brexit

As the days pass from the scrapping of DECC from Whitehall in favour of the new business, energy and industrial strategy (BEIS) department, few details have trickled through about how the new branch of government will operate. David Pratt examines what we do know and what remains to be seen as parliament heads off for the summer.

The government is facing calls for clarity after a coalition of 30 trade bodies, NGOs, pressure groups and think tanks signed an open letter to the new secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, urging him to confirm the UK’s 2020 climate change commitments.

A further three Chinese manufacturers have been pulled from the minimum import price (MIP) after they were found to be selling in the European Union at rates below those stipulated by the price undertaking.

Andrea Leadsom has reiterated the government’s stance on climate change policy following the outcome of the EU referendum, claiming the country remains committed to dealing with the issue.

Finlay Colville, head of market research at Solar Media, explains what the uncertainty caused by the recent vote to leave the EU means for UK solar and the burgeoning market in the Republic of Ireland.

The UK will miss its legally binding targets for renewable energy according to the National Grid, which has claimed the progress required to meet the EU-set goals is beyond what can be achieved.

Last week’s Business & Energy Summit in London presented a rare opportunity to gather global business leaders and national government representatives in one place to discuss climate change post-COP21. Solar Power Portal attended both days of the event and brings you the main talking points from across the summit.

Energy secretary Amber Rudd has claimed that the UK’s vote to leave the European Union will not affect the country’s commitment to clean energy, and revealed the government’s response to the fifth carbon budget will be published as scheduled tomorrow morning.

Energy secretary Amber Rudd has said that she will “continue to watch” the UK’s solar industry after admitting that subsidy cuts enacted since last year had caused difficulty.

Following months of in fighting, confrontation and bitter debate, the UK is set to leave the European Union after Brexit drew 52% of the vote. It remains unclear at this early stage what immediate or indeed long term effect the decision will have on the UK and its energy market. However, there are looming question marks over a whole range of issues related to the UK and European energy markets as Alex Harrison, counsel at international law firm Hogan Lovells, explains.