UK
Lindsey Refinery collapse triggers union warning
Unite the Union has called for urgent government action after the Lindsey Oil Refinery entered administration, putting fuel supplies and hundreds of jobs at risk. General Secretary Sharon Graham blamed government policy for pushing the oil and gas sector “to the cliff edge” and demanded a plan to keep Lindsey running and protect UK energy workers.
AI boom sparks UK grid fears
Ministers met energy firms and tech giants this week to discuss how the UK grid can cope with surging demand from AI. As computing power soars, the National Grid faces mounting pressure from industry - raising fresh doubts about the viability of UK energy policy and Miliband’s mad dash for unreliable green energy.
Ministers met energy firms and tech giants this week to discuss how the UK grid can cope with surging demand from AI. As computing power soars, the National Grid faces mounting pressure from industry - raising fresh doubts about the viability of UK energy policy and Miliband’s mad dash for unreliable green energy.
UK turns to foreign gas as domestic reserves go untapped
New government data reveals UK gas imports rose by 19% in Q1 2025, with LNG imports up 42%, driven by falling North Sea output and poor wind generation. Domestic gas production is now 20% below 2019 levels, while overall energy import dependency has climbed to 47%. Industry leaders warn that current policies, including the windfall tax, are deterring investment and leaving the UK dangerously exposed to volatile global markets.
The real rip-off merchants? Ministers, not energy suppliers
Independent energy consultant Kathryn Porter argues in this week’s Telegraph that rising bills are driven by government-imposed levies, not supplier profiteering. Schemes like the Warm Home Discount and ECO force suppliers to act as welfare agents and retrofitters, adding billions in hidden costs. Consumers pay more - while ministers shift the blame.
Mad Miliband’s garden turbine fantasy meets Glyndbourne reality
As Ed Miliband pushes to fill Britain’s gardens with wind turbines, Glyndebourne was forced to cancel a performance after six power cuts - its flagship turbine stood still in calm weather. A timely reminder: wind doesn’t always show up when it matters!
International
US Senate Bill delivers major blow to renewables
The US Senate has passed a sweeping budget bill that will significantly restrict new wind and solar projects by phasing out key tax credits after 2026.
Germany confronts reality
Germany has approved gas drilling in the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO site, to boost energy security. The project could supply 15% of national demand, despite environmental concerns and warnings of harm to marine biodiversity.
Canada’s Carney embraces energy realism
Canada has launched LNG exports from its first major terminal in Kitimat, aiming to reduce dependence on the US and counter Trump’s trade pressure. PM Mark Carney is backing fossil fuel expansion as part of a new “low-carbon” growth strategy - but high costs, slow permitting, and Indigenous opposition could stall the vision.
Etcetera…
Andrew was on Talk TV to explain to viewers how Net Zero policy costs are the main driver of high electricity bills.
Writing on his Substack, US energy expert Robert Bryce welcomes the “One Big Beautiful Bill” as a long-overdue blow to Big Wind and Big Solar. He argues it ends wasteful subsidies, protects wildlife from industrial renewables, and gives rural communities relief from unwanted energy projects. He says it is a victory for taxpayers, landowners, and common sense.
“Tweet of the week” comes from former No.10 science adviser James Phillips, who shared a chart showing China’s electricity generation is now more than double that of the U.S. While Britain fixates on cutting demand, others are powering ahead — and no one in Westminster or the UK media is talking about it.
From the blog
TUE, JUL 1
Maurice Cousins joins Net Zero Watch as Campaign Director
Net Zero Watch is pleased to announce the appointment of Maurice Cousins as Campaign Director.
Maurice brings over 17 years of experience leading high-impact campaigns across politics, policy and public affairs. Click to read MORE.
The London-based Net Zero Watch is a campaign group set up to highlight and discuss the serious implications of expensive and poorly considered climate change policies. The Net Zero Samizdat is a newsletter summarising the latest issues - for more information, please visit the website at www.netzerowatch.com.
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