Interesting article from WoodMac on the structural drivers that are likely to lead to rising US methane prices... ...not least rising export and domestic data centre demand. buff.ly/IFcQb0x

An actual poll in the Daily Telegraph

The pace of global warming is increasing - and in line with projections made by scientists.

The June heatwave was significantly hotter than the usual averages, with records not just being beaten by 0.1C-0.2C. This should be more of a cause for concern than it is.

Primary energy consumption charts always highlight the scale of change needed to shift from hydrocarbons to low carbon energy. Here, the United States of America.

The shift from 'approved' to 'operational' wind and solar over the next 4.5 years will need to be significant to hit Clean Power 2030. But as a leading indicator, the acceleration in approvals is positive.

Well this is confusing

I confess, I'm surprised Ofgem believe "there are encouraging signs of a more stable and competitive [energy retail] market". Thin margins, high risks, growing regulatory burden, huge consumer debt pile with no adequate way of managing it. The retail market is tough right now.

I'll be at the Future of Utilities conference in London tomorrow. If you are planning to be there, let me know. It would be great to catch up.

I know the point of this chart is to show how oil to power is now less of a thing, but it also underlines (i) what a huge role coal still has in generating electricity, (ii) how rapid the rise of low carbon alternatives is and (iii) just how much there is still to go.

Anecdotally I had heard April had been a tough month. And now the data bears that out. 🧵

US data centres are increasingly looking to bypass grid costs and delays and connect directly with private 'captive' gas power plants. A key reason why the US is now investing more in fossil-fuel based power than China. buff.ly/DkLVXl5

It's tough running a small business, and a typical small business renewing their contract this year could pay an extra ~£500/year in energy costs alone 🧵

Looking at typical unit rates to compare something else today, see fixed term deals - for British Gas at least - now ~£150/yr more expensive than the current price cap. Obvs price cap is expected to increase in the coming months. Other prices available.

Small businesses pay 31% more per kWh for their electricity than larger businesses today. Here's why 👇

Clean Power 2030 ambitions depend on an quick and efficient connections process. This, from Graham Pannell at BayWa r.e. is pretty damning criticism of NG Transmission. Original article: buff.ly/SSHQlJ5

The impact from the closure of the Straits of Hormuz is felt particularly strongly in Asia, where several countries heavily rely on LNG imports from the region. Chinese Taipei, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Singapore in particular are exposed. Chart via @IEA.

It doesn't matter now if the US destroys all Iranian military capability or decides to stop or go home. It's nearly impossible to end this 👇, and this is now - unfortunately - what matters for the global economy.

I can't resist a good Sankey diagram, and earlier this week the Climate Change Committee re-published their version of the UK energy system. Three interesting takeaways for those who missed it first time 👇

Hey Google, define "short-term". Asking for a friend.

Oil hit over $100/bbl for the first time since 2022 overnight as concerns escalated that shipments through the Straits of Hormuz are not going to return to normal anytime soon. This will feed through to the cost of gas, electricity, petrol and diesel here in the UK.

IEA sees ongoing oversupply of oil in the coming year or so. Temporary price increases occurring from geopolitical instability may simply be shorting opportunities toward the more sustained position of lower prices. This also has implications for clean energy.

Govt have written to suppliers to say they expect customers on fixed term deals will also benefit from RO / ECO changes in April next year. Link: buff.ly/xI14n2o

The Matched team have updated their clean power index to include nuclear. This means BG are now above Octopus for clean energy on this basis. buff.ly/NUzmX1y

🤯

In a Telegraph editorial, the paper makes the argument that stopping renewables needn't expose us to volatile international fossil fuel markets, because we can still rely on North Sea oil and gas. The facts do not bear this out.

Wind power has saved the UK £104bn since 2010, according to new research from UCL. That's more than the £90bn extra we spent on gas following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 🧵

Does anyone know if this is correct? That's a huge number.

Here's something interesting and for me, unexpected: global investment in climate tech companies is increasing again, already more in 2025 than there was for the whole of last year.

The Energy UK Conference agenda today is one of the best I can remember. Very much looking forward to a good day discussing the big issues - and there are many. Come and say hello if you're here. #eukconf25