The final report by Mike Weightman commissioned after the Fukushima disaster in Japan confirms “no fundamental weaknesses” in the UK’s nuclear licensing program. The report makes 38 recommendations of lessons learned from Fukushima, but stresses that is that nuclear power is safer than it has ever been. The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has said “operators should continue … Read More
Weightman to release report on nuclear power
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne is expected to use the report on the Fukushima disaster by Mike Weightman to push the UK’s new nuclear power program. The report on what can be learned from the Fukushima disaster is expected to kick-start the UK’s nuclear programme, despite criticism from Greenpeace and other environmental groups that it has been rushed through. Anti-nuclear protesters … Read More
Germany pushing for European super-grid
Law stating that Germany must outlaw nuclear power generation by 2022 is encouraging more talk of an EU-wide electricity system. After the Fukushima disaster in Japan, Germany decided to shut down its 17 nuclear power stations by 2022, closing the 7 oldest ones immediately. This has turned Germany from a net exporter of electricity, to a net importer of electricity … Read More
Cutting red tape could fast-track wind power
‘Presumption in favour of sustainable development’ may fast track wind turbine construction The reforms laid out by the coalition government aim to simplify the application process – fast tracking wind farms, many pieces of essential infrastructure, such as airports, waste processing plants and nuclear power stations. In simple terms, there will need to be enough protest by residents speaking out … Read More
North sea oil and gas outputs decrease
The Department of Energy and Climate Change has released new figures showing that imported coal is replacing gas and oil from the North sea in the UK fuel mix. The newly released data shows that North sea oil and gas production fell by 16% and 25% respectively in the second quarter of 2011, while coal imports rose 36% in the … Read More
Full extent of shale gas reserves revealed
Cuadrilla Resources estimates that up to 200 trillion cubic feet of gas lies underground near Blackpool. The company that halted the controversial ‘fracking’ process after a minor tremor near Blackpool earlier this year says that the resources found beneath the Northwest of England are extremely vast. Hydraulic Fracturing, or ‘fracking’, is a process which is enabling companies to extract gas … Read More
‘European super grid’ could cost £28 billion
A new ‘super grid’ for electricity that connects Britain to mainland Europe is being tabled as the solution to balancing international supply and demand. The new system would use cables laid under the sea, making it easier to connect offshore wind farms to the grid, eliminating the need for pylons that run from the countryside to the coast. It would … Read More
EDF Energy announce price rises
EDF Energy have today announced they are to increase their energy prices from 10 November EDF Energy are the last of the big six UK energy suppliers to announce their domestic price rises for this year. The company will raise its retail gas prices by 15.4% and electricity prices by 4.5% from the 10 November. EDF Energy claims it has … Read More
Utility bills a main factor of inflation increase
Inflation hits a three year high of 4.5% for August- utility bills a main factor of the increase of cost of living. The biggest annual rise in water and energy bills in more than two years has been a main factor in the high inflation rate. Energy prices, along with increases in the cost of food and clothing meant the … Read More
Leaked letter says bills could increase 30%
A letter from the Prime Minister’s Senior Policy Adviser suggests current energy policy could add 30% onto household energy bills. In a letter leaked to the Telegraph, from Prime Minister’s advisers Ben Moxham and Gila Sacks, there are claims 30% increases in household bills could be seen by 2020. Senior Policy Adviser Ben Moxham said claims by the Department of … Read More