Interesting links, articles, news and blog posts sent out to members on 26/04/23.
Open consultation: Proposals for offshore hydrogen regulation – Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
24 April 2023. Views sought on initial regulatory proposals for offshore hydrogen pipelines and storage. This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 22 May 2023:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposals-for-offshore-hydrogen-regulation
News: Energy networks launch action plan to accelerate grid connections – Energy Networks Association
20 April 2023. Energy Networks Association (ENA) has published a three-step plan to speed up connections to the grid. Action is needed to respond to an unprecedented number of new connection applications as the country powers towards net zero:
News: Industry reacts to Energy Bill amendment to give Ofgem net zero mandate – Energy Live News
19 April 2023, Dimitris Mavrokefalidis. Peers in the House of Lords passed an amendment to the Energy Security Bill empowering Ofgem with a net zero mandate:
News: UK looks to shock energy sector with major reform – Energy Live News
17 April 2023, Dimitris Mavrokefalidis. The government considers rewarding green energy projects for “non-price factors” to drive investment and improve energy security:
Link: https://www.energylivenews.com/2023/04/17/uk-looks-to-shock-energy-sector-with-major-reform/
Article: Bureaucrats must be honest about the costs of offshore wind – Conservative Home
18 April 2023, Andrew Montford, deputy director of Net Zero Watch. As many of us expected, a series of offshore windfarms have just revealed that they cannot fulfill their promises to sell us cheap power. ‘Ask again in a year’s time’ is the best they can offer – little help amidst an energy crisis:
Policy briefing: How the Great British Insulation scheme can help the most vulnerable – University of Bristol
April 2023, researcher: Dr Ed Atkins, Senior Lecturer, School of Geographical Sciences
University of Bristol. This briefing summarises a process of review of academic and government research to present a vision for restorative justice in UK energy efficiency policy:
Link: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/policybristol/policy-briefings/energy-efficiency-vulnerable/
News: Ofgem boss defends decision not to ban force fitting of energy meters – BBC News Online
19 April 2023, Daniel Thomas and Kevin Peachey. Tougher rules over which homes can be forcibly switched to a prepayment energy meter have been criticised by campaigners who want a total ban:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65305959
Open consultation: Introducing non-price factors into the Contracts for Difference scheme: call for evidence – Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
17 April 2023. Views and evidence sought on the potential introduction of non-price factors into the Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction in the future allocation rounds. This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 22 May 2023:
News: UK explores CfD overhaul – ReNews
17 April 2023. The UK Government is considering major reforms to its Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme to help drive further investment in renewable energy deployment:
Link: https://renews.biz/85119/uk-explores-cfd-overhaul/
News: Government funnels £30m into innovative energy storage projects – Edie.net
12 April 2023, Matt Mace. The Government has unveiled the projects that will receive a share of £30m to modernise the energy system through innovative energy storage systems that will help store renewable energy for later use:
Link: https://www.edie.net/government-funnels-30m-into-innovative-energy-storage-projects/
News: Hydrogen blended into gas grid “unfairly expensive to consumers”, 20 organisations tell Shapps – Energyst
12 April 2023, Alban Thurston. Boosting Britain’s nascent hydrogen economy by pumping the gas in blends over established grids will impose unfair costs on businesses & households, campaigners including supplier Octopus Energy & green charities say:
News: Climate change: Fossil fuel emissions from electricity set to fall – report – BBC News Online
12 April 2023, Matt McGrath. The world will likely use less fossil fuels to produce electricity this year in a “turning point” for planet-friendly energy, a new report says:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65240094
Policy paper: Hydrogen net zero investment roadmap – Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
5 April 2023. This net zero investment roadmap summarises government’s hydrogen policies and available investment opportunities:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hydrogen-net-zero-investment-roadmap
News: UK Energy Secretary hints at splitting electricity and gas prices – Energy Live News
27 March 2023, Dimitris Mavrokefalidis. Grant Shapps has unveiled plans to eliminate “distortions” in the energy market, a move that could result in a £100 reduction in electricity bills: