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Opus Energy Signs Virgin Media As Impressive Growth Continues

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Independent energy supplier to UK businesses, Opus Energy, has today announced the signature of its 100,000th business site, Virgin Media. The business joins a portfolio of market-leading brands which includes Paperchase, Allied Irish Bank (GB), University of Cambridge, Halfords and KPMG, amongst others.

Opus’ success comes at a time when the energy regulator, Ofgem, is looking for ways to decrease the dominance of the ‘Big Six’ energy providers and demonstrates that independent suppliers can thrive. The company’s Corporate division, experienced 28% growth from this time last year and continues to expand rapidly.

The stellar performance is due to Opus’ market-leading solution for larger corporates, Opus Evolution, which has seen a 122% increase in customers. Opus’ corporate customers are making the switch away from traditional fixed price contracts, displaying a growing appetite for flexible purchasing solutions which enable them to take advantage of fluctuating electricity prices. Opus expects the growth to continue into 2012, as demand for Opus Extra, which gives the smaller corporate customer access to flexible purchasing on the wholesale market, grows.

Steve James, Commercial Director, responsible for the Corporate division commented: “We are delighted to have hit the 100,000 mark, and welcome Virgin Media to our roster of customers, the latest in a long line of flagship brands to join us. Our growth demonstrates that there is an alternative to the Big Six suppliers and is a result of our commitment to developing innovative and flexible products driven by our customers’ needs.”

“We work with our customers to provide individual billing solutions, contract types and reporting functions tailored to their requirements, rather than by trying to squeeze them into a ‘one-size fits all’ approach.”

Opus Energy’s growth has also been driven by the rapid expansion of its gas supply business. Launched in October 2009 the service now has over 8,000 live sites, an uptake or more than 75% over the business’ initial target. Designed to offer customers an affordable and reliable alternative to existing suppliers, the service allows them to access competitively priced, fixed-term contracts, shielding them from price fluctuations.

Charlie Crossley Cooke, Opus Energy’s Managing Director comments; “The last 12 months have been very exciting for Opus Energy. Our continued growth and investment in our customers is reflected in not only the successful introduction of new products, services and partners but also in the increased employment of customer facing staff to help deliver the services we provide our business customers. We now look forward to continuing to expand over the next twelve months.”

Via EPR Network
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Npower Employee Attempts To Reclaim The Recumbent Cup

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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.

Via EPR Network
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MP Visits Local Pensioner Helped By npower Warmth Scheme

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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.”

Via EPR Network
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npower ‘What’s Your Goal’ Gives Teens Start In Football Industry

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Npower’s ‘What’s Your Goal’ series, broadcast on Sky Sports, has given six UK teenagers their start in the football industry. The programme follows the journeys of six ambitious youngsters as they get to grips with working alonsgide the brightest and best behind the scenes in the football industry.

Aizaz Hussain from Surrey kickstarted a career in the football industry with John Sibley as a sports photographer on national TV. Aizaz beat hundreds of eager young people to win the one-of-a-kind work experience placement. He can be seen being mentored by Action Images veteran John Sibley and completing a challenge set by him.

Renaee Oduro from Brixton was mentored by Sky Sports’ Billy McGinty as a TV producer on national TV and can be seen completing a challenge set by McGinty on the show.

Grace Copley from Leicestershiore was mentored by Lynn Walker, the business manager for Ipswich Town FC, shadowing her for the day as she ‘meets and greets’ important commerical partners. Grace was even given the responsibility of presenting competion winners with their prize in front of a stadium full of fans on the pitch at half time.

Louie Waldock from London can be seen being mentored by Sasa Ihringova, one of the most senior female referees in the npower Football League, and completing a challenge set by her. As part of his mentoring session, Louie was given a one-to-one training session with Sasa before helping her to referee a real youth team game. The camers then followed Louie as he and his mentor arrive at Old Trafford to watch a play-off final where they are given access to the match officals’ briefing, something that has never been allowed before.

Luke Harris, a dedicated QPR fan from Kent, was mentored by the team’s manager, Neil Warnock, as he steered the team into the premiership at Loftus Road. Luke was also given access to the QPR training ground where he was invited to lunch with Neil and took the opportunity to grill him on what it’s like to be a ‘Marmite manager’.

