npower installs solar power at Birmingham Airport

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:37:50 GMT

npower will help Birmingham Airport to save 22 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year with the installation of 200 solar panels on the roof of its terminal. The 1.6m x 1m panels will generate 40,000 kWh a year; sufficient to power 12 average sized houses.

The Airport has worked in partnership with npower to install the 50kpw solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to provide renewable green energy on-site as it reduces its dependency on mains power electricity.

This is the first renewable energy and zero carbon installation on the Airport site and is part of a wider project to improve its energy management and reduce its carbon footprint.

The solar PV panels capture the sun’s energy using photovoltaic cells, which then convert the sunlight into electricity and even on cloudy days can still produce some electricity, making it incredibly efficient. The system also generates no greenhouse gases, helping the Airport reduce its carbon footprint.

Paul Kehoe, the Airport’s CEO, said: "It's exciting for the Airport to present such a visible commitment to energy reduction. Managing our greenhouse gas emissions is a high priority for the company and we're always seeking new opportunities to work with partners to reduce our carbon footprint."

As a leading provider of solar PV in the UK for commercial properties, npower was selected to carry out the installation in partnership with Photon Energy. From initial meetings in October, npower was able to complete full site surveys, detailed designs, installation and commissioning in just over six weeks, ensuring the Airport could immediately benefit from the green energy. As a result, there has already been a reduction in energy consumption since the panels were installed in December.

Graham Ryott, Development Manager at npower, added: "Birmingham Airport is committed to a sustainable future so installing solar PV as a way of generating energy is fundamental to its on-going programme in reducing its environmental impact. As one of the busiest Airports in the country, Birmingham is understandably a large energy user but supplementing its energy use with on-site generation is a positive step for the site’s future and npower is delighted to be involved."

An added incentive of solar PV is the Government's Feed-in-Tariffs (FITs), which provide payment to the companies for every unit of electricity generated by solar PV panels.*

For more information about Birmingham Airport and its environmental programmes, please visit www.birminghamairport.co.uk.

- Ends -

Notes to Editors:
* The current levels of FITs are applicable for installations that are completed and registered by March 2012. A 21p rate will come into effect from April 2012 for solar PV installations which become eligible for FITs on or after 3 March. For further information please visit www.decc.gov.uk

Birmingham Airport is a public/private partnership. The current shareholders include the seven West Midlands district councils (49%), Airport Group Investments Ltd. (AGIL), a limited company owned by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (Teachers') and Australia’s Victorian Funds Management Corp. (VFMC)(48.25%) and the Employee Share Trust (2.75%).

Birmingham Airport is the UK's third largest airport outside London, and the UK’s seventh largest overall, handling some nine million passengers a year.

Birmingham currently serves 143 direct scheduled & charter routes and offers an additional 279 possible connections worldwide. This gives passengers a choice of 422 direct or one-stop flights.

Find out more about Birmingham Airport at www.birminghamairport.co.uk or on Twitter at bhx_official.

About npower
npower is one of the UK's largest electricity suppliers and has 6.6 million customer accounts across the UK.

npower has been awarded platinum status in Business in the Community's CR Index and is one of twenty-nine companies to have achieved the CommunityMark since its launch. All CommunityMark achievers have been recognised for demonstrating excellence in their holistic and strategic approach to community investment.

npower launches What's Your Goal? 2012 with Robbie Savage and Karren Brady

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:13:28 GMT

Npower has teamed up with Robbie Savage and West Ham Vice Chairman Karren Brady to lead a 'Dream Team' of eleven high profile football experts to launch What's Your Goal? 2012.

What's Your Goal? is a nationwide work experience scheme designed to inspire young people to explore the vast and varied careers found in the UK's national sport.

Working in partnership with The Football League Trust, npower is seeking to support young people's employment opportunities for the future, by showcasing the wide range of job opportunities available within football and demonstrating to the youngsters that they don't have to be the star player on the field to make their mark within the industry.

What's Your Goal 2012 will see npower work with all 72 clubs in The Football League to offer over 300 valuable work experience placements to school children in Years 10 - 11 in their local areas.

In addition to these exciting placements, npower is also offering the nation's young people the chance to win the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a day being mentored by the WYG 'Dream Team'. Children in Years 7 - 11 are invited to apply for the chance to gain first-hand experience of working life by spending time with high profile experts such as Karren Brady and Robbie Savage and trying out their coveted jobs for themselves.

Following the submission of a CV and video evidence demonstrating their enthusiasm, 11 young people will be chosen to take on roles such as being a pundit with Robbie Savage at the npower Championship Play Offs; helping Karren Brady make boardroom decisions at West Ham and putting a team of professional players through their paces working as first team coach with Paul Trollope at Birmingham City Football Club.

Footballing titans such as Sir John Majejski, owner of Reading FC, Malky McKay, manager of Cardiff City FC and Sasa Ihringova, The Football League's most senior female referee, have also come on board to support the initiative.

Making up the rest of the Dream Team is Liam Sweeting, match analyst at Blackpool FC; Paul Redman, TV producer for The Football League Show; Paul Trollope, first team coach at Birmingham City FC; John Sibley, match photographer; Claire Tomlinson, TV presenter for Sky Sports and Simon Boynton, website publisher at Digital Sports Group.

Karren Brady said: "npower's What's Your Goal 2012 is a fantastic way to show young people that you don't need to score goals to shoot to the top in the football industry. Whether you're passionate about business, photography, presenting or refereeing the nation's favourite sport, this scheme offers young people a great way to learn skills from the best in the business.

"I’ve never played professional football but I've managed to create a successful career by working hard and taking my chances when they arose. This industry is full of opportunities, as long as you work hard."

Robbie Savage added: "I've worked within the football industry for over 20 years and I've loved every minute of it. A lot of people look at football and don't see how much effort goes into each and every match but we're here to show young people just how many opportunities there are - and not all of them mean you have to be able to kick a ball."

To enter, students are asked to fill out a job application, downloadable at www.npower.com/whatsyourgoal.

