Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Post

📢 The CCSA congratulates The Rt Hon Ed Miliband on his appointment as Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. 🔎 At last year’s CCSA Annual General Meeting, Ed stated that CCUS is a fundamental part of the UK’s journey to net zero. We therefore look forward to working closely with Ed and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to accelerate the deployment of CCUS and deliver the world's first leading large-scale integrated CCUS clusters in the North West and North East of England. This will protect industrial jobs, create new opportunities, and drive growth through the low carbon economy.   #NetZero | #CCUS | #CarbonCapture

The main objective of the position is embedded into the name of the position : Secretary of State for ENERGY SECURITY and NET ZERO ! It clearly shows the commitment of the new Government  for  the energy transition. 

This morning I've been thinking about the new Secretary of State's 'To Do' list as he settles behind his desk for the first day (back) in the job. Fortunately he, maybe uniquely, understands his brief and has already correctly identified his 'Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse' for the energy transition: grid, planning, supply chain and skills. However, below and beyond each of those priorities lie a spiraling list of issues that frustrate and impede companies and organisations across the Net Zero space. When mentally cataloguing them, I was reminded of how my then 8-year old son would compose his Christmas present by diligently transcribing the Argos catalogue toy section to a piece of paper. There is so much to do and to be gained in terms of achieving our Net Zero ambitions and making the UK a world-leading centre for innovation and delivery, reducing energy bills for industry and consumers, improving our energy security and creating the essential and, so far, elusive economic growth that allows us to make the chronically needed investment in our public services. So which 'To Do' item does the Secretary of State pull off the inbox and set before himself first this morning? I don't think there is a uniquely correct answer to that. Perhaps a mechanism or body within either the Cabinet Office or No. 10 to ensure cohesive actions across government, ending the lack of co-ordination between government departments on issues such as hydrogen for transport, or zero/positive energy homes, industrial policy and more. I would also like to see more tactical planning. Most of the existing high level strategies are fine but lack the detailed delivery plans and SMART targets below them that set the interim goals for industry and create the environment of greater certainty that investors need. What role will GB Energy play? Nobody seems certain, and the promise of resulting lowered bills needs some explanation. But if it can be used to bridge the 'valley of death' for demonstration scale deployments of new innovations, then the UK might realise a real competitive edge. This merely scratches the surface; there is so much more. When the new SoS spoke at the Global Offshore Wind Conference a couple of weeks ago, he promised that there would be no major upheaval in policy and that the industry should 'carry on'. That is to be welcomed, the last thing we need is the paralysis of a pause whilst we await a review or a White Paper. So whilst this train of thought produces a daunting list of things to be done, I feel cautiously optimistic this morning. This feels like a pivotal moment for our industry. While we have heard it before, this next five years is crucial for Net Zero, for our industry and the economic growth that underpins our national wellbeing. Without the opportunity to chew the fat in person, I'd be really interested to hear colleagues thoughts on what are the priority issues that would unlock accelerated progress in their chosen field.

https://lnkd.in/eyiYBP_6 Claire Coutinho becomes the 7th Secretary of State for energy in the eight years since BEIS was formed in July 2016. Nothing like a bit of continuity as we tackle the challenges of #energytransition and #netzero!

Imagine having a government that put as much effort into the the geo-political threats facing this nation… Imagine if Defence had as much money invested in it, as much workforce support, as much industry support, as much capital investment and as much legislative reform as the renewable energy sector enjoys. There is something very wrong with the national dialogue on Defence and the political priorities that shape our public policy and our national agenda.

Grid Delays Affect 1.5 °C Paris Agreement ! The IEA warns that countries aiming for net-zero by 2050 must almost double their spending to over $600 billion annually by 2030. Steps in the right direction : 🇪🇺 The REPower EU Plan: Injecting an additional EUR 29 billion into EU power grids to expedite deployment by 2030. 🇦🇺 Australia's "Rewiring the Nation" plan: Parliament approved AUD 20 billion to finance new transmission projects. 🇮🇳 India's Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS): Allocating around USD 40 billion to bolster power distribution companies and infrastructure. 🇺🇸 In the United States: Bloomberg NEF highlights USD 29 billion in direct and indirect grid benefits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). If grid investments are delayed, possible CO2 emissions might exceed national pledges, endangering climate ambitions. Collaboration and investment in grid infrastructure by governments, industries, and stakeholders will decide our promise of a sustainable future. Vineet Mittal writes on #ETEnergyWorld Link to the full article in the comments. #GridInvestments #Sustainability #ClimateAction

“Tribal nations are essential partners in the pursuit of the country’s ambitious energy goals. The Department of Energy (DOE) takes our commitment to strengthening Tribal sovereignty and self-governance seriously, and we know that fulfilling Federal trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations along with robust and meaningful consultations are the cornerstones of Federal Indian policy. Regular, meaningful, and robust consultation with Tribal Nations is a prerequisite for strong nation-to-nation relationships between the United States, its federal agencies, and Tribes. This includes respect for Tribal sovereignty and the promotion of self-governance, as well as inclusivity in both policy formation and implementation.” #TribalEngagement #DOE #TribalSovereignty

🗳 Today, the European Parliament's ITRE Committee voted on the amendments to the Electricity Market Design Reform (#EMD). Emanuele Manigrassi, Senior Manager Energy & Climate: "We welcome today’s vote supporting Nicolás González Casares' compromise amendments. They represent the best option for a reasonable reform ensuring security of supply, a good investment framework, and providing support to electro and trade intensive industries which are strategic for the Union’s green deal objectives." 👉 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eNyianUR

United Kingdom departs Energy Charter Treaty https://lnkd.in/emxMAHZQ The UK government confirms its withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty after efforts to agree vital modernisation fail. - European countries have been unable to reach agreement on modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty - UK joins France, Spain and the Netherlands in withdrawing from the Treaty - strong legal framework is already in place to ensure continued investment in UK energy sector 👉 TDM Call for Papers: National Courts as a Forum for the Resolution of Disputes under Article 26 #EnergyCharterTreaty https://lnkd.in/gDe_hKWa 👉 TDM Law Journal Special Issue on the #Modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty #ECT - free excerpt https://lnkd.in/gCeD-X9 

The Energy Bill, largely unnoticed, will give the Secretary of State powers to change the Energy Performance of Buildings regs and the ESOS. The SectorScope explores its sustainable reforms and implications for your projects: https://ow.ly/yavI50PToHj. #SustainableConstruction #EnergyBill