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HIGHER percentage of bathing water has been classed as ‘excellent’ than ever before, new figures released today reveal. According to Defra, an additional 18 bathing waters reached the ‘excellent’ rating, meaning that for the first time more than 70% have achieved that status. Defra has announced that 71.4% of English bathing waters have been given the top mark in 2019. This...

Equivalent of 460,000 homes in Scotland could be heated renewably by 2030 under Scottish Government’s new Heat Networks Bill, suggests new research. The research, commissioned by industry body Scottish Renewables, found 46 potential heat network projects across Scotland’s seven cities, with inspiration drawn from heating solutions in Scandinavian countries. The networks would initially serve 45,000 homes but could, with the right Scottish...

MORRISONS has announced the removal of black plastic from all of its own-brand food and drink packaging to make it more easily recyclable. Removing black plastic from its own brands will make almost 4,000 tonnes of packaging more easily recyclable – the equivalent of 7.4% of the plastics used at Morrisons each year – the retailer said. Black plastic is hard...

IF European member states deliver their individual National Energy and Climate Plans, renewables will account for around 53% of power supply in 2030, according to new research by consultancy group Wood Mackenzie. According to the agency, Europe is 'on track to hit this target', although the performance of individual countries is suspected to vary. Continued growth in wind and solar power...

OVER 150 businesses are set to turn on 100% renewable energy under a 'pioneering' agreement expected to be worth more than £180m. The deal will see all the customers – ranging from an ice cream producer to a medical device manufacturer - in a portfolio managed by NUS Consulting switch to renewable energy by October next year. The agreement is likely to...

New report calls for more powers to areas such as the Sheffield City Region to help reduce carbon emissions and make the switch to clean energy sources A programme of devolution could help deliver a complete decarbonisation of transport and buildings that is vital to regions such as Sheffield in meeting their emissions targets Report highlights how an...

CURRENT planning permissions for West Offaly Power and Lough Ree Power in midlands at the Republic of Ireland will expire at the end of 2020. ESB submitted an application to An Bord Pleanála in 2018 seeking planning permission to transition West Offaly Power from peat to biomass over a number of years starting in 2020. This planning application was rejected in...

STEP towards a more flexible and responsive electricity grid has been taken in Cornwall as part of Centrica’s Local Energy Market trial. For the first time anywhere in the world, the local Distribution System Operator (Western Power Distribution) and the Transmission System Operator (National Grid ESO) are both procuring flexibility simultaneously via a single third-party platform - Centrica’s 'pioneering' auction-based...

EUROPEAN Commission has adopted the fourth list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) for a connected European energy grid. PCIs are cross border infrastructure projects that link the energy systems of EU Member States. They are intended to help the EU achieve its energy policy and climate objectives: affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all citizens, and the long-term decarbonisation of...

OWNERS of a nervous dog in Cheshire have praised Cadent workers for being considerate  towards them while they carried out work outside their home. Pauline and Ron Adams, from Northwich, sent in from their bearded collie Chester to express their gratitude to the team working for gas network Cadent. Chester is afraid of loud noises, which was a challenge as engineers...