UKAnother torrid week for our EdThere was no let up for the Energy Secretary. His attempt to divert attention away from rising bills by talking about ‘hundreds of thousands of new jobs’ in the energy sector was widely ridiculed, partly because it would cost billions and also because, in his desperation, Mr Miliband had included plumbers among the green jobs created. Meanwhile: the Tony Blair Institute issued a report advising the government to refocus on cheap power rather than clean power the Scottish Affairs Select Committee warned of a demolition of North Sea jobs the economist behind the infamous “£300 reduction in bills” pledge said that there was no chance of it happening the US ambassador warned that if we want investors from across the pond to retain any interest in the UK, something was going to have to be done about electricity prices.
The madness of Ed’s energy policyThe tender process for the UK’s planned new fleet of nuclear reactors descended into farce, as it was revealed that bidders are required to show …a higher-than-usual commitment to “social value”…Companies were asked how they would create jobs for those “who face barriers to employment”, which included “refugees, people who have recently immigrated or are seeking asylum”. The tender said businesses that applied should outline plans to ensure 50 per cent of those working on the contract were women.
Baby stepsThe Conservatives continued their progress back to energy rationalism, joining the chorus of voices calling for the next renewables subsidy auction to be cancelled. Energy’s circular firing squadTrade body Energy UK announced that Ofgem was to blame for rising energy prices. Nobody expects this to be the last episode of fingerpointing, as those who have been behind the renewables debacle seek to avoid responsibility for the impending economic disaster. How not to run an energy systemOn the wildly popular Joe Rogan podcast, the UK was cited as a prime example of how not to run an electricity grid.
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