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industry & Government news

ENERGY SECURITY STRATEGY:

UK DOUBLES HYDROGEN TARGET

THE UK GOVERNMENT has finally
published its highly anticipated Energy
Security Strategy, including increased
targets for offshore wind, hydrogen and
nuclear power generation.
Published after almost a month
of delays, the strategy is designed to
help the UK respond to the energy
price crisis, which is being worsened
by Russia’s war in Ukraine, reports
sustainability website edie.
The government is promising a “major
acceleration of homegrown power
generation” – both low carbon and fossil-
fuelled – in the first sweeping update to
energy security policy in a decade.
It expects the measures detailed in
the strategy to result in an electricity
generation mix that is 95 per cent
low carbon by 2030, having already
pledged to make it 100 per cent low
carbon by 2035.
As expected, the strategy details
plans to accelerate the development of
renewable power generation. It targets
24GW of installed capacity by 2050,
meaning that nuclear will provide 25
per cent of the UK’s electricity demands
by mid-century.
The government has stated that it will
support the delivery of up to eight large
plants this decade, including Wylfa, THE UK’S HYDROGEN TARGET HAS DOUBLED
Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C. It will also
support small modular reactors (SMRs). of green and blue hydrogen by 2030. “twin-track” approach should involve
There are also new ambitions for This has now been increased to 10GW, equal deployment of green hydrogen –
Britain’s nascent hydrogen sector. Last in a move that has been called for made using renewable electricity – and
year’s Hydrogen Strategy included by many major energy players. The blue hydrogen – made from natural gas
an ambition for the UK to host 5GW government has also clarified that its co-located with carbon capture.

UK EXTENDS ENERGY AID TO KEEP FACTORIES FROM SHUTTING

THE UK GOVERNMENT has stepped per cent of expenses are compensated, That’s caused some facilities to
up financial help for energy-intensive and officials said they would now curtail output. European Union
companies, such as steelmakers, facing look to increase that to 100 per cent, countries are seeking to agree on a
surging costs from spiking power and according Bloomberg. fifth round of sanctions on Russia,
gas prices in recent months. Britain’s steel plants are among including on energy imports, a move
Britain’s Energy Security Strategy the most energy-intensive industries, that could send prices even higher.
confirmed it would extend a struggling to deal with surging costs. The government also said it would
compensation program for another Across the whole of Europe, industrial look to exempt businesses from paying
three years that gives electricity- sites have been disrupted in recent 100 per cent of the Renewable Obligation
intensive industries a refund on the months as power and gas prices rose – a levy on bills that helps to pay for new
cost of the emissions trading scheme. to unprecedented levels, stoked more wind farms and other renewable energy
Under the current formula, about 60 recently by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. projects to be constructed.

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