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UTILITY WEEK | 17TH - 23RD OCTOBER 2014 | 5 The formal affiliation between the Renewable Energy Association (REA) and the Solar Trade Association (STA) will end on 1 January 2015, a joint statement from the trade groups said on Monday. The split comes over three years aer the STA merged with the REA's Solar Power Group in March 2011 to repre- sent both the solar heating and solar power industries. Independence from one another will allow both to focus on their individual strengths, the statement said. STA chairman Jan Sisson said solar power had grown from almost nothing at the start of this parliament to providing nearly 10 per cent of all renewable power in the past quarter, with subsidy-free solar now a possibil- ity soon. He said the work of both organisations had been "key to these achievements". Earlier this month the government confirmed plans to cut support for new large-scale solar farms above 5MW in size from 1 April 2015, two years ahead of schedule, despite threats from four UK solar companies that they will bring forward a legal case against the government's decision. WaTER Renewables trade groups end formal affiliation Energy UK's latest figures show nearly half of the 259,855 households that changed supplier in September opted for an independent company. This was the second highest monthly rate of customers who moved to small suppliers since 2012, although September's numbers still fall short of those seen in April this year. Three times as many people moved to a small provider last month than in the same time last year. Energy UK chief executive Angela Knight said this was because of increased competition. More customers switching away from the big six Alstom has signed a partnership agreement with engineering company DCNS with the aim of commercialising by 2017 a semi-submersible floating wind turbine delivering 6MW. The project, named Sea Reed, has received €6 million in funding to cover the initial study and certification phase for a semi-submersible floating system developed by DCNS, incorporating Alstom's Haliade 150 offshore wind turbine. "We are merging our respective know-hows as early as possible in the process so we can work together at developing an innovative, competitive energy solution," said Alstom Renewable Power chairman Jerome Pecresse. May 12 Jun 12 Jul 12 Aug 12 Sep 12 Oct 12 Nov 12 Dec 12 Jan 13 Feb 13 Mar 13 Apr 13 May 13 Jun 13 Jul 13 Aug 13 Sep 13 Oct 13 Nov 13 Dec 13 Jan 14 Feb 14 Mar 14 Apr 14 May 14 Jun 14 Jul 14 Aug 14 Sep 14 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 MPANs Source: ElectraLink 47km Dudgeon Offshore Windfarm's developers have offered Caril- lion the contract to design, supply, install and test a twin- circuit onshore 132kV cable system over a distance of 47km from landfall near Weybourne, Norfolk, to Necton, Norfolk. $88 per barrel Brent crude hits a fresh four-year low Small supplier gains