This week the UK Energy Minister Charles Hendry visited Iceland to sign a new energy agreement. The new agreement will allow the UK to import geothermal energy produced by Icelandic volcanoes as well as exchange information on the gas and oil industries. This is a huge step forward for renewable energy in the UK and could make a significant difference to the security of our energy supplies and help to minimise our reliance on fossil fuels. After the visit the minister had the following to say: “Today’s agreement will help pave the way for a closer relationship with Iceland, which I hope can yield significant benefits for the UK, including the development of geothermal power, greater use of interconnectors to transport energy under the sea, and developing oil and gas resources. “This sort of approach can both enhance our energy security and deliver low carbon electricity in an affordable way.” This is clearly an encouraging move and will hopefully open up the posibility of other countries sharing renewable sources of energy.

  The Atlantic Array windfarm project suffered a massive blow today as protesters managed to force a reduction in the number of turbines to be used by a third, a drop of 139 from 417 to 278. Their complaints concerning the development consisted of a significant increase in noise pollution and the effect the turbines will have on the appearence of the natural landscape. This is a major knock to the Coalitions renewable policies and raises questions over the importance of preserving our countryside against increasing our reliance on renewable sources of energy. Though a victory for those opposed to the plans it is a sour note for the government after the progress made with Iceland just days ago. However, this may encourage the government and investors to look at other areas for renewable energy as windfarms continue to be a controversial choice.

  Prime Minister David Cameron has announced a new energy partnership with Norway. This agreement will not only grant us with access to gas and oil reserves but also provide 1,300 jobs at their engineering hub in Chiswick, this is in addition to the 1,000 jobs Aker Solutions has already created in the UK. Norwegian companies Statoil and Statkraft are also looking to invest £31 billion in offshore windfarms which could eventually produce 10% of the UK’s electricty needs. This agreement comes swift on the heels of the recent announcement that a deal has been made with Iceland for their geothermal energy. For more information visit the DECC website.

  One of the greatest issues affecting the energy industry and consumers is energy wastage due to the inefficency of homes in the UK. The issues can either be attributed to houses being  poorly insulated, not having an efficient condensing boiler or not being fitted with full double-glazing. The Department of Energy and Climate Change states that these factors actually account for 43% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions. This week the Energy Secretary and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey has announced the Governments next steps for the Green Deal energy operation. The plans will provide poorer homes and rural areas with additional support in tackling these problems by providing aid worth around £1.3bn a year to help tackle fuel povery and climate change. This financial aid will lead to an increase of 100,000 homes to 230,000 that will ultimately benefit from this scheme. Not only will the plans provide much needed support to the areas of society highlighted above but they will also support up to 60,000 jobs in the insulation alone, this will be an increase of 34,000 from the 26,000 currently employed. In addition to potentially creating new jobs the government has also proposed a £3.5million training scheme in co-operation with Asset Skills and Construction Skills. If these plans are executed properly they will provide much needed financial relief for the households that need it most as well as helping to create employment in an ever expanding sector. For more information please visit the DECC website.