More of the same…but different

North Sea exploration licenses have been the subject of much media attention debating what is and is not the new Government’s policy. Rinnai’s Chris Goggin tries to unravel the thread from the needle where things stand. 

Recent media coverage of the UK’s new domestic energy policy contains contradictory messages, with mainstream print and broadcast media titles claiming that new Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has ordered a block on any new North Sea oil and gas drilling. The claims underline that a new direction of UK energy generation and dispersal is underway. 

In response to these claims the North Sea Transition Authority, which is part of the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, released a statement through its official government website. Chair Tim Eggar said: “Following publication of their highly inaccurate article, I have sent this letter to the Daily Telegraph: I was amazed that you chose to print your article ‘Miliband blocks North Sea drilling’ (Tel: 12 July). This was, as the Department stated, a ‘complete fabrication. 

“Contrary to the article, the Secretary of State has not told us not to approve a round of new drilling. Indeed, no such proposal has been made. There remain a handful of applications still to be decided from the 33rd Oil and Gas Licensing Round. The North Sea Transition Authority is an independent regulator with robust, well-established processes in place, and we will reach decisions on these in due course.” 

HVAC industry needs clarity 

The North Sea Transition Authority works alongside the government and other regulators to advance net zero aims while maintaining UK energy demand and security. The official position held by the government on North Sea oil and gas drilling is that all existing drilling contracts will be honoured, while a national switch to renewable electrification will also be pursued.  

It could be argued that the new government wants to be seen upholding clean energy electoral pledges and is remaining deliberately ambiguous regarding future North Sea fossil fuel exploration. But the HVAC industry - could do with clarity and simplicity so we can get on with the job of ensuring an effective and efficient energy transition.   

Before the recent election results both political parties publicly released their plan to decarbonise the electric grid. The current government believes it can achieve electrical grid carbon neutrality by 2030. For this to be made possible, renewable energy capacity must be enhanced and connected to the UK grid.  

Work has immediately begun to do so, and three new solar developments have been ratified by the current Energy Secretary Ed Miliband: 

• UK solar power companies PS Renewables and Tribus Clean Energy are collaborating to deliver a £600 million, 2,500-acre solar farm on the Suffolk Cambridgeshire border. Operational power could be potentially distributed to 172,000 homes. 

• Clean energy company Low Carbon will construct and operate the Gate Burton Solar facility, Lincolnshire. The 500MW renewable installation will distribute green power to 160,000 homes once commercially viable. 

• The 350MW Mallard Pass solar farm is in Lincolnshire and Shetland will provide 92,000 households with green power and is expected to be operational for around 60 years.  

All three solar farms exemplify the intent to introduce cleaner energies into UK domiciles and commercial properties. 

A further move that highlights the government’s commitment towards renewable capacity enhancement is the uplifting of the onshore wind ban imposed by the former government. This move will assist in adding additional renewable energy capacity to the national grid. 

Parts of the mainstream UK media are keen to tarnish any policy that limits oil and gas usage and jeopardises future fossil fuel investment.  

Rinnai closely follows all national and global energy matters with the intention of keeping all its UK customers informed of recent events that may affect energy options and costs. 

www.rinnai-uk.co.uk