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About npower
npower is one of the UK's largest electricity suppliers and has 6.6 million customer accounts across the UK.

npower employees and Leicester students to take trip to Arctic Circle

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:16:31 GMT

Four Leicester University students and four npower employees will be taking a trip of a lifetime to the Arctic Circle after winning npower's Future Leaders competition. The intrepid group will visit the land of the Midnight Sun to dog sled over 200 km from a base camp into the wilds of Europe's most northern country.

The team of undergraduates from The University of Leicester found out that they had won the competition at a ceremony at npower's Rainton House attended by RWE npower Chief Operating Officer, Kevin McCullough.

The npower competition, which launched in June 2011, involved teams of students from universities across the UK, who each had to run a green sustainability project around their University. All teams had to produce films of their campaign from start to finish and submit to npower's judging panel, who ultimately judged the best team as winners of this prestigious prize.

The Leicester team came up with a project called 'Planet on Standby' which engaged young people to challenge their use of energy and the effects we have on the environment. The campaign focused on a regional education program for three levels of education which was rolled out to local schools, colleges and Leicester University. The team also created beer mats to reach a much wider audience, promoting ideas on how to save energy, the planet on standby website and of course, npower.

David Gray, Team Leader for Planet on Standby commented: "We can't believe we're off to the Arctic in March! It's an absolute trip of a lifetime and one which we think will be a real challenge. We worked extremely hard on our campaign which has reached over 200,000 people and is still growing. We look forward to its further self-sustained success regionally and nationally."

Kevin McCullough of npower commented: "Congratulations to Planet on Standby, the Leicester University team, on winning the prestigious Future Leaders Challenge that has offered a platform for students to help them develop specific skills for their future. I am positive that their project will continue to develop and that they will have inspired others to consider how they too can make a difference.

"We developed the npower Future Leaders Challenge to find undergraduates with passion and drive and I believe we have unearthed that passion and also found real climate change champions in this competition."

Heading off to the Arctic with the Planet on Standby team will be the four npower employees who all created individual sustainability projects, ranging from a bus service created to cut business miles, save money and reduce npower's carbon footprint, through to a project that harvests rainwater to reduce the environmental impact on the surrounding area at npower's Pembroke power station.

About RWE npower:
RWE npower is an integrated energy business, generating electricity and supplying gas, electricity and related services to customers across the UK. It operates and manages flexible, low-cost coal, oil and gas-fired power stations - generating over 11 GW of electricity. It serves around 6.5 million customer accounts and produces more than 10% of the electricity used in England and Wales. It is also on twitter (@npowerhq), Facebook and Youtube.

npower inspires Swindon students to take an interest in science and engineering

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:43:50 GMT

RWE npower offices provided eight volunteers to join 200 of Lydiard Park Academy's Year 9 students at the Enthuse day. The programme is designed to inspire and engage students aged 12-14 years old in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a range of interactive activities designed to help them think about the impact science and engineering has on their daily lives.

The students were encouraged to think of ways to improve an existing electricity generation idea and product, or to design a completely new concept. They also took part in a series of hands-on activities, helping them to develop their engineering and science related skills and discussed the problem of how the country can meet and reduce the UK’s future demand for energy.

Enthuse, which is part of the npower’s Brighter Futures Programme, aims to inspire young people from their first day at school to their first day at work. This is achieved by helping them to develop their skills and knowledge to make their own choices and empowering them to achieve their vision of a 'brighter future' for themselves and for the environment.

Clare McDougall, head of community and education for RWE npower said: "I think Enthuse days are very important – it’s our opportunity to give young people an insight into the energy industry and highlight opportunities available. I hope we have inspired some of Lydiard Park's students to really consider this industry as a career option for the future."

Pupil Emma Edney said: "I really enjoyed all the activities and have learnt about which careers are involved with science and engineering. This day has really made me think about my future and different career opportunities."

Head teacher of Lydiard Park Academy Clive Zimmerman, added: "The variety of activities gave the students an excellent insight into the diversity and challenges which might face an engineer. It was wonderful to see how students of all abilities were engaged in the activities offered. The staff and students would like to thank the people from Enthuse and npower for their enthusiasm and hard work."

Since the start of the Enthuse programme in 2007, the educational experience has reached out to over 7,100 students across the UK.
To find out more about npower’s education programme and free resources for schools and community groups, visit http://www.npower.com/education.

ENDS

RWE npower is an integrated energy business, generating electricity and supplying gas, electricity and related services to customers across the UK. We operate and manage flexible, low-cost coal, oil and gas-fired power stations - generating over 11 GW of electricity. We serve around 6.5 million customer accounts and produce more than 10% of the electricity used in England and Wales. We are also on twitter - @npowerhq, Facebook and Youtube.

PR Contact:
Kelly Brown
npower
Bridgwater Road
Worcester
WR4 9FP
0845 070 2807
www.npower.com

npower Enthuse day at Fawley power station sparks interest in engineering

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:53:14 GMT

Students from Hardley School and Sixth Form in Holbury, Southampton sparked their interest in engineering taking part in an npower Enthuse day.

Five engineers from Fawley Power Station joined 115, Year 9 students at the Enthuse day. The programme is designed to inspire and engage students aged 12-14 years old in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a range of interactive activities designed to help them think about the impact science and engineering has on their daily lives.

Enthuse, which is part of the npower's Brighter Futures Programme, aims to inspire young people from their first day at school to their first day at work. This is achieved by helping them to develop their skills and knowledge to make their own choices and empowering them to achieve their vision of a 'brighter future' for themselves and for the environment.

Nick Stockdale, Fawley Power Station Manager said: "I think Enthuse days are very important - it's our opportunity to give young people an insight into the energy industry and highlight opportunities available. I hope we have inspired some of today's students to really consider this industry as a career option for the future."

Thomas Ward, a pupil at Hardley School and Sixth Form said: "I really enjoyed all the activities, especially making catapults. I learnt a lot about which careers are involved with science and engineering. This day has really made me think about my future and different career opportunities."

Head teacher Andy Dyer from Hardley School and Sixth Form added: "The variety of activities gave the students an excellent insight into the diversity and challenges which might face an engineer. It was wonderful to see how students of all abilities were engaged in the activities offered. The staff and students would like to thank the people from Enthuse and npower for their enthusiasm and hard work."

