Page 9 - Gi_May2020

industry & government news

UK’S DOMESTIC EMISSIONS FALL CORONAVIRUS:

3.6% AS RENEWABLES TAKE ENERGY BILL HELP
FOR VULNERABLE
RECORD GENERATION SHARE AMID OUTBREAK

emissions from territorial sources in
2019 stood at 435.2MtCO₂e – 3.6 per
cent less than in 2018 and 45.2 per cent
less than in 1990.
The majority of the reductions
on both a year-on-year and longer-
term basis can be attributed to
decarbonisation of the UK’s power
sector, according to edie.
Between 2018 and 2019, emissions
from the UK’s power sector decreased
by 13.2 per cent. The period saw the
THE OVER-70S ARE AT
closure of two major coal-fired power GREATER RISK OF HEALTH
COOLING TOWERS AT DRAX POWER plants – Cottam and Fiddlers Ferry – as ISSUES FROM COVID-19
STATION IN NORTH YORKSHIRE their respective owners EDF and SSE
prepared for the UK government’s coal GAS AND ELECTRICITY suppliers
THE UK’S DOMESTIC greenhouse phase-out deadline. This deadline was have agreed an emergency package
gas (GHG) emissions underwent a 3.6 recently moved forward from 2025 to of measures to ensure vulnerable
per cent year-on-year fall in 2019, 2024, in recognition of both the UK’s people do not get cut off amid the
during which time renewable energy position as COP26 host and of global coronavirus outbreak.
rose to a record 36.9 per cent share of market challenges for fossil fuels. More than four million people
electricity generation. Energy and Clean Growth Minister who are on prepayment meters will
That is according to the latest UK Kwasi Kwarteng said the new data receive help if they cannot get out to
energy statistics and provisional evidences “extraordinary progress”. top up, reports the BBC.
GHG emissions figures, published at “With record-breaking levels of This may include credit being sent
the end of March by the Department renewable electricity on the grid, in the post or funds automatically
for Business, Energy and Industrial we are well-placed to build on these added to their meter.
Strategy (BEIS). efforts in the months and years Those struggling to pay bills will
The GHG emissions figures report ahead, while continuing to support receive support and no credit meter
accounts for all emissions generated the economy through the coronavirus disconnections will take place.
within the UK’s borders. It states that outbreak,” he said. Debt repayments and bill payments
could be reassessed, paused or
reduced where needed, if energy
customers are finding it difficult.
NORTH SEA OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY out on a customer’s behalf to top up
Firms could also send somebody
CONFIDENT OF CORONAVIRUS CRISIS REGIME a prepayment meter.
“While friends and family will play
a role in helping people impacted by
NORTH SEA INDUSTRY GROUP as all non-critical maintenance is the coronavirus, we recognise there
Oil & Gas has said it is confident of postponed and operators focus on will be many customers who will need
maintaining production under a keeping facilities running at current additional support and reassurance,
“minimum manning” regime designed production levels. UK oil production particularly those who are
to guard against coronavirus. has reached around 1.1 million barrels financially impacted or in vulnerable
However, a leading trade unionist per day in recent years, in a partial circumstances,” said Business and
has said workers are fearful and the comeback for the industry. Energy Secretary Alok Sharma.
government needs to step in to ensure Offshore oil and gas workers are In a letter to customers, the Energy
the basin’s survival, reports S&P exempt from the general “lockdown” Networks Association said there
Global Platts. imposed in the UK to try to combat were 36,000 people working to keep
In a briefing with journalists, OGUK coronavirus. But the industry, which homes powered.
Health and Safety Director Trevor relies on remote and sometimes It said: “We look after your gas
Stapleton said the number of workers cramped platforms off Scotland’s and electricity networks, and have
at UK offshore installations had been coast, faces a battle fending off a virus well-practised contingency plans in
reduced to around 7,000 since the that has paralysed Europe, while place so we can keep your energy
new regime kicked in, compared slashing its spending in the face of flowing. We want to reassure you
with normal levels of around 11,500, collapsing oil prices. that we are prepared.”

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16/04/2020 15:42
News.indd 4
News.indd 4 16/04/2020 15:42