UK energy

  • Regulation and policy

    How effective were the UK’s energy bill support schemes? 

    Introduced during a period of record high energy prices, the UK Government's energy support schemes came to an end on 31 March this year. Evaluating emergency measures such as these purely on their value for money is difficult, as the policy was intended to serve multiple purposes.   At the time...

  • Regulation and policy

    Government Announces Record Budget for Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 6

    The government has released the budget and reference prices, along with the auction parameters, for the upcoming Contract for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 6 (AR6). As recently reported, there were considerable questions outstanding about the parameters which will be used in the auction and significant pressure was placed on AR6...

  • Regulation and policy

    Two years on: How Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reshaped the UK’s energy landscape

    Two years ago, on 24 February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine. As well as causing widespread devastation and displacement, resulting in a humanitarian crisis, the ensuing conflict also had a wide range of consequences for the energy sector such as causing a structural change in European gas...

  • E-mobility and low carbon

    Paving the way: EV Country Attractiveness Index findings

    Following the previous iteration of the EVCA Index, published in September 2023, the EV market has continued to grow across Europe. From October 2022 to October 2023, the EU, Norway, and the UK have seen a combined 29% year-on-year increase in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales. Cornwall Insight have partnered...

  • E-mobility and low carbon

    Driving growth: EV Country Attractiveness Index findings

    Since the previous iteration of the EVCA Index, published in June 2023, there have been some changes to the electric vehicle (EV) landscape. The EV market has continued to grow with battery electric vehicle (BEVs) sales increasing across Europe. Cornwall Insight have partnered with law firm Shoosmiths to create the...

  • E-mobility and low carbon

    Charging forward: EV Country Attractiveness Index Findings

    Since the previous iteration of the EVCA Index, published in March 2023, there have been some changes to the EV landscape. New countries have emerged as leaders in battery electric vehicle (BEV) growth while others have continued to develop their charging networks and maintain economic strength at a time when...

  • Home supply and services

    Generation guaranteed: suppliers increase Smart Export Guarantee rates  

    The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), as the successor to the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme, offers payments to small-scale low-carbon generators for the electricity they export, with export rates and tariffs being set by SEG licensees. Since the new year we have seen notable increases and changes in the export rates...

  • E-mobility and low carbon

    Ending the ICE age: EV Country Attractiveness Index Findings

    Over the past decade, electric vehicles (EVs) have become increasingly popular across many of the world’s major economies, with both the eco-conscious and average consumer adding to the rise in sales. This phenomenon has not just appeared from thin air, however, as international climate agreements, national net zero plans, EV...

  • Regulation and policy

    Our response to the Spring Budget

    Once again, a UK budget has seen some significant energy policy announcements that will stir up conversation and opinion across the country. It also shows how reining in energy prices is seen as key to restraining inflation. The pre-budget announcement to maintain the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) at £2,500 had...

  • Low carbon generation

    Understanding the evolution of the Irish electricity markets

    The Irish electricity sector has undergone significant change in recent years. The Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM) arrangements introduced in 2018 fundamentally transformed the market framework to maximise competition, facilitate electricity wholesale trading, and incentivise the development of low-carbon generation sources. In parallel the physical system continues to evolve rapidly....

  • Home supply and services

    Our response to the publication of the REMA consultation summary

    On 7th March the government published the summary of responses received from its Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) consultation. The responses received showed the industry has expressed strong support (92% agreement) for energy market reform that prioritises decarbonisation, security of supply, and cost-effectiveness. Respondents also agreed that the current...

  • Energy storage and flexibility

    Waiting to connect: the problems and solutions for network connection queues (Part 2)

    Network connection queues continue to be a notable topic of interest as many generators face significant delays to project development – an issue that is directly conflicting with net zero ambitions and recent focuses on strengthening domestic energy supplies. In Part 1 of our two-part series on connection queues we...

  • Home supply and services

    Our response to the announcement of the April price cap

    The predictions for the Default Tariff Cap in this piece are out of date, please click here to find our latest forecasts and commentary on the cap. Following the announcement by Ofgem that April’s Default Tariff Cap (price cap) will fall to an average £3,280 per year, nearly a £1,000 drop for...

  • Net zero corporates and ESG

    Energy Net Zero: Giving you more of ‘Watt’ you need

    It is no surprise that economic conditions in the UK complicate the ambitions of businesses when it comes to achieving their decarbonisation goals. But in a paper our research team released earlier this year, we found that despite increasing financial demands, net-zero targets remain a priority for many businesses. That...

  • Home supply and services

    Our final forecast for the April price cap

    The predictions for the Default Tariff Cap in this piece are out of date, please click here to find our latest forecasts and commentary on the cap. We have released the final prediction for the April Default Tariff Cap (price cap) following the closure of the observation window1, on 17 February. We...

  • Announcement

    Cornwall Insight named one of the FT’s Leading Management Consultants

    We are delighted to announce that Cornwall Insight has been named one of the Financial Times’ leading management consultants in energy, utilities & environment. Following two Statista surveys which reviewed feedback from our clients and our peers in Consulting, we achieved a bronze award recognising the strong relationships we have...

  • Home supply and services

    Benefits of household rooftop solar – a personal point of view

    This is the next blog post in our irregular series from the Cornwall Insight team on their experiences of installing or owning various energy assets. Like my colleague Ed, I took the decision to invest in solar in March last year as energy prices were making front page news. So yes,...

  • Regulation and policy

    One-hit wonder? Assessing the government’s business support scheme

    Subsidising the unprecedented cost of energy for both households and businesses came in at the forefront of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng’s “mini-budget” last Friday. Described as “one of the biggest interventions ever made”, Kwarteng confirmed a three-step plan. Firstly, as announced on 8 September, the introduction of...