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
Of course, QBE's call to ensure that solar panels are properly installed and maintained is important and I completely agree
But reporting this without putting figures in context could amount to scare-mongering, and might display disappointing anti-renewables bias.
But reporting this without putting figures in context could amount to scare-mongering, and might display disappointing anti-renewables bias.
November 5, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Of course, QBE's call to ensure that solar panels are properly installed and maintained is important and I completely agree
But reporting this without putting figures in context could amount to scare-mongering, and might display disappointing anti-renewables bias.
But reporting this without putting figures in context could amount to scare-mongering, and might display disappointing anti-renewables bias.
Indeed, the fact that there were ELEVEN fires a day caused by "faulty fuel supplies" indicates that diesel generators, oil-fired boilers etc. aka fossil fuels could be more dangerous to Brits than solar panels
But, that detail was absent from these news stories...
But, that detail was absent from these news stories...
November 5, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Indeed, the fact that there were ELEVEN fires a day caused by "faulty fuel supplies" indicates that diesel generators, oil-fired boilers etc. aka fossil fuels could be more dangerous to Brits than solar panels
But, that detail was absent from these news stories...
But, that detail was absent from these news stories...
In any case, I hope this illustrates that "one solar panel fire every two days" is comparably few - there were FOUR chip pan fires A DAY in 2024
and you don't see any headlines about the dangers of fish and chip shops!
and you don't see any headlines about the dangers of fish and chip shops!
November 5, 2025 at 1:12 PM
In any case, I hope this illustrates that "one solar panel fire every two days" is comparably few - there were FOUR chip pan fires A DAY in 2024
and you don't see any headlines about the dangers of fish and chip shops!
and you don't see any headlines about the dangers of fish and chip shops!
The government's fire statistics data isn't granular enough to identify solar panel fires - QBE obtained their figures through FOIs - and it's not clear which of the government's categories would include solar panels, so I've listed them separately.
November 5, 2025 at 1:12 PM
The government's fire statistics data isn't granular enough to identify solar panel fires - QBE obtained their figures through FOIs - and it's not clear which of the government's categories would include solar panels, so I've listed them separately.
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:
Put simply, renewables are lowering bills by billions per year and more of them will push older, less efficient gas off the system even more, lowering costs further
It would be good if this hidden saving was reflected in discussions about the cost of renewables...one can dream!
It would be good if this hidden saving was reflected in discussions about the cost of renewables...one can dream!
October 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Put simply, renewables are lowering bills by billions per year and more of them will push older, less efficient gas off the system even more, lowering costs further
It would be good if this hidden saving was reflected in discussions about the cost of renewables...one can dream!
It would be good if this hidden saving was reflected in discussions about the cost of renewables...one can dream!
There's been some criticism of strike prices in the upcoming renewables auction.
But without the wind we already have on the system, the wholesale electricity price would actually be HIGHER than the strike prices for most technologies
& which may well fall anyway.
But without the wind we already have on the system, the wholesale electricity price would actually be HIGHER than the strike prices for most technologies
& which may well fall anyway.
October 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
There's been some criticism of strike prices in the upcoming renewables auction.
But without the wind we already have on the system, the wholesale electricity price would actually be HIGHER than the strike prices for most technologies
& which may well fall anyway.
But without the wind we already have on the system, the wholesale electricity price would actually be HIGHER than the strike prices for most technologies
& which may well fall anyway.
2) These savings to wholesale electricity prices are about 🟰 to support for wind farms from "green levies".
3) Renewables are pushing down the amount of time that gas sets the price of all generation - from 97% to 85%.
3) Renewables are pushing down the amount of time that gas sets the price of all generation - from 97% to 85%.
October 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
2) These savings to wholesale electricity prices are about 🟰 to support for wind farms from "green levies".
3) Renewables are pushing down the amount of time that gas sets the price of all generation - from 97% to 85%.
3) Renewables are pushing down the amount of time that gas sets the price of all generation - from 97% to 85%.
The results:
1) Wind farms cut the day-ahead wholesale price by up to a quarter (25%) in 2024, about £25/MWh
compared to if there was no/little wind, and gas instead
this hidden saving is not being considered by those who call to scrap renewables.
1) Wind farms cut the day-ahead wholesale price by up to a quarter (25%) in 2024, about £25/MWh
compared to if there was no/little wind, and gas instead
this hidden saving is not being considered by those who call to scrap renewables.
October 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
The results:
1) Wind farms cut the day-ahead wholesale price by up to a quarter (25%) in 2024, about £25/MWh
compared to if there was no/little wind, and gas instead
this hidden saving is not being considered by those who call to scrap renewables.
1) Wind farms cut the day-ahead wholesale price by up to a quarter (25%) in 2024, about £25/MWh
compared to if there was no/little wind, and gas instead
this hidden saving is not being considered by those who call to scrap renewables.
As wind & solar are cheaper, running off free sunshine & wind, the more renewables we have, the better
As they push older, less efficient gas power plants off the system and from being the marginal generator
The £ implications of this have been v hard to quantify...until now.
As they push older, less efficient gas power plants off the system and from being the marginal generator
The £ implications of this have been v hard to quantify...until now.
October 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
As wind & solar are cheaper, running off free sunshine & wind, the more renewables we have, the better
As they push older, less efficient gas power plants off the system and from being the marginal generator
The £ implications of this have been v hard to quantify...until now.
As they push older, less efficient gas power plants off the system and from being the marginal generator
The £ implications of this have been v hard to quantify...until now.
How are renewables lowering wholesale electricity prices?
Gas is normally the "marginal" generator, filling the last bit of supply to meet demand and it's price is high comparably
In UK, all generation on day-ahead market - even if cheaper - gets this final "marginal price".
Gas is normally the "marginal" generator, filling the last bit of supply to meet demand and it's price is high comparably
In UK, all generation on day-ahead market - even if cheaper - gets this final "marginal price".
October 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
How are renewables lowering wholesale electricity prices?
Gas is normally the "marginal" generator, filling the last bit of supply to meet demand and it's price is high comparably
In UK, all generation on day-ahead market - even if cheaper - gets this final "marginal price".
Gas is normally the "marginal" generator, filling the last bit of supply to meet demand and it's price is high comparably
In UK, all generation on day-ahead market - even if cheaper - gets this final "marginal price".
Upgrading the electricity grid is a down payment on cheaper, more efficient system in future - increasingly using British wind & solar over imported gas.
Yes, we need to invest in the grid after decades of under-investment.
But today's grid upgrade is tomorrow's bill reduction.
Yes, we need to invest in the grid after decades of under-investment.
But today's grid upgrade is tomorrow's bill reduction.
September 18, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Upgrading the electricity grid is a down payment on cheaper, more efficient system in future - increasingly using British wind & solar over imported gas.
Yes, we need to invest in the grid after decades of under-investment.
But today's grid upgrade is tomorrow's bill reduction.
Yes, we need to invest in the grid after decades of under-investment.
But today's grid upgrade is tomorrow's bill reduction.
4) Policy & nuclear costs up £18
£6 for so-called "green" levies, which help to pay for things like insulation into low-income households and the Warm Homes Discount
And nuclear costs up £12 to pay for continuously delayed & over-budget Sizewell C.
£6 for so-called "green" levies, which help to pay for things like insulation into low-income households and the Warm Homes Discount
And nuclear costs up £12 to pay for continuously delayed & over-budget Sizewell C.
September 18, 2025 at 10:26 AM
4) Policy & nuclear costs up £18
£6 for so-called "green" levies, which help to pay for things like insulation into low-income households and the Warm Homes Discount
And nuclear costs up £12 to pay for continuously delayed & over-budget Sizewell C.
£6 for so-called "green" levies, which help to pay for things like insulation into low-income households and the Warm Homes Discount
And nuclear costs up £12 to pay for continuously delayed & over-budget Sizewell C.
...and transport more British power from its source to our homes. It’s a necessary investment to reduce the amount of imported gas we need
AND reduces constraint payments, where we pay Scottish wind farms to turn off and gas to power up down South.
eciu.net/media/press-...
AND reduces constraint payments, where we pay Scottish wind farms to turn off and gas to power up down South.
eciu.net/media/press-...
UK electricity ‘becoming more British’, less import dependent –…
New analysis finds that the UK’s electricity supply has become more British over the past decade
eciu.net
September 18, 2025 at 10:26 AM
...and transport more British power from its source to our homes. It’s a necessary investment to reduce the amount of imported gas we need
AND reduces constraint payments, where we pay Scottish wind farms to turn off and gas to power up down South.
eciu.net/media/press-...
AND reduces constraint payments, where we pay Scottish wind farms to turn off and gas to power up down South.
eciu.net/media/press-...
3) Electricity network costs up £40 (£30 for transmission):
- Some for maintenance and operation (business-as-usual)
- Some for building new infrastructure, pylons and cables etc, to allow new renewables to come online...
www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/defaul...