Since the start of the Enthuse programme in 2007, the educational experience has reached out to over 7,100 students across the UK.

To find out more about npower's education programme and free resources for schools and community groups, visit www.npower.com/education.

About RWE npower:
RWE npower is an integrated energy business, generating electricity and supplying gas, electricity and related services to customers across the UK. We operate and manage flexible, low-cost coal, oil and gas-fired power stations - generating over 11 GW of electricity. We serve around 6.5 million customer accounts and produce more than 10% of the electricity used in England and Wales. We are also on twitter - @npowerhq, Facebook and YouTube.

npower urges homeowners to prepare for cold temperatures

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:03:33 GMT

npower, the UK based energy supplier, has revealed that it received an 80 per cent increase in call outs to homes with broken boilers last year and as a result, is urging homeowners to properly prepare themselves in preparation for the cold winter months ahead.

With the Met Office predicting cold snaps, it looks as though winter could finally be on its way and if last year's temperatures are anything to go by, npower has predicted that some Brits could soon be experiencing problems with their heating systems in the run-up to the festive season.

Last year, npower, which services and repairs boilers, saw call outs to broken boilers increase by 80 per cent in December alone as a direct result of the fiercely cold weather. With the possibility of this year's temperatures plunging well into minus figures, they are urging homeowners to prepare themselves. .

Chris Thewlis, operations manager for npower, says: "Many homeowners don't give a second thought to their boiler until the cold weather kicks in. Having your boiler serviced beforehand could detect any small problem that might lead to a major disruption to your heating during a particularly chilly period. Dealing with a potential problem before it escalates could save you time and money."

The cold weather in Britain often has homeowners calling in to their energy supplier and asking for a gas boiler service or repair. Though people with newer boilers may have repair costs covered by their warranties, many homeowners with older boilers face steep repair bills when their boiler breaks down. As a result, npower has urged people to service their boilers before the cold weather hits to avoid potentially expensive repair costs.

Chris also urged homeowners to make sure they have the right amount of loft insulation, which can be a key tool in heating a home. Loft insulation can also be a significant energy saver, saving homeowners money on energy bills as well as helping to keep them warm.

The recommended amount of loft insulation is 270mm, but government figures released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change earlier this year suggested that more than half of homes in the UK aren’t insulated properly.

- Ends -

About npower:
npower is one of Britain's largest energy suppliers; supplying gas and electricity to 6.6 million customers across the UK.

RWE npower renewables receives green light for clean energy

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:23:48 GMT

RWE npower renewables, one of the leading UK wind energy companies, has been granted planning permission to build a twelve-turbine wind farm located between the villages of Bozeat, Harrold and Lavendon.

Nun Wood Wind Farm was the subject of a thorough and rigorous public inquiry, held before a Government appointed Planning Inspector. The public inquiry, which concluded in October 2011, was open to all local residents and businesses.

Matt Pinfield, Regional Manager for Eastern England at RWE npower renewables said: "We are delighted with the Planning Inspector's consent for Nun Wood Wind Farm. It is a superb location for a wind farm - well designed and appropriately sited and will generate enough energy to meet the annual average needs of thousands of homes each year. The Nun Wood Wind Farm will make a substantial contribution to clean energy supply and the reduction in emissions of greenhouse gasses."

In his written report the Planning Inspector stated: "The degree of harm in landscape and visual amenity is limited. In my judgement the harm is outweighed by the urgent need for renewable energy as promoted in national and regional policies and the wider environmental and economic benefits that it would bring over a 25 year period."

As well as Nun Wood Wind Farm generating enough electricity to meet the annual average needs of between approximately 13,700 and 15,6001 homes each year, the local community could receive a windfall of at least £540,000 over the lifetime of the wind farm.

This funding would provide a valuable long term source of income for the local community. It is flexible funding that can address what is really important to communities and has the potential to fund large and small projects as well as capital and revenue activities. The annual funding of £1,000 per megawatt (MW) per year would become available when the wind farm is operational and local people can be involved in deciding how it is distributed.

Matt Pinfield added: "We have consulted with the local community during the planning and development of this wind farm and as a responsible developer we will continue to work with the community throughout the next stages of the project as the wind farm is constructed. We will be providing detailed construction and traffic management plans to Milton Keynes Council, Bedford Borough Council and the Borough Council of Wellingborough which will also be available for public consultation."

Construction of the wind farm presents opportunities for local economic benefit and employment. Whilst current legislation and competitive tender process for each part of the works is followed, it is normal to expect that local suppliers and contractors with appropriate skills will be well placed to tender for contracts.

- ENDS -

About RWE npower renewables:
RWE npower renewables is the UK subsidiary of RWE Innogy and is one of the UK’s leading renewable energy developers and operators, committed to developing and operating wind farms and hydro plant to produce sustainable electricity. The company operates 19 hydroelectric power projects and 26 wind farms in the UK, including the country’s first major offshore wind farm, North Hoyle. Through our existing projects and those in development, we are working in close partnership with communities and companies throughout the UK. As Government policy focuses on achieving its EU commitment for 15% of UK energy to come from renewable sources by 2020, renewable electricity generation will need to increase to 30% of total output. We will be at the forefront of realising this aim.

RWE npower renewables is a sister company to RWE npower, a leading integrated UK energy company with around 6.8 million customer accounts.

npower launches insulation scheme to get homes warm this winter

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:18:52 GMT

npower, a leading energy supplier, has launched a scheme to help homeowners warm up their home and reduce energy wastage. Savvy DIY experts will be able to buy loft insulation for just £1 a roll from npower's partner Build Center, meaning the average three bedroom semi-detached home can be insulated for just £19.

The scheme, open to everyone regardless of whether they are an npower energy customer or not, also offers free delivery to help ease the process. Furthermore, npower has also developed a video to help novices complete the DIY loft insulation job step by step.

