low carbon

As the days pass from the scrapping of DECC from Whitehall in favour of the new business, energy and industrial strategy (BEIS) department, few details have trickled through about how the new branch of government will operate. David Pratt examines what we do know and what remains to be seen as parliament heads off for the summer.

Lark Energy has secured a UK patent for a new renewable solar thermal technology to create steam for industrial processes.

The newly formed Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) could see energy policy relegated to a ‘steady as she goes’ approach while other policy areas take precedence, according to a government MP in the energy and climate change (ECC) select committee.

Moixa Technology is hoping to raise up to £20 million by the end of the year to fund its expansion into Europe, and has recently gained investment from three big beasts from the UK energy sector.

Scottish energy minister Paul Wheelhouse is said to be seeking urgent talks with the UK government following its decision to scrap the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in favour of a new business-led department.

The government is facing calls for clarity after a coalition of 30 trade bodies, NGOs, pressure groups and think tanks signed an open letter to the new secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, urging him to confirm the UK’s 2020 climate change commitments.

The UK’s energy policy will now be a decided by a new department headed up by former communities minister Greg Clark, who has been appoint secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy.

The UK will miss its legally binding targets for renewable energy according to the National Grid, which has claimed the progress required to meet the EU-set goals is beyond what can be achieved.

Following months of in fighting, confrontation and bitter debate, the UK is set to leave the European Union after Brexit drew 52% of the vote. It remains unclear at this early stage what immediate or indeed long term effect the decision will have on the UK and its energy market. However, there are looming question marks over a whole range of issues related to the UK and European energy markets as Alex Harrison, counsel at international law firm Hogan Lovells, explains.

The decision taken by just over half of the voting electorate to leave the European Union has sent shockwaves throughout the UK, among both the Leave and Remain camps. The dust will take a while to settle but reactions are likely to be flying in for some time on a day that has rocked the UK political and economic landscape.