Energy Bill
Ed Davey has today confirmed that the government’s long-awaited Energy Bill will be published next month as planned, easing fears that political rows over the precise content of the bill could lead to further delays. Speaking at a CBI event this morning, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary refused to be drawn on the critical issue of whether or not a decarbonisation target for the power sector will be included in the bill. But he did provide fresh details on how the bill will improve investor certainty for clean energy projects, while reiterating that the “coalition is united behind these energy market reforms”.
Business Green 18th Oct 2012 more >>
Energy Policy
In a speech to business leaders in London, Dr Neil Bentley said: “Energy investment is as much about growth as it is about secure, low-carbon power. Giving energy policy speeches can sometimes feel like being stuck in a time warp. While we support the Government’s direction of travel, the speed of progress is pretty frustrating. “The energy bill is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, to boost our economy as well as head off our energy challenges. To grab that opportunity before it is too late, we need less politics, more policy.” Speaking on the UK’s new commitment to gas, Bentley said: “All the evidence points towards a balanced and diverse energy mix as the most cost effective pathway to decarbonisation. This includes new nuclear, new renewables, new carbon capture and storage and new gas. “Government is right to encourage safe shale gas extraction as it makes sense to maximise the amount of energy we can produce at home at a reasonable cost. But gas alone isn’t the answer. “Most modelling shows future European gas prices rising, with or without an influx of unconventional gas, and so from both a cost and a security perspective, a mixed portfolio of generating technologies looks favourable. So let’s stop arguing over the energy mix and focus on attracting investment to create jobs and growth as quickly as possible.”
Solar Portal 18th Oct 2012 more >>
Deborah Meaden, the businesswoman and TV “Dragon”, on Thursday attacked what she said was the failure of the chancellor, George Osborne, to promote green energy and businesses, as she led hundreds from business, environment, trade union, faith and women’s groups in a protest outside the Treasury. Meaden, a Dragon’s Den judge, told the Guardian: “Osborne needs to overcome his blindness for green issues. Businesses need a framework – clarity and stability. You can’t get the green economy going without knowing what you’re aiming for.” The protest, organised by Stop Climate Chaos, saw campaigners don green hard-hats to promote their message that “green is working” – a reference to the fact that the low-carbon sector is one of the few parts of the UK economy to have generated growth and jobs in recent years, as highlighted by the CBI in July.
Guardian 18th Oct 2012 more >>
Ed Davey, the Energy Secretary, gave a strong indication yesterday that he plans to introduce a specific emissions target for the power sector as he seeks to attract much-needed investment into low-carbon electricity generation. In a speech about the Government’s forthcoming Energy Bill, Mr Davey acknowledged the pressing need for potential investors to be clear about the financial returns from backing projects if Britain is to attract the £110bn of capital the sector needs over the next eight years. He said a key way to give investors clarity on returns would be to introduce a “decarbonisation target” for the power industry, putting a limit on how much Co2 energy generators could emit, thereby increasing demand for low-carbon technologies such as wind, solar, water and nuclear.
Independent 19th Oct 2012 more >>
David Cameron’s announcement yesterday that the government would legislate to force energy companies to put customers on their lowest tariffs sounded good for a couple of hours. But by last night it had unravelled. Even consumer groups argued that it was unworkable and would destroy what little competition there is in the energy market, forcing prices up not down. It neatly symbolised the current disarray in the government’s energy policy, which is fast approaching crisis point. As it prepares to publish its long-awaited energy bill, the choice at stake could not be more critical: whether Britain moves towards a low-carbon energy system that contributes to tackling climate change, or a continuing fossil fuel-based one that locks in high greenhouse gas emissions for the next 40 years.
Guardian 18th Oct 2012 more >>
Energy Subsidies
If we had genuine transparency on what has been spent on energy historically it would show that subsidies for renewables are a drop in the ocean compared with what fossil fuel and nuclear energy have benefited from over the years. In 2011, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that renewables subsidies were $66 billion compared with subsidies for fossil fuels of $409 billion. This data flies in the face of popular opinion that fossil fuels don’t receive any subsidy. The support given to oil, gas and coal rarely capture any attention, whereas every pound of renewable power subsidies are subject to highly critical political and media scrutiny. Earlier this year, The Carbon Brief report examined if there had ever been a level energy playing field. It concluded that ‘whilst it may seem paradoxical, continued Government involvement on behalf of renewables may create more, not less, competition and could help to create something more closely resembling a free and fair market.’
Solar Portal 18th Oct 2012 more >>
Energy Prices
The prime minister told the Commons he would legislate “so that energy companies have to give the lowest tariff to their customers”, not just the 25% who now opt for it. There were gasps all round. Whitehall officials had to burn the midnight oil “clarifying” what on earth the prime minister meant by thus denying choice.
Guardian 18th Oct 2012 more >>
David Cameron has been accused of causing ‘chaos’ over energy policy after ministers appeared to row back from his announcement that firms would be forced to switch customers on to the cheapest tariffs.
Telegraph 18th Oct 2012 more >>
Downing Street was in full retreat yesterday after David Cameron’s promise to force energy companies to put customers on the cheapest tariff threatened to unravel. No 10 watered down the Prime Minister’s surprise commitment less than 24 hours after he made it. The change was confirmed after ministers were unable to endorse Mr Cameron’s announcement. Labour said that the Government’s energy policy was in chaos.
Times 19th Oct 2012 more >>
Magnox
Babcock, CH2M Hill and URS among contenders for contract to run 12 sites across UK. Engineers and consultants Babcock, CH2M Hill and URS are among eight firms in the running for a £6.1bn nuclear decommissioning role, Building has learned. Pre-qualification questionnaires were submitted last Friday by bidders for the contract to run the Magnox and Research Sites Restoration’s 12 nuclear sites across the UK. Building understands Babcock is bidding with engineer Fluor; CH2M Hill is partnered with services firm Serco; Bechtel is bidding alongside URS, while consultant Amec is leading a fourth consortium. The current operator of the sites, nuclear services firm EnergySolutions, is also understood to be bidding for the role.
Building 18th Oct 2012 more >>
Serco has teamed up with CH2M Hill of the US and Areva of France to enter the £6 billion race to decommission Britain’s oldest nuclear reactors. The consortium, which will be unveiled today, will be bidding for one of the largest public procurements of recent years. The clean-up contract that the companies hope to take over employs about 3,000 workers on a dozen ageing nuclear sites dotted around the country. But they face stiff competition from a rival consortium made up of the US companies Bechtel, URS and Energy Solutions. The contract covers Britain’s ten Magnox reactors as well two old nuclear research sites in Oxfordshire and Dorset. The oldest Magnox power plant, Calder Hall in Cumbria, was the world’s first commercial scale nuclear reactor and began operations in 1959 before it closed a decade ago. The contract, which is expected to last seven years, will begin in summer 2014.
Times 19th Oct 2012 more >>
Companies
Power systems developer Rolls-Royce has been awarded a contract by China Guangdong Nuclear Power Corporation to supply its Spinline digital safety instrumentation and control (I&C) technology for the modernisation programme of the Ling Ao nuclear power plant.
Share Cast 18th Oct 2012 more >>
Money AM 18th Oct 2012 more >>
Cumbria
COPELAND’S MP says there is no Plan B for the West Cumbrian economy without nuclear support. Jamie Reed made the point at the Labour Party Conference but at the same time emphasised the importance to nuclear in area and regional growth. He referred to the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s significant investment at Sellafield: £1.7 billion. Mr Reed was speaking at a ‘fringe’ reception sponsored by Britain’s Energy Coast and Nuclear Management Partners to remind delegates about the significance that energy production plays in the regional economy. Stressing that there was ‘no Plan B without nuclear’ the Copeland’s MP said: “We’re working with the government but please get a move on – the longer we wait, the more trouble we invite.”
Whitehaven News 18th Oct 2012 more >>
India
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), together with South Asia Solidarity Group, is hosting a public meeting in the House of Commons tonight on the future of nuclear power plants. At a time when many other countries are turning away from nuclear power, the British government is looking to build two new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point. Moreover, Britain continues to export civil nuclear technology to India, a country with an abysmal industrial safety record.
CND 18th Oct 2012 more >>
France
France may take five years to order a dismantling of Electricite de France SA’s oldest atomic plant, regulators said, after President Francois Hollande stated last month the Fessenheim site would be halted by the end of 2016. “This doesn’t mean the reactors can’t be stopped beforehand,” Andre-Claude Lacoste, head of the Autorite de Surete Nucleaire safety watchdog, told Senators today. EDF needs about two years to submit documents to the ASN setting out its dismantling plans and the government another three years before a decree could be published, Lacoste said. Decommissioning of two 900-megawatt reactors could then begin.
Bloomberg 16th Ot 2012 more >>
Japan
Japan’s new nuclear regulator will impose tighter safety standards for atomic plants, taking account of geological data in the earthquake-prone country, its head said.
Engineering & Technology 18th Oct 2012 more >>
Singapore
Singapore has ruled out nuclear energy as an alternative for the near future despite concerns over energy security. The city-state is heavily reliant on imported natural gas for power generation and policy makers had mulled the nuclear option to complement its energy mix. A pre-feasibility study authorised by the Singapore government concluded this week that nuclear energy technology presently available is not suitable for deployment.
Gas to Power Journal 18th Oct 2012 more >>
Iran
Russia said Thursday it was “realistic” to hold direct talks next month between Iran’s chief negotiator and six-nation representative Catherine Ashton over the Islamic republic’s nuclear drive.
EU Business 18th Oct 2012 more >>
The acting commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has warned that the country is prepared for ‘global battles’ if its nuclear sites are attacked. General Hossein Salami said Israel will ‘definitely’ face fierce retaliation if it attacks Iranian nuclear sites. His words, reported by the semiofficial ISNA news agency, seem to be part of Iran’s efforts to portray any strike as the trigger for a regional conflict.
Daily Mail 18th Oct 2012 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
Alex Salmond is to urge his party to reverse its long-held antipathy towards Nato, in the first big test of whether he can move the Scottish National party away from its more controversial policy positions in time for the 2014 referendum on independence. If the SNP does win today’s vote, as expected, the result will open up new policy questions – the most significant surrounding the Trident nuclear weapons system, which is based in Scottish waters. The motion keeps the party committed to moving Trident out of Scotland, but questions remain over how long it would take to move the deterrent and whether Nato would accept an independent Scotland committed to nuclear disarmament.
FT 18th Oct 2012 more >>
SNP conference will see its most bitter internal policy battle in years as members debate the leadership’s proposed U-turn over joining Nato.
Times 19th Oct 2012 more >>
Renewables
Adam Bruce has accepted the position of Chairman of the new Offshore Wind Programme Board. The Offshore Wind Programme Board has been established following the recommendations in the Offshore Wind Cost Reduction Task Force report. It will comprise a small number of senior representatives from industry (including developers and supply chain), Government and Statutory Nature Conservation advisors and is based on successful models used in other sectors such as the Oil and Gas PILOT group. The Programme Board’s objective will be to treat the UK’s offshore wind sector as one business, proactively considering its risks and assigning the appropriate participants to work on solutions to the issues raised.
DECC 18th Oct 2012 more >>
Four power stations’ worth of locally-owned renewable schemes could be installed by 2020 if the Government supports community energy, it was claimed today. A coalition of organisations including the Co-operative, the National Trust, the Church of England and the Women’s Institute are calling for measures to boost the community renewable power and energy efficiency schemes. They want national targets for community energy, promotion of local ownership to increase public acceptance of renewables, Government-backed advice and support, higher subsidies for community schemes, tax breaks for investors and access to finance through the new green investment bank. The organisations, who represent 12 million members, are meeting with Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey today to launch a “manifesto for a community energy revolution” setting out the measures they say are needed. The Co-operative estimates that the UK potential for community-owned renewable energy installed by 2020 is 3.5 gigawatts, the equivalent of four conventional power stations.
But it is difficult for co-operatives to compete in the energy market as regulations and incentives are designed for bigger players.
Independent 19th Oct 2012 more >>
