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
These news stories hinge on a finding by insurer QBE that there were 171 fires "linked to" solar panels in the UK in 2024, up from 107 in 2022.
Here's how this compares to other causes of fire:
Here's how this compares to other causes of fire:
November 5, 2025 at 1:12 PM
These news stories hinge on a finding by insurer QBE that there were 171 fires "linked to" solar panels in the UK in 2024, up from 107 in 2022.
Here's how this compares to other causes of fire:
Here's how this compares to other causes of fire:
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 🧵
2) GAS NETWORK costs up £53 - the biggest chunk:
- For maintaining and operating gas networks
- Increased depreciation (paying off networks investments more quickly)
Don't know how this is a 'net zero cost' as suggested by the Telegraph this morning...
- For maintaining and operating gas networks
- Increased depreciation (paying off networks investments more quickly)
Don't know how this is a 'net zero cost' as suggested by the Telegraph this morning...
September 18, 2025 at 10:26 AM
2) GAS NETWORK costs up £53 - the biggest chunk:
- For maintaining and operating gas networks
- Increased depreciation (paying off networks investments more quickly)
Don't know how this is a 'net zero cost' as suggested by the Telegraph this morning...
- For maintaining and operating gas networks
- Increased depreciation (paying off networks investments more quickly)
Don't know how this is a 'net zero cost' as suggested by the Telegraph this morning...
Industry experts @CornwallInsight predict that bills will go up around £100 in April 2026. Why?
1) Wholesale costs down £12 on previous quarter, as gas prices fall from peak levels BUT remain above pre-crisis levels
In Feb, they reached a 2-year high and are still volatile.
1) Wholesale costs down £12 on previous quarter, as gas prices fall from peak levels BUT remain above pre-crisis levels
In Feb, they reached a 2-year high and are still volatile.
September 18, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Industry experts @CornwallInsight predict that bills will go up around £100 in April 2026. Why?
1) Wholesale costs down £12 on previous quarter, as gas prices fall from peak levels BUT remain above pre-crisis levels
In Feb, they reached a 2-year high and are still volatile.
1) Wholesale costs down £12 on previous quarter, as gas prices fall from peak levels BUT remain above pre-crisis levels
In Feb, they reached a 2-year high and are still volatile.
OEUK claim that O&G production could increase from 4.3bn barrels of oil equivalent to 7.5bn
...with changes to "incentives" aka subsidies and scrapping the Windfall Tax (which is hugely popular with voters) etc
This differs to the *official* estimates from the regulator 👀
...with changes to "incentives" aka subsidies and scrapping the Windfall Tax (which is hugely popular with voters) etc
This differs to the *official* estimates from the regulator 👀
September 3, 2025 at 11:29 AM
OEUK claim that O&G production could increase from 4.3bn barrels of oil equivalent to 7.5bn
...with changes to "incentives" aka subsidies and scrapping the Windfall Tax (which is hugely popular with voters) etc
This differs to the *official* estimates from the regulator 👀
...with changes to "incentives" aka subsidies and scrapping the Windfall Tax (which is hugely popular with voters) etc
This differs to the *official* estimates from the regulator 👀
💵 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...
But this morning, another version appeared online and in print - and this crucial context has vanished.
It now doesn't mention the savings, and only briefly that bills would rise even higher if this investment didn't happen.
This makes it misleading...
It now doesn't mention the savings, and only briefly that bills would rise even higher if this investment didn't happen.
This makes it misleading...
July 2, 2025 at 10:34 AM
But this morning, another version appeared online and in print - and this crucial context has vanished.
It now doesn't mention the savings, and only briefly that bills would rise even higher if this investment didn't happen.
This makes it misleading...
It now doesn't mention the savings, and only briefly that bills would rise even higher if this investment didn't happen.
This makes it misleading...
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):
4) Contrary to what you may hear, net zero is not the problem here...
The wholesale electricity cost component for steel industry is more in the UK than the ENTIRE electricity bill (wholesale, network, policy etc) in France and Germany.
🤯
The wholesale electricity cost component for steel industry is more in the UK than the ENTIRE electricity bill (wholesale, network, policy etc) in France and Germany.
🤯
June 19, 2025 at 2:12 PM
4) Contrary to what you may hear, net zero is not the problem here...
The wholesale electricity cost component for steel industry is more in the UK than the ENTIRE electricity bill (wholesale, network, policy etc) in France and Germany.
🤯
The wholesale electricity cost component for steel industry is more in the UK than the ENTIRE electricity bill (wholesale, network, policy etc) in France and Germany.
🤯
2) Gas costs increased the most, alarmingly doubling from pre-crisis average for UK industry
(Despite industrial gas demand falling 12%)
...Both households and industry have been left exposed to crippling energy costs
Undermining UK's economic & industrial competitiveness ❌
(Despite industrial gas demand falling 12%)
...Both households and industry have been left exposed to crippling energy costs
Undermining UK's economic & industrial competitiveness ❌
June 19, 2025 at 2:12 PM
2) Gas costs increased the most, alarmingly doubling from pre-crisis average for UK industry
(Despite industrial gas demand falling 12%)
...Both households and industry have been left exposed to crippling energy costs
Undermining UK's economic & industrial competitiveness ❌
(Despite industrial gas demand falling 12%)
...Both households and industry have been left exposed to crippling energy costs
Undermining UK's economic & industrial competitiveness ❌
1) Key sectors such as steel and iron increased their energy bills by ⬆️ 80% to £4bn in the first 4 years of the crisis
Despite production of steel decreasing by 25% ⬇️ in the crisis
🚨The future of steel in the UK is dependent on stable prices
Despite production of steel decreasing by 25% ⬇️ in the crisis
🚨The future of steel in the UK is dependent on stable prices
June 19, 2025 at 2:12 PM
1) Key sectors such as steel and iron increased their energy bills by ⬆️ 80% to £4bn in the first 4 years of the crisis
Despite production of steel decreasing by 25% ⬇️ in the crisis
🚨The future of steel in the UK is dependent on stable prices
Despite production of steel decreasing by 25% ⬇️ in the crisis
🚨The future of steel in the UK is dependent on stable prices
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...
Oil & gas prices have always been volatile, fluctuating around conflicts and geopolitical events.
This will ALWAYS be the case - UK prices reflect what happens on these international markets.
We have little control over prices given the North Sea is a small, declining basin.
This will ALWAYS be the case - UK prices reflect what happens on these international markets.
We have little control over prices given the North Sea is a small, declining basin.
June 13, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Oil & gas prices have always been volatile, fluctuating around conflicts and geopolitical events.
This will ALWAYS be the case - UK prices reflect what happens on these international markets.
We have little control over prices given the North Sea is a small, declining basin.
This will ALWAYS be the case - UK prices reflect what happens on these international markets.
We have little control over prices given the North Sea is a small, declining basin.
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...
Without a replacement, the public sector may struggle to invest in its buildings
Will GB Energy fill the gap? Might be competition for cash with it covering renewables, nuclear etc too
Will GB Energy fill the gap? Might be competition for cash with it covering renewables, nuclear etc too
June 12, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Without a replacement, the public sector may struggle to invest in its buildings
Will GB Energy fill the gap? Might be competition for cash with it covering renewables, nuclear etc too
Will GB Energy fill the gap? Might be competition for cash with it covering renewables, nuclear etc too
Industrial Strategy & Infrastructure Strategy end of June (= delay to industrial strategy) and may not cover foundation industries like steel
Plan to decarbonise industries in Oct
But no mention of help with high energy costs = industry may continue to struggle over summer.
Plan to decarbonise industries in Oct
But no mention of help with high energy costs = industry may continue to struggle over summer.
June 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Industrial Strategy & Infrastructure Strategy end of June (= delay to industrial strategy) and may not cover foundation industries like steel
Plan to decarbonise industries in Oct
But no mention of help with high energy costs = industry may continue to struggle over summer.
Plan to decarbonise industries in Oct
But no mention of help with high energy costs = industry may continue to struggle over summer.
