Fifth Update of December 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)

Monday – 28th December

• A storm (Bella) moving through the UK on 26th December, meant more than half of UK electricity was generated from wind power for the first time.

• Researchers working on power generation from nuclear fusion are asking if this technology could play a major part in tackling climate change.

Tuesday – 29th December

• Crown Estate is launching a study into potential to use UK north sea oil and gas installations to generate hydrogen.

Thursday – 31st December

• Following a 6 month examination by regulators, on the last day of 2020, the UK Government announced approval of 2.4 GW capacity of electricity development from offshore wind turbines. The Hornsea project is located off the Norfolk (Eastern England) coast.

• This article says data from National Grid shows 2020 to be the least carbon intensive for production of electricity in recent times with a 66% drop since 2013.

Saturday – 2nd January 2021 (HAPPY NEW YEAR)

• The UK Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has expressed concerns for bird populations flying through the the new offshore wind turbine development approved by the UK Government.

• Six projects across the UK have been awarded a share of £8 million of government funding as part of plans to create the world’s first net zero industrial complex by 2040.