Release the white paper!

The Energy White Paper was released today and there must be a lot of interest in it; it took about six hours to actually get a decent connection to the DTI’s website and download a copy. I haven’t had a chance to go through it all yet but a couple things have jumped out from skimming the executive summary and news coverage.

1. The big story over at the BBC is nuclear power. The white paper reiterates that nuclear could play a major role in reducing carbon emissions and improving energy security; indeed a consultation document on new nuclear stations was released at the same time. It should make for interesting reading: what will the government do if the private sector decides it’s not economic?
2. Energy policy is about more than electricity supply though and it’s good to see that the white paper starts with demand reduction.
   

   “The starting point for our energy policy is to save energy. It is often the cheapest way of reducing carbon emissions, certainly in the short-term. It can also contribute to security of supply, for example by reducing our need for energy imports, and reduce fuel poverty through lower bills.”

   I’ll have to check but this may be the first time that the importance of the demand side has been stated so clearly.

3. As an example of this interest in demand reduction, the white paper has confirmed the earlier rumours about home energy monitors. All new electricity meters starting next spring will have displays showing consumption (e.g. kWh) and cost. Apparently not everyone’s happy with this move but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

As with anything, the devil will be in the details and it’s worth remembering that the 2003 white paper made many of the right noises too. In fact, a cynic might say that the whole purpose of the new white paper was to lay the groundwork for new nuclear power stations. But the nuclear issue shouldn’t overshadow the wider themes of the white paper, that a renewed effort in all sectors – industrial, transport, domestic, and so on – is needed to deliver a sustainable energy policy for the UK.