The energy giants have joined forces with the Kyrgyz Republic in an agreement signed at COP28 in Dubai.

Masdar and EDF have agreed with the Kyrgyz Republic to investigate the potential development of 3.6GW of hydropower and renewable energy projects.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed at COP28 in Dubai, involving key representatives from the Kyrgyz Ministry of Energy, Masdar and EDF.

Incorporating hydropower into its portfolio for the first time, Masdar aims to contribute to the Kyrgyz Republic’s existing clean energy capacity, which predominantly relies on hydropower plants.

The Kyrgyz Republic is generating approximately 90% of its electricity from clean sources.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President and Masdar Chairman, said: “Hydropower is one of the oldest clean energy sources and has many positive attributes that can help a number of countries around the world achieve their climate goals and meet their net zero targets.”

H.E. Taalaibek Ibraev, Minister of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic said: “Hydropower is a very important energy source for the Kyrgyz Republic and this agreement will help our nation to strengthen its existing clean energy supply and to develop projects utilising other renewable energy sources.”

Image: Masdar / EDF

Nearly 425,000 customers are encouraged to reduce usage during the DFS event and earn £5 per kWh saved.

Customers of British Gas can receive cash discounts on their bills by reducing energy usage today.

British Gas has announced its participation in the upcoming ESO Demand Flexibility Service event scheduled for 1st December, running between 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm.

Nearly 425,000 customers enrolled in British Gas’s PeakSave scheme can reduce energy usage during this period and earn £5 per kWh saved.

Additionally, customers enrolled in PeakSave enjoy the added benefit of receiving half-price electricity on Sundays.

Participating customers receive a 50% discount on all electricity consumed between 11 am and 4 pm every Sunday.

The energy regulator has fined Hudson Energy Supply UK for ten breaches of licence conditions, citing serious overcharging of business customers and failure to supervise outsourced operations.

Ofgem has imposed a penalty of £1,668,426 on Hudson Energy Supply UK Ltd (HES) for “serious” breaches of licence conditions.

The penalty comes after a thorough investigation, initiated in July 2020, uncovered ten violations by HES, a non-domestic market energy supplier serving up to 1,600 business customers across the UK.

The regulator’s findings revealed a pattern of non-compliance by HES, particularly in its outsourcing arrangements with a third party for customer operations.

Ofgem identified failures in ensuring proper supervision, resulting in poor customer service and inappropriate actions towards HES customers.

One alarming instance included the unjustified overcharging of a customer by £22,500, contributing to serious customer harm.

Apart from overcharging, the investigation identified nine other breaches lasting nearly five years, ranging from the mishandling of microbusiness customers (MBCs) to issues with credit balances on former customers’ accounts.

MBCs were particularly affected, with failures to properly identify them, leaving many without additional protections entitled to them.

In response to the enforcement action, HES, now owned by Shell since 2019, admitted to all breaches and implemented remedial actions to prevent future failures.

The company agreed to settle with Ofgem through a £1,668,426 penalty, to be paid into Ofgem’s Voluntary Redress Fund, supporting energy consumers in vulnerable situations and investing in innovation and carbon emission reduction projects.

The majority of the money owed to customers has been returned.

Cathryn Scott, Director of Enforcement and Emerging Issues at Ofgem, said: “As part of our role as the energy regulator, we expect suppliers to comply with their obligations, including where they choose to outsource elements of their business.

“In this case a series of failings by HES has resulted in unacceptable outcomes for energy customers, with a number being unjustifiably overcharged by significant amounts, resulting in serious customer harm.

“Through taking this action Ofgem is sending a firm signal to the market that it is not possible to outsource compliance with the licence conditions: the licence holder is responsible for any breaches and any harm caused to its customers.

“This significant penalty should send a strong signal to all suppliers in the market to act with the utmost care and integrity when it comes to engaging and monitoring third parties carrying out important areas of their supply business on their behalf.

“This is a difficult time for all customers, and poor service and deliberate overcharging will simply not be tolerated.”

Image: patpitchaya / Shutterstock

The energy regulator has announced an investigation into Maxen Power Supply, focusing on the fair treatment of businesses and the rates they are charged.

Ofgem has launched an investigation into Maxen Power Supply Ltd, a non-domestic utilities supplier based in east London.

The regulatory scrutiny focuses on ensuring fair treatment of businesses and evaluating the rates imposed by the company.

The assessment aims to determine whether Maxen Power Supply complies with regulatory requirements.

Ofgem’s evaluation will cover various aspects, including the fair and transparent treatment of microbusinesses, the supplier’s organisational capability, the fairness of deemed rates and compliance with rules preventing customer transfer blocking.

Ofgem’s regulatory oversight aims to ensure that utility providers operate within the specified standards, fostering fair business practices and protecting consumer interests.

The investigation does not presuppose any findings of non-compliance but seeks to ensure adherence to defined standards.

The government has launched a consultation on expanding support from the Energy Ombudsman to cover small businesses with less than 50 employees.

More than 200,000 small businesses could get access to free specialist support for disputes with their energy suppliers under new proposals announced by the UK Government.

Under the latest plans, small businesses with less than 50 employees would qualify for support from the Energy Ombudsman, with issues including disputes over bills and energy supply, how an energy product or service has been sold and wider customer service problems.

This support is currently only available to businesses of up to 10 employees – and households.

The proposal follows a survey by Ofgem, which found 94% of respondents, which included business organisations, consumer groups and suppliers, said they would welcome the move.

The government is seeking views on the proposal to ensure all relevant businesses have access to redress against their energy supplier, without having to rely on the courts.

It has launched a consultation and is inviting views until 31st January 2024.

Energy Consumers and Affordability Minister Amanda Solloway said: “This government has always stood by businesses and we want to ensure they are getting proper support and service in dealing with energy suppliers.

“That’s why we’re proposing expanding the reach of the Energy Ombudsman to cover an extra 200,000 businesses, allowing them to access free, impartial advice and resolve issues with their supplier without the need for an expensive trip to court.”