2 November, 2022 – After speculation that the prime minister would not attend COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, it has been confirmed that Rishi Sunak will now attend. Sunak tweeted “There is no long-term prosperity without action on climate change. There is no energy security without investing in renewables”.
1 November, 2022 – Ovo Energy have launched their Power Move initiative, providing financial incentives of £100 to energy consumers who do not use their gas or electricity between 4pm – 7pm. The trail started on 1st November and runs till March as a bid to reduce winter energy demand.
1 November, 2022 – According to recent research, the UK has experienced a 35% increase in the average unit price of electricity since 2016. This means the UK has had the third highest electricity price increase worldwide, jumping from 14.35 pence/kWh to 19.31 pence/kWh.
31 October, 2022 – Clean energy supplier Octopus Energy has won the opportunity to take on Bulbs 1.5 million customers, after going into administration at the end of 2021. Octopus had 3.4 million domestic energy customers and they will now be the third biggest supplier in Britain.
28 October, 2022 – The government has announced that Rishi Sunak will not attend the COP27 climate summit in Egypt. A Downing Street spokesperson has said that other pressing domestic commitments require the Prime Minister to remain in the county. It will now only be senior ministers in attendance, along with COP President Alok Sharma.
27 October, 2022 – Rishi Sunak has U-turned on the easing of planning permissions for wind power projects. This was a policy he suggested during the race for PM, in which opposition parties accused the policy of being “economic illiteracy”. Some say this is a step back in the country’s progress to net-zero.
27 October, 2022 – Shell has published their profits of £8.2 billion in the 3rd quarter, more than double this time last year. Even with these extreme profits Shell has paid no windfall tax on oil and gas. At the same time, 6.3 million households are expected to undergo fuel poverty.
26 October, 2022 – PowerMarkets recent study on roof-mounted solar feasibility discovered that businesses around the UK could make savings of up to £12.6 billion each year on energy costs. Businesses could also save up to 12Mt of CO2 annually. PowerMarket is encouraging businesses to consider solar as a cost-reducing solution.
26 October, 2022 – The fracking ban will not be lifted as Rishi Sunak moves into the role of Prime Minister. He claims that he stands by the original 2019 manifesto which condemned the extraction of shale gas. This follows Liz Truss’ short term in office in which her government lifted the moratorium on fracking.
21 October, 2022 – Britons are being warned that energy blackouts could be expected as a result of Putin’s restrictions on Russian gas supplies. According to official government documentation, three hour blackouts could be experienced up to 3 times a week over winter.