The scheme forms part of npower's Government obligations to help homeowners cut the amount of energy that is wasted in the UK each year. The Energy Saving Trust anticipates that homes could save as much as £175 a year on their heating bills and around 720 kilograms of carbon dioxide a year, just by installing the recommended 270mm depth of loft insulation.

Bob Jackson, energy efficiency and policy manager for the energy supplier, commented on the scheme: "As an energy company, npower takes its commitment to the environment and to consumers extremely seriously. Rising wholesale fuel costs mean that many people find themselves struggling to pay their utility bills. The £1 a roll offer will help more people to make massive reductions, and savings in their bills and benefits from a warmer home during the long, cold winter months.

"We also know that not everyone is able to install their own loft insulation. That's why we also offer professional loft insulation meaning that everyone can benefit from the heat savings."

For more information and to buy insulation at £1 a roll while stocks last, customers can visit www.npower.com/diyinsulation call 0845 270 8250 or visit their local Build Centre.

About npower:
npower is one of Britain's largest energy suppliers; a gas and electricity supplier to 6.6 million customers across the UK.

npower releases latest energy market update

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:54:25 GMT

npower has launched its latest energy market update, as part of its ongoing drive to help businesses and energy professionals to better understand the UK power market so that they can more effectively manage their price and volume risks.

Delivered from npower's award winning Optimisation Desk by expert Magali Hodgson, npower's fortnightly energy market update report details how even though the microeconomic outlook in the Eurozone remains uncertain leaving Brent volatile, the forecast of above average temperatures and high UK storage levels are giving a healthy outlook to the prompt market.

Magali Hodgson commented: "Forecast of above average temperature for the next couple of weeks and the UK's gas and power system coping comfortably with the start of the winter, have removed some of the risk premium from the balance of the winter prices, giving a bearish sentiment to the prompt for the moment. It is also interesting to note that summer 2012 and Winter 2013 are now back to levels seen before the Japanese disaster indicating that there is maybe some upside to come as buyers come into the market.

"The question is when will the predicted cold temperature come, and will it be as cold as last winter's?"

The npower energy market updates are filmed on a fortnightly basis by independent news agency, Energy Live News. They are delivered from npower's Optimisation Desk, which is a unique service that provides businesses using flexible purchase energy contracts with access to information on the UK wholesale energy market and up to date advice on an individual basis.

More information and the updates can be found at www.npower.com/Large-Business/Energy-news/Market-update/index.htm. Those who would like to suggest a market update topic of interest or to discuss its content can contact Magali Hodgson at npower by emailing business@npower.com.

- ENDS -

About npower:
npower is one of the top energy suppliers to the UK business market, serving over 238,000 small to medium sized enterprise sites and around 17,000 industrial and commercial customers, with over 100,000 sites.

npower Industrial and Commercial Markets is an award-winning business energy supplier. In 2010 it was named 'The Consumer Supplier of the Year' at The Energy Event and was also awarded 'Energy Supplier of the Year' at the inaugural Energy 'Buying & Supplying Excellence' Awards. Both awards were voted for by business customers.

npower is dedicated to helping UK businesses use energy more efficiently and therefore spend less money on their bills. We aim to have a positive impact on the communities we serve and reduce our customers’ carbon footprint whilst always improving our service to our customers.

npower specialises in risk management solutions, including market-leading flexible energy purchasing, energy efficiency, and broader energy management functions, tailored to every size of business.

npower helps companies monitor and manage energy consumption to bring commercial and environmental benefits. To achieve this, npower has developed a monitoring and targeting (M&T) tool - encompass. A web-based system, 'encompass' gives businesses accurate and timely information on their energy consumption, providing them with data they need to implement cost and CO2 reduction policies. The system automatically collects data from half-hourly and smart meters, providing a detailed report on a business' energy consumption behaviour, and the related cost and environmental impacts of this. With this data, benchmarks can be set and consumption tracked, alongside mapping of carbon use and cost.

For major energy users, npower offers multi-utility management consultancy to help organisations to improve efficiencies right across the procurement/consumption chain.

Npower contracted to work on new Oxford Brookes student accommodation

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:28:17 GMT

Leading energy supplier, npower, has been appointed to complete the mechanical and electrical installations for two new accommodation blocks at Oxford Brookes University.

Consisting of 318 bedrooms, the new residences will be home to some of the 18,000 students currently enrolled at Oxford Brookes, which is one of the highest-rated modern universities in the UK. The new accommodation is part of wider redevelopment project to provide high-quality living and learning facilities to students.

The new residences will contain modern building systems for safety and security, as well as technology to aid energy efficiency and maintain optimum living conditions. Using specifications from Oxford Brookes’ M&E consultants, Couch Perry & Wilkes, npower has been tasked with designing, building and installing all the mechanical and electrical systems, including heating, lighting, power, water, data, plumbing, sanitary, fire and security systems and access control.

Work began on site in August, with 18 members of the npower team delivering the work. The project is scheduled for completion in March 2012.

As a new building, maximising energy efficiency and keeping energy costs down will be key to the project and so npower will begin by installing a CHP plant within the Energy Centre in the building. This on-site self generation technology will help to meet industry-wide green credentials while also reducing energy usage by providing usable heat as a by-product of electricity generation.

Other innovative energy-saving technology to be implemented includes passive infrared (PIR) radiators, which are motion-activated and so can be automatically switched on and off when a room is occupied or vacated. The accommodation blocks will also be home to a 'green roof' made of grass and small plants. These roofs can provide both thermal and sound insulation, and also have an extended lifespan compared to traditional roofs due to the vegetation absorbing water and protecting the waterproofing membranes below.

David Molde, senior contracts manager at npower, commented: "After completing a successful refurbishment project at Aston University in 2010, npower has the necessary expertise and experience to deliver the mechanical and electrical installations for the project here at Oxford Brookes. Fundamental to the development is improved access, security, safety, and facilities for the students so working with the University and its consultants allows us to work with the end users' needs front of mind."

The 318 bedrooms across the two accommodation blocks are en-suite, with students able to choose between studio apartments or cluster flats with communal kitchens. The new accommodation blocks will be home to students from July 2012.

For more information, please visit www.npower.com/corporate.

About npower:
npower is one of Britain's largest energy suppliers; a gas and electricity supplier to 6.6 million customers across the UK.

Confused.com research reveals how households reduce energy usage in their homes

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:16:51 GMT

New findings from Confused.com* show that 45% of UK households are avoiding switching the lights on in their homes, in a desperate attempt to reduce energy usage and keep bills down.Surprisingly 3% of people eat by candle light which is great for the romantics in us, but not ideal on a daily basis.

The research also shows that 14% of people are sharing bathwater with their family, as householders turn to more extreme ways to keep the cost of their energy down.

Household bills have risen dramatically over the last few months** and 72% of UK householders are trying to save as much energy as possible. Following a summer of price rises, bad press and damning findings from Ofgem showing that energy suppliers are making a massive profit of £125*** for each average customer, people are now being forced to ration their energy usage.

In the Energy Summit, the Prime Minister, consumer groups, energy suppliers and industry regulator Ofgem for the first time agreed that consumers need more help to get the cost of their gas and electricity bills down and urged consumers to shop around.

As many UK residents face another cold winter with many struggling to pay their bills, 52% of people admit that they wear more clothes in winter to avoid putting the heating on. Worryingly, 70% of the 55+ age range group admit they already do this, and this is before the latest price hikes have taken affect.

Lisa Greenfield, Confused.com energy analyst, said: "It's worrying that energy prices keep rising, leaving many UK residents struggling to pay their bills.However it’s encouraging to see people adapting to this by consciously thinking about energy saving ways. Over 75% of people think about saving energy and the 55+ age group appear to be the most energy conscious.”

"We worry that people are taking extreme measures and are suffering in a bid to save energy, just by making simple changes like only using the dish washer when its full, turning your washing machine down to 30 degrees and not putting warm items in your fridge/freezer as it has to work harder to cool it down can save you money on an annual basis. However shopping around on a price comparison site and switching your tariff or supplier could save on average £248."****

To get one-to-one advice from the Energy Saving Trust on how to cut your energy bills, those interested can join the Confused.com live webcast on 27th Thursday, at 12.30pm. They can also get their energy questions answered on the Confused.com site as well as view the energy price infographic.

Ends

Notes to Editors:
*The poll of 2,000 people in the UK was carried out by Onepoll, on behalf of Confused.com, in October 2011 and all figures have been rounded to the nearest 1%
**http://www.confused.com/news-views/infographics/energy-price-infographic
***http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Media/PressRel/Documents1/RMR%20Oct.pdf
****Savings achieved by switching from an average standard tariff paying on receipt of the bill, to the best available tariff, First Utility's iSave 8 for an average customer

About Confused.com:
Confused.com is one of the UK's biggest and most popular price comparison services. Launched in 2002, it generates over one million quotes per month. It has expanded its range of comparison products over the last couple of years to include home insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance, van insurance, motorbike insurance, breakdown cover and energy, as well as financial services products including credit cards, loans, mortgages and life insurance.

Confused.com is owned by the Admiral Group plc. Admiral listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2004. Confused.com is regulated by the FSA.

npower urges public to act quickly for solar savings

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:38:22 GMT

The 24th - 28th October sees the return of Energy Saving Week, and this year's focus is on the different technologies and techniques that Brits can employ to help reduce their energy bills.

With each day of the week playing host to a different theme, Tuesday 26th October will be dedicated to Microgeneration, or renewable energy technologies; a topic that npower, the UK's leading utility provider of solar technology, knows a lot about.

With speculation rife that the Feed-in-Tariffs (FITS) associated with solar power may be reduced as of April 2012, npower is urging any homeowners thinking about going green to act quickly in order to take advantage of the best possible rates.

Environmentally friendly and cost efficient solar PV (photovoltaic) panels are available from £7,350. What's more, customers who sign up for the system are eligible to reap the rewards of FITs, which essentially pay homeowners for the energy they produce.

Launched in the UK on 1 April 2010, FITs offer homeowners who have had solar PV panels installed, using products and installers accredited under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), 25 years payment for all the clean electricity they produce. This is regardless of whether they use it or export it back to the grid.

Homeowners are paid 43.3p for every unit of electricity they generate, but can also be paid 3.1p for any electricity they don’t use if they choose to sell it back to the grid. Combine this with the savings made on electricity bills, and the average annual FITs income, and savings could be around £1,100 a year for an average 2.7kWp system.*

Helen Booker, solar expert for npower, commented: "Solar PV uses energy from the sun to create electricity to run appliances and lighting in the home. This form of solar technology requires only daylight to operate, so it will still work even on a typically cloudy day in the UK.

"This increasingly popular option uses renewable energy, resulting in zero carbon emissions or other greenhouse gases. Solar PV users could find themselves dramatically reducing their carbon footprint and saving up to almost 22 tonnes of carbon dioxide over a 30 year period.

"If the government goes ahead with the reduction of the FITs rates as planned, it would mean that those taking up the scheme in April 2012 will not receive as much money for their energy as those who signed up prior to the changes, so it really is important to start thinking about installing solar technology sooner rather than later.

"To mark Energy Saving Week, we are encouraging the nation to think about the amount of energy that they use, and urge them to consider greener alternatives such as solar PV."

npower has a dedicated team working with homeowners to plan, fund and install solar panels and then buy back the energy they generate.

Solar PV can be installed on any home with a roof, wall or free ground area that faces within 90 degrees south, providing that it is not overshadowed by trees or surrounding buildings as shade will decrease how effective the panels are and therefore the energy generated.

Ends

Notes to Editors:
*Overall income and savings around £1,100: Source: Energy Saving Trust

About npower:
npower is one of Britain's largest energy suppliers; a gas and electricity supplier to 6.6 million customers across the UK.

Charles Hendry joins Swindon school for npower Climate Cops fun

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:28:58 GMT

Charles Hendry, Minister for Energy at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Volker Beckers CEO RWE npower and Peter Terium RWE Group CEO joined pupils in Swindon for a Climate Cops Academy.

A group of 60 year 5 and 6 students from Tregoze Primary School years took part in npower's environmental educational programme Climate Cops.

The Minister joined the students who were shown some simple ways to save energy in an exciting and engaging way. The interactive day included generating electricity with body movement, working with miniature examples of renewable energy sources and using thermal imaging cameras to see the effects of insulation.

Watching and participating in the activities, Charles Hendry commented: "This is a fantastic initiative, which will help young people learn more about where we get our energy from and what that means for the planet.

"I have been impressed by the enthusiasm of the children here today. I am sure that they will take what they have learned away with them and make a big difference to their school and homes."

Volker Beckers, CEO of RWE npower said: "We are proud of our Climate Cops programme and believe it's essential to get young people involved and inspired about energy efficiency. Energy is the lifeblood of our society, and a greater understanding of this brings with it respect for generations to come."

Over 5,000 children have already taken part in Climate Cops Academies in 2011 and the programme has reached 43,000 students since it began in November 2007.

The Climate Cops programme visits schools across the UK in a bid to help them become greener. Working with local councils, npower provides schools with free energy audits and recommendations to help them to reduce their carbon footprint.

About npower:
npower is one of Britain's largest energy suppliers; a gas and electricity supplier to 6.6 million customers across the UK.

npower business energy customers say energy red tape must be scrapped or simplified

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:18:28 GMT

npower has found that businesses are concerned that current UK energy regulations will not raise the investment needed to ensure the country's low carbon future, and are calling on the government to either simplify or scrap some existing legislation to ensure targets can be met.

These are the findings of a consultation by npower among business energy users, which found that one in three (32%) do not believe that legislation such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC), Climate Change Levy (CCL) and Climate Change Agreements (CCAs), the Renewables Obligation and Feed In Tariffs will help ensure the £200bn investment needed for the UK’s energy infrastructure is achieved.

The results of npower's consultation, which is still ongoing, will be fed back to government as part of its Red Tape Challenge initiative. The government consultation on the energy sector formally opens on the 25th of November.

Against a backdrop of political debate on how to best regulate the energy industry, npower asked businesses which energy legislation they would keep, which they would like to see simplified, and those they would like to see scrapped completely.

The CRC, perhaps unsurprisingly, received most attention, with over two thirds of businesses (69%) wanting to see the scheme simplified and more than half of business (57%) believing it should be scrapped. Over a third (38%) would like to see it merged with existing regulation.

There was also a call to scrap the Renewables Obligation among some businesses (41%), with nearly half (47%) calling for it to be simplified. Opinion was split on CCL and CCAs, with 29% wanting to see them scrapped, and 32% believing they should stay.

Wayne Mitchell, interim industrial and commercial markets director at npower, commented: "Energy policy ultimately drives British business. But, as the Government recognises through its Red Tape Challenge initiative, there is a mammoth amount of legislative cost burden on British businesses. Groups such as the CBI have been very vocal about how this legislation is not only stifling domestic growth, but also making the UK less competitive on an international scale.

"At the moment the energy market is neither fully regulated, nor fully liberalised and that this ‘in-between’ situation is leaving businesses and investors in a 'limbo' unable to make an informed decision. That is why we again urge the business community to make sure their voices are heard. This is a unique opportunity on an unprecedented scale to have a say on energy legislation - and our own consultation reveals a mixed bag of views so far.

"We are committed to ensuring the voice of business is heard, and there is still time to have your say at www.npower.com/redtape."

npower Industrial and Commercial Markets is an award-winning business electricity supplier. In 2010 it was named 'The Consumer Supplier of the Year' at The Energy Event and was also awarded 'Energy Supplier of the Year' at the inaugural Energy 'Buying & Supplying Excellence' Awards.

npower helps companies monitor and manage energy consumption to bring commercial and environmental benefits. To achieve this, npower has developed a web-based monitoring and targeting (M&T) tool - 'encompass', which gives businesses accurate information on their energy consumption. The system collects data from half-hourly and smart meters, providing a detailed report on a business's energy consumption behaviour, and the related cost and environmental impacts of it.

Npower competition winner and friends train with England stars Alastair Cook and Matt Prior

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:41:16 GMT

npower has announced the winner of its cricket competition that was launched this summer during the Test Series. The contest offered cricket fans the chance to train with members of the English national team.

Robin Little, from Chesterton in Cambridge, was chosen at random from thousands of entries across this summer's npower Test Series against Sri Lanka and India. Robin visited Lord's cricket ground in London to train with England cricket stars Alastair Cook and Matt Prior, with former England spinner John Emburey leading the session. Robin headed to the capital with his group of friends who are all local to the Chesterton area. The training session was followed by a lunch, Q&A session and a chance to get some personal photographs and autographs of the day. Adding to that, npower also threw in a free tour of Lord's and hawk-eye analysis of the session.

The group of mates enjoyed a night's accommodation in a central London hotel and £500 spending money for a night on the town.

Robin said: "I am absolutely delighted to win this npower competition. I’m a huge cricket fan and it will be amazing to train with England's best at such an iconic location. To get personal training with 16 of my friends is an amazing opportunity, I never realised prizes like this existed."

Alastair Cook said: "Robin and his friends were a great group to train with and have a clear love for the game. They were a pleasure to spend time with and hopefully they learnt a few tricks of the trade at the home of cricket."

ENDS

About npower:
npower is one of Britain's largest energy suppliers; a gas and electricity supplier to 6.6 million customers across the UK.

Npower wins Best in Sector for its call centres in the North East and around the UK

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:32:40 GMT

Npower has announced success for its North East contact centre workers when the energy company's call centre was named one of the top 50 in the UK.

Awarded top spot in the prestigious 'best in sector' class for utilities and the silver medal position in the 'large contact centre' category, overall npower was awarded 21st spot in the league of 50.

Julie Jaglowski, customer services director at npower, said: "This is a really proud moment for everyone who works in our contact centres. It's external recognition of what we already know: that we are dedicated and passionate about helping our customers and making sure that they experience a first class service.

"It's testament to the hard work that everyone puts in. This year we've worked really hard on continuing to improve our service and keeping our focus as we strive for a five-star service. This reward shows that it's paying off.

"Everyone in our team should feel very proud of this award. Whether it's battling through harsh winters or re-training on our new Atlas systems - our teams have remained committed to serving our customers with outstanding commitment. Well done to everyone - it's a great achievement".

The award culminated in three months of mystery shopping carried out by independent researchers, measuring npower against a range of criteria including: knowledge; personalisation; professionalism and timeliness.

The calls reflected all types of enquires at various times of the day - including customer account queries and those wanting to know more about the products and services.

Collecting the award on behalf of npower, Chris Rainsforth, quality manager said: "I was really honoured to collect the award on behalf of everyone who has worked so hard over the last 12 months.

“I shall be bringing the award back very carefully this afternoon - and promise not to leave it on the train."

Kevin McCullough, npower’s chief operating officer, added: "This is superb news - and well deserved. As part of my Undercover Boss filming just a few weeks' ago, I experienced first-hand just how challenging working in a contact centre can be, so I am full of admiration for the great work that the teams have achieved.

"Customer Service remains a priority and this award has given us the recognition of the great customer experience we're striving to achieve. Well done to everyone involved".

About npower:
npower is one of Britain's largest energy suppliers and supplies gas, electricity and related services to 6.6 million customers across the UK.

Npower to offer free carbon monoxide alarms to mark Gas Safety week

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:28:18 GMT

npower is offering a free carbon monoxide alarm worth £25 to anyone who purchase hometeam 50 boiler and central heating care to mark Gas Safety week (12-18 September).

Emily Stagg from npower hometeam 50, commented: "As people begin to use their central heating systems this autumn, the chance of a carbon monoxide leak increases significantly.

"Checking appliances regularly for damage and having your boiler professionally serviced by a Gas Safe Engineer just once a year could also significantly reduce the risk of leaks by detecting problems early. September is the ideal time to do this, as you usually aren’t yet relying on your heating daily. It's also a good time to consider boiler care, so you're covered should anything go wrong during the winter.

"That’s why we're offering double the peace of mind with our carbon monoxide alarms for everyone that signs up to hometeam 50 during this week."

Carbon monoxide alarms from npower hometeam come pre-fitted with batteries so no installation or mains power is required. The kite-marked alarms, which are fully approved by all European standards, come with a six year guarantee and an automatic sensor adjustment with a continuous self-test function to ensure complete accuracy. The CO alarm should be positioned in the same room as the gas appliance or boiler and replaced after six years.

npower hometeam 50 is available for boiler and central heating care and offers customers 50 per cent of their annual fee back if they haven’t called out npower's hometeam during their 12 month contract. The cost of hometeam 50 also includes a gas safety inspection and annual boiler service usually worth £75.57. 24 hour emergency helpline and 12 month guarantee for repairs.

-Ends-

Notes to editors:
Npower's Carbon monoxide offer:
- Sign up by 23:59 18th September 2011
- One per household
- Allow 10 weeks for delivery from sign up
- Not available with any other offer
- Customers must sign up to HT50 using the link on this web page in order to be eligible for the CO alarm
- Subject to availability
- Only available when HT50 is purchased online

About npower hometeam:
npower hometeam offers central heating care and boiler care, installing, servicing and repairing boilers as well as offering a wide variety of heating cover options.

hometeam provides SEDBUK A rated, energy efficient boilers; free warranty of up to five years on all Vaillant and Worcester Bosch boilers and a 10 year warranty on radiators

npower hometeam offers a thorough, 30 point gas boiler service and safety check. It also offers services for gas fires, gas water heaters and gas wall heaters as well as boiler repair

npower offers a range of boiler and central heating care products, all including a comprehensive 30 point annual service.

About npower:
npower is one of Britain's largest energy suppliers and supplies gas, electricity and related services to 6.6 million customers across the UK.

Npower employee attempts to reclaim the Recumbent Cup

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 09:59:29 GMT

Rob Webb did not take losing the Recumbent Cup, a couple of years ago, lying down. He got back on his bike, determined to reclaim it following completion of his latest ride, the world's longest and oldest long-distance cycle race, the Paris - Brest - Paris.

The intranet manager at npower's offices in Worcester, Rob (48) started his training back in January, with the intention of reclaiming his old record. The Recumbent Cup is awarded by Audax UK (AUK) to the rider of a recumbent bike who gains the most points during a season.

Long-distance rides are called Audax rides, from the Latin word for 'audacious'. Audax UK organises and validates rides and is affiliated to the governing body, the ACP (Audax Club Parisienne) in France. The shortest Audax ride is 200km (125 miles) for which two points are awarded (one point per 100km/62 miles cycled). Standard ride distances are 200km, 300km (185 miles), 400km (250 miles) and 600km (360 miles).

The Paris - Brest - Paris challenge, which pre-dates the Tour de France, involved more than 5,000 cyclists and covered 1,200km. Rob added another 1,000 km riding from Worcester to Paris and back. Riders have to complete the race within 90 hours. Rob took part in the PBP in 1999, completing it in 85 hours and again in 2003, when he knocked ten hours off his time.

However, it was well worth the pain and effort, as he explained: "The ride itself was very hard - even by PBP standards; weather conditions went from blazingly hot (you should see my suntan), to epic thunderstorms of biblical proportions, and really dense fog climbing the Roc Trévézal, the highest point in Brittany.

"The support of the local people was amazing. Thousands of people along the route cheered the riders on all day and all night, with many offering free food and drink and the essential top-ups for empty water bottles. On all long-distance and ultra-distance rides there are times when you are at a physical or mental low point and a cheery "bon courage" shouted as you pass a family, at the side of the road, in the middle of the night really helps lift the spirits."

Rob's vehicle of choice is a Bacchetta Giro 20, which he has spent both time and money modifying and upgrading, so that both he and the bike were prepared for this year's challenge.

He has now reached 94 points (5828 miles), beating the current Recumbent Cup holder by twelve points. When Rob last held the title he had 72 points, meaning he will have added a further 1,364 miles to his cycling total this season. But the title is not yet in the bag; Rob will have to wait until the end of the season to see whether he has beaten his rivals to the title.

