The discovery of 200 trillion cubic feet of shale gas in north-west England could revolutionise Britain's energy market. But whether or not the UK coalition government will give the green light to what appears to become a veritable energy revolution depends to a large extend on Huhne's ill-famed objections against a new dash for cheap gas. David Cameron would be well advised not to allow his green minister to squander Britain's golden shale gas opportunity. --Benny Peiser, Public Service Europe, 27 September 2011
The announcement of a huge shale gas find in the UK by Cuadrilla Resources could well prove that the unconventional gas may be the energy game-changer in Europe that it has been in the U.S. The comments came from Angus Miller, the British Foreign Office's adviser, at Gas Infrastructure World Caspian 2011 being held in Baku. --Natural Gas Europe, 23 September 2011
Investment in the UK's renewable energy infrastructure has been thrown into doubt as an urgent review into the subsidy regime has been delayed. Ministers are thought to be wary of attracting attention to the level of subsidies for green electricity, after a spate of reports in sections of the media and on the right of the Tory party criticising renewable subsidies as a component in energy prices. --Fiona Harvey, The Guardian, 26 September 2011
UK energy customers are struggling to meet the cost of steep price hikes with 71% turning to savings, credit cards and overdrafts to pay for their energy bills. The recent price increases have added a whopping £155.75 per year onto the average household energy bill, with gas prices shooting up by 17.4% and electricity bills up by 10.8%. These rising costs mean 71% of customers are now finding it difficult to pay their bills, according to Moneysupermarket. --Money Wise, 26 September 2011
China may treat shale gas as separate from conventional hydrocarbons to encourage companies outside of state-owned industry to invest, government officials said on Sunday. It may also offer pricing and other incentives across the industry to further to tap the potentially huge resource. --Reuters, 25 September 2011
Utility Scottish and Southern Energy said it has pulled out of its UK nuclear new build consortium, raising concerns investors may see the British nuclear industry as unattractive despite government efforts to provide incentives. --Reuters, 23 September 2011
