This is the Government’s Energy Strategy 10 point delivery plan, with a few of the author’s comments.
Here is the original Energy Strategy.
Update:
Since this post was first published, new technologies have emerged to make energy production more sustainable. One is a way of storing the carbon dioxide from oil/gas drilling underground, which prevents it from worsening climate change. Another is a way of making nuclear power safer and less risky. These developments make both oil/gas and nuclear power more viable options for energy.
My proposal is to use a 60/30/10 ratio of nuclear, renewable and oil/gas energy sources in the UK for now, but gradually phase out oil/gas over the next 20 years. By then, the ratio would be 60/40 of nuclear and renewable energy. This would balance the benefits of oil/gas with the need to invest in cleaner and safer energy sources. Of course, this depends on whether the new technologies for oil/gas and nuclear power are effective and harmless.
One would think that the UK Government would be planning to harness the energy resources that are unlimited, free, and work short, and long term, to supply the country.
Why does the UK Government think that long term investment in nuclear power, and reducing demand, is the answer?
Perhaps the UK Energy Strategy needs a rethink..Would the government benefit from envisioning the UK as an Energy Producer/Supplier, not solely a consumer?
When the UK has unlimited energy resources available, why should we all be paying £5K per year to heat our homes?
How the UK is delivering on the Energy Strategy
Delivery highlights so far Author’s Suggested amendments
1. Advancing offshore wind— Over £1.6 billion invested, securing 3,600 jobs — 11GW already generated, and another 12GW in the pipeline — Up to £320 million in government support for fixed bottom and floating wind ports and infrastructure — Additional government support for other low-cost renewables technologies
Author comments: The UK is an island and has an unlimited resource with wind power. Harnessing energy from the wind, does not necessarily involve Wind farms. There are other methods to capture the energy. Wind is an infinite energy resource to be tapped, and can be used to supply immediately.
2. Driving the growth of low carbon hydrogen— £7.5 million awarded to ITMs Gigastack Project, an early mover in the market, with potential to support up to 2,000 jobs over time — Preparing to allocate up to £100 million of revenue support to initial electrolytic projects — Launching £240 million to Net Zero Hydrogen Fund later in April — Developed indicative Heads of Terms for hydrogen business model contract
Author comments: Until other methods of harnessing Hydrogen, are found, this cannot be a serious way forward. Possible for investment, but not ready within 5 years.
3. Delivering new and advanced nuclear power— Committed to provide up to £1.7 billion of direct government funding to enable one nuclear project to FID this Parliament — Investing £100 million into Sizewell C to help develop this project — Investing £210 million to develop Small Modular Reactors with Rolls Royce — Announced a £120 million Future Nuclear Enabling Fund to progress new nuclear
Author comments: Exclude from the energy strategy
4. Accelerating the shift to zero emission vehicles— £4 billion of investment has flowed into the UK zero emission vehicle sector — Building 2 new gigafactories, in Sunderland and Blyth — 30,425 public charge-points in the UK with 100 new rapid chargers added to the UK network every month during 2021
Author comments: Exclude from the energy strategy — This is mitigation, reducing demand. This will not help with the supply of energy to the UK.
5. Green public transport, cycling and walking– 1,678 zero emission buses funded — Launched Active Travel England, increasing cycling by 75%
Author comments: Exclude from the energy strategy — This is mitigation, reducing demand. This will not help with the supply of energy to the UK.
6. Net zero and green ships– Consulted on introduction of a UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate, requiring jet fuel suppliers to blend an increasing proportion of SAF into aviation fuel from 2025 — Allocated £23 million as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition
Author comments: Exclude from the energy strategy — This is mitigation, reducing demand. This will not help with the supply of energy to the UK.
7. Greener buildings– Cut VAT for insulation and heat pumps — 46% of homes in England at EPC C or above, up from 9% in 2008, and 2,300 social housing homes in the process of being improved — Over 60,000 heat pumps installeations estimated by industry, now offering households grants of £5,000 towards an air source heat pump so they are cost competitive compared to a gas boiler
Author comments: Exclude from the energy strategy — This is mitigation, reducing demand. This will not help with the supply of energy to the UK.
8. Investing in CCUS– Committed £1 billion in public investment to decarbonise our industrial clusters — Announced the first 2 clusters in Teeside, the Humber and Merseyside — Launched phase 2 of the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, allocating £60 million to decarbonisation technologies, with a further £100 million delivered in May and October this year
Author comments: Exclude from the energy strategy — This is mitigation, reducing demand.This will not help with the supply of energy to the UK.
9. Protecting our natural environment– Additional £124 million provided at Spending Review 2021 to the Nature for Climate Fund to support tree planting and peat restoration, going beyond 2019 manifesto commitment of £640 million– 13,290 hectares of trees planted across the UK in 2020 to 2021 — Launched 3 new Community Forests in Cumbria, Devon and the North-East — £5.2 billion invested in a 6 year programme of flood defences
Author comments: Exclude from the energy strategy — This is mitigation, reducing demand.This will not help with the supply of energy to the UK.
10. Green finance and innovation– £615 million allocated from the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio — Set the JET world record, with 59 megajoules of heat energy in a single fusion ‘shot’ that lasted 5 seconds
Author comments: Use this to fund Solar, Wind and Tidal power, long term.
Summary.
Of the three delivery items that the Energy strategy mentions, only two supply energy to the country, and one is hazardous to public health.
Not in the UK Government’s Energy strategy, but should be: Advancing Tidal Power. The UK is an island. Tidal power is an unlimited energy resource. Tidal can be used to supply immediately.
New technologies are making tidal energy a major player in some areas around the world. https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/6-ways-to-capture-tidal-energy
Add Solar, Wind, Tidal (infinite resources on this island) to the Energy strategy, and invest here. They can start supplying the grid immediately. Long term, either could enable the UK to produce enough energy to supply other countries.
So tell me again, why are we paying £5K per year for our energy bills?