Third Update of December 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 – 16th December

• At the global climate change Conference of the Parties in Madrid (COP25) questions were raised regarding the credentials of burning wood pellets as a renewable source of power generation. About a third of UK renewable energy is from biomass.

Wednesday – 18th December

• The Chair of the UK Committee on Climate Change has told the UK Government that net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 needs urgent action across society starting in 2020.

• A company describes the option to store Carbon Dioxide as a solid building material.

Thursday – 19th December

• UK Government figures show that renewable sources generated more electricity than any other for the first time during the 3rd Quarter of 2019 replacing a corresponding drop in coal and nuclear power generation. About half the renewable generation came from onshore and offshore wind.

• Scottish Daily Record newspaper claims to have seen papers indicating that the manufacture of wind turbines for a new offshore wind project will be carried out in China. GMB union voices objection of UK industry job opportunities being overseas.

• The new UK Government has included plans to increase offshore wind power generation capacity target from 30 GW to 40 GW in the Queen’s speech which announces the official agenda for the government.

• Chancellor Merkel’s energy spokesperson has announced that it was a mistake for Germany to abandon nuclear power generation.

Saturday – 21st December

• USA has imposed sanctions on all countries supporting the almost complete gas pipeline between Russia and Germany (“Nord Stream 2”). This would bring US economic sanctions to Germany as well as Netherlands and Switzerland involved in pipeline construction. USA claims this makes Germany and EU over-dependent on Russia.