hung parliament fears for business

6 May 2010

It can’t have escaped your attention that it’s election day, and the question on all small and medium sized business owners’ lips is: what will the result mean for my business? With trading conditions remaining tumultuous and turbulent, businesses are still struggling with overheads such as commercial gas and electricity prices.

Many commentators still believe a hung parliament will be the most likely outcome, which will come as worrying news for a lot of business owners.

According to a recent survey by the British Chambers of Commerce, 65 per cent of firms polled were concerned about the prospect of there being no clear winner after today’s polls close.

Both Gordon Brown and David Cameron have commented that a hung parliament could slow and weaken the UK economy’s recovery. Meanwhile, Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrats are the party set to benefit most from such an outcome, with Vince Cable widely expected to become chancellor should a coalition government be formed.

The main concern for most SME owners is indecision and lack of clear leadership, which, according to a letter from easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and others to the Daily Telegraph, posed the threat of “putting the economic recovery at risk.”

No matter what the result of today’s election, one message has been clear from all main parties throughout the campaign: the road to economic recovery is hard and steeped with pitfalls. Whoever holds the reins at 10 Downing Street tomorrow, businesses will still face a struggle. That’s why now is a good time to consider reducing your business’s overheads, including such things as business electricity, business gas and business telecoms.

For free, impartial advice on all business energy queries, including how to switch business energy supplier, contact Energy Advice Line.

Read Stelios’s letter in The Daily Telegraph.

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Commercial energy customers’ concern over predicted power outages in 2016

21 April 2010

The lights could go out for business electricity customers by 2016, OfGem warns

The lights could go out for business electricity customers by 2016, OfGem warns

Business energy customers could be among the first to suffer if power cuts predicted by 2016 are allowed to happen.

Industry regulator OfGem issued a stark warning to the government and domestic and commercial energy customers today that demand for gas and electricity could outstrip supply in the not too distant future. They have depicted a worst case scenario in which levels of supply could fail at peak times, particularly in the winter months.

This will set alarm bells ringing for commercial gas and electricity customers, many of whom will be on interruptible energy contracts. Interruptible contracts mean that these customers can be forced to stop using gas and electricity first should a shortage arise. Many business gas customers were affected by disruptions to supply in January 2010.

According to OfGem, there could be power cuts of up to 40 minutes for a household in 2016, further increasing to 120 minutes in 2017 if nothing is done. This comes on the same day that the Environmental Industries Commission warned that the three main political parties’ manifestoes did not go far enough in supporting green energy generation.

Business electricity prices will rise sharply if alternative energy sources are not utilised. Last week, energy supplier E.ON opened a large offshore windfarm, while several other projects have been approved for the sea off the north coast of Scotland.

With the election just weeks away, commercial electricity customers will wait with anticipation to see which party is returned to power. All are aware of the need to tackle the dual concerns of energy and climate change, as domestic and commercial energy customers continue to struggle with increasing prices.

For advice on business energy and business electricity comparison, contact Energy Advice Line.

This independent advisory service can help you find the best prices for commercial gas and electricity.

Read the full business energy blackout warning in the Daily Telegraph.

And read the New Energy Focus story.

Picture credit – CCA: Spooky Lightbulb by Dyanna from Flickr

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British Gas ‘helping’ small business energy firms with bills

12 April 2010
British Gas's SAVE scheme has helped businesses stay out of debt, but keeping an eye on business energy costs is vital to help your company thrive.

British Gas's SAVE scheme has helped businesses stay out of debt, but keeping an eye on business energy costs is vital to help your company thrive.

On the anniversary of its SAVE scheme for small businesses (that’s Small business Advice and Value Expertise), British Gas claims that it is doing all it can to help small and medium sized business who are struggling with their business energy bills.

British Gas established the scheme in the depth of the recession. Speaking to This is Money, a spokesperson said that they established the scheme after realising many firms were struggling to pay their bills. “We knew that small business owners wanted a single point of contact for help and advice on their energy requirements,” they added.

To do this effectively, British Gas developed a five-step credit rating system that enables it to identify and target those SMEs at most risk of falling into business energy debt or defaulting on their payments.

The credit solutions team can give advice on reducing energy consumption as well as sending out energy saving products, and to date more than 10,000 small and medium sized businesses have taken advantage of the scheme.