- Ends -

About npower:
npower is one of Britain's largest energy suppliers and supplies gas, electricity and related services to 6.6 million customers across the UK.

npower has been awarded platinum status in Business in the Community’s CR Index and is one of twenty-nine companies to have achieved the CommunityMark since its launch. All CommunityMark achievers have been recognised for demonstrating excellence in their holistic and strategic approach to community investment.

MP visits local pensioner helped by npower warmth scheme

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:30:12 GMT

Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central, has visited a local pensioner to see first-hand the difference made by npower's Health Through Warmth scheme.

Seventy-eight-year-old Don Grant and his wife Anne were left without heating when their boiler broke down recently. Don has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Anne, his wife, has limited mobility due to a recent operation on her spine. When their 20+ year-old boiler started to leak they were left without heating and found the cold made their health conditions much worse.

Unsure where to turn to for help, Don spoke to a local Warm Zone benefit advisor, who referred the couple to npower Heath Through Warmth in Newcastle. The scheme aims to help residents whose health is made worse by cold and damp living conditions, and they don’t have adequate heating and insulation in their homes.

Realising the urgency of the couple's circumstances, the local Health Through Warmth co-ordinator immediately arranged for a new boiler installation. Don had served in the armed forces, so SSAFA Forces Help was able to contribute towards the cost of the work and the remaining balance was paid by the unique npower Health through Warmth Crisis Fund.

Chi Onwurah MP was joined by Elaine Midwinter, npower Health Through Warmth scheme manager; Julie Jaglowski, customer services director, for npower; Jill Delf, operations manager at Newcastle Warm Zone cic and Bronwen Banner, benefits advisor at Newcastle Warm Zone cic.

Chi Onwurah MP commented: "npower Health through Warmth is a fantastic scheme that demonstrates how successful partnership working can be in helping local residents here in Newcastle. Since the scheme launched it has done an invaluable job supporting vulnerable members of our community and I’d urge anyone who has a cold or damp related illness to get in touch with the local Health Through Warmth co-ordinator to see if they are eligible for help."

Don explained: "We couldn’t be more thankful for how npower Health through Warmth has helped us. The work was done very quickly and efficiently, meaning we were soon warm and comfortable in our home once again."

Newcastle is one of 15 areas across England and Wales in which npower's Health through Warmth scheme operates. Managed locally by Newcastle Warm Zone cic in partnership with Newcastle City Council and Newcastle and North Tyneside Community Health, more than 18,400 residents have been referred to the scheme since it began in 2003. The scheme also launched in North Tyneside in October 2010, and has received over 3,700 referrals to date.

Each npower Health through Warmth referral is assessed on an individual basis and funding can be accessed from a variety of sources, including the unique npower Health through Warmth Crisis Fund, government grants and charitable funds.

Elaine Midwinter, npower Health through Warmth scheme manager, added: "Like Mr and Mrs Grant, there are many residents in Newcastle whose health is made worse by cold and damp living conditions.

"npower's Health Through Warmth scheme operates all year round, so even though the summer months are here, we would encourage people to get in touch to find out if they could be eligible to receive help from the scheme."

- ENDS -

About npower:
npower is one of the UK's largest electricity suppliers and has 6.6 million customer accounts across the UK.

npower is one of the top also supplies business gas to the UK business market, serving over 238,000 small to medium sized enterprise sites and around 17,000 industrial and commercial customers

npower's No Power Hour Roadshow kicked off by Kevin Keegan

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:27:46 GMT

npower's nationwide tour of its No Power Hour road show was kicked off at Sunderland's Seaburn Recreation Park. The family football fun day was hosted by former England manager and North East legend, Kevin Keegan.

npower has joined forces with Keegan to blow the whistle on plugged-in power, and score a giant goal throughout Sunderland, by asking the city's families to come together and spend just one hour doing something fun that doesn’t involve electricity.

Kevin Keegan was at the event to host an exclusive family workshop demonstrating the many ways families can switch off, get active, and spend some quality time together outside, whilst saving energy at the same time.

Kevin Keegan, ambassador for npower's No Power Hour, said: "When I was young I spent most of my time outside practising the skills that have helped me to get where I am today. For me, it helped me develop both my football and athletic ability, as well as my people skills. I appreciate that it was a different era but spending more time outside being active seems to me something that would benefit everyone as well as reduce the carbon footprint.

"npower's No Power Hour is a great way to encourage both the parents and children of Sunderland to pledge to spend an hour without power. I look forward to being a part of some of the games that npower will put on for everyone to enjoy. The games can be played in the smallest or largest of spaces. Above all else it is about having fun as a family outside."

Children and their parents joined in Kevin's master class where he showed families some exciting footy skills that they can practice together in back gardens, on playing fields, at the beach, the sports centre, the park and even in the living room - if mum will allow - using no power whatsoever.

npower teams were also on hand to put the kids through their paces throughout the day in specially designed football work-outs while one lucky parent had the opportunity to earn eternal bragging rights amongst their family and friends by taking on Keegan in a game of table football.

Clare McDougall, npower’s Head of Education and Community, said: "Football is one of our nation's most popular sports and is a fantastic tool for bringing families together, so what better way to encourage kids (and their parents!) to unplug their games consoles and get outdoors for some power-free fun than the npower No Power Hour football road show.

"The message we want to get across is simple. Switch off for just an hour each day and you'll have fun and do your bit for the planet at the same time. Planet one, climate change zero."

To find out how to get involved and for a chance to win the ultimate No Power Hour with Kevin Keegan, interested parties can enter npower’s competition online. Entrants simply have to take a photo to show how they spent their very own Hour without Power, and send it to npower via the online form. Full terms and conditions can be found at www.npower.com/nph/index.htm.

- ENDS -

About npower:
npower is a top energy supplier to the UK and has 6.6 million home energy customer accounts across the UK.

npower is one of the top business electricity suppliers to the UK business market, serving over 238,000 small to medium sized enterprise sites and around 17,000 industrial and commercial customers

npower specialises in risk management solutions, including market-leading flexible energy purchasing, energy efficiency, and broader energy management functions, tailored to every size of business.

npower sponsors The Football League.

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