Why the UK can’t get a grip of its energy crisis Energy A months-long cost-of-living crisis, state bailouts of consumer energy bills, endless planning rows, judicial interventions and now the near-collapse of Britain’s only manufacturer of virgin steel all show different sides to the UK’s ongoing energy crisis. Its dependency on foreign imports, poor planning of infrastructure and lack of control over soaring bills means the extent [...]
Grangemouth: Green projects at oil refinery site could cost £13bn Politics Plans for new green projects at the Grangemouth oil refinery site in Scotland could reportedly cost up to £13bn. A feasibility study of possible options for the site – dubbed Project Willow – has listed nine opportunities including recycling plastics and producing biomethane, to create a “flourishing low carbon hub” over the next two decades, [...]
Ed Miliband’s net zero obsession is harming the green energy transition Every industry expert agrees that Ed Miliband’s target for a 95 per cent clean energy grid is unattainable and the sacrifices required will alienate the public. There is a better way, says Simon Clarke It is a deep irony that Ed Miliband, who as energy secretary gave us the Climate Change Act in 2008, risks [...]
Net zero is making Britain colder, poorer and less productive February 12, 2025 Far from leading the way, Britain is a cautionary tale on the dangers of net zero zealotry. We are too poor to continue a policy of self-harm, says James Price A friend came back from a trip to the United States recently and told me her biggest takeaway was how warm every home and business [...]
Octopus Energy: Profit slashed as Greg Jackson’s giant battles rising costs February 4, 2025 Profit has been slashed at Octopus Energy as rising costs and falling sales ate into its margin during the giant’s latest financial year. For the 12 months to 30 April, 2024, the group reported a net profit of £83m, down from the £203m it posted in the prior year. Its revenue also dipped from £12.54bn [...]
How to make green energy cheap energy December 16, 2024 Green policies don’t win votes unless they cut bills too. Britain has a chance to transform its system to make energy affordable and grow the economy at the same time, says Octopus Energy Generation CEO Zoisa North-Bond The government’s clean power 2030 action plan is looking to ensure the economic benefits of clean energy and [...]
Inflation is a wake-up call: We need energy sovereignty now November 22, 2024 Energy costs are continuing to drive up inflation because we have a system that’s tied to geopolitical speculation rather than supply and demand. The answer is to generat eclean power on and around our own shores, says Joe McDonald Every business owner remembers that feeling of dread in the winter of 2022 as energy bills [...]
Reparations won’t fix climate change November 18, 2024 Wrong-headed demands that every single person in the rich world should pay $1000 a year in climate reparations will squeeze aid funding and do nothing to advance the green transition. The money would be better spent on R&D to drive down the cost of renewables, says Bjorn Lomborg The UN climate summit in Azerbaijan is [...]
Did Rachel Reeves deliver a net zero Budget? November 4, 2024 The UK’s recent Budget included a series of measures which have prompted debate over its impact on achieving net zero. While Rachel Reeves announced significant investments in green energy, hydrogen projects and electric vehicle incentives, a number of her decisions have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the UK’s environmental sector. While Wednesday’s Budget announced [...]
If money’s tight, why waste it on futile GB Energy? October 28, 2024 The fiscal pain of this budget will be worse because of needless GB energy, writes Conservative Environment Network director Sam Hall.