- Some for maintenance and operation (business-as-usual)
- Some for building new infrastructure, pylons and cables etc, to allow new renewables to come online...
www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/defaul...
www.ofgem.gov.uk
September 18, 2025 at 10:26 AM
3) Electricity network costs up £40 (£30 for transmission):
- Some for maintenance and operation (business-as-usual)
- Some for building new infrastructure, pylons and cables etc, to allow new renewables to come online...
www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/defaul...
- Some for maintenance and operation (business-as-usual)
- Some for building new infrastructure, pylons and cables etc, to allow new renewables to come online...
www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/defaul...
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.
Some politicians & the industry say max extraction from the N. Sea = energy price security
But a few billion barrels of oil equivalent, even if discovered and economically extracted (unlikely), won't make any difference.
eciu.net/media/press-...
But a few billion barrels of oil equivalent, even if discovered and economically extracted (unlikely), won't make any difference.
eciu.net/media/press-...
North Sea moratorium equivalent to just one new offshore wind farm
New poll also finds 54% of Brits want tax cuts for renewables not for new oil and gas drilling
eciu.net
September 3, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Some politicians & the industry say max extraction from the N. Sea = energy price security
But a few billion barrels of oil equivalent, even if discovered and economically extracted (unlikely), won't make any difference.
eciu.net/media/press-...
But a few billion barrels of oil equivalent, even if discovered and economically extracted (unlikely), won't make any difference.
eciu.net/media/press-...
Huge O&G companies own what they get out the ground & sell it to highest bidder
Any new fields are potential liabilities, stranded assets as the world transitions, leading to a chaotic decline
Helping no-one, inc those working in N Sea supply chains.
bsky.app/profile/tors...
Any new fields are potential liabilities, stranded assets as the world transitions, leading to a chaotic decline
Helping no-one, inc those working in N Sea supply chains.
bsky.app/profile/tors...
These Tory MPs are going to be furious when they find out who was in power when employment in offshore oil and gas HALVED between 2014 and 2023. The Conservatives are doubling down on being a cheap Reform tribute act rather than a serious party
September 3, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Huge O&G companies own what they get out the ground & sell it to highest bidder
Any new fields are potential liabilities, stranded assets as the world transitions, leading to a chaotic decline
Helping no-one, inc those working in N Sea supply chains.
bsky.app/profile/tors...
Any new fields are potential liabilities, stranded assets as the world transitions, leading to a chaotic decline
Helping no-one, inc those working in N Sea supply chains.
bsky.app/profile/tors...
As Prof. Gavin Bridge says: "Potential extraction will be from small, high-cost & risky fields...their development inconsistent with a managed decline while requiring risky subsidies and deregulation that benefit oil and gas companies, not the public."
bsky.app/profile/tess...
bsky.app/profile/tess...
Badenoch wants to unleash the O&G regulator (the NSTA) to finally focus on maximising extraction. But the NSTA already has a Principal Objective, enshrined in law no less, that is literally "maximising the economic recovery" of oil & gas. Does she want the NSTA to encourage uneconomic extraction? /2
September 3, 2025 at 11:29 AM
As Prof. Gavin Bridge says: "Potential extraction will be from small, high-cost & risky fields...their development inconsistent with a managed decline while requiring risky subsidies and deregulation that benefit oil and gas companies, not the public."
bsky.app/profile/tess...
bsky.app/profile/tess...
Plus, the potential resources in this report are globally insignificant
And any speculative discoveries don't change the geological fact that the North Sea IS RUNNING OUT
What's left is mostly oil - 70%
We export the majority of our oil - 80%
bsky.app/profile/tess...
And any speculative discoveries don't change the geological fact that the North Sea IS RUNNING OUT
What's left is mostly oil - 70%
We export the majority of our oil - 80%
bsky.app/profile/tess...
Basically she is in deep denial about the geological reality of the North Sea, which is that it's been in decline for decades. New mandates & tax breaks galore will not change that. Even with new fields, our dependency on imported gas is set to rise to 97% by 2050. Time for a new plan folks! /5
September 3, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Plus, the potential resources in this report are globally insignificant
And any speculative discoveries don't change the geological fact that the North Sea IS RUNNING OUT
What's left is mostly oil - 70%
We export the majority of our oil - 80%
bsky.app/profile/tess...
And any speculative discoveries don't change the geological fact that the North Sea IS RUNNING OUT
What's left is mostly oil - 70%
We export the majority of our oil - 80%
bsky.app/profile/tess...