Re: The energy crisis
 

One day in the middle of a heatwave is as good as any other day (perhaps even better).
Averages are great for pretty stats, but in reality, you need to know you can handle maximum demand, not average demand.

No, you cannot "safely" rule it out. The parties may not have supported it when we had plentiful [cheapish] supplies elsewhere, but that situation has changed for the [much] worse - if "needs must", it will start to happen.

Re: The energy crisis
 

Absolutely, one-day splits are useful for the context you describe. I was discussing the split of electricity generation with Nomad at a strategic level. In this context, one day doesn't give an accurate representation of the different types of power generation as a power station could be offline or a connector down.

I'm ruling fracking out as:
- It's likely not going to be any cheaper than existing gas
- there are significant concerns about the risk of subsidence so unpopular with the public
- planning consent is problematical.
- it doesn't tick the renewables box

I'm aware that Truss now supports it but she can't change the economics. She's added the rider that local people must support it. Which they've not done to date due to subsidence risks.
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/to...acking-1765010

Re: The energy crisis
 

It's not just us householders who are suffering. This caller tells Eddie Mair of a decision to close a UK sea food business losing 900 jobs in the UK and move it to the Netherlands as it cannot operate with 260% energy price rises nor can it pass them on. It's already absorbed a 40% rise and Brexit red tape costs but to survive it must move.

The Netherlands has a 5% energy price cap which the business can absorb. This is another reason why we need action now, not in September.
https://twitter.com/g_gosden/status/1559242405219647490

Re: The energy crisis
 

Stop being alarmist, Andrew. You do realise that the new PM will be in office in less than three weeks, don’t you?

Whatever people say, we are not getting any decisions before that. The options available to the PM are still being drawn up. Liz is not going to be one to splash the cash like Moneytrees Starmer. Any help to individuals and businesses will be properly targeted so that we are not benefiting those that don’t need it.

Re: The energy crisis
 

:rofl:

It must be nice with your feet up Old Boy but out there in the real world your delusions won’t pay the bills for individuals and businesses that need support now.

Re: The energy crisis
 

The figures may be from last year, but the UK gas prices come out favourably, compared to EU countries. Only 7 countries cheaper.
Link

Sweden, Netherlands, and Portugal are all more than twice the UK cost. France is 69% more, Germany 60% more.

Re: The energy crisis
 

Next time I'm out in the DeLorean I'll take some comfort in that.

Re: The energy crisis
 

So what are the current non-taxpayer subsidised prices?
20 EU countries paying more than the UK. Hardly a sign the UK is being ripped off.

Re: The energy crisis
 

A year is a long time in energy prices and the new UK price cap will be announced next Friday.

Re: The energy crisis
 

Unsure of the relevance to the end user who can't afford it or collapsing business is to be fair.

The fact that there's large scale taxpayer subsidy universally supports the fact the market has failed. I'm surprised you see that as a "gotcha" moment against others who argue for greater state involvement in markets that are blatantly not competitive.

Re: The energy crisis
 

They are already getting support now. The increased price cap is for October.

---------- Post added at 09:55 ---------- Previous post was at 09:52 ----------

Russia has failed the world. They were trusted to ensure continuity of supply and we did business with them.

The markets have reacted appropriately by increasing prices to reflect increased demand. How people who can't afford it are helped is a matter for governments.

Re: The energy crisis
 

Interesting read from CNN about how we got here, and how that compares to Europe.

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/19/e...ner/index.html

Re: The energy crisis
 

Always someone else to blame, eh, OB. Who’d have thought putting our energy security in the hands of a KGB agent who rigs the constitution so he can become a de-facto dictator would have gone so badly? :rofl:

The problem lies right here. In fact, go and look in the mirror and it’s staring you back in the face. People like you who fell for conservative ideology that the state should have no role and the markets will satisfy our every needs. It was hardly unpredictable that capitalist actors would seek to rinse us for all we’ve got.

Re: The energy crisis
 

What about small businesses?

https://www.theguardian.com/money/20...g-energy-bills

Even the most pro-Russian of politicians would find it hard to acknowledge Russia was anything but untrustworthy after its invasion of Ukraine back in 2014. But I didn't see the UK seeking to mitigate this risk by building more nuclear power stations or increasing our gas storage in reaction to this. In fact, we continued to decommission nuclear power stations and reduce our gas storage.

Placing your country's energy needs in the hands of global energy markets puts you in the hands of geopolitical troubles. It's an approach which has failed the country and the flawed UK energy market needs reforming.

Re: The energy crisis
 

The government doesn't seem to want to match the universal help with energy bills and instead make you go to the Doctor to get money off:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/19569...-energy-bills/

They've lost the plot entirely.