Ollie Marden, also from Kent, spent time with Sky Sports’ David Jones. As part of his mentoring session, Ollie travelled to Portsmouth where he spent the day in an outside broadcast studio at Fratton Park, learning how to research facts and stats under the guidance of David before the game took place as well as writing and presenting his very own piece to camera.

The npower What’s Your Goal initiative was launched earlier this year to showcase the vast and varied careers found in Britain’s national sport and to encourage young people to start thinking about what their dream job would be.

Clare McDougall, npower’s head of education and community, said: “‘What’s Your Goal’ offered young people fantastic once-in-a-lifetime experiences that allowed them to get stuck in with the professionals and learn the ropes first hand, so we weren’t surprised by the overwhelming response we got from parents and their children across the UK.

“The TV show will help to spread npower’s What’s Your Goal message even further and we look forward to seeing npower’s What’s Your Goal winners as they make their TV debuts on screen, showing the world how ambitious and talented our teenagers are and hopefully encouraging others to start thinking about what their goal is.”

Via EPR Network
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npower Football League Professionals Work Alongside Teens For ‘What’s Your Goal?’ Competition

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Earlier in the year, npower offered every budding Alex Ferguson, potential Howard Webb and future Jeff Stelling a chance to bring their dreams to life with the ‘What’s Your Goal?’ competition.

From the high-pressure role of a football manager to the split-second timing of a pitch-side photographer, this was an opportunity for children yearning for a job in sports media to get first-hand experience of the industry.

The prizes took youngsters to the QPR training ground, inside the Sky Sports studios and even within touching distance of the players in the npower Championship Play-Off final at Wembley Stadium.

Among the professionals offering their advice were Queens Park Rangers manager, Neil Warnock and Sky Sports presenter, Dave Jones.

In this three-part series, the children demonstrate the desire and passion needed to cut it in one of the nation’s biggest industries.

And for those youngsters aiming for a similar career, heed the advice of 12-year-old Oliver Marden who, having won the chance to experience being a sports presenter, said: “You should try for everything and grasp every opportunity you can.”

npower is bringing back its What’s Your Goal initiative bigger and better than ever before for 2012. Any young people interested in getting involved should keep an eye out for updates on the npower What’s Your Goal website: www.npower.com/whatsyourgoal.

Via EPR Network
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npower Teams Up With Sky Sports To Launch Ad-Funded TV Show

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npower’s new three part ad-funded TV series, ‘What’s Your Goal’, is set to launch on Sky Sports on Thursday 25th August – the culmination of npower’s successful 2011 campaign of the same name.

The series captures the moments that six children from around the UK discover they are handpicked as winners of the npower What’s Your Goal competition, to be mentored by some of the brightest and best in the football industry.

Viewers will follow the journeys of the young winners as they work side-by-side with their mentors, getting their hands dirty and mucking in with the professionals before being set a challenge relating to the day-to-day workings of the role.

Npower’s ‘What’s Your Goal’ is a football-based initiative launched as part of npower’s title sponsorship of the npower Football League. It was designed to inspire young people aged 12-16 to think about their future careers by showcasing the different roles available behind the scenes of football clubs up and down the UK.

Sky currently holds the broadcasting rights for the npower Football League and teamed up with npower, commissioning production company North One to capture the action. The shows are voiced by Sky presenter Ben Shepherd, who also features in the final episode which airs in September.

Along with Sky Sports presenter Dave Jones and long time Sky Sports TV producer Billy McGinty, the ‘What’s Your Goal’ winners also spend time with Ipswich Town’s business manager, an Action Images sports photographer and one of the npower Football League’s most senior female referees, Sasa Ihringova.

QPR’s manager, Neil Warnock also features in the series to mentor a young QPR fan who joins him and his team amidst talk of possible point deductions by the FA, when the future of QPR’s promotion into the Premier League looked uncertain.

Clare McDougall, npower’s head of education and community, said: “What’s Your Goal offered young people fantastic one-in-a-lifetime experiences that allowed them to get stuck in with the professionals and learn the ropes first hand, so we weren’t surprised by the overwhelming response we got from parents and their children across the UK.

“As not everyone could win the mentoring days, we worked with schools and parents to offer lesson plans and content that was designed to educate youngsters about the endless possibilities in the football industry, inspiring them to think about their future careers by looking at what they enjoy and thinking about potential opportunities.

“The TV show will help to spread npower’s What’s Your Goal message even further and we look forward to seeing npower’s ‘What’s Your Goal’ winners as they make their TV debuts on screen, showing the world how ambitious and talented our teenagers are and hopefully encouraging others to start thinking about what their goal is.”

Via EPR Network
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Npower Reports Over Half Of UK’s SMEs Failing To Realise Energy Cost Savings

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Npower has revealed new research that shows over half of small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) have no measures in place to monitor energy efficiency, despite many of them seeking ways to manage the bottom line in tough economic conditions.

The findings from the latest npower Business Energy Index (nBEI) show that 53% of the 4.8 million* SMEs in the UK have no methods in place to manage business energy efficiency, and nearly one in five (18%) didn’t know if they had reduced their energy consumption over the past 12 months.

This is despite figures from the report showing that where energy efficiency is being measured, 50% of SMEs reported savings of up to 10%, showing there is huge scope to make significant business savings, while also reducing carbon emissions.

Statistics from the Carbon Trust also highlight the potential for SMEs to reduce emissions further. The Trust found that SMEs have a potential energy saving opportunity of up to 20%, compared to 8% for large businesses.

Patrick Harvey, head of customer loyalty at npower, said: “This year’s npower Business Energy Index found that for SMEs, the greatest driver for increasing energy efficiency is cost, rather than the environment. This is why it is surprising that so many are still not measuring the positive impact that implementing energy efficiency measures can have on their business.

“The results of the research show the huge untapped potential for SMEs to both reduce emissions and increase savings.”

However, encouragingly, overall the nBEI found that the importance SMEs place on energy management and efficiency is at its highest level since 2005. When asked to rate the significance of energy management to their business out of 10, SMEs gave an average score of 6.7, which is up from just over 5 when the Index began.

Coupled with this, many reported to be proactively measuring their energy usage and recognising the payback of low-cost, quick-win measures such as turning equipment off, which was ranked as the most popular action over the past six months. This was followed by regularly monitoring consumption and reducing heat loss.

Patrick Harvey continued: “It is really encouraging that energy efficiency is working its way up the business agenda but there’s still a long way to go.

“More businesses need to realise that through simple to implement and low or no cost measures, they can lower their bills by around 10%. In today’s tough operating environment this is a saving that SMEs can’t afford to over overlook. This is why we’ve developed SmartStart – a toolkit and advice service which helps SMEs get energy saving measures up and running and gets them saving on their bills quickly. Smaller businesses don’t have to rely on their landlords or have a big team in place to identify and implement energy saving measures.”

For more information on how npower can support SMEs reduce emissions and cut costs please visit www.npower.com/Business/SmartStart.

Via EPR Network
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npower and Robbie Savage Team Up to Break Record

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npower has announced that, as part of its Club 72 initiative, former football player, Robbie Savage, will attempt to set the World Record for the most football league shirts worn at once.

Savage brought his playing career to an end last season but to celebrate the start of 2011/12 season, the Welshman has teamed up with the npower Club 72 initiative to wear a football shirt from every single football league club, and in doing so setting the record for most amount of npower football league shirts worn at one time.

In a league career spanning seventeen years, there’s not many team strips that Savage hasn’t encoutered before but with newly promoted AFC Wimbledon and Crawley Town both joining the league for the first time, there will be at least two shirts he won’t have seen before.

As well as donning the colours once again of some of his previous clubs such as Derby County and Leicester City, Savage will also model some real blasts from the past with Football League Shirts some fans would be pleased to forget..

On the record attempt, Savage said: “It seems quite an easy challenge at first glance but having seen photos of similar attempts I’m actually a little worried now.

“Throughout my playing career I was fortunate enough to weigh exactly the same in my final season at Derby as when I first started out with Crewe Alexandra – I certainly don’t think there is any room to be carrying any extra pounds for this challenge.

“The t-shirts’ collective weight will obviously put my shoulders and back under a lot of pressure and heat stroke is also something else to consider.

