Fourth Update of March 2019 – An overview of last weeks Energy news

(Click a bullet point to open the relevant article)

Monday – 18th March

• LNG supply into Europe and UK is growing causing unit cost to decrease. Supply is becoming more diverse. Qatar dominance has waned in recent months with USA, Russia now delivering along with Cameroon, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago. 3 graphs are worth a quick look.

• Germany expands hydrogen supply network for road vehicles.

Tuesday – 19th March

• First UK deep coal mine in 30 years approved unanimously by Cumbria Council Development Committee.

• Both Scottish nuclear power stations extend shut-down period to end April.

• In UK Parliament, Energy Minister praises Aberdeen Oil and Gas Technology Centre for its role in maximising remaining potential of UK natural resources.

Thursday – 21st March

• Interesting milestone: Article describes the first energy supplier to offer real-time pricing on energy so customers can choose to use cheaper power at times of greater supply levels. Demand-side solutions using smart-meters.

• SSE announces closure of 0.5 GW coal-fired power station unit in Cheshire.

Friday – 22nd March

• UK Government releases 2016 (!) report into small-scale nuclear power stations (under 30MW electricity and 100MW thermal output) concludes that they “are feasible and have a potential market in the hundreds by 2030.