Industry News Roundup June 2019

Friday 07/06 – Theresa May resigns as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party. The Chairs of the Commons Science and Technology Committee and the BEIS Committee Norman Lamb and Rachel Reeves announce they will introduce legislation into the House of Commons to make the net zero 2050 commitment a statutory obligation “for this government and governments to follow”.

Thursday 06/06 – Interim Energy and Clean Growth Minister Chris Skidmore and Committee on Climate Change Chair Lord Deben swap letters on the government’s intention to roll forward a fifth of the saving from the second Carbon Budget for future periods. The BBC reports that Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond has warned Prime Minister Theresa May that reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 could cost the UK more than £1trn.

Wednesday 05/06 – The Commons Select Treasury Committee launches an inquiry into the decarbonisation of the UK economy and green finance, in particular how HM Treasury is supporting the government’s climate change commitments. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Elizabeth Truss tells the Commons Select Environmental Affairs Committee that the government could build new nuclear power stations if they provide value for money in comparison to other technologies.

Tuesday 04/06 – Media reports allege that the government is considering carrying forward the surplus achieved from the first and second Carbon Budgets in order to make it easier to achieve future Carbon Budgets. National Grid Electricity System Operator tweets that Great Britain’s record coal-free run has ended after 18 days and six hours. The Renewable Energy Association claims that sustainable bioenergy is essential to meet two-thirds of the projected shortfall of the UK’s fifth Carbon Budget.

Monday 03/06 – A new fund to help small and medium-sized businesses improve their energy efficiency and support community energy projects is launched by the West of England Combined Authority. Utility Week reports that part of the 1.2GW Hornsea One wind farm has begun operations.

Written By Graham Paul