“Naturally I’m hugely proud of my playing career and this is a great way to end it. If I break the record, I expect that makes me the only player in the world to wear every single npower Football League team strip.”

The record attempt is to celebrate the launch of npower’s Club 72 initiative which will be an interactive platform for football supporters to chart their own performance throughout the season.

Launching to coincide with the start of the 2011/12 season, Club 72 will offer fans the chance to document their own performance in terms of attending football league games at npowerclub72.com. The site will allow fans to record the Football League stadiums they’ve been to and show how far they’ll go to follow the beautiful game. For every stadium visited, you’ll be awarded a virtual badge as well as bonus points for being a “lucky charm” (seeing three victories in a row) and reaching certain milestones such as “all Championship grounds visited”.

Via EPR Network
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AccessDiscounts.com Offers Westinghouse Ceiling Fans for Summer Season

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AccessDiscounts.com, the web’s leading online retailer of commercial lights, grow lights and home lighting, is proud to offer a variety of Westinghouse ceiling fans for the summer months. With dozens of different styles and superior quality, Westinghouse is at the top of the list when it comes to the kind of ceiling fan you want to keep the circulation going in your home or business during the dog days of summer.

“The key to keeping cool in your home or business during the summer months isn’t just to keep the windows open or the A/C on, it’s about keeping the air circulating in a room,” said Christina Roush, spokesperson for Access Discounts. “While portable fans do a decent job at getting the air moving in a room, they pale in comparison to the job that a ceiling fan can do, especially one that is of such high quality as a Westinghouse ceiling fans. A ceiling fan not only gets the air moving, but it also gets the air moving at the ceiling, which almost instantly cools the room from the top down. It doesn’t just allow you to get a cooling breeze from the fan blades, it also allows the air to circulate throughout the room, which is vital for not just keeping the temperatures down in the summer time, but also taking care of any of those stagnant odors that tend to occur. Plus, operating your ceiling fan is a lot cheaper than keeping your A/C unit on 24/7.”

AccessDiscounts.com features nearly 100 different styles of Westinhouse ceiling fans. With superior innovation, style and durability, Westinghouse ceiling fans have a reputation for being long lasting and efficient, all while blending into the natural décor of a room. AccessDiscounts.com offers the latest styles and designs from Westinghouse including industrial commercial ceiling fans, energy saving fans, oak fans, vintage-style fans, and much more, all for a lot less than you would find in stores. You can find a full listing of Westinghouse ceiling fans at www.accessdiscounts.com/rceilfan.html.

Offering the best prices and stellar customer service, AccessDiscounts.com stocks the highest quality grow light systems, bulbs, ballasts, reflectors and accessories to satisfy everyone from those trying indoor gardening for the first time, to those serious gardeners looking to grow the plumpest, juiciest tomatoes. With dozens of systems which fit any individual need or price range, people can grow their gardens in their living rooms, bedrooms, office, or even inside a closet.

For a limited time, customers can receive a 5% discount on all grow light purchases over $999 and free shipping on orders over $1,499. Check www.accessdiscounts.com for more details.

Via EPR Network
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npower Partners With Vokèra To Offer Ten Year Boiler Warranty

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npower, one of Britain’s leading energy suppliers, has signed an exclusive deal with Vokèra boilers, to offer customers a ten year warranty on all of its boilers products.

The partnership will mean that npower is the first energy supplier to offer a ten year warranty, which is more than twice the standard warranty offered on most new boilers. Products covered under the offer include domestic gas boilers and the warranty includes replacement parts and free reparation services. Customers can take advantage of the offer through npower’s hometeam, which installs, services and repairs boilers.

Joan Coe, npower marketing manager, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with an industry leader like Vokèra to offer a ten year warranty on all new boilers installed by npower. The average lifespan of a boiler is around 10-12 years,* so this is a significant offer that will benefit thousands of homeowners by protecting their new boiler through most of its working life.

“As one of the most expensive items in the home, the partnership will offer anyone choosing Vokèra boilers through npower added reassurance and peace of mind when it comes to keeping their homes warm and their showers hot.”

Steve Cipriano, managing director, from Vokèra boilers, added: “There are three elements to this partnership that bring great value to the customer; one, the customer gets a superb quality product, two, it is expertly installed by npower, one of the UK’s leading boiler installers, and three, it is backed by npower’s exclusive ten year warranty, providing customers with complete peace of mind.”

