Make Sure Your Organisation Doesn't Miss The Deadline - 30th September 2010

We're already into the final month of the registration period for the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.   Utility Masters has been registering clients and submitting Information Disclosures throughout the last 6 months, protecting our customers against the possibility of punitive late-registration fines of £5,000 or more.

Information Disclosures From Only £250

If your business has only one half-hourly electricity meter, it needs to be registered within the scheme.  If you spend less than £500,000 on energy, an Information Disclosure will probably meet your needs. From only £250 for a single site, Utility Masters can take this headache away from you.

Is your organisation ready for the CRC?  Surprisingly few of your peers are... 

There has been a lot of interest in the energy-savings potential of replacing existing lighting schemes with LED units.  It's certainly true that LED lights use much less energy than the halogen units they usually replace, but some of the LED lights being promoted are providing unsatisfactory lifespans.

The main problem lies with inadequate cooling of the new LED lights, resulting in premature failure.

Some LEDs do provide excellent performance and longevity, however.  Utility Masters' advice is to contact us before going ahead with any light replacement scheme where LED lights have been put forward.  Utility Masters is not connected with any light supplier or manufacturer, so you can be assured of a clear, independent and unbiased view.

Call us on 0161 785 0404 before going ahead with any new lighting scheme.  Impartial advice from our experts can save you wasted money and time, plus government funding for your scheme might be available.

Most Businesses Facing Electricity Price Increases From April 2010.

New Electricity Distribution prices were implemented across the UK on 1st April 2010.  For most businesses, these price changes will result in higher bills.  The bills you receive from your electricity suppliers in early May should include these new distribution prices.

Details of the effect these prices will have by region can be seen in a document published by Ofgem, by following this link.  The price changes by region can be found on page 12.

To discuss how these changes will affect you, contact us today.

Environment Agency Announces that CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme Registration Process is Open.

The Environment Agency emailed all registered parties this week to confirm that the online CRC Registry is now open.  All organisations which qualify under the rules of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme now need to either register as a Participant or make an Information Disclosure before 30th September 2010 to avoid the possibility of punitive penalties under the Scheme.

A plethora of guidance documents are available, but if your Organisation does not have the time or resource to understand this complex scheme and its effects on your business, contact Utility Masters now to see how we might help you.

More information is also available on our website.

Demand Side Management Success from Utility Masters Ltd

The National Grid Triad periods have now been published, following a difficult Winter.  The prolonged cold snap, coupled with snow which affected the ability of many businesses to work at full capacity, made it more difficult than usual to predict the three periods of highest national demand.

Despite the difficult conditions, Utility Masters' Triad Warning Service successfully predicted all 3 Triads this winter, as we have in previous years.  The Triad Waning Service enables our customers to reduce demand at the times of peak national demand, avoiding high Transmission Charges and saving them hundred of thousands every year.  We're delighted to maintain the fantastic record of this service.

For more details, read about the Triad Warnings service.  To discuss how you can reduce your energy bills, through better buying and better use of your energy, contact us today.

Most Businesses Will Start The First Year of CRC Unprepared 

An article in yesterday's Sunday Times highlighted the level of ignorance about the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, with only 6 weeks left before the Scheme comes into full effect.

Despite information about the CRC being available from the Environment Agency, most businesses have not readied themselves for the obligations they will be required, by law, to meet.  Late registrations carry significant penalty charges and the first year of the scheme is "riddled with deadlines", to quote the Sunday Times.

Utility Masters have already held four free seminars to help businesses to prepare for this important Scheme, and a fifth is planned in Wakefield on Tuesday 16th March.  Book now to attend, or see our blog post about the seminar here.

Another Free CRC Seminar From Utility Masters - Be Ready For April 2010

With the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme registration period starting in April 2010, the demand for information about this important new scheme is higher than ever.

In response, Utility Masters is putting on a fifth CRC Seminar at:

Normanton Golf Club, Hatfeild Hall
Aberford Road
Stanley
Wakefield WF3 4JP

On Tuesday 16th March 2010, starting at 9:30 am and finishing with a buffet lunch between 12:00 and 13:00.

Compliance with this scheme is mandatory, but it's also possible to benefit from it.  This seminar will help to show you how. 

To register your interest, email us now.

A map to the venue is shown here:

This week, energy has been in the national news again.  The BBC and other news agencies have reported on the gradual reductions in UK electricity generation capacity.  The BBC website has an excellent article to read if you click here.

Apart from the risks of increased volatility in energy prices, this news does present opportunities for some UK businesses:

• - Demand-Side Management - Sites that can reduce demand at short notice have a chance to take advantage.  The National Grid offers incentive to organisations that can manage their electrical demand for short periods, when national demand reaches its highest levels.  If you think your business could do this, contact us to discuss your options.
• - Triad Warnings - If UK generation apacity does materially reduce versus UK energy demand, there is a chance that Triad Charges (TNUOS) will increase.  Certain energy supply contracts allow any savings to be passed directly back to the energy consumer.  More information can be seen here.

If you need any more information on this situation and how it might affect you, contact us today.

If the current exceptionally cold weather continues the UK could deplete its long range gas stores by as early as the second week in March. 

Most of the UK’s seasonal gas storage is kept at a North Sea depleted oil field known as Rough. Gas shippers and suppliers spend the summer months filling Rough with enough gas to see us through a typical winter. On cold winter days, the UK does not have enough imports to meet demand so needs to withdraw gas from Rough. On warmer days there is an opportunity to inject surplus gas into store.

 As you may well have noticed, this winter has been exceptionally cold throughout December and January. If temperatures stay as they are throughout February, there will be a serious shortage and National Grid will need to interrupt supplies. This would have a significant impact on spot market prices and would no doubt increase futures prices at the same time.

Despite the recession, UK energy prices have shown an upward trend over the last few years.  For most of the last year (January to December 2009), electricity annual contracts have moved between £40 and £50 per MWh in the wholesale markets.

Many buyers have been waiting for prices to drop back to £40/MWh again before fixing their contract renewals out of April 2010 or October 2010.  However, annual prices in 2008 peaked at around £90 and, with economic pointers hinting at the end of the UK recession, there is a significant risk of prices climbing again on the back of more positive sentiments about demand.

Is it worth risking an increase of up to £50 (against the peak) to try and save £5?  Fixed energy buyers could benefit from placing now.