This is all positive new for business energy customers; however, there is no dedicated hotline or website for businesses that are having payment difficulties to access, and often to really save on your business electricity and business gas bills it’s best to shop around for a new energy contract.

British Gas has received much criticism for “assumed renewal” tactics in the past, and it’s widely known that if you stay with your existing business energy supplier at contract renewal time you are not going to get the best prices or deals.

When you are nearing the end of your business energy contract, then is the time to get on the phone to find out what packages other suppliers are offering.

By using the services of an independent advisory service such as Energy Advice Line, you can take all the stress and hassle out of this process and get a business energy price comparison in just one phone call.

You can also use EAL’s free, online price comparison services, which presents the prices of the UK’s most competitive energy suppliers – negating the need to wait for a call back before you make your decision.

You can read the full British Gas story at ThisIsMoney.

Picture credit – CCA: Gas by Tom Pagenet from Flickr

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Government rules out gas storage plans

6 April 2010
The Government has ruled out state stockpiling of gas.

The Government has ruled out state stockpiling of gas.

The Government has ruled out state stockpiling of gas amid fears it would affect commercial gas investments, push up gas prices and unsettle the market.

In a move that will dismay many business gas customers concerned about the security of supply, a report by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said that it would leave such projects to the commercial market.

Concern over gas supplies was made starkly apparent last winter, when shortages caused much publicised fears that the country could run out of gas. For many business gas customers – who are on interruptible contracts that mean cheaper prices but the threat of being cut off if supplies run too low – the affect of serious shortages could prove devastating.

Industry regulator OfGem had recommended that the state should take more control over the energy market to help ensure supply and affordable prices.

Speaking to NEBusiness, Conservative candidate for Stockton South, James Wharton, expressed disappointment in the DECC announcement, claiming that storage projects could bring investment to his Teeside constituency and warning against increasing dependence on countries such as Russia for the UK’s gas supply.

This sentiment was echoed by Labour’s Malcolm Wicks, a former energy minister in Tony Blair’s cabinet, who stated that urgent focus was needed on energy security, because the UK was becoming increasingly and rapidly dependent on gas imports.

Wicks also pointed out the importance of maximising home growing power, citing the vitalness of both green and nuclear energy to secure the future of Britain’s gas supplies.

For commercial gas customers, the time to act is now. Ensuring you are getting the best price for your business gas is a big step in the right direction.

Energy Advice Line can provide you with free, impartial advice on the best business energy contracts to suit your company. Contact us today for advice on switching your energy supplier.

Read the NEBusiness story here.

Picture credit – CCA: Gas Hob by The Green Party from Flickr

And the Daily Telegraph interview with Malcolm Wicks here.

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Budget boost for small businesses

25 March 2010
Small businesses were named as winners in Darling's budget.

Small businesses were named as winners in Darling's budget.

Small businesses were among those named as ‘winners’ in Alistair Darling’s budget yesterday. A £2.5bn growth package, financed by a one-off tax on bankers’ bonuses, was announced in what is widely believed to be Darling’s last budget.

A cut in business rates and a freeze on capital gains tax were also announced, while the investment allowance for small businesses was raised to £100,00 – double its current level.

This will be welcome news to small businesses, many of whom are still struggling to stay on their feet following the end of the recession, with the high cost of utilities such as business gas and business electricity cited by many as among the biggest stumbling blocks.

Keeping track of overheads such as commercial electricity or gas is a delicate balancing act and even as we move out of winter and turn the heating down, most small and medium sized businesses remain concerned about ever-increasing prices.

Switching your business electricity or business gas supplier is one of the easiest ways to bring your business overheads down and save you money. By using an independent advisor such as Energy Advice Line you can take the hard work out of comparing and switching suppliers.

Energy Advice Line enables you to weigh up the prices from leading suppliers of commercial gas and electricity and also provides a star rating system of terms and conditions so that you can quickly understand the often mind-boggling small print and choose the contract that’s best for your business.

Contact Energy Advice Line today to find out how to save money on commercial electricity and gas prices and put your business on the best possible footing no matter what happens at this year’s general election.

Read the full report on how the budget impacts small businesses at This Is Money.

Picture credit: CCA: Coleshill High Street Buildings by amandabhslater on Flickr.

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