Via EPR Network
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npower Reports Businesses Call For Government Help To Keep The Nation’s Lights On

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npower has reported that energy risk – particularly in terms of security of supply and supply costs – has been identified as the top risk major business energy users are facing, above legislation, security and health & safety. Added to this, many believe it is the government’s responsibility to help reduce instability through funding for self generation projects and demand management tools to bridge the supply gap and keep the nation’s lights on.

These were some of the key findings of the npower Business Energy Index (nBEI), an annual report tracking business opinion on energy use, energy risk and carbon emissions.

According to the report, when asked what was of most concern in relation to energy within their business, supply costs came top with a risk ranking of 6.6 out of 10, followed by security of supply with a ranking of 6.1.

However, despite an energy risk being identified as a top concern, one in six major business energy users still do not have a policy in place to manage it – although 91% do have one in place for health & safety, a more ‘traditional’ business risk.

David Cockshott, director of industrial and commercial markets at npower commented: “It is worrying that while businesses have identified that risks associated with energy – from security of supply to cost – pose a real threat to their immediate and future operations, many have admitted to not having a strategy in place to manage it. While many businesses have embraced the benefits of energy management and energy efficiency, when it comes to solutions to manage risk, there is less of a focus from organisations.

“This could be because they don’t believe the two main areas of concern – cost and supply – are something within their control. However, there are ways businesses can mitigate their risk, including investing in self generation or demand management technology.”

Despite their concerns over energy risk, nearly two thirds (62%) say that investing in self generation and demand management technology is not a business priority. While 51% cite lack of finance as a barrier, and 38% say they simply do not have the resource to manage the project.

When asked who should finance investment in self generation, 61% of businesses of all sizes felt that the government should be responsible – only 18% believe it should be self funded. While the government’s proposed ‘Green Deal’ should go some way to assisting SMEs, it would not provide the same help for larger energy consumers.

David Cockshott continued: “While this year’s nBEI shows that more easy-to-implement energy efficiency measures and improvements are happening across businesses of all sizes. When it comes to large scale self generation projects or demand management initiatives, there is still some resistance.

“What is clear however, is that businesses believe that investment in these areas should come from government. While the government is keen to support smaller companies through initiatives such as the Green Deal, the report shows that larger businesses believe the government should also look at ways to help them. For instance, to mitigate risk and reduce instability through incentivising self generation and demand management tools.”

Via EPR Network
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npower Reveals Parents Fear of Gadget Takeover

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Npower has revealed that Parents fear they are being replaced by gadgets in their children’s lives, new research by the energy supplier has found.

Almost half (46%) of the parents taking part in the study said communication with their children has been affected by technology.

A third (34%) admitted they had to compete with games consoles and online social networking for their children’s attention and over a quarter (28%) feel redundant and hurt by the lack of involvement in their child’s life.

Evaluating the findings, psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos said families should “spend time together doing face-to-face activities”.

She said: “Just an hour a day interacting as a family can boost confidence and improve verbal communication.

“Because this level of technology was not present when we were growing up, it’s important to use it in a way that enriches our family life as opposed to using it to the detriment of other ways of communicating with each other.”

The research was carried out nationwide and 1,000 parents and 1,000 children were involved.

Energy company npower commissioned it in support of its No Power Hour campaign, a UK-wide roadshow hosted by ex-England manager Kevin Keegan. No Power Hour will see Keegan encourage families to save energy by spending more time together in the open air.

The study also found that half of all children (51%) spend up to five hours a day glued to a screen and more than a quarter (27%) prefer to communicate digitally rather than face to face, while one in four prefer playing on an X-Box console to spending time with their family.

Via EPR Network
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npower Teams Up With Kevin Keegan For No Power Hour

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npower has announced it will be teaming with Kevin Keegan to help fans of the beautiful game save energy in Sunderland.

Former Newcastle boss Keegan will visit the city to encourage families to spend an hour doing something fun without using electricity.

And the 60-year-old reckons a kick-about is the perfect way to get fit and help the environment at the same time.

Kevin Keegan said: “The No Power Hour is designed to get kids and parents off computers and get them out for an hour after switching everything off.

