Second Update of July 2020 – 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)

Tuesday – 7th July

• The UK’s biggest energy supplier, British Gas, has ordered 1000 British built electric battery vehicles for its engineers. Vehicles will be on the road within a year. The company has the third largest fleet of commercial vehicles (12000) and aims to have them all electricity-fuelled by 2030.

Wednesday – 8th July

• EU press release announces plans for net zero emissions by 2050 with emphasis upon renewable energy and hydrogen.

Thursday – 9th July

• UK Government House of Commons Library has published a document summarising the Energy Companies’ Obligation (ECO). In this scheme, introduced in 2013, energy suppliers submit to a fund by raising money through energy bills. Funds are used to assist low-income households to reduce energy bills, for example through improved insulation. Almost 2.7 million energy efficiency measures have been made.

Friday – 10th July

• UK Government has announced an investment of £40 million in development of the next generation of nuclear power generation. £30 million will be for research and development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) including one plant to deploy fusion in Oxfordshire. Remaining funds will be put towards new ways to manufacture parts and to strengthen the regulatory regime around nuclear power generation.

• Reuters reports on findings that UK schools could save money on energy bills and emissions by making them more energy efficient and using renewable on-site generation methods such as solar panels on roofs. Article says majority of UK schools are over 40 years old.

Saturday – 11th July

• Planners at Grimsby in northern England have received an application for the largest solar power generation plant in the UK involving up to 60000 solar panels including use of land, formerly a landfill site.

Sunday – 12th July

• Ministers and other high-level representatives of 80% of the world economy held an on-line summit during the week focused upon plans to bring about a sustainable and resilient recovery and achieve a definitive peak in global emissions.