UK Gas and Electricity Crisis Looming

[Backatcha Bandit]

According to Chris Vernon on his 'vitaltrivia.co.uk' website, there is a UK Gas and Electricity Crisis Looming

I would like to take a moment to talk about the UK and our gas supplies for the coming winter 2005/06. The UK could experience a shortfall in gas supplies this winter due primarily to the rapidly declining extraction rate from indigenous reserves in the North Sea and the country’s gas infrastructure which having been designed and built when gas was plentiful is based on a just in time delivery system from offshore fields...

Vernon goes on to look at the overall contribution from North Sea Gas to the UK's total energy supply and also how that relates to our electricity generation capacity:

..gas is important to the UK providing electricity and heating, arguably we are even more dependent on gas than oil. I’m sure I could cut my oil use by half more comfortably than my gas consumption via electricity and heating.

UK gas originates almost entirely from the North Sea, with a small amount able to be imported through the interconnector with Belgium. The extraction rate from the North Sea peaked in 2000 and has been falling since, production last year was 12% down from the peak. This data is from the Department of Trade and Industry:

Total gas production in million cubic metres (3)
2000 114,557 mcm
2001 112,567 mcm -1.7
2002 109,816 mcm -2.4%
2003 108,088 mcm -1.6%
2004 100,966 mcm -6.6%

He continues with a glance at the decommisioning schedule for the UK's existing Nuclear generating capacity. I find this to be disturbing reading.

Even with Brent Crude trading at around $70 bbl, I am increasingly disturbed by the scant coverage 'energy issues' are receiving in the Mainstream Media.

The question that needs asking is, given that we appear to facing an energy shortfall, where is it going to come from and how much is it going to cost?

 

[Top Dog]

The question that needs asking is, given that we appear to facing an energy shortfall, where is it going to come from and how much is it going to cost?

And... what are the social consequences of an energy crisis?

following the last energy crisis in the 70s, capital certainly took steps to recompose those most affected by the rise in prices (ie. large sections of the working class who responded with a huge wave of combativity). i havent read the link beyond your C&P... so taking this at face value, id be interested to hear if anyone cares to speculate on whether we're looking at a similar battle taking place, though in a very different social environment

 

[Bernie Gunther]

And... what are the social consequences of an energy crisis?

following the last energy crisis in the 70s, capital certainly took steps to recompose those most affected by the rise in prices (ie. large sections of the working class who responded with a huge wave of combativity). i havent read the link beyond your C&P... so taking this at face value, id be interested to hear if anyone cares to speculate on whether we're looking at a similar battle taking place, though in a very different social environment

Best question I've heard in ages. Good one. (longer post on its way soon)

 

[montevideo]

And... what are the social consequences of an energy crisis?

increase in candle sales?

 

[pinkmonkey]

Whatever happens, energy prices have gone up a lot haven't they? I recently did something I've wanted to do for ages. We have moved suppliers (I followed the advice on the money saving expert website). We have saved 25% on our next 12 months of bills.

 

[Bernie Gunther]

I guess one reasonable first step might be to identify the points at which higher energy prices would cause pain. Here's a quick starter list.

Farmers and truckers. Often small businesses surviving on low margins. They put much of the food in our shops and are already threatened with absorption by the agribusiness corportations.

Elderly, particularly those struggling to make ends meet even with cheap gas.

Likelihood of a recession, affecting the tax base, unemployment figures etc.

Power cuts, empty supermarket shelves and stuff like that can quickly lead to political instability.

 

[tobyjug]

According to Chris Vernon on his 'vitaltrivia.co.uk' website, there is a UK Gas and Electricity Crisis Looming

Electricity power generation in Britain has been hanging by a thread for years.
Nuclear stations now well past their sell by date, no new stations planned.
Other generation plant is also old and antiquated. There is very little margin for a very bad winter or a serious breakdown.

 

[weltweit]

Four more small energy firms could go bust next week

Rising wholesale gas prices means some companies are unable to supply energy customers have paid for.

www.bbc.co.uk

Looks like small Gas suppliers may go out of business next week.

 

[weltweit]

from the BBC Article :

At the beginning of 2021 there were 70 energy suppliers in the UK. Industry sources say there may be as few as 10 left by the end of the year.

 

[not-bono-ever]

I’ve recently switched and just found out that my new supplier is looking ropey. Too cheap to be true I suppose

 

[weltweit]

I’ve recently switched and just found out that my new supplier is looking ropey. Too cheap to be true I suppose

At least it seems you won't be cut off.

 

[two sheds]

I once got stopped by someone trying to get me to change to a new electricity supplier - he asked me who I was with and I said Ecotricity - he said 'Ah I won't bother then, not worth me talking to people with smaller suppliers'.

 

[weltweit]

I once got stopped by someone trying to get me to change to a new electricity supplier - he asked me who I was with and I said Ecotricity - he said 'Ah I won't bother then, not worth me talking to people with smaller suppliers'.

Why? Because smaller companies are generally cheaper?