“We’re in Sunderland first then in a couple of weeks up in Leeds – it’s a fantastic set-up we’ve got.

“We’re not saying you can replace technology, it’s here forever after all. What we’re saying is sometimes you’ve got to switch it off and spend a bit of time with your kids – and you can do it together.

“You can do things that will become a lot of fun for you. What happened to making kites and things like that?

“What we’re saying is come out and just do something with your kids, the things you do that are great fun and cost nothing except the effort to get out the house and go somewhere.”

Children and parents can join Keegan’s master class at Seaburn Recreation Park where he will display football skills they can practise together in back gardens, on playing fields, at the beach, the sports centre, the park and even in the living room using no power.

Children can also get involved on the Climate cops, where they can download a mission chart, to keep track of the activities they participate in.

Via EPR Network
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npower Urges Businesses To Have Their Say On Energy Legislation

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npower, the energy firm, has announced that businesses need to make sure they make their voices heard when it comes to shaping current and future energy legislation. npower has launched its own consultation for businesses in response to the government’s Red Tape Challenge.

The ‘Red Tape Challenge’ was launched in April 2011 with the aim of engaging with different industries to gather feedback on current UK legislation, to help simplify the regulatory landscape for businesses.

npower’s ‘Red Tape Challenge – Have Your Say’ campaign is designed to give businesses the opportunity to feedback on current and future energy regulation affecting the sector. Businesses can have their say on the energy policies they think should be scrapped, merged with existing regulation, simplified or left.

Once feedback has been gathered, the energy company will submit its findings on behalf of businesses to the government’s Red Tape Challenge, ahead of the utilities and energy sector’s consultation deadline on 27 October 2011.

The campaign was launched in response to the Red Tape Challenge as well as npower’s own research that revealed strong business opinion on current and proposed energy legislation.

When asked about the proposed Electricity Market Reform (EMR) nearly half of companies surveyed believed the EMR would be complex and unwieldy for businesses. Similarly, research conducted to coincide with the first anniversary of the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) found that 45% of businesses want to see the CRC scrapped.

David Cockshott, director of industrial and commercial markets at npower, said: “The UK’s business community has been given a unique opportunity on an unprecedented scale to have its say on energy legislation and we are urging them to get involved and make their voices heard.

“We know from conversations with our own customers that businesses find it difficult keeping track of the legislation or potential legislation affecting them, from the EMR to the CRC. Now businesses can tell the government exactly what policies they think should be scrapped, merged with existing regulation, simplified or left as they are.

“We understand that everyone is busy, which is why we are launching the npower Red Tape Challenge – Have Your Say campaign. It simplifies the process and is designed to provide businesses with a less time-consuming way to air their views on current energy related legislation.

“This type of opportunity to influence legislation does not come along everyday and we urge businesses of all shapes and sizes to take the time now to have their say on the energy policy of the future.”

Via EPR Network
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npower Hometeam Praised By Financial Expert Jasmine Birtles

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npower hometeam has been named by Jasmine Birtles has a good example of a company who shares its ‘no claims’ cost savings with customers.

Broadcaster, financial expert and founder of Moneymagpie.com, Jasmine Birtles, has attacked British businesses which profit from insurance, cover and care products and then fail to share the cost savings with those customers who don’t make a claim.

Birtles has called for businesses to offer a form of ‘no claims bonus’ cash back and it seems British families feeling the squeeze agree. A survey of 2,000 consumers* released shows that nearly 80 per cent believe they should receive an annual cash pay-out if they don’t call on an insurance or care product.

Her comments add to the on-going PPI debate which has seen banks come under increasing pressure over insurance products. Yet Birtles is quick to point out that the problem is wide-spread across the consumer market.

She explained: “All sorts of corporations, from banks to insurance companies and energy providers, clearly benefit from cost to serve savings when customers don’t claim against their products or policies, but where’s the reward for these customers? Good business is a two-way thing where both sides should benefit. As the cost of living continues to rise, wouldn’t it be nice to see more big businesses sharing these savings with some sort of cash back?

“npower’s hometeam 50 boiler and central heating care is a good example, as it’s priced the same as British Gas’ homecare, but offers customers 50% cash back if they don’t have an emergency call out during their 12 month care plan. Currently, npower is the only boiler care provider offering anything like this.

