Professor Ian Fells has recently warned, again, that our energy supplies are in a potentially parlous state. Over the next 10-15 years we are expected to lose about a third of our electricity generating capacity as most of our nuclear power stations are due to be decommissioned and about half of our coal-fired power stations are to be retired because they will infringe the EU's Large Combustion Power Directive (which deals with the control of sulphur and nitrogen emissions). The Government’s favoured response, wind power, will simply fail to fill the gap. Instead coal and nuclear power stations will have to be extended beyond their decommissioning dates and the government must start immediately on building new nuclear power stations and coal stations (using carbon capture). If we do not act the “lights will go out.”
He was, of course, immediately denounced by Greenpeace and other eco-warriors, whose real agenda, some would say, has little to do with the environment and all to do with undermining people’s freedoms and prosperity. I couldn’t, of course, possibly comment.
I have little doubt that Ian is right. I have heard similar messages from many other energy analysts. If we do not act the lights will indeed go out. And may I add the notion of being dependent on Mr Putin’s Russia for our gas supplies, whether for heating or electricity generation, does not appeal.
I was struck by the fact that Ian’s remarks were being made in the same week as Meltdown Monday, the demise of Lehmans, the rescues of AIG and HBOS and the end Merrill Lynch’s independence. For many years, voices had been warning about the dangers of the credit boom and the lack of adequate controls in the credit markets. But such voices were dismissed as old-fashioned and slightly unhinged Cassandras and Jeremiahs. Well, they were right. And, after the events of this week, the financial system can never be the same again.
The British Government has been negligent in its attitude to our electricity supplies - negligent beyond belief. And, there is now a great deal of catching up to be done. Otherwise the lights really will go out.
