When asked about priorities, members rated “Security of Supply” at 38% while policy makers were perceived to rate “Affordability” at the same level. Naturally, politicians and policy makers are concerned about affordability but, looking ahead, if the country wants security of supply it will not be looking necessarily at affordability. In second place, members rated “Sustainability” at 34% and gave third place to “Affordability” at 28%.
Meanwhile, the perception for policy makers put “Security” in second place at 36% and “Sustainability” in third at 26%. Not particularly significant variations but there can only be one first place, and for the EI Members that has to be “Security of Supply!
Moving on to how best the UK can meet its emissions targets, “Nuclear” hit the number one spot for EI members, followed by “Energy Efficiency,” and “Renewables”. Energy efficiency is now playing an increasingly important role and with global demand lower, yet not against a corresponding fall in activity, this is another contributor towards the glut of both oil gas supplies. Likewise, we are now moving away from diesel vehicles, as being environmentally friendly as they were declared many years ago, and switching to highly efficient low emission petrol/gasoline vehicles, with electric vehicles coming slowly along in the background. Here too, great savings will be made in usage of oil products although one doesn’t yet know the impact on electricity consumption for charging the vehicles.
With security of supply and sustainability as key fundamentals, which renewables cannot offer, one is perhaps more understanding now of recent changes in government policy to limit the levels of subsidies given to renewables. With nuclear being given the top position, let’s hope that some decisive news is reported soon regarding the new proposed nuclear power station at Hinkley Point.
Written By- John Hall