“npower estimates it will be pay out more than £700,000 in cash back over the next 12 months, but if all energy providers did this, there could be cash back of more than £500million in customers’ pockets from the boiler care market alone.”**

If businesses followed this advice it actually might benefit them, as 81 per cent of consumers questioned in the npower survey said they would be more likely to choose a product if it offered some sort of cash back.

Via EPR Network
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npower Reveals Brits Haven’t Lost The Urge To Splurge

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npower has revealed that even those British families might be feeling the squeeze, they haven’t lost our urge to splurge, with the average Brit expected to spend more than £70,000 on impulse buys over a lifetime.

A survey of more than 2,000 customers conducted by npower hometeam 50, which is currently giving cash back to thousands of customers, suggests that whilst half of people choose to save spare cash from their monthly income, triggers such as receiving birthday money, coming into an unexpected windfall such as cash back from a company, or a small win on the lottery, will result in a spur of the moment purchase.

More than a third of consumers treat themselves to an impulse buy at least once a week spending on average £21.34. That’s £1,114.56 a year and an incredible£70,217.28 forked out during the average adult lifetime. Surprisingly, men spend more on impulse buys than women frittering away £25.67 per week compared to a more frugal £18.89.

Items such as food, clothes, magazines and wine prove irresistible for girls when passing through the high street or supermarket, whilst books, shoes and toiletries also top the list for compulsive female shoppers. Predictably, food, beer and DVDs are the most common treats for their male counterparts.

Emily Stagg, from npower hometeam 50, said: “General consensus would have it that British consumers are trying to save every penny at the moment, but our research suggests that when we come into a small windfall, such as a small win on the lottery or cash back, we’re still more likely to treat ourselves or our loved ones.

“£20 a week might not seem a lot, but can add up to a huge amount over a lifetime. For £70,000 you could easily put a large deposit on a house, pay off all your debits or buy a sports car.”

70 per cent admit they are more likely to give in to temptation if there is a sale on. But 61 per cent of women firmly cite retail therapy as a reason for shopping on impulse, and often spend more money if they are feeling a bit down or depressed compared to just 38 per cent of men.

When it comes to confessing all to a partner, 33 per cent of girls admit they don’t bother telling him about their recent purchases. A fifth of couples argue regularly as a direct result of overspending each week, and 67 per cent of women admit they are definitely the worst for impulse buys.

Emily Stagg continued: “As part of our hometeam 50 product, we’ll be giving cashback to thousands of hometeam 50 customers over the next 12 months – that’s an awful lot of impulse buys.”

The cashback campaign will see hometeam 50 customers who signed up to the boiler care and central heating care product 12 months ago and who haven’t had to call out npower’s hometeam, receive 50% of the amount they paid npower, back.

Via EPR Network
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npower Announces its Manager of the Month Award Winners for April

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npower has announced the winners of the Manager of the Month awards for the npower Football League in April.

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins has been named npower League 1 Manager of the Month for April.

Adkins’ side stand on the brink of promotion thanks to wins against Milton Keynes Dons, Charlton Athletic, Leyton Orient, Bristol Rovers, Brighton & Hove Albion, Hartlepool United and Brentford.

Former Charlton Athletic boss Alan Curbishley chairs the npower Football League Manager of the Month judging panel. He said: “Southampton maintained their fine form throughout April with seven wins from their eight games.

“Nigel Adkins has done a great job since his appointment and his side have all but secured promotion back to the npower Championship.”

In League 2, Bury caretaker manager Richie Barker has been named npower League 2 Manager of the Month for April.

Barker took charge in March, and went on to lead his side through a six-game unbeaten run to ensure automatic promotion to npower League 1.

npower head of sponsorship Emma Collins added: “For the club to do so well with a managerial change late in the season is very impressive.

“Barker has hit the ground running, and fully deserves the award.”

Finally, in the Championship Norwich City striker Simeon Jackson has been named npower Championship Player of the Month for April.

Jackson netted eight times during the month to help the Canaries secure automatic promotion.

Via EPR Network
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npower Announces Its Player of the Month Award Winners for April

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npower has announced the winners of the players of the month awards for the npower Football League in April.

Sheffield Wednesday striker Neil Mellor has been named npower League 1 Player of the Month for April.

Mellor, who is on loan from Preston North End, fired in six goals during the month, including vital strikes against Colchester United, Walsall and Swindon Town.

Sky Sports’ Football League expert Peter Beagrie sits on the npower Football League Player of the Month judging panel. He said: “At the beginning of the month, Wednesday were hovering just above the relegation zone in 17th position.

“But Mellor’s six goal contribution has helped navigate the Owls up the table – a safe distance 11 points from the drop-zone.”

Over in League 2, Bury striker Ryan Lowe has been named npower League 2 Player of the Month for April.

The veteran skipper netted four times during the month, leading his team to an automatic promotion place in League 2.

npower head of sponsorship Emma Collins said: “Lowe’s experience and quality has been a huge part of Bury’s success this season.

“His performances have been of the highest order in recent weeks, and he fully deserves the League 2 award.”

Finally, in the Championship Norwich City striker Simeon Jackson has been named npower Championship Player of the Month for April.

Jackson netted eight times during the month to help the Canaries secure automatic promotion.

His impressive goal haul included hat-tricks against Scunthorpe United and Derby County.

Peter Beagrie added: “After going more than 20 games without a goal, Jackson produced a show of true marksmanship in April.

Via EPR Network
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npower Reveals Birmingham Teens Spend More Time Inside Than Outside

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npower has revealed that over two thirds (67%) of Birmingham teens are spending more time inside than outside, with seventy per cent preferring computer games over an outdoor activity, according to the research commissioned by the energy supplier.

In stark contrast, their parents admit to spending most of their time in the garden whilst growing up (63%) and over three quarters (76%) of the parents questioned felt children who spend time outside have a better awareness the environment.

The findings come as npower’s ambassador Ben Fogle visits Birmingham’s Think Tank to act as a judge for its Climate Cops SOS Finale, an initiative designed to encourage young people to make a real green change in their area, and to urge the young people of Birmingham to get active and get green by signing up for 2011’s Climate Cops SOS where they could win a week of adventure with Ben himself this November, with entry closing on 30th June 2011.

At the event, Ben will be discussing the importance of preserving the great outdoors and presenting the winning school with a green make over, plus ten brand new Netbooks for the students.

Clare McDougall, npower’s head of education and community, said: “Growing up for me was all about being outside with nature, playing in the garden and camping in the countryside, but after npower’s recent research it seems that Birmingham kids could be turning into ‘generation x-box’.

“We want Birmingham teens to show us their green credentials and adventurous side by entering this year’s Climate Cops SOS so that next year we can hopefully crown them as 2011’s ‘green-agers’ and present them with a fantastic week of adventure alongside a real life explorer.”

Via EPR Network
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npower Launches ‘Every Shirt Has A Story’

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Npower, the title sponsor of The Football League, has launched a new campaign for fans called ‘Every Shirt Has A Story’.

npower is asking fans from across the 72 Football League clubs to reveal the memories behind their team’s seasonal colours and share their shirt stories with other fans via www.everyshirt.co.uk.

Sharing stories that talk about both the highs and lows of the sport, as well as personal tales surrounding the beautiful game, entrants will have the chance to win several competition prizes. These include the chance to be one of six ‘face of the finals’ winners who will see huge images of themselves displayed at either Wembley or Old Trafford – two of the world’s most iconic football stadia. The football fans will be honoured with 16 by 24 metre facia boards as well as seeing their name emblazened on a giant football shirt that will cover the pitch as their team prepare to contest the play off final. Season tickets and signed shirts can also be won.

‘Every Shirt Has A Story’ is fronted by football legend Dion Dublin. Dion and a whole host of other footballing heroes and celebrity fans will be revealing the stories behind their most cherished football strips .

The initiative supports npower’s Football Saver tariff which rewards Football League fans when they switch energy suppliers. Along with offering a discounted tariff designed for fans who want value from their energy prices, npower is also giving away a £45 voucher to spend at any official npower Championship, npower League One or npower League Two club shops. The Football saver tariff uniquely offers discounted energy, which is a reward for fans but also supports the clubs with the money from the vouchers going straight back to the clubs.

Via EPR Network
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