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4 | 10th - 16th OctOber 2014 | UtILItY WeeK National media Energy efficiency could boost UK economy A 40 per cent cut in energy use by 2030 through efficiency measures would increase UK GDP by £62 bil lion and create 40,000 jobs, accord ing to unpublished EU figures. Hitting a lower target of 30 per cent would create 13,000 jobs and boost the economy by £17.3 billion, said the study by consultancy Cam bridge Econometrics. "The benefits of energy effi ciency are impressive and we need to be ambitious," said Brook Riley, a spokesman for Friends of the Earth. The Guardian, 6 October For a few minutes, wind bests nuclear Stormy weather and a dip in nuclear marked a new record for electricity genera tion from wind last Monday. It may have only a symbolic significance, but at half past nine on Monday morning wind supplied more electricity to the national grid than nuclear. For a few minutes, the gusts over the western side of the UK supplied more than 6GW and a temporary dip in nuclear output meant wind was more important for electricity supply than the nuclear fleet. The Guardian Environment Network, 6 October Farmers fear fracking could spell ruin Farmers fear they could face finan cial ruin from government plans to allow fracking beneath their land without compensation, the National Farmers' Union has warned. Ministers pushing for shale gas exploration cannot take the support of rural communities for granted and are turning farmers against the process, it warned. The Telegraph, 6 October C ommunities secretary Eric Pickles is "preventing Britain getting the green power revolution it needs", according to the energy secre- tary. Speaking at the Liberal Dem- ocrat conference in Glasgow, Ed Davey said he had to "battle" with the Conservative commu- nities secretary in relation to onshore wind projects. Davey said that by calling in every onshore wind planning application, "Mr Pickles is in danger of bringing the planning system into disrepute, of abus- ing ministerial power". The energy secretary added that he has refused calls from the Tories to cap the amount of onshore wind, "not just because it's vital for climate change, but also to keep energy bills down, as onshore wind is now the cheapest large-scale green energy option." Davey also attacked the Conservatives for viewing "shale gas as the answer to everything" and having a desire to "frack every square mile of Britain". He said shale gas is not a "magic bullet", but that it would provide a secure supply of gas, which will be needed for "at least for the next two or three decades" as a bridge to a zero fossil fuel future. Davey also outlined his ambition to increase the market share held by independent sup- pliers from 8 per cent currently to 30 per cent by the end of the decade "because that's the only way to deliver lower energy bills and better customer service". The energy secretary added that £100 million of new fund- ing has been made available for the Green Deal Home Improve- ment Fund from November (see p14). MB Davey attacks Tories as Lib Dems set out energy plans Seven days... Home- owners argue over heating costs A quarter of UK energy consum- ers have argued about the heating of their home, mostly over the cost, according to research by MoneySuper- Market. 29% admitted to arguing about the thermostat setting 44% of those who have argued about the heating admit it was because of the charges they faced on their energy bills 26% have adjusted the heating in their homes without consulting others who live there story by NUMbErs "Without immediate action the cost of the smart meter rollout is in danger of spiralling out of control" Which? executive director Richard Lloyd this week proposed three key measures to reduce the cost of the smart meter rollout. DSR CHP & autogeneration Coal/biomass Hydro Nuclear OCGT & Recip Storage CCGT 62.58GW Prequalified for capacity auction, by fuel type See p13 for full story