Podcast special! In conversation about the number 1 issue of the day: energy.
Confront the NIMBYs!
In this special edition of the pod, Chris talks to energy expert Ben Watts. We discuss whether or not energy producers are ‘making out like bandits’. Will next winter be even worse for gas and electricity prices than the current one?
The UK wants to increase by a factor of five its output of wind energy by 2030. Ireland and other countries are equally ambitious. Particularly the US and China. Is the necessary kit, raw materials and personnel available or will there be huge supply chain issues.
Wind energy is so cheap relative to gas - it makes abundant sense to just go for it, just build those solar and wind farms. Make the investments, eliminate the planning delays and improve energy literacy such that even the NIMBYs are convinced. Add in the environmental crisis - exponentially increasing our commitment to wind becomes imperative. It makes no sense whatsoever not to do it.
All this and much more!
Hi Chris & Jim, I enjoyed the podcast as usual. However, I wasn’t convinced by the answer your guest gave about whether reduced gas prices in the market would be reflected in household bills. Even if the market price goes up again next Summer, it is lower now - are companies not buying forward today at lower prices? Should the domestic price not go up and down in line with the market with a lag to account for forward purchasing?
Similarly, I didn’t think the answer to your question about whether renewable energy producers are making out like bandits made a lot of sense and was contradicted later by statements that once the infrastructure is in place, you are producing free energy.
Thanks for your work - I look forward to listening every week.