 

[two sheds]

that was the impression

 

[weltweit]

that was the impression

To keep costs down, Which? suggests:

• Switching energy providers regularly
• Signing up to a fixed tariff to keep bills stable

from

Ofgem warns soaring gas prices will feed into customer bills

The energy watchdog says that rising prices for fossil fuels, especially gas, will feed into household bills.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[two sheds]

Have never understood the switching providers thing - unless they do the nasty broadband supplier shit of charging new customers less than existing customers. I'm not sure what Ecotricity prices are like (I must actually check) but I wouldn't mind paying them a bit more.

 

[BristolEcho]

I switch every year if I can as I managed to save about £200 last year and got cashback on it. This year we stuck despite an increase as there really wasn't anything viable and Eon haven't been to bad. I'd heard it was bad but some of the "good" quotes were £50 more than we are paying now which isn't good with one of us being on ESA at the moment.

 

[RileyOBlimey]

This shortage caused by a cold winter should be a red flag that we are vulnerable to climate change and reliant on gas for not just the best part of our electricity, heating and agriculture.

Thank fuck we’ve got a responsible and competent Government to steer us through this storm… :-(

 

[cybershot]

Have never understood the switching providers thing - unless they do the nasty broadband supplier shit of charging new customers less than existing customers. I'm not sure what Ecotricity prices are like (I must actually check) but I wouldn't mind paying them a bit more.

It’s a no brainer. I switch every time my term comes to and end. (Unless they are still cheapest, happened once) I just go with whoever is cheapest. Well known or a small player. None have ever gone out of business while I’ve been with them so can’t speak for exoierence there but someone else bids for your custom and they get the contract and should honour your terms. No interruptions to your supply.

switching is so remarkably easy. Unlike broadband you don’t speak to a soul. You just fill in the form, wait 2 weeks and your done. One of the easiest ways to ‘save’ money.

 

[Storm Fox]

Have never understood the switching providers thing - unless they do the nasty broadband supplier shit of charging new customers less than existing customers. I'm not sure what Ecotricity prices are like (I must actually check) but I wouldn't mind paying them a bit more.

You normally get the deal for the first 1 year or 18 months or so. The company then puts you over their (normally) more expensive standard variable rate.
The of course getting the same gas or electricity so these company's aren't really Utilities Companies, they are just billing and admin companies, and it shocking how poor most of them are at that.

 

[maomao]

I'm not sure what Ecotricity prices are like (I must actually check) but I wouldn't mind paying them a bit more.

Why would you want to pay more?

 

[B.I.G]

It’s a no brainer. I switch every time my term comes to and end. (Unless they are still cheapest, happened once) I just go with whoever is cheapest. Well known or a small player. None have ever gone out of business while I’ve been with them so can’t speak for exoierence there but someone else bids for your custom and they get the contract and should honour your terms. No interruptions to your supply.

switching is so remarkably easy. Unlike broadband you don’t speak to a soul. You just fill in the form, wait 2 weeks and your done. One of the easiest ways to ‘save’ money.

They don’t honour your terms.

 

[Riklet]

Absolute crock of shit that half of electricity is still produced by burning gas.

If they had pulled their fingers out past few years there would be plenty of gas for domestic and commercial use instead. We still get half from the North Sea as it is...

Fuck all these useless energy companies I hope they all go bust. One more incentive to insulate houses as much as possible.... which of course isnt being done.

 

[two sheds]

Why would you want to pay more?

they're investing in renewables, one of only two that do as I understand it. Is why I don't look at comparison websites - I don't think they're comparing like with like to give the cheapest tariffs.

 

[platinumsage]

they're investing in renewables, one of only two that do as I understand it. Is why I don't look at comparison websites - I don't think they're comparing like with like to give the cheapest tariffs.

They pretty much all invest in renewables, I think that overpriced Ecotricity are cunningly marketed at middle class muesli weavers.

Offshore Wind | SSE Renewables

www.sserenewables.com

https://www.eonenergy.com/About-eon/our-company/generation/our-current-portfolio/wind/onshore

Where we work - EDF Renewables

www.edf-re.uk

 

[RileyOBlimey]

From the Torygraph: “The UK has slashed its strategic gas storage to barely 1.7pc of annual demand by closing the Rough facility off the Yorkshire coast, subcontracting the costly task of storage to Germany and the Netherlands. Clive Moffatt, a gas consultant and former adviser to the Government on energy security, said: “It should be nearer 25pc.” “

 

[RileyOBlimey]

 

[agricola]

From the Torygraph: “The UK has slashed its strategic gas storage to barely 1.7pc of annual demand by closing the Rough facility off the Yorkshire coast, subcontracting the costly task of storage to Germany and the Netherlands. Clive Moffatt, a gas consultant and former adviser to the Government on energy security, said: “It should be nearer 25pc.” “

"the UK has", as if it wasn't the Government

Exclusive - Rough justice? UK snubs call for gas storage capacity review

Britain has rebuffed calls from the gas industry for an urgent review of the country's gas storage capacity after a cold snap this month triggered warnings of supply shortages and gas prices spiked to their highest in at least a decade.

www.reuters.com

 

[not-bono-ever]

Market forces will make it all ok according to the Reuters article above

 

[Pickman's model]

Isn't capitalism great