EdF Behind Schedule: A General Indicator?

EdF has announced that it is behind schedule for achieving its 2020 CO2 emissions from electricity generation reduction target. It is also behind on is nuclear build programme (aiming for 2 reactors at Hinkley and 2 at Sizewell - but we all know about the problems of agreeing CfDs etc.).

So, it comes as a bit of a surprise that they still claim that they can hit their 2020 target. Possibly more worrying is the thought that this might be an indicator for the electricity sector as a whole.

Technology Support for the Elderly

The Chinese in the past numbered their days and years on a 60-year cycle ( the sexagenary cycle). As I am now settling into my second revolution of this cycle I was interested in research from the London School of Economics suggesting that the demand for "unpaid care" provided by children for elderly parents may exceed supply by 2017. The LSE argues that there is a need to develop support technologies to fill this gap.

Of course, there will also be a need for someone to supply luddite curmudgeons like me (fortunately not yet dependent upon my offspring) with the knowledge and expertise to manage the technology. This is often more difficult that producing the gizmo in the first place.

Unscramble Energy Efficiency Policies

And next in line is the CBI. They've recently published a report "Shining a light: Uncovering the business energy efficiency opportunity" which, among other things, calls upon government to streamline overlapping energy efficiency policies. Being a business support operation the CBI of course, includes shouts for further support for business - including energy intensive outfits - but, give them their due, also castigates many businesses for not taking the opportunities open to them. "Businesses also need to step up to the challenge" was the quote from Rhian Kelly, Director for Business Environment Policy. Quite so. I have long been amazed at the profligate waste demonstrated by many businesses when a little thought and investment could reap material gains.

The Green Race

We're just back from our summer holiday (2 glorious weeks in Alonissos) and, boy, can you tell it's party conference time. Every single issue group and it's brother is out there touting their particular beef. First up on my radar is the Green Alliance arguing that the UK is falling behind in the global race for the green market. Particular failings are the lack of political leadership (whatever happened to the "greenest government ever"?) and poor focus on delivery. In the case of the former there is clear political conflict at the highest levels in government (check out what Ed Davey has had to say recently about his Tory colleagues simply "not getting it"). Such a situation can do nothing but deter investment - especially as most innovation funding that's available is short term (where have we heard that before?) and there is poor supply chain support.

Commenting on the report Gordon MacDougall, COO of RES UK, couldn't help having a pop at fracking. Well, you'd expect that from his position but the UK's energy strategy is in such a poor state that I suspect that every available source needs to be pursued.