For most of the time that I have compiled this, the IEA have been a source of frustration. Until recently they consistently, almost wilfully underestimated the growth of renewables in their forecasts. However, this week’s report, covered below, has the headline I have been waiting for ever since I started talking about “peak oil” back … Read More
I would recommend listening to Rory Stewart and Alistair Campbell’s recent interview with Dieter Helm, the UK Economist and Government advisor on energy and the natural environment, in their podcast called Leading (HERE).One of the themes of the conversation was that we have to expand the way we look at the energy transition from a … Read More
When all else in the world is failing, it is comforting to know that we now have fully recyclable crisp packets. UK NEWS Church of England Installs 438 Solar Panels on Kings College ChapelIn the BBC’s annual Christmas Carol TV broadcast, which has run regularly since 1963, the opening shot is an external view of … Read More
This newsletter peddles many and various stories, but none as big as the Inflation Reduction Act. It is not a stretch to imagine that the next generation will point to Joe Biden’s initiative as the moment that the energy transition got its wings. COMPANY NEWS Ørsted Posts All-Time High Offshore Wind EarningsEarnings from the company’s … Read More
Two stories today about drilling holes in the ground: This is just my view, but I suggest that the Government would be better advised to support Enhanced Geothermal that CCS. If CCS was really the answer it would have been built years ago. I shall watch with interest to see how enthusiastically the Harbour/BP venture … Read More
Looking forward to “Green Day” where the Government responds to Chris Skidmore’s Net Zero Review and, less directly to the USA’s Inflation Reduction Act. It must be said that the IRA has raised the bar for Government involvement in Net Zero spending, first in the US, then the EU and now, hopefully, the UK. It … Read More
The budget wasn’t all bad (see below), but it is quite depressing that the two industries that got the big bucks were CCS and nuclear. It suggests that the Treasury really don’t understand the priorities of the energy transition, and got swayed by the best funded lobby groups. A missed opportunity. COMPANY NEWS Dunelm launches … Read More
At a time when the conversation in the UK is al about shortages of salad ingredients, it is pleasing to see that Grow Up Farms, a pioneer of vertical farming, has landed a contract to sell red and green salad mix bags in selected Iceland stores. I worked with this company in their early days, … Read More
Re-reading this week’s ‘bits, it occurs to me that if the Government were to implement enough of the recommendations of Chris Skidmore’s review, we would be a lot less likely to suffer disasters such as British Volt. COMPANY NEWS Lightsource bp closes first tax equity deal with Wells Fargo for 481 megawatt solar portfolioLightsource bp … Read More
I have had to add another section this week entitled “UK Politics”, for rather obvious reasons. I sincerely hope this is a temporary addition. Maybe you could cheer yourselves by watching a recommended documentary on the bbc about oil flaring, called “Under Poisoned Skies”. Not exactly cheerful, but watch it HERE COMPANY NEWS Gresham House … Read More
