First Update of November 2019 – An overview of last week’s Energy news

Below is this week’s summary. It should be a one minute read relevant to UK energy with links to documents for those who wish to read more.

(Click a bullet point to open the relevant article)

Monday – 4th November

• A UK Labour Party politician supports plans to open first UK coal mine in decades on the basis that it is necessary to make steel for wind turbine blades and a domestic supply is better for jobs than importing from overseas.

• A global view of decarbonisation using natural gas and renewables is presented in this article from CEO of DNV GL Oil and Gas.

Tuesday – 5th November

• BBC describes progress towards nuclear fusion recognising the opportunity but expressing concerns for pace and competition with cheaper power from renewable sources.

• UK Government has announced £315 million to be provided to energy-intensive industries to adopt new technologies which will reduce cost and emissions.

Wednesday – 6th November

• £18m investment from government and industry (Rolls-Royce) has been announced for concept design of small-scale nuclear power stations.

Thursday – 7th November

• £150 million of private investment has been approved to build a BioSNG (Bio-Substitute Natural Gas) plant in NW England. Plant will use 175,00 tonnes of organic material, mostly non-recyclable wood, to generate fuel for heavy-goods vehicles by 2022.

• UK leads world in offshore wind power generating capacity but China and US will soon overtake.

Friday – 8th November

• China’s push to natural gas for heating continues but slower than previous winters due to slowing of economy and continuing competition from cheaper coal.