We all need renewable energy so why is the Government still lining Conglomerates pockets?

The Government is wrong to cut the FIT payments (subsidies) to domestic and community Green energy.

Amber Rudd, the energy minister, announced a series of cuts earlier this summer, including a reduction in the guaranteed price paid for electricity generated by new rooftop solar installations by up to 87 per cent. The government has said the existing levels of support are no longer needed as the industry has reached critical mass – and that it must act to protect customers, who ultimately pay for subsidies through green levies paid by suppliers and passed on in energy bills.

If it was a purely subsidies to “green” energy then I could understand it – let them compete on a level playing field with all the other commercial generators, (coal, gas, nuclear etc.) but it’s not.

The new Hinckley point Nuclear PowerStation is getting a vast amount of OUR money in subsidies – remember it’s the Chines that are building it).

The Government is planning to slash generation tariffs for new domestic installations by 83 per cent from the start of next year to 1.63p per kilowatt hour (kWh) — though they will still get an additional 4.85p for every kWh exported to the National Grid.

By cutting this subsidy it will give us all back the vast amount of £6 a YEAR off our energy bills.

The total solar capacity of the UK is now eight gigawatts. However, Government estimates show the proposed cut in the generation tariff could cost the UK six gigawatts of renewable energy in the future. 

EDF's £25 billion Hinckley Point C nuclear station will generate 3.2 gigawatts — i.e. half the energy potentially being lost changing the renewable scheme. 

But look at what vast subsidies the Government is giving EDF to build this Nuclear Plant. Yes, we need it but surely it would be preferable and fairer to give a smaller subsidy to you and me to be more energy efficient and Greener? Not give enormous sums to these vast multinational conglomerates?

The Government has guaranteed energy giant EDF and its partners will receive at least £92.50 for every mega-watt hour of electricity generated by Hinckley Point C — twice the current market price — and that figure will rise with inflation.

Some estimates suggest total subsidies to the project could cost tax-payers £76 billion — that's £2,870 for every household in the UK. 

By comparison commercial solar energy generators get an average £68 per megawatt hour — almost a third less than nuclear. Scaling that down to household proportions the nuclear option receives 9.25p per kWh compared to commercial solar's 6.8p.

If the cuts go ahead, homes with solar would get 4.055p per kW (if they continue to be paid the export tariff for half of the energy they produce).

The Energy Saving Trust has published a review into the cuts for renewable energy. It argues that the residential generation tariff could be set at 5.5p or 6p per kWh — around half the current levels — which, with falling installation costs, would still leave solar looking attractive.

This wouldn't save as much, but it would still knock £3 a year off a household energy bill.

Yes, we need Nuclear or the lights will be dimming,  but surely it would be preferable and fairer to give a smaller subsidy to you and me to be more energy efficient and Greener? Not give enormous sums to these vast multinational conglomerates?

Will the lights go out this winter ? Maybe.

Will the lights go ut this winter we are warned the margin is small. Yes this is what happens when Governments allow reckless Companies to cash in on the Gas boom of the 80's and 90's. Gas power should only be used for "topping up" power at times of peak demand yet Gas power stations were all rage - they were cheap to build and run, low in pollution (but not CO2)  and reaped in the payments. North Sea gas has gone and you don't see so many now.

Wind Power is unreliable - what we don't want is prolonged cold and no wind, then Russia might turn the Gas off. We've even less of a store of Gas - that might worry you. the cold winter before we got down to 1 yes 1 days supply! I can sit in the dark as long as the heatings on. Without Gas what do you do - light a fire.? In the power cut ther's no "heater" to put on.

Be worried. it take 10 years to build a new Nuclear power station. They are just starting on the first one for over 20 years that's why we're in trouble. What about tidal - its reliable, renewable and non polluting and could help with flood defences.

We all need to shout about it.

Energy - worse than higher prices - what to do when the lights go out?

We are blindly sleep walking into a crisis.

I could write a book on this but the future of energy in this country is bleak.

I am old enough to remember the rota cuts in tte 70's under Heath. Its not nice. It could happen here in 3 - 6 years.

We are using more and more energy even though it is getting more expensive yet supply must match demand. Its a law of physics like night follows day - ask Prof Brian Cox - he knows everything.

Anyway why be worried? Because we're shutting power stations and not building new ones. Forget the turbines - ONE gigawat power station would be equivalent to 10000 turbines so where and how are they going to build them? By april 10% of our supply will be turned off - what then? That's about 5gw, or 50,000 turbines - LOL!! remember does the wind blow 24x7?

We've had the dash-for-gas about 15yrs ago many gas fired power stations were built cheap, clean and efficient but drained our gas reserves and they only last about 10-15years. Not a good idea so now we need several nuclear stations to replace the gap but where and how will they be built. They take about 5-10yrs to get going - we can't wait that long hence the GAP. That's when the lights go out.

Believe me you read it here.

The good thing about this economic crisis is it reduces demand for power giving us a little breathing space. But when things pick up? What about fuel where is that to come from? GAS - probably from Russia or the middle east but then we're dependant on imports and what if there's trouble? Look at events in Africa with Al Qaeda taking over. Be worried.

We could use less - fat chance! Technology advances to make more efficient devices, but what about all those electric cars? where do they get their power? WE could spend the money on turbines on insulating our homes better or putting solar panels on every house! Why not?

Funny  thing is we're sitting on 200 years worth of Coal - but they won't use that its "dirty". Technology exists to burn it cleanly but its more expensive so BILLS UP! one way or another.

SORRY.

Bad Drivers

With this horrid weather and short days why do idiot drivers have to go in Stealth Mode?

They go out in a black car with NO LIGHTS! Do they not want to be seen? This was what I saw today at 8am, nearly dark. With your windows steaming up and heay rain, you just can't see them coming. 

Do they want to crash? Mad. New cars have these driving lights - I agree. Technology has improved but all cars have lights.

"See and be Seen!" this used to be the motto.

Don't they realise of they can't see other cars then they can't be seen.

I despair.