energy

  • Announcement

    Our GB 2021 Consultancy highlights

    We are independent advisors operating across the energy value chain. Our team of passionate energy experts has supported over 120 customers in 2021. This includes generators, developers, investors, network companies and public bodies.Here is a small selection of our work in 2021: Cornwall Insight’s consultancy team provides high-quality insight across...

  • Home supply and services

    Rocketing energy prices and failing suppliers—what is happening?

    Sky high gas prices and energy suppliers going out of business have been key headlines in the news over recent weeks, but what is actually happening?  Through the COVID-19 pandemic we saw much lower gas prices, which have been surging upwards since the spring and risen rapidly through the summer, a time...

  • Home supply and services

    Consolidation in the energy market predicted to continue

    It has been a turbulent time for the retail energy market, experiencing a period of consolidation with mergers and supplier exits. This supplier consolidation is expected to continue in the near term. If suppliers fail to shift their business models for the new world it is likely to continue, according...

  • Commercial and market outlook

    April Fools’ Day 2021: In today’s other energy developments

    Our energy April Fools' day headlines... Netflix’s The Regulator set to return with Ofwat crossover Fans of Netflix’s Ofgem-set smash hit The Regulator will be thrilled to learn that season two starts filming today (Thursday 1 April). Although secrecy is as high as ever on set, producers have confirmed that...

  • Low carbon generation

    Nuclear energy and its potential importance for net zero

    This article was originally written as a longer piece in Energy Spectrum on 21 March 2021. To find out more about a subscription to Energy Spectrum, please contact Nick on n.palmer@cornwall-insight.com. Nuclear energy has been an integral part of the UK’s electricity system for many decades. Currently, nuclear provides around...

  • Announcement

    Alert: Budget 2021

    Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his Budget on 3 March, a year on from the start of the COVID-19 crisis and his second in the job. Headline announcements included, among others, a sovereign green bond, the UK Infrastructure Bank, a freeze in Carbon Price Support and £20mn for floating offshore wind....

  • Net zero corporates and ESG

    The Emperor’s new clothes?

    Institutional and governance reform forms a major plank of the energy white paper, with the inevitable result that industry commentators are proposing various and new institutional constructs to address the immense challenge of transitioning the energy sector to net zero. We have seen many ideas in this space over the...

  • Net zero corporates and ESG

    Sleeving Pools could enable local authorities to procure local energy

    This blog post is adapted from an article in March’s issue of Energy net zero, published on 31 March. To find out more about a subscription to Energy net zero, please contact Veronica at v.truman@cornwall-insight.com. For many local authorities and corporates, development of small-scale renewables and consideration of generation production...

  • Announcement

    BBC interview | Robert Buckley discusses Ofgem’s price cap

    Due to market volatility, world events and Ofgem's new methodology, our price cap prediction has changed. Please see the latest predictions via our blogs page here Updated price cap figures here Robert Buckley spoke to Felicity Hannah on BBC Five Live’s Wake up to Money programme ahead of Ofgem’s announcement...

  • Net zero corporates and ESG

    Major energy policy and regulatory changes discussed in our December Net Zero Business forum

    On 10 December 2020, Cornwall Insight hosted its Net Zero Business Forum. Held four days before the release of the UK government’s Energy White Paper, the focus was on the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan, the Spending Review and the National Infrastructure Strategy. Head of Relationship Development Robert Buckley and Head...

  • Announcement

    Cornwall Insight strengthens its Board

    Cornwall Insight, an award-winning international firm delivering comprehensive Insight that enables businesses, markets, and policymakers to succeed in the net zero transition, has further strengthened its Group Board. The company has appointed two new Non-Executive Directors, Dr. Kate Broughton, and Steve Jennings, in addition to Claire Skinner as a Special...

  • Power and gas networks

    Understanding the backdrop of the UK hydrogen economy

    We are delighted to publish our research note on the hydrogen sector: 'Understanding the backdrop of the UK hydrogen economy'. Serving as a primer for our upcoming series of hydrogen insight papers, we chart the UK’s progress in developing a hydrogen industry. In our paper, we cover essential developments in...

  • Regulation and policy

    Back to the Future: long term vulnerability outcomes

    100 days have passed since the UK was placed into lockdown and, as the government looks to continue easing of restrictions, it’s worth reflecting on where we’ve been and start looking ahead to where we’re going. Thanks to papers from Citizens Advice and National Energy Action (NEA) we now have...

  • Commercial and market outlook

    Flight of the Phoenix – could green investment point the way forward post-COVID?

    As economies around the world move from “disaster preparation” to “recovery preparation”, the low carbon and renewable sector has been earmarked as a means by which to target government support in a manner consistent with medium and long-term policy targets – such  the UK’s own net zero 2050 objectives. While...

  • Energy storage and flexibility

    Tootsie slide: Demand drop

    Since both governments of Ireland have restricted movement in the light of COVID-19, we have observed changes to working patterns. This has subsequently resulted in a reduction and shift in demand profile for the island of Ireland. This week's blog looks at demand reduction since COVID-19 restrictions have been in...

  • Commercial and market outlook

    A new playbook for the GB wholesale markets

    With the effects of COVID-19 permeating all parts of the energy value chain, in this week’s Energy Perspective our Wholesale Manager, James Brabben, takes a look at how it is impacting wholesale pricing and the electricity generation fleet, both now and, potentially, in the long term. Order of play We...

  • Low carbon generation

    Lessons from a lock down

    We are all facing a new, simpler existence. For my part, I have been self-isolated for three weeks. My little flat in central London has become almost my entire existence, my days have settled into a simple routine, and I've had plenty of time to reflect. Although COVID-19 presents an...

  • Energy storage and flexibility

    Changes: Demand falling in SEM

    With the unexpected arrival of coronavirus there has been significant a shift in human behaviour. We are now two weeks removed from the Irish Government’s instruction to close schools and message advising businesses to allow employees work from home where possible, we wonder what has the impact been on energy...

  • Low carbon generation

    Sail away: Offshore wind vs. RESS

    Last week the European Commission proposed a “Climate Law” enshrining in legislation the objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. In this week’s blog, we consider the role of wind in achieving this goal, and Irelands role in the European Green Deal. As we would expect, the green deal identifies...

  • Commercial and market outlook

    Editor’s Pick Ireland | SEAI: Transport takes the largest share of energy in Ireland

    Energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 1.2% in 2018, according to the latest publication of Energy in Ireland, an annual report by the SEAI which presents the key trends in energy production and consumption. Published on 12 December 2019, the report shows how Ireland's energy system is evolving in response to...

  • Commercial and market outlook

    10 Manifesto Energy Policies

    With all the General Election manifestos now published, we have updated our infographic so you can easily see where the parties stand on certain energy sector issues. For further, more in-depth analysis and insight into what each of the parties are promising and how this could shape the future energy...

  • Low carbon generation

    Through the dark: Transformation for community energy

    Community energy generation in Ireland is currently at a nascent stage, but developments in 2019 could see it become a major player in energy generation. Most community energy funding is spent on energy efficiency rather than energy generation. Our research indicates that there is as little as 6MW of community-owned...