Jess Ralston
@jessralston.bsky.social
Head of Energy at the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit. Mainly power, homes & heating.
All views my own etc
All views my own etc
The UK press has seemingly panicked about solar panel fires over the last few days
How concerned do we need to be? The numbers suggest... not very 🧵
How concerned do we need to be? The numbers suggest... not very 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 1:12 PM
The UK press has seemingly panicked about solar panel fires over the last few days
How concerned do we need to be? The numbers suggest... not very 🧵
How concerned do we need to be? The numbers suggest... not very 🧵
Lots of talk about the "cost of renewables"
But have they actually LOWERED the price of electricity we pay TODAY?
TLDR; yes, by around a quarter, or £25/MWh
That's why it's a mistake to stop investment in them (*cough* certain politicians).
eciu.net/analysis/rep...
But have they actually LOWERED the price of electricity we pay TODAY?
TLDR; yes, by around a quarter, or £25/MWh
That's why it's a mistake to stop investment in them (*cough* certain politicians).
eciu.net/analysis/rep...
Marginal Gains: how wind is pushing gas out of the power market and…
Growth in British renewables cutting electricity prices by up to a quarter.
eciu.net
October 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Lots of talk about the "cost of renewables"
But have they actually LOWERED the price of electricity we pay TODAY?
TLDR; yes, by around a quarter, or £25/MWh
That's why it's a mistake to stop investment in them (*cough* certain politicians).
eciu.net/analysis/rep...
But have they actually LOWERED the price of electricity we pay TODAY?
TLDR; yes, by around a quarter, or £25/MWh
That's why it's a mistake to stop investment in them (*cough* certain politicians).
eciu.net/analysis/rep...
Reposted by Jess Ralston
Some highly questionable industry assertions about ‘tiebacks’ and new oil & gas exploration licensing covered by the Sunday Times this morning, incl. the volume of potential production & the impact on jobs & supply chains. Let's take a closer look: www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Labour looks to water down North Sea drilling ban
Ed Miliband is expected to allow exploration next to existing sites to increase fossil fuel production without breaking a manifesto pledge
www.thetimes.com
September 21, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Some highly questionable industry assertions about ‘tiebacks’ and new oil & gas exploration licensing covered by the Sunday Times this morning, incl. the volume of potential production & the impact on jobs & supply chains. Let's take a closer look: www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Why are bills going up by £100 in April?
R4 Today's Nick Robinson claimed "People say bills are going to go up... because *you’re determined not to use fossil fuels*"
With many households still struggling with the cost of living, let's look at what's *actually* happening...
R4 Today's Nick Robinson claimed "People say bills are going to go up... because *you’re determined not to use fossil fuels*"
With many households still struggling with the cost of living, let's look at what's *actually* happening...
September 18, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Why are bills going up by £100 in April?
R4 Today's Nick Robinson claimed "People say bills are going to go up... because *you’re determined not to use fossil fuels*"
With many households still struggling with the cost of living, let's look at what's *actually* happening...
R4 Today's Nick Robinson claimed "People say bills are going to go up... because *you’re determined not to use fossil fuels*"
With many households still struggling with the cost of living, let's look at what's *actually* happening...
How much oil and gas is REALLY left in the North Sea? 🤔
According to a new report by oil and gas lobby group @oeuk.bsky.social, loads!!!!
*As long as they get subsidies and deregulation*
Is this true? And if so, would it lower bills?
Let's investigate...
According to a new report by oil and gas lobby group @oeuk.bsky.social, loads!!!!
*As long as they get subsidies and deregulation*
Is this true? And if so, would it lower bills?
Let's investigate...
September 3, 2025 at 11:29 AM
How much oil and gas is REALLY left in the North Sea? 🤔
According to a new report by oil and gas lobby group @oeuk.bsky.social, loads!!!!
*As long as they get subsidies and deregulation*
Is this true? And if so, would it lower bills?
Let's investigate...
According to a new report by oil and gas lobby group @oeuk.bsky.social, loads!!!!
*As long as they get subsidies and deregulation*
Is this true? And if so, would it lower bills?
Let's investigate...
💵 ENERGY BILLS & RENEWABLES
How much are they going up by?
Why are they going up?
What are the long-term causes of high bills?
A short 🧵 on why the answer isn't all blowing in the wind...
How much are they going up by?
