Millions in Great Britain face rising energy bills as costs are forecast to increase by nearly 13% from summer. Ministers are urged to provide targeted support, with campaigners expressing disappointment over the lack of immediate action on domestic energy costs.
OpenAI is hiring a 'community engagement lead' to address local opposition to its massive Stargate data centers in states like Texas and Michigan, focusing on water usage, electricity, and quality of life concerns.
Indian Railways faces increased electricity costs following a Supreme Court ruling. The court declared the national transporter a "consumer" under the Electricity Act, making it liable for cross-subsidy and additional surcharges on open access power. This decision impacts the railways' operating ratio and power procurement expenses, overturning previous exemptions.
The UK government has confirmed plans to move older wind and solar farms, comprising nearly a third of Great Britain's power market, on to fixed-price contracts to protect households and businesses from gas market volatility. The voluntary shift represents the government's most radical attempt to weaken the impact of soaring wholesale gas prices on electricity costs. Under the plans, legacy generators will be offered contracts similar to those used by low-carbon projects since 2017, or face higher windfall taxes. Analysts estimate the change could save between £4bn and £10bn annually if market prices remain high.
The UK Treasury will increase the windfall tax on electricity generators from 45% to 55% unless they sign long-term fixed-price contracts, in a bid to protect bill payers from gas price shocks. Owners of legacy renewable energy projects face the higher tax rate until they sign contracts for difference. The measures aim to delink electricity prices from gas prices as UK household bills are expected to rise from July due to the Middle East conflict pushing up global energy costs.
