Chamber member, Owen Everall, Syngenta has written two published articles reflecting on the work that has been done on its site at Jealotts Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell on energy savings and waste recycling.
Energy efficiency
Waste not, want not
Better Regulation Initiative
We have been approached by the Better Regulation Initiative to provide them with evidence about regulation and the possible complications they pose for businesses who wish to reduce their energy consumption or green house gas emissions. We are also interested in understand where such regulations make the process more expensive.
This is a great chance to feed directly into BIS and the BRE who are cross departmental in their operations.
Deadline for comments: 9th September 2009, but the investigation is ongoing so please send your comments at any point.
Securing Britain’s Energy supplies
Britain is fast moving from a country which is self sufficient in its energy supplies to one which will increasingly rely on foreign imports. It is essential that the UK Government seeks out ways to better manage this transition and also to put a priority on technologies that will allow the UK to produce its own energy such as nuclear power and renewables.
Nuclear power is a safe a secure option for the UK which, unlike coal and gas, does not produce any harmful greenhouse gases. It is important that the Government includes nuclear as an option in its capacity to provide the UK with electricity.
We are also keen to see the promotion of new technologies in the renewables sector. Although the technology to provide renewable energy is fairly new it has the potential to provide the UK with unlimited and clean energy in the future. Chamber members who are often small start ups pioneering such technologies are perfectly placed to take advantage of the new markets that are fast being created around this exciting sector of the energy industry.
The current fiscal regime that governs the North Sea was designed for a period when oil was relatively easy to get to and in great quantities. As this oil has been depleted it is no longer profitable for the larger multi-nationals to continue drilling. Smaller companies with the technology and expertise to extract oil from small and more difficult oil fields have replaced the larger companies but cannot continue to operate under the old regime which assumes huge quantities of oil extraction. Unless the regulatory and tax regime is altered in favour of current realities the UK could find that its expertise and technology, built up around the North Sea, could fall into rapid decline.
Nuclear Power
Nuclear power is a safe and secure option for the UK which, unlike coal and gas, does not produce any harmful greenhouse gases. It is important that the Government includes nuclear power as an option in its capacity to provide the UK with electricity.
As part of a balanced and mixed supply of energy, it is essential for this country’s future energy security. To remain economically competitive, we need to ensure a consistent and affordable supply of power reaches our businesses so that they can carry on creating wealth.
The UK already has a skills base centred around the nuclear industry. Investing in new nuclear power stations will not only help us meet strict government targets on carbon emissions, but will also safeguard thousands of jobs dependent on the industry.