Why are they going up?
What are the long-term causes of high bills?
A short 🧵 on why the answer isn't all blowing in the wind...
August 28, 2025 at 10:51 AM
💵 ENERGY BILLS & RENEWABLES
How much are they going up by?
Why are they going up?
What are the long-term causes of high bills?
A short 🧵 on why the answer isn't all blowing in the wind...
How much are they going up by?
Why are they going up?
What are the long-term causes of high bills?
A short 🧵 on why the answer isn't all blowing in the wind...
Well this is strange 🧐
Yesterday the @telegraphnews.bsky.social had an article about Ofgem's much-needed £24bn investment in upgrading the gas and electricity networks.
The author correctly stated that the *net increase* on an energy bill would be £24/yr by 2031
(£104/yr added, £80 saving):
Yesterday the @telegraphnews.bsky.social had an article about Ofgem's much-needed £24bn investment in upgrading the gas and electricity networks.
The author correctly stated that the *net increase* on an energy bill would be £24/yr by 2031
(£104/yr added, £80 saving):
July 2, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Well this is strange 🧐
Yesterday the @telegraphnews.bsky.social had an article about Ofgem's much-needed £24bn investment in upgrading the gas and electricity networks.
The author correctly stated that the *net increase* on an energy bill would be £24/yr by 2031
(£104/yr added, £80 saving):
Yesterday the @telegraphnews.bsky.social had an article about Ofgem's much-needed £24bn investment in upgrading the gas and electricity networks.
The author correctly stated that the *net increase* on an energy bill would be £24/yr by 2031
(£104/yr added, £80 saving):
🔎 How has the gas crisis impacted industry?
New @eciu.net analysis finds energy costs for British industry surged by £29bn during gas crisis
Highlighting the heavy price paid for UK's continued reliance on gas
Let's look at the evidence... 🧵
ca1-eci.edcdn.com/reports/Indu...
New @eciu.net analysis finds energy costs for British industry surged by £29bn during gas crisis
Highlighting the heavy price paid for UK's continued reliance on gas
Let's look at the evidence... 🧵
ca1-eci.edcdn.com/reports/Indu...
ca1-eci.edcdn.com
June 19, 2025 at 2:12 PM
🔎 How has the gas crisis impacted industry?
New @eciu.net analysis finds energy costs for British industry surged by £29bn during gas crisis
Highlighting the heavy price paid for UK's continued reliance on gas
Let's look at the evidence... 🧵
ca1-eci.edcdn.com/reports/Indu...
New @eciu.net analysis finds energy costs for British industry surged by £29bn during gas crisis
Highlighting the heavy price paid for UK's continued reliance on gas
Let's look at the evidence... 🧵
ca1-eci.edcdn.com/reports/Indu...
Blackout risk in Britain is LOWEST this winter since pre-Covid, according to @neso-energy.bsky.social
& renewable power generation in the UK is HIGHER than ever
Renewables = energy security 💚
independent.co.uk/news/busines...
& renewable power generation in the UK is HIGHER than ever
Renewables = energy security 💚
independent.co.uk/news/busines...
June 18, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Blackout risk in Britain is LOWEST this winter since pre-Covid, according to @neso-energy.bsky.social
& renewable power generation in the UK is HIGHER than ever
Renewables = energy security 💚
independent.co.uk/news/busines...
& renewable power generation in the UK is HIGHER than ever
Renewables = energy security 💚
independent.co.uk/news/busines...
🚨TODAY - at 11am 🚨
Media briefing: Defence, security and climate
Please do join us:
- Lt Gen Richard Nugee (former British Army, now climate change NED at MOD)
- Professor Mike Bradshaw (Warwick University)
- Camilla Toulmin (IIED)
Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Media briefing: Defence, security and climate
Please do join us:
- Lt Gen Richard Nugee (former British Army, now climate change NED at MOD)
- Professor Mike Bradshaw (Warwick University)
- Camilla Toulmin (IIED)
Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Sign In | Zoom
Sign in to your Zoom account to join a meeting, update your profile, change your settings, and more!
us02web.zoom.us
June 18, 2025 at 8:45 AM
🚨TODAY - at 11am 🚨
Media briefing: Defence, security and climate
Please do join us:
- Lt Gen Richard Nugee (former British Army, now climate change NED at MOD)
- Professor Mike Bradshaw (Warwick University)
- Camilla Toulmin (IIED)
Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Media briefing: Defence, security and climate
Please do join us:
- Lt Gen Richard Nugee (former British Army, now climate change NED at MOD)
- Professor Mike Bradshaw (Warwick University)
- Camilla Toulmin (IIED)
Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Kemi Badenoch's oil & gas speech: "When the oil and gas windfall tax was brought in, the oil price was near a historic high...but for months there has not been a windfall to tax"
The global oil price today, after conflict in Israel / Iran overnight📈
tradingeconomics.com/commodity/cr...
