Centrica boss attacks ‘contradictory’ UK power policy

Sam Laidlaw, the chief executive of Centrica, has urged the government to reconsider its support for offshore wind and other costly low-carbon technologies because it will raise the cost for energy consumers at a time of lower wholesale power prices.

Big Six energy companies asked by Ofgem to reveal costs and profits

Ofgem, the energy watchdog, is launching a renewed transparency drive over the finances of the big six energy suppliers amid further concerns of profiteering.

Big six energy firms may lose quarter of customers by 2020, analysts warn

The big six energy suppliers are facing the loss of a quarter of their customers over the next six years, knocking £500m a year off their collective profits, City financial analysts have said.

Two nuclear power stations could be out of action until December, says EDF

Two nuclear stations that play a vital role helping to keep Britain's already fragile electricity system intact could be out of action till the end of the year, EDF Energy said on Thursday.

Drax follows Centrica in issuing profit warning

Drax, the operator of Britain's biggest power station, has become the second energy company in as many days to issue a profit warning on the back of falling wholesale prices.

Threats to energy companies risk 'the lights going out', warns Centrica chief

Centrica, the owner of British Gas, has warned that the intense political debate over gas and electricity prices has put Britain at risk of blackouts as soon as next year.

Centrica signs £4.4bn gas import deal with Qatar

Centrica (LSE: CNA.L - news) signs £4.4bn, four-and-a-half year deal to import liquefied natural gas to the UK from Qatar.

Centrica threatening to pull plug on £2bn offshore wind farm plan

British Gas owner Centrica prepares to abandon £2bn offshore wind farm plan because subsidies offered by the government are too low.

Energy firms expected to increase prices by 8%

Record average fuel bills of £1,500 a year were predicted for 2014 on Friday as British Gas and other big six power companies prepared to announced big price increases of around 8%.

UK shale gas resources 'greater than thought'

UK shale gas resources may be far greater than previously thought, a report for the government says. The British Geological Survey estimates there may be 1,300 trillion cubic feet of shale gas present in the north of England - double previous estimates.

British Gas owner Centrica in talks to buy shale fracking stake

The British Gas owner Centrica is in talks with Britain's leading fracking company about buying a stake in its most promising acreage just months after playing down the prospects for shale gas.

Energy suppliers held back gas during UK shortage

Some of Britain's biggest energy suppliers were holding back gas in storage tanks at a time when the market ran into an acute shortage two months ago, triggering a doubling of wholesale prices.

EDF ‘in big trouble’ says French nuclear expert

Financial problems facing EDF could force the French energy giant to pull out of the £14bn project to build the first of a new generation of nuclear power plants in Britain, a French expert has warned.

Fracking to the rescue as US oil production hits 20-year high

Ministers have no 'plan B’ if new nuclear plants are not built and are “crossing their fingers” that private companies deliver on time and on budget, a committee of MPs warned on Monday.

Nuclear power: ministers offer reactor deal until 2050

The government is launching a last-ditch attempt to sign up energy companies to build new nuclear power stations by proposing to sign contracts guaranteeing subsidies for up to 40 years.

UK is haring off down the wrong path on new nuclear power plants

Sir Bernard is an avid supporter of new nuclear build, so the answer he invites – no – is all the more significant.

Centrica defends 23pc leap in British Gas energy profits

Centrica defended a 23pc surge in profits at its British Gas household division, insisting the jump was due to the comparison with a “weak” 2011.

Centrica criticises policy as seabirds block Docking Shoal wind farm

Centrica has criticised conflicting Government policies after ministers blocked plans for a wind farm to power 400,000 homes because of concerns about seabirds.

Centrica shareholders revolt against executive pay

Centrica has become the latest company to feel the force of the “shareholder spring” as more than 16pc of its investors failed to back its executive pay - on the same day it warned household bills were set to rise even further.

Centrica profits rise by 24 per cent.

The energy giant Centrica sees its profits rise by 24 per cent to £742million on the back of the coldest British winter in 100 years.

The company - which owns British Gas - raised prices by seven per cent for eight million customers just two months ago, taking the average dual fuel bill from £1,157 to £1,239.