Interesting links, articles, news and blog posts sent out to members on 08/05/24.
Press release: UK first in Europe to invest in next generation of nuclear fuel – Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, The Rt Hon Claire Coutinho MP, and The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP
8 May 2024. £196 million for high-tech nuclear fuel facility and new measures for fusion energy:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-first-in-europe-to-invest-in-next-generation-of-nuclear-fuel
News: Government defeated in High Court over climate plans – BBC News Online
4 May 2024, Esme Stallard. The government has been defeated in court – for a second time – for not doing enough to meet its targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68947242
Press release: Dr Paul Golby confirmed as new energy system operator chair – Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and The Rt Hon Claire Coutinho MP
3 May 2024. Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho has appointed Dr Golby as the National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) inaugural chair:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dr-paul-golby-confirmed-as-new-energy-system-operator-chair
Article: Booming pipeline of battery projects increases by two-thirds in last 12 months – Energy-pedia News
3 May 2024. A new report published by RenewableUK shows that the pipeline of battery projects has grown by two-thirds in capacity over the last year nationwide. Battery storage is essential for providing the security and flexibility that will make our future energy system resilient and reliable. Effective use of battery storage will also provide energy system cost savings and benefits for businesses and consumers by enabling energy that is produced at times of high generation be stored and used during peak demand times:
Article: The path to net-zero won’t be pleasant – Politics Home
2 May 2024, Lord Howell. There is a big secret hiding in plain sight at the heart of the United Kingdom’s energy policy. Simply, establishing a reliable, all-electric net-zero emissions economy and society has scarcely begun. We are in the foothills of a journey involving major upheavals in the economy, industry, lifestyles, living standards, finance, planning and probably politics:
Link: https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/path-netzero-wont-pleasant
News: Gazprom plunges to first annual loss in 20 years as trade with Europe hit – Reuters
2 May 2024, Vladimir Soldatkin and Oksana Kobzeva. Kremlin-owned gas giant Gazprom (GAZP.MM), said it plunged to a net loss of 629 billion roubles ($6.9 billion) in 2023, its first annual loss in more than 20 years, amid dwindling gas trade with Europe, once its main sales market:
News: ‘Governments, industry must unite over offshore wind’ – ReNews .biz
2 May 2024. Governments and the offshore wind industry need to join forces to restore confidence in the market, drive down costs and accelerate the clean energy transition, according to a new briefing from the Energy Transitions Commission (ETC):
Link: https://renews.biz/92916/governments-industry-must-unite-over-offshore-wind/
News: Sunak to allow oil and gas exploration at sites intended for offshore wind – Guardian Online
2 May 2024, Helena Horton, Kiran Stacey and Pippa Crerar. Exclusive: decision to grant licences condemned by critics as a stunt that shows Tories are ‘playing politics with climate’:
Policy: Switch on Great British Energy – The Labour Party
May 2024. Britain has the potential to be a clean energy superpower. We have huge advantages: our entrepreneurs, our coastline, our scientists and our workforce. But, to get cheaper bills, better jobs and energy independence requires leadership, investment, and a plan:
Link: https://labour.org.uk/missions/clean-energy/
Research briefing: Pylons and upgrades to the national grid – House of Commons Library
30 April 2024. There will be a Westminster Hall debate on pylons and upgrades to the national grid on Thursday 2 May 2024 from 12:30pm until 2:00pm. This debate will be led by Matt Warman MP:
Link: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2024-0084/
Research briefing: Pylons and upgrades to the national grid – House of Commons Library
30 April 2024. There will be a Westminster Hall debate on pylons and upgrades to the national grid on Thursday 2 May 2024 from 12:30pm until 2:00pm. This debate will be led by Matt Warman MP:
Link: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2024-0084/
Research briefing: Battery energy storage systems (BESS) – House of Commons Library
24 April 2024. This briefing covers battery energy storage systems (BESS), concerns about their safety and barriers to their deployment:
Link: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7621/
Report: Energy insecurity – Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit
28 March 2024. A year on from the ‘Powering Up Britain’ strategy, Government policy is pushing the UK backwards on energy security:
Link: https://eciu.net/analysis/reports/2024/energy-insecurity