The global oil price today, after conflict in Israel / Iran overnight📈
tradingeconomics.com/commodity/cr...
June 13, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Kemi Badenoch's oil & gas speech: "When the oil and gas windfall tax was brought in, the oil price was near a historic high...but for months there has not been a windfall to tax"
The global oil price today, after conflict in Israel / Iran overnight📈
tradingeconomics.com/commodity/cr...
The global oil price today, after conflict in Israel / Iran overnight📈
tradingeconomics.com/commodity/cr...
A day after the Spending Review, the Govt has quietly announced its ending the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme after 2027/28
The PSDS supports insulation, solar & heat pumps in the public sector like schools & hospitals
Lowering their energy bills - which taxpayers fund.
The PSDS supports insulation, solar & heat pumps in the public sector like schools & hospitals
Lowering their energy bills - which taxpayers fund.
June 12, 2025 at 3:21 PM
A day after the Spending Review, the Govt has quietly announced its ending the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme after 2027/28
The PSDS supports insulation, solar & heat pumps in the public sector like schools & hospitals
Lowering their energy bills - which taxpayers fund.
The PSDS supports insulation, solar & heat pumps in the public sector like schools & hospitals
Lowering their energy bills - which taxpayers fund.
Spending Review: energy & industry...
Warm Homes Plan will improve 5m homes (insulation, solar, heat pumps) backed by £13.2bn. This is the manifesto pledge. More details "by October"
GB Energy also gets full £8.3bn manifesto pledge & inc support offshore wind supply chains
Warm Homes Plan will improve 5m homes (insulation, solar, heat pumps) backed by £13.2bn. This is the manifesto pledge. More details "by October"
GB Energy also gets full £8.3bn manifesto pledge & inc support offshore wind supply chains
June 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Spending Review: energy & industry...
Warm Homes Plan will improve 5m homes (insulation, solar, heat pumps) backed by £13.2bn. This is the manifesto pledge. More details "by October"
GB Energy also gets full £8.3bn manifesto pledge & inc support offshore wind supply chains
Warm Homes Plan will improve 5m homes (insulation, solar, heat pumps) backed by £13.2bn. This is the manifesto pledge. More details "by October"
GB Energy also gets full £8.3bn manifesto pledge & inc support offshore wind supply chains
Warm Homes Plan: will it be cut at the Spending Review?
Mood music WAS yes, but there's rumours that it WILL now be funded by the Govt's Manifesto pledge of £13.2bn...
Why's it important?
Warm homes for better health 🏥, lower bills for growth 📈& improved energy security ☑️
Mood music WAS yes, but there's rumours that it WILL now be funded by the Govt's Manifesto pledge of £13.2bn...
Why's it important?
Warm homes for better health 🏥, lower bills for growth 📈& improved energy security ☑️
June 5, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Warm Homes Plan: will it be cut at the Spending Review?
Mood music WAS yes, but there's rumours that it WILL now be funded by the Govt's Manifesto pledge of £13.2bn...
Why's it important?
Warm homes for better health 🏥, lower bills for growth 📈& improved energy security ☑️
Mood music WAS yes, but there's rumours that it WILL now be funded by the Govt's Manifesto pledge of £13.2bn...
Why's it important?
Warm homes for better health 🏥, lower bills for growth 📈& improved energy security ☑️
Why does the @telegraphnews.bsky.social keep using this misleading graph about heat pump demand in the UK?
There's been 5 articles in recent weeks that present this graph with the heading "heat pump demand falters" when the actual trend is the opposite
Here's why it's misleading...
There's been 5 articles in recent weeks that present this graph with the heading "heat pump demand falters" when the actual trend is the opposite
Here's why it's misleading...
June 3, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Why does the @telegraphnews.bsky.social keep using this misleading graph about heat pump demand in the UK?
There's been 5 articles in recent weeks that present this graph with the heading "heat pump demand falters" when the actual trend is the opposite
Here's why it's misleading...
There's been 5 articles in recent weeks that present this graph with the heading "heat pump demand falters" when the actual trend is the opposite
Here's why it's misleading...
Melanie Phillips had a misleading column in
@thetimes.com yesterday
Claiming "net zero targets" have driven up energy prices, when actually it's the cost of gas
Here's a letter in this morning's paper challenging it.
@thetimes.com yesterday
Claiming "net zero targets" have driven up energy prices, when actually it's the cost of gas
Here's a letter in this morning's paper challenging it.
May 28, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Melanie Phillips had a misleading column in
@thetimes.com yesterday
Claiming "net zero targets" have driven up energy prices, when actually it's the cost of gas
Here's a letter in this morning's paper challenging it.
@thetimes.com yesterday
Claiming "net zero targets" have driven up energy prices, when actually it's the cost of gas
Here's a letter in this morning's paper challenging it.
In January, the BBC wrote an article fear mongering about pylons "springing up" across the country
It contained some wildly misleading figures which spread to other newspapers.
I'm glad to say they've FINALLY been corrected. Here's what happened...🧵
bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It contained some wildly misleading figures which spread to other newspapers.
I'm glad to say they've FINALLY been corrected. Here's what happened...🧵
bbc.co.uk/news/article...
May 27, 2025 at 1:20 PM
In January, the BBC wrote an article fear mongering about pylons "springing up" across the country
It contained some wildly misleading figures which spread to other newspapers.
I'm glad to say they've FINALLY been corrected. Here's what happened...🧵
bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It contained some wildly misleading figures which spread to other newspapers.
I'm glad to say they've FINALLY been corrected. Here's what happened...🧵
bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Yesterday, Ross Clark claimed in the @thespectator1828.bsky.social
"The likely fall in the energy price cap will be purely a reaction to lower wholesale prices on international markets... it is simply markets at work"
Is this the same Ross Clark who blames "net zero" every time bills go up? 🧵😂
"The likely fall in the energy price cap will be purely a reaction to lower wholesale prices on international markets... it is simply markets at work"
Is this the same Ross Clark who blames "net zero" every time bills go up? 🧵😂
May 21, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Yesterday, Ross Clark claimed in the @thespectator1828.bsky.social
"The likely fall in the energy price cap will be purely a reaction to lower wholesale prices on international markets... it is simply markets at work"
Is this the same Ross Clark who blames "net zero" every time bills go up? 🧵😂
"The likely fall in the energy price cap will be purely a reaction to lower wholesale prices on international markets... it is simply markets at work"
Is this the same Ross Clark who blames "net zero" every time bills go up? 🧵😂
The @telegraphnews.bsky.social claims that the 'boiler tax' has returned.
Has it? Was it even there in the first place? And what about claims that heat pump demand is "flatlining"?
& did the boiler companies ensure that the boiler tax they collected was returned to 'ripped off' consumers?🧵
Has it? Was it even there in the first place? And what about claims that heat pump demand is "flatlining"?
& did the boiler companies ensure that the boiler tax they collected was returned to 'ripped off' consumers?🧵
May 19, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The @telegraphnews.bsky.social claims that the 'boiler tax' has returned.
Has it? Was it even there in the first place? And what about claims that heat pump demand is "flatlining"?
& did the boiler companies ensure that the boiler tax they collected was returned to 'ripped off' consumers?🧵
Has it? Was it even there in the first place? And what about claims that heat pump demand is "flatlining"?
& did the boiler companies ensure that the boiler tax they collected was returned to 'ripped off' consumers?🧵
@telegraphnews.bsky.social columnist Zoe Strimpel's opening sentence in a column this weekend states: "Ed Miliband is obsessed." [with net zero]
The Telegraph has written over 110 articles with "Miliband" in the title so far this year
That's one article every 30ish hours
Who's obsessed now?
The Telegraph has written over 110 articles with "Miliband" in the title so far this year
That's one article every 30ish hours
Who's obsessed now?
May 19, 2025 at 10:16 AM
@telegraphnews.bsky.social columnist Zoe Strimpel's opening sentence in a column this weekend states: "Ed Miliband is obsessed." [with net zero]
The Telegraph has written over 110 articles with "Miliband" in the title so far this year
That's one article every 30ish hours
Who's obsessed now?
The Telegraph has written over 110 articles with "Miliband" in the title so far this year
That's one article every 30ish hours
Who's obsessed now?
Lots of coverage of the Tony Blair Institute's report on net zero
Inc. what Tony said & what he didn't
But I spotted this little nugget of a graph which is potentially misleading...
1) it uses old data
2) it is based on primary energy, NOT end-use energy
Inc. what Tony said & what he didn't
But I spotted this little nugget of a graph which is potentially misleading...
1) it uses old data
2) it is based on primary energy, NOT end-use energy
April 30, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Lots of coverage of the Tony Blair Institute's report on net zero
Inc. what Tony said & what he didn't
But I spotted this little nugget of a graph which is potentially misleading...
1) it uses old data
2) it is based on primary energy, NOT end-use energy
Inc. what Tony said & what he didn't
But I spotted this little nugget of a graph which is potentially misleading...
1) it uses old data
2) it is based on primary energy, NOT end-use energy
There's lots of speculation about what happened with recent powercuts across Spain, Portugal and France, and answers may take a while.
It's worth bearing in mind
1) Major blackouts in UK & Europe are rare but have happened throughout history - no system is 100% reliable.
🧵
It's worth bearing in mind
1) Major blackouts in UK & Europe are rare but have happened throughout history - no system is 100% reliable.
🧵
April 30, 2025 at 7:22 AM
There's lots of speculation about what happened with recent powercuts across Spain, Portugal and France, and answers may take a while.
It's worth bearing in mind
1) Major blackouts in UK & Europe are rare but have happened throughout history - no system is 100% reliable.
🧵
It's worth bearing in mind
1) Major blackouts in UK & Europe are rare but have happened throughout history - no system is 100% reliable.
🧵
This morning, Today on BBC Radio 4 @bbcsounds.bsky.social had the Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, on to discuss the costs of energy, among other things.
Veteran presenter Justin Webb made a few dodgy claims. Later, @skynewsrss.bsky.social and Wilfred Frost were at it too.
Let's examine 🧐
Veteran presenter Justin Webb made a few dodgy claims. Later, @skynewsrss.bsky.social and Wilfred Frost were at it too.
Let's examine 🧐
April 24, 2025 at 3:01 PM
This morning, Today on BBC Radio 4 @bbcsounds.bsky.social had the Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, on to discuss the costs of energy, among other things.
Veteran presenter Justin Webb made a few dodgy claims. Later, @skynewsrss.bsky.social and Wilfred Frost were at it too.
Let's examine 🧐
Veteran presenter Justin Webb made a few dodgy claims. Later, @skynewsrss.bsky.social and Wilfred Frost were at it too.
Let's examine 🧐
Reposted by Jess Ralston
This is an, ahem, interesting piece from Jawad Iqbal in today's Times: "Miliband has in the past boasted about the previous Labour government’s decision to phase out coal power… Miliband claimed other countries would follow “our example”. Really? It seems highly unlikely."
Here’s why he's wrong 🧵
Here’s why he's wrong 🧵
April 14, 2025 at 4:40 PM
This is an, ahem, interesting piece from Jawad Iqbal in today's Times: "Miliband has in the past boasted about the previous Labour government’s decision to phase out coal power… Miliband claimed other countries would follow “our example”. Really? It seems highly unlikely."
Here’s why he's wrong 🧵
Here’s why he's wrong 🧵
🚨Some major errors & misleading claims from experienced presenter Nick Robinson on BBC Radio 4 Today, when discussing British Steel with Treasury Minister James Murray
I hope these are corrected on tomorrow's programme, and Robinson sticks to the facts in future.
Here's what he got wrong... 🧵
I hope these are corrected on tomorrow's programme, and Robinson sticks to the facts in future.
Here's what he got wrong... 🧵
April 14, 2025 at 10:38 AM
🚨Some major errors & misleading claims from experienced presenter Nick Robinson on BBC Radio 4 Today, when discussing British Steel with Treasury Minister James Murray
I hope these are corrected on tomorrow's programme, and Robinson sticks to the facts in future.
Here's what he got wrong... 🧵
I hope these are corrected on tomorrow's programme, and Robinson sticks to the facts in future.
Here's what he got wrong... 🧵