UK Needs Plan To Power 36 Million Electric Cars

GMB SAYS UK DESPERATELY NEEDS PLAN TO POWER 36 MILLION ELECTRIC CARS BY 2040

Ministers’ commitment to key role of gas in energy mix is “common sense” as National Grid publishes future energy scenarios, union says

GMB, the union for energy workers, has called on the Government to plan and invest now in major infrastructure to deal with growing electricity demand.

The comments come as the National Grid publishes its annual ‘Future Energy Scenarios’ report, predicting demand will grow significantly by 2050, driven by increased electrification of transport and heating.

Justin Bowden, GMB National Secretary said:

“These future scenarios should be a wake-up call, signalling the urgent need for planning and investment to deal with growing electricity demand.

“In three out of four scenarios, this report shows gas continuing to provide more energy than electricity by 2050 and remaining the dominant form of heating well into the 2030’s.

“Amidst growing demand for electricity, Ministers’ commitment to the key role gas has to play in our energy mix is a welcome dose of common sense. Lower carbon gas, alongside new nuclear and renewables, are crucial in providing reliable, flexible and affordable energy supplies for the foreseeable future.

“We need a balanced and credible energy policy that guarantees security of supply, reasonable prices and lower and zero carbon energy sources to support the economy and protect the environment.”

Original Article: http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/newsroom/uk-needs-electric-cars-plan.html

Hopes that offshore wind farm will stem North-east brain drain

Hopes are rising that a scheme to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm off the Yorkshire and North-east coast will serve as a major boost to the Tees economy and stem the “brain drain” from the region.

Darlington Council leader Bill Dixon said bosses behind the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm project, which if completed would deliver more than 5% of the UK’s electricity needs, were showing strong interest in basing their operations and maintenance base on Teesside.

Teesside is thought to be competing with areas such as Blyth and Tyneside to play host to the base, and those backing the Tees bid say it has geographic and infrastructure advantages

Original Article – https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/hopes-offshore-wind-farm-stem-14655166

The price hike is expected to affect 1.3 million of its customers, leaving 59% unaffected by the changes. EDF has raised its electricity prices by 2.7%.

The move from the ‘Big Six’ supplier comes days after competitor British Gas raised its prices for around four million of its customers.

EDF’s price hike is expected to affect 1.3 million of its customers, leaving 59% unaffected by the changes.

The firm says its typical standard dual-fuel customers will see their bill rise by around £16 a year – this increase of 1.4% will take the average annual bill to £1,158 a year.

The energy giant raised electricity prices twice last year, putting them up by 8.4% in March and 9% in June.

The company’s Energy Managing Director of Customers, Béatrice Bigois, said: “We know that price rises are not welcome and we have worked to offset rising energy and policy charges by cutting our own costs.

“However, these rising costs mean we will be increasing our standing charge for electricity on the 7th of June, affecting around 40% of our customers.”

Originally published at energylivenews.com