The UK energy crisis
country off Russian fossil fuels is the investment into a new nuclear power plant, Sizewell C. 14 This is the first of 8 nuclear reactors the government has pledged to build this year, with Boris Johnson reported to have said ‘Let’s think about our future, let’s think about our kids and grandchildren’ with regards to Britain’s long -term energy sources coming from nuclear. 15 A 24 gigawatt-strong fleet of new reactors would be an ideal addition to Britain’s electricity generation by 2050 . However, there are many doubts that these ambitious plans will go ahead: the cost is currently estimated at £180bn of capital expenditure, though, as with H2, the real figure may be much higher. Another avenue of exploration is offshore wind, currently the best-researched and most-used renewable in the UK. T he government’s current energy strategy involves a huge expansion of wind by removing the red tape to begin constructing multiple new wind farm projects. In combination with solar, hydrogen and improved insulation, the UK has a chance at achieving self-sufficient, renewable energy and preventing energy crises like this one. 16
In summary, the short-term looks quite bleak with the UK likely to be in a recession but long-term, there are reasons for optimism. In either case, I will turn the lights off my room once I have finished this.
14 See https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/uk-s-nuclear-gambit-faces-long-odds-even-with-sizewell-approval- 1.1814607. 15 See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61010605. 16 See https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jan/10/heres-how-to-solve-the-uk-energy-crisis-for-the- long-term-store-more-power.
253
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs