Interesting links, articles, news and blog posts sent out to members on 23/02/22.
News: Taxpayer money supporting ‘uneconomic’ North Sea oil and gas exploration, report warns – Edie.net
22 February 2022. Ongoing tax relief for the UK’s oil and gas sector has been branded “uneconomic” by the think tank Green Alliance, which argues that taxpayer money could be wasted on stranded assets by continuing to drill in the North Sea:
News: Gazprom’s European gas supplies drop to decade low amid fractured unity over sanctions – City AM
20 February 2022, Nicholas Earl. Gazprom’s gas supplies have dwindled to 10-year lows on the continent, revealed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the 19th February:
Article: Treasury Urged To Act Now To Stop Soaring Gas Prices Bringing Factories To A Standstill – Politics Home
15 February 2022, Adam Payne. Industry groups have issued a warning to government that it is potentially sleepwalking into disaster with soaring gas prices putting factories at risk of being shut down:
Link: https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/energy-crisis-uk-chemcals-industry-fear-factories-closing
Government response: Clean Heat Grant proposals within ‘Future support for low carbon heat’ consultation – Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
October 2021. Future Support for Low Carbon Heat: Boiler Upgrade Scheme Government response to Clean Heat Grant proposals within ‘Future support for low carbon heat’ consultation:
Notice: Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) Research, Development and Demonstration Programme: market engagement – Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
16 February 2022. The aim of the Programme is to demonstrate that high temperature gas reactors (HTGRs) can produce high temperature heat which could be used for low carbon hydrogen production, process heat for industrial and domestic use and cost-competitive electricity generation:
News: Climate Change Committee promises increased focus on business and finance for 2022 – Edie.net
16 February 2022. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has outlined its programme of work for 2022, promising a focus on “delivery and implementation” and the provision of additional guidance on business action, investment and finance:
News: Cost of failed energy suppliers adding £34.36 to domestic electricity bills – Current News
16 February 2022, Molly Lempriere. The cost of energy supplier collapses over the last year has added £34.36 to domestic electricity bills for 2022-23, according to Cornwall Insight:
News: David Frost joins Tory MPs in calls for return of fracking in UK – Guardian Online
13 February 2022, Peter Walker. Letter in favour of shale gas extraction is another indication of party battle over environmental issues:
News: Exclusive: Energy crunch to squeeze UK industry – City AM
14 February 2022, Nicholas Earl. UK manufacturing is set to swallow a £20bn-plus bill from soaring energy costs this year, heaping further pressure on Britain’s weakening economic recovery, reveals exclusive research shared with City A.M:
Link: https://www.cityam.com/exclusive-energy-crunch-to-squeeze-uk-industry/
News: Factbox: Europe’s efforts to shield households from soaring energy costs – Reuters
3 February 2022, Susanna Twidale. Energy prices for millions of British households are set to soar from April after the country’s regulator Ofgem said on Thursday that it would raise its cap on the most widely used tariffs by 54% due to record global gas prices:
Research briefing: Energy price rises and the Energy Bills Rebate – House of Commons Library
11 February 2022. The price of energy has increased significantly since summer 2021; both in the UK and globally. This briefing summarises the Government support packages following news of a 54% rise in the cap on gas and electricity, and the reaction to them. It also answers frequently asked questions about support available to help customers with energy bills:
Link: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9461/
News: Fracking firm Cuadrilla to permanently abandon UK shale gas sites – Guardian Online
10 February 2022, Jillian Ambrose. Firm sets out plan to seal two shale gas wells in Lancashire two years after government shutdown order:
Oral evidence: Energy pricing and the future of the energy market, HC 1130 – Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
8 February 2022. Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee Text of Oral evidence: Energy pricing and the future of the energy market, HC 1130:
Link: https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/3423/pdf/
Press release: Government hits accelerator on low-cost renewable power – Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, The Rt Hon Greg Hands MP, and The Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP
European scientists say they have made a major breakthrough in their quest to develop practical nuclear fusion – the energy process that powers the stars.
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-hits-accelerator-on-low-cost-renewable-power
News: Major breakthrough on nuclear fusion energy – BBC News Online
9 February 2022, Jonathan Amos. European scientists say they have made a major breakthrough in their quest to develop practical nuclear fusion – the energy process that powers the stars:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60312633
News: ‘Cash machine’ BP dismisses calls for windfall tax as profits hit eight-year high – Guardian Online
8 February 2022, Jillian Ambrose and Julia Kollewe. Company swings to $12.8bn profit from loss of $5.7bn the year before as it cashes in on gas and oil price hikes:
News: Tories fighting net zero plans are dragging climate into new culture war, experts say – Guardian Online
8 February 2022, Matthew Taylor and Helena Horton. More than half members of Net Zero Scrutiny Group were also in group that promoted Brexit vote, as fears grow for UK’s green agenda:
News: Calls for windfall tax reiterated as bp unveils £9.5bn in profit amid energy crisis – Current News
8 February 2022, Molly Lempriere. bp has seen its profits surge to £9.5 billion ($12.8 billion) for 2021, on the back of high oil and gas (O&G) prices:
Article: Scientists raise alarm over ‘dangerously fast’ growth in atmospheric methane – Nature.com
8 February 2022. As global methane concentrations soar over 1,900 parts per billion, some researchers fear that global warming itself is behind the rapid rise: