The mix of global energy is set to change and renewables are gaining a bigger foothold. UK’s position looks increasingly bizarre.

Three articles which cover the developing picture of the energy mix and the fate of renewables in the UK since the election. The UK’s Government’s approach to energy claiming low costs for consumers whilst still endorsing Hinkley, promoting fracking is bizarre. Oh well, the Channel interconnector should mean we can rely on the French.

1. Bloomberg analysis highlights changing world energy markets Bloomberg analysis highlights changing world energy markets

The way we get electricity is about to change dramatically, as the era of ever-expanding demand for fossil fuels comes to an end—in less than a decade. That’s according to a new forecast by Bloomberg New Energy Finance that plots out global power markets for the next 25 years. Call it peak fossil fuels, a turnabout that’s happening not because we’re running out of coal and gas, but because we’re finding cheaper alternatives. Demand is peaking ahead of schedule because electric cars and affordable battery storage for renewable power are arriving faster than expected, as are changes in China’s energy mix.  Here are eight massive shifts coming soon to power markets. Click here to read more. 

2. Strong renewable energy growth threatened by recent policy changes

REA News

‘Today the REA releases REView 2016, the authoritative annual publication of the UK renewable energy industry,

• Record employment levels and high growth rates for renewable energy deployment and investment were recorded in 2015,

• Multiple “sudden and severe” policy interventions over the past twelve months threaten to slow the industry’s progress.

Today the Renewable Energy Association (REA) released its annual statistical publication which has revealed record employment levels in 2015, but warned of the future impact of the Government’s numerous recent policy interventions. The report REView 2016, produced in association with Innovas and KPMG, is the authoritative annual industry publication on employment, investment, and deployment trends in the UK’s renewable energy industry. This edition reveals growth in the deployment of renewable power and heat, but a decline in the consumption of renewable transport fuels. The report details record-setting employment levels in the renewable energy industry in 2015, and record overall levels of investment and energy consumption.’ To read more click here.

3. Half jobs lost in solar since the election

Business Green: Change in government’s energy policy blamed for job losses just as solar power eclipses coal in electricity generation The solar power industry says it has seen the loss of more than half its 35,000 jobs due to recent changes in government energy policy, just at a time when solar power has eclipsed coal as a major generator of Britain’s electricity. Experts believe ministers had cut subsidies too far and too fast, praising the “seismic”, record-breaking growth of solar in recent years. Click here to read more.