Interesting links, articles, news and blog posts sent out to members on 20/10/23.
News: Ofgem boss may have to go amid energy complaints, incoming chair says – Guardian Online
18 October 2023, Jillian Ambrose. Mark McAllister tells MPs on energy select committee he plans to challenge watchdog’s CEO:
Energy Update: Ofgem Mulls Temporary Rise in Price Cap To Stop Firms Going Bust – Forbes Advisor
18 October 2023, Mark Hooson and Candiece Cyrus. Energy suppliers are to be required by Ofgem, the market regulator, to contact customers if they miss two monthly payments or one quarterly payment, to check if they are struggling financially and, if so, to offer support. This could be via an affordable payment plan or repayment holiday:
Link: https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/personal-finance/2023/10/18/energy-market-updates/
Speech: UK’s carbon capture opportunities – Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and The Rt Hon Claire Coutinho MP
17 October 2023. Secretary of State Claire Coutinho outlines the potential for carbon capture in her opening speech at the Carbon Capture & Storage Association annual conference:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/uks-carbon-capture-opportunities
Research briefing: Debate on the Contracts for Difference scheme – House of Commons Library
17 October 2023. A Westminster Hall debate has been scheduled for 3pm on 19 October on the Contracts for Difference scheme. The subject for the debate was chosen by the Backbench Business Committee, and the debate will be opened by Jim Shannon MP:
Link: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2023-0199/
Research briefing: Debate on the contribution of ports to green energy – House of Commons Library
17 October 2023. A Westminster Hall debate has been scheduled for 2.30pm on 18 October on the contribution of ports to green energy. The debate will be opened by Stephen Crabb MP:
Link: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2023-0198/
Research and analysis: Evaluation of the Capacity Market scheme – Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
16 October 2023. An independent evaluation of the Capacity Market scheme:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-capacity-market-scheme
News: Government powers up UK Fusion Strategy with new £650m programme – Business Green News
16 October 2023, James Murray. New Fusion Futures Programme promises to deliver over 2,500 training places and a new fuel cycle testing facility:
Link: https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4134669/government-powers-uk-fusion-strategy-gbp650m-programme
Open consultation: Capacity Market 2023: Phase 2 proposals and 10 year review – Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
16 October 2023. Views on the Electricity Capacity Market. This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 8 December 2023:
Press release: New appointments to strengthen energy regulator’s work – Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ofgem, and Amanda Solloway MP
13 October 2023. Five appointments to Ofgem’s board will bolster their consumer protection work:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-appointments-to-strengthen-energy-regulators-work
News: As the City chases energy windfalls, we need public buy-in to a transition – City AM
13 October 2023, Lewis McDonald. The celebrated Scottish poet, Rabbie Burns, famously said that “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”. Viewed by many as prescient, my hope is that his words don’t prove accurate, particularly since the 2015 Paris Agreement has seen governments and companies outlining plans to transition society to net zero carbon by 2050:
Link: https://www.cityam.com/as-the-city-chases-energy-windfalls-we-need-public-buy-in-to-a-transition/
News: The UK will find it harder to meet its climate targets after the prime minister’s policy changes last month, the government’s advisers have warned – BBC News Online
13 October 2023, Justin Rowlatt. PM Rishi Sunak said his review of green pledges was about putting the “long-term interests of our country” first. But the Climate Change Committee (CCC) says the PM’s “loosening” of key climate policies has countered recent progress in other areas:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67087411
News: Marubeni signs MOU for cooperation in clean energy projects with the UK Government – Energy-pedia
13 October 2023. Marubeni has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Business and Trade of the UK Government on comprehensive cooperation in clean energy projects, including offshore wind and green hydrogen businesses, in the UK:
News: National Grid advances three net zero projects – Future Net Zero
12 October 2023, Dimitri Mavrokefalidis. National Grid has secured £1.3 million from Ofgem for projects designed to reduce SF6 dependency and enhance regional energy planning using digital tools:
Link: https://www.futurenetzero.com/2023/10/12/national-grid-advances-three-net-zero-projects/
Press release: Ofgem explores options amid rising consumer debt – Ofgem
12 October 2023. A consultation on options to protect the energy market and consumers from the risk of rising debt has been launched by Ofgem:
Link: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/ofgem-explores-options-amid-rising-consumer-debt
News: Wells report reveals significant growth opportunities which must be grasped – Energy-pedia
12 October 2023. A disappointing total of 48 development wells were drilled and 12 exploration and appraisal wells completed in 2022, according to the Wells Insight Report, published by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA):
Press release: EIA projections indicate global energy consumption increases through 2050, outpacing efficiency gains and driving continued emissions growth – EIA
11 October 2023. he U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that global energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions will increase through 2050 (assuming the global energy system remains on its current trajectory and absent new policy). Global population growth, increased regional manufacturing, and higher living standards push growth in energy consumption beyond advances in energy efficiency, according to EIA’s projections in its International Energy Outlook 2023 (IEO2023):
Link: https://www.eia.gov/pressroom/releases/press542.php
News: UK hits 50,000 charge point milestone as en-route charging provision accelerates – Zapmap
10 October 2023, Olly Goodall. According to the data from Zapmap, there are now more than 50,000 public charging devices installed across the country. Operated by en-route provider MFG EV Power, the 50,000th charging device to be installed was an ultra-rapid device at a service station in Weston-super-Mare:
Link: https://www.zap-map.com/news/uk-50000-charge-point-milestone
News: Voluntary Carbon Markets in turmoil: what must be done to make carbon offsetting work? – Energy Post
9 October 2023, Valentina Guido, Aijing Li, Apoorva Sahay and Caitlin Smith. Headlines like “Revealed: more than 90% of rainforest carbon offsets by biggest certifier are worthless, analysis shows” tell of the big problems faced by Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM):
News: Climate crisis costing $16m an hour in extreme weather damage, study estimates – Guardian Online
9 October 2023, Damian Carrington. Analysis shows at least $2.8tn in damage from 2000 to 2019 through worsened storms, floods and heatwaves:
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/09/climate-crisis-cost-extreme-weather-damage-study
News: World’s largest offshore windfarm project starts powering UK grid – Guardian Online
9 October 2023, Alex Lawson. First of 277 turbines goes into operation at site that will produce enough energy for 6m homes:
News: ‘Detached from reality’: anger as Rishi Sunak plans to restrict solar panels – The Observer with the Guardian Online
7 October 2023, Helena Horton. Climate campaigners dismiss government argument that controversial move will improve food security:
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/07/rishi-sunak-plans-to-restrict-solar-panels
News: NSTA consults on greater focus on reducing emissions – North Sea Transition Authority
5 October 2023. The NSTA has launched a consultation on its proposed new emissions reduction plan (OGA Plan) to encourage oil and gas operators to take action today and in future investment decisions to cut their greenhouse gas emissions and get on long-term reduction pathways:
News: New programme focused on reducing risk and cost of floating wind is launched by Floating Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence – Energy-pedia
3 October 2023. The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult’s Floating Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence (FOW CoE) has launched its fourth key strategic programme this week – focused on reducing risk and costs associated with floating offshore wind, and supporting supply chain growth in construction, operations and maintenance: