case study energy policy UK

AS and A Level Geography

Energy policy-UK

Introduction.

Energy policy is the manner in which a given entity (often governmental) has decided to address issues of energy development including energy production, distribution and consumption.

Current energy policy in UK is set out in the Energy White Paper of May 2007

The 2007 White Paper outlines the Government’s international and domestic strategy for responding to three main challenges:

cutting carbon emissions to tackle global warming
ensuring clean and affordable energy
Energy security

It seeks to do this in a way that is consistent with its four energy policy goals:

cutting the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions by some 60% by about 2050, with real progress by 2020;
maintaining the reliability of energy supplies;
promoting competitive markets in the UK and beyond,
helping to raise the rate of sustainable economic growth and to improve productivity; and
ensuring that every home is adequately and affordably heated.

Why they need to have energy policy?

UK produces 4% emissions of greenhouses gases
Their primary energy resources are mainly derived from non-renewable energy resources such as oil, natural gas and coal.
Climate change-largely caused by burning fossil fuels - threatens major consequences in the UK and worldwide,.
To limit the used up of electricity from non-renewable energy resources

How they implement the policy?

the government's implement the policy through these strategies:

a. Reducing Greenhouse Gases emission:

Establishing an international framework to tackle climate change, including the stabilisation ...

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Why they need to have energy policy?

UK produces 4% emissions of greenhouses gases
Their primary energy resources are mainly derived from non-renewable energy resources such as oil, natural gas and coal.
Climate change-largely caused by burning fossil fuels - threatens major consequences in the UK and worldwide,.
To limit the used up of electricity from non-renewable energy resources

How they implement the policy?

the government's implement the policy through these strategies:

a. Reducing Greenhouse Gases emission:

Establishing an international framework to tackle climate change, including the stabilisation of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations and a stronger European Union Emissions Trading Scheme
Providing legally securing carbon targets for the whole UK economy, reducing emissions through the implementation of the Climate Change Bill.

b. Energy conservation:

Encouraging more energy saving through better information, incentives and regulation
Providing more support for low carbon technologies, including increased international and domestic public-private sector collaboration in the areas of research, development, demonstration and deployment.

c. Energy security by:

develop cleaner energy supplies
and secure reliable energy supplies at prices set in competitive markets.
How?

reduced coal energy production due to eroding cost advantages, pressure to reduce greenhouse gases emission and depleting deposits.
Major expansion in gas – ‘Dash for gas’

Technology advances in gas-fired generators and the cost of natural gas compared to other fuels have made gas the best economic proposition.

Nuclear power

expected to decline with phase-out of older fission plants
nuclear production will be lost within 10 to 15 years
due to the environmental concerns.

Oil

a vital energy for transport and industrial needs
contributes 3% for electricity production
because of its relatively higher cost to gas and it emissions high amount of greenhouse gases

Renewable energy-

minor contributor
goal is to product 10% of electricity by 2010 and 20% by 2020
looking into wind energy, tidal power and solar voltaic

Is it successful?????

The energy policy of the United Kingdom has achieved success in:

(a)reducing energy intensity(but still really high)

(b)reducing energy poverty

(c)maintaining energy supply reliability to date

Despite some successes and stated goals, there are some issues that are incompletely addressed by UK policy. The principal such items are:

-Loss of energy independence.

No aggressive plan to reduce the impending loss of energy independence
Reserves of gas are limited and the UK may have to rely on imports within 20 to 30 years
May risks the future supplies and costs

-Lack of strong national policy on transport fuel efficiency.

The government has done so little to inform the public about fuel efficient options
a survey released in March, 2006: "Some of the 1200 people surveyed ... thought ‘hybrid’ meant two cars welded together. Others thought hybrids had to be plugged in at night."

-Lack of emphasis of energy conservation by reducing over-illumination, especially in commercial buildings.