Picture is less clear for industry
No mention of Clean Steel Fund, a manifesto pledge
But re-announced some support e.g. £500m for Port Talbot, which is thought to be from that fund
& investment into floating offshore wind infrastructure at actual Port in Port Talbot
No mention of Clean Steel Fund, a manifesto pledge
But re-announced some support e.g. £500m for Port Talbot, which is thought to be from that fund
& investment into floating offshore wind infrastructure at actual Port in Port Talbot
June 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Picture is less clear for industry
No mention of Clean Steel Fund, a manifesto pledge
But re-announced some support e.g. £500m for Port Talbot, which is thought to be from that fund
& investment into floating offshore wind infrastructure at actual Port in Port Talbot
No mention of Clean Steel Fund, a manifesto pledge
But re-announced some support e.g. £500m for Port Talbot, which is thought to be from that fund
& investment into floating offshore wind infrastructure at actual Port in Port Talbot
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 ☑️
So far, there's been 5 articles that use the graph
And when I asked them, the Telegraph weren't willing to remove or change it
Strange and disappointing, when not only are the numbers wrong, but the way it's presented may lead people to believe the opposite of the truth.
And when I asked them, the Telegraph weren't willing to remove or change it
Strange and disappointing, when not only are the numbers wrong, but the way it's presented may lead people to believe the opposite of the truth.
June 3, 2025 at 1:10 PM
So far, there's been 5 articles that use the graph
And when I asked them, the Telegraph weren't willing to remove or change it
Strange and disappointing, when not only are the numbers wrong, but the way it's presented may lead people to believe the opposite of the truth.
And when I asked them, the Telegraph weren't willing to remove or change it
Strange and disappointing, when not only are the numbers wrong, but the way it's presented may lead people to believe the opposite of the truth.
2. The timelines don't show the longer term trend.
By the Telegraph only starting the graph in May 2024, it misses out longer term growth
...which is a 59% increase in heat pump installations between Nov 2022 (when the Boiler Upgrade Scheme properly started) and Apr 2025
By the Telegraph only starting the graph in May 2024, it misses out longer term growth
...which is a 59% increase in heat pump installations between Nov 2022 (when the Boiler Upgrade Scheme properly started) and Apr 2025
June 3, 2025 at 1:10 PM
2. The timelines don't show the longer term trend.
By the Telegraph only starting the graph in May 2024, it misses out longer term growth
...which is a 59% increase in heat pump installations between Nov 2022 (when the Boiler Upgrade Scheme properly started) and Apr 2025
By the Telegraph only starting the graph in May 2024, it misses out longer term growth
...which is a 59% increase in heat pump installations between Nov 2022 (when the Boiler Upgrade Scheme properly started) and Apr 2025
1. The Telegraph says that the data source is "MCS monthly installations", totalling 4660 heat pumps in April
MCS data actually shows it to be around 100 more than that, at 4754
& this may keep rising as the lag between installation and when they are recorded catches up.
MCS data actually shows it to be around 100 more than that, at 4754
& this may keep rising as the lag between installation and when they are recorded catches up.
June 3, 2025 at 1:10 PM
1. The Telegraph says that the data source is "MCS monthly installations", totalling 4660 heat pumps in April
MCS data actually shows it to be around 100 more than that, at 4754
& this may keep rising as the lag between installation and when they are recorded catches up.
MCS data actually shows it to be around 100 more than that, at 4754
& this may keep rising as the lag between installation and when they are recorded catches up.
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.
BUT between the article being published on 20 Jan and the correction on 15 Apr
The incorrect figure appeared in 3 (!) articles in the Express and 1 in the Scotsman.
Thankfully, all have now also removed and/or corrected the figure - but it shows how misinformation can spread.
The incorrect figure appeared in 3 (!) articles in the Express and 1 in the Scotsman.
Thankfully, all have now also removed and/or corrected the figure - but it shows how misinformation can spread.
May 27, 2025 at 1:20 PM
BUT between the article being published on 20 Jan and the correction on 15 Apr
The incorrect figure appeared in 3 (!) articles in the Express and 1 in the Scotsman.
Thankfully, all have now also removed and/or corrected the figure - but it shows how misinformation can spread.
The incorrect figure appeared in 3 (!) articles in the Express and 1 in the Scotsman.
Thankfully, all have now also removed and/or corrected the figure - but it shows how misinformation can spread.