News

ENA Bulletin 14 December

Issue 284: Wednesday 14 December 2011

ENA help launch All-Party Group of MPs on metal theft
... And discuss metal theft with Bulgarian Interior Minister
... As Government accept that legislative change is needed
ENA members work together to deal with storms
ENA sets out how networks will deliver bio-methane
ENA launch tender to look at future of domestic heating
ENA meet Shadow Welsh Energy Minister
ENA launch Safety Health & Environment Conference 2012
Brussels update
Forthcoming events organised and/or supported by ENA

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ENA help launch All-Party Group of MPs on metal theft

A cross-Party group of MPs and Peers organised by ENA last week called for immediate reform of the law governing the scrap metal industry. The group of Parliamentarians have come together to form an All-Party Parliamentary Group to Combat Metal Theft. The purpose of the group is to focus on ways to stop the scourge of theft of metal from the UK’s critical national infrastructure. The group identified the illegal trade in metal by parts of the metal recycling industry as the key cause of metal theft.

The Joint-Chair of the new group, Chris Kelly MP said “we need to end what is nothing less than metal laundering. It is a crime that is having an impact across society and the measures introduced need to address the whole chain handling scrap metal”.

This was backed up by representatives from across the metal recycling industry present at the inaugural meeting. Organisations such as Alchemy Metals, SITA and Veolia all agreed that stolen metal is infecting their industry by allowing it to enter the chain through disreputable dealers.

Support was unanimous for changes to the law that have been proposed in a Bill by Graham Jones MP. He said “Parliament needs to address this issue with strong action. The options are either to be tough and robust in our approach or to merely tweak out of date legislation.”

The new group is being supported by Energy Networks Association. As we made clear at the meeting, with the rest of Europe introducing legislation to tackle metal theft, the UK is in danger of being behind the curve. Every day that we delay, we increase the chance that an innocent person will be killed as a result of damage to our infrastructure.”

ENA hosted a Parliamentary Summit on 22 June 2011 where the then Crime Prevention Minister Baroness Browning said, “The Government takes this issue very