UK Energy Policy and Supply Challenges: A T3 Report Analysis

This report analyzes the UK's energy policy, focusing on the growing energy supply deficit and the government's response. The UK is facing a significant challenge due to the increasing demand for electricity, coupled with issues like the planned phasing out of coal-fired power plants, insufficient promotion of energy efficiency, and reduced subsidies for renewable energy sources. The country's reliance on natural gas from the Middle East further exacerbates the problem due to fluctuating global prices and geopolitical instability. The report suggests solutions such as investing in shale gas exploration, collaborating with European countries, promoting research and development in alternative energy sources, and encouraging energy efficiency in the manufacturing sector. The report references several sources and includes follow-up interactions with fellow students discussing the issues and findings.

Energy Law and Policy T3 1
Name
Name of the University
Date
Energy Law and Policy T3
According to the recent UK Energy policy, the country is aiming at bridging the current energy
supply deficit by the year 2025. With the increasing prices of fuel and natural gases in the
Middle East, the UK government turned its attention to increasing the production of electrifying1.
However, the national demand for electricity has outweighed its supply. According to engineers
the by 2025, the demand for electricity would be more than 40% of the supply. If proactive
measures are not taken, the UK would experience blackouts. According to experts, the current
energy policy by the government cannot meet the projected demand by the next decade2.
The several issues that impact energy production in the UK are;
 Plan to stop generation of unabated coal-fired power without a proper plan of building
gas-fired electricity plants.
 Failed attempt to promote energy efficiency
 The action by the government to slash subsidies for solar power and onshore wind.
 The increasing population which in return results in increased demand for transport and
heating energy3.
1 Maulet, Nicolas. UK Energy Policy: Energy Law and Policy. London: Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen,
2005.
2 Ibid,.
3 Strachan, N. UK energy policy ambition and UK energy modelling – fit for purpose. London: s.n., 011.

Energy Law and Policy T3 2
 The country has always depended on the supply of natural gas from the Middle East
countries. However, with the fluctuation of the global gas and oil price as well as political
stability, the UK has been thrown off the balance4.
To mitigate the looming energy crisis; The UK government should;
 Investing in the exploration of its shale gas.
 Collaborate with other European countries like Netherlands, Ireland, and Norway to
provide a long-term solution. The UK cannot solve the problem alone5.
 Investing in research and development to formulate other energy production methods6.
 Manufacturing industry and organizations should invest in energy efficiency to help the
government in reducing the demand7.
Follow-up interactions with fellow-students discussing their posts
My finds, as listed above, are similar to that of my friend’s previous weeks post. The article the
student has listed several factors that hinder energy generation in the UK. Among those issues
are current dispute between Russia and its neighbors on the supplies of gas. The UK is been
affected by the conflict which has led to the imbalance between supply and demand. I totally
agree with the post and the issues raised. From my post, it is evident that the UK would have a
40% energy production deficit by the year 2025. Actually my post is an extension of the
student’s findings in his paper.
4 Harvey, Fiona. Engineers warn of looming UK energy gap. [Online] 2016.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/26/engineers-warn-of-looming-uk-energy-gap.
5 Ibid,.
6 Rosenow, J. Energy savings obligations in the UK – A history of change. London: s.n., 2012. 373.
7 Ibid,.

Energy Law and Policy T3 3
Bibliography
1. Maulet, Nicolas. UK Energy Policy: Energy Law and Policy. London : Robert Gordon
University, Aberdeen , 2005.

Energy Law and Policy T3 4
2. Rosenow, J. Energy savings obligations in the UK – A history of change. London : s.n., 2012.
373.
3. Harvey, Fiona. Engineers warn of looming UK energy gap. [Online] 2016.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/26/engineers-warn-of-looming-uk-energy-
gap.
4. Strachan, N. UK energy policy ambition and UK energy modeling – fit for purpose. London :
s.n., 011.