Big Lies, Small Mercies

Go, Turbo

In the thick-and-fast documents on its soi-dissant 'Electricity Market Reforms' the government has come up with a mantra to be repeated at every opportunity:

EMR will deliver the greener energy and reliable supplies that the country needs, at the lowest possible cost

It's a shameless, blatant lie, of course - but hey, if repeated often enough ...  The word 'needs' is of course mendacious, but for that they can at least argue they have a mandate.  The real outrage is the pretence of delivering at 'lowest possible cost', and incontrovertible proof is readily to hand in the shape of the CfD 'strike prices' (= guaranteed electricity prices) announced over the summer for the various technologies on offer.  Some examples:

• Landfill gas:          65 (£/MWh) 
• Energy from waste: 90
• Hydro:                  95
• Onshore wind:      100
• Large scale solar: 120
• Offshore wind:      155
• Tidal and wave:    305 (sic)

For reference, wholesale prices are currently in the range £50-60.  Manifestly, no-one can be offering £155, still less £305, and still claim to be delivering at lowest possible cost.  The real motive is given elsewhere in government documents, for example here (page 7, my emphasis): 

[The] CfDs have been designed to provide efficient long-term support for all forms of low carbon electricity generation

Yes folks, the aim is for all technologies, however fatuous, to be given a piece of the action.  In that context I suppose we we must take a crumb of comfort from the Severn Barrage - epic fatuousness on large concrete stilts, being promoted by Peter Hain and 'Lord Deben' - yet again being given short shrift.  Why won't it just go away ?

For the record, I offer to generate on my exercise bike for a mere £295 per MWh.  Turbo my hamster in his little wheel is only slightly more costly at £300.  And we can start tomorrow - which is more than any of these other crazy schemes can say.

ND