Energy news in general

QrizB

Dont forget demand is lower on holidays and weekends so less need to burn gas and generate electricity.

Edit to add: from both Gridwatch and Drax it seems that peak demand yesterday was ~10GW lower than the equivalent peak on Weds 22nd. Drax also has the total demand for the 25th as 730GWh vs. 910GWh on the 22nd.

PennineAcute

Prices will no doubt drop now until we all go back to normality on 4 January.  Most non-service industry is now closed until then.

[Deleted User]

Ovo boss criticises Government and Ofgem for lack of urgency, ahead of ‘meeting’ today

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59797224

QrizB

Anyone want to guess how the meeting between the Government and industry went?

Much as expected, it seems.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/dec/27/energy-bosses-to-meet-kwasi-kwarteng-in-attempt-to-avert-enormous-crisis

or

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59797224 (much the same content)

Edited highlights (lowlights?):

The government’s crunch talks with energy bosses have failed to deliver a breakthrough despite the industry’s calls for an urgent intervention to avert “an enormous crisis” in 2022.
The joint meeting ended without resolution, with talks over the industry rescue plans drawn up by the regulator expected to continue in the weeks ahead, despite growing calls for urgent action to protect households from the cost of the energy crisis.
Stephen Fitzpatrick, chief executive of energy supplier Ovo, told the BBC there had been “nowhere near enough urgency” from the government, even as soaring wholesale costs threatened “an enormous crisis for 2022”.
A government spokesperson confirmed that a meeting was held between the business secretary, energy bosses and Ofgem to discuss “the ongoing effects of record high global gas prices on the sector”.
“Throughout the meeting there was discussion of the issues facing the sector and an agreement for meetings to continue over the coming days and weeks to ensure UK consumers are protected,” the spokesperson added.

GingerTim

Government dithering over urgent and important actions seems to be a recurring theme...

daveyjp

Government aren't going to announce anything after a brief online call on a Bank Holiday, its not how the system works.

Any changes to taxation, spending etc has to go through due process. The Autumn spending review has been and gone and agreed.

The next forecast statement for the 2022/3 budget will be in March, but there may be further announcements as the date for the next energy cap approaches.

[Deleted User]

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/28/why-is-the-uk-facing-an-energy-crisis-and-how-do-we-cope-with-it

A good question! 

Gerry1

Deleted_User said:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/28/why-is-the-uk-facing-an-energy-crisis-and-how-do-we-cope-with-it

A good question! 

Shame it included one very duff answer: "Installing solar panels or an air source heat pump will be a bigger job and involve more initial outlay but should cut your bills".

However, the idea of a windfall tax on North Sea gas producers seems a good one.  I'm surprised it hasn't had more publicity: the flipside of millions of people having to pay significantly more must be that others must be doing very nicely thank you.  All that extra money must end up in someone's pocket.

[Deleted User]

Unsurprisingly, the contribution of solar power in this spell of appallingly dull weather has been 0.00%. But on the upside we can save £45 per annum by switching our lights off more efficiently…

[Deleted User]

The Guardian really rubbing it in.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/dec/29/uk-households-warned-of-year-of-the-squeeze-as-cost-of-living-soars