Walker Morris briefings

A busy day for the European Commission as four state aid measures are adopted: By David Kilduff and Lucy Hughes
23 May 2014
21 May 2014 saw the publication of three of the key parts of the State Aid Modernisation programme, plus approval of the UK's regional aid map. It is good news for renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as making local authorities' lives easier.

Shale gas and local authorities: thoughts on fracking: By David Kilduff
20 May 2014
David Kilduff shares some thoughts on the roles that local authorities could play in the emerging shale gas market.

Procurement Update: By Richard Auton
15 May 2014
Welcome to the latest edition of the Walker Morris Procurement Update.This edition starts with a summary of the main changes to the procurement rules from the new Directives. We also look at whether the Teckal exemption applies to a non-profit organisation; the Covanta waste procurement challenge; whether the Freedom of Information Act will extend to outsourced contracts; a recent report into local government procurement; plus the latest policy notes from the Cabinet Office. Essential reading for all procurement practitioners in the public and private sector.

New regime for environmental and energy state aid: By David Kilduff and Lucy Hughes
15 May 2014
The Directorate General for Competition recently published guidance on the new rules governing state aid for energy projects and environmental protection. The rules will come into force from 1 July 2014 and will help support member states in reaching their climate change targets whilst also ensuring that state aid for energy projects is cost effective and does not distort competition.

DECC publishes CfD Allocation Framework: By David Kilduff and Adam Davidson
14 April 2014
The Department for Energy and Climate Change has published the methodology by which it will offer and allocate Contracts for Difference, when they come into effect later this year. The allocation framework provides further detail for generators and prospective generators considering participating in the Contracts for Difference mechanism.

Solar subsidies slashed and CfD allocations announced: By David Kilduff and Christian Hellmund
14 May 2014
DECC has published four consultations which mean good news for midscale building-mounted solar PV, but bad news for stand-alone solar schemes. Plus there's more news on how the CfD allocations will work.

The UK's new competition regime: By Trudy Feaster-Gee, Jeremy Scholes and Shaukat Ali
4 April 2014
Important changes to the UK's competition law regime came into effect on 1 April 2014. This article highlights the principal changes of which businesses – in all sectors – need to be aware.

UK energy market to be investigated by the competition regulator: 27 March 2014
By Trudy Feaster-Gee and David Kilduff
Today Ofgem and the OFT/CMA announced the results of their first 'state of the market' assessment of the retail energy market. Trudy Feaster-Gee and David Kilduff look at the findings and what this means for generators and suppliers of energy.

Europe's climate and energy targets for 2030 announced: 10 February 2014
By Adam Davidson
The European Commission has published the EU's targets for greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy and energy efficiency for 2030, but the European Parliament wants stronger targets. Energy law expert Adam Davidson examines the proposals, latest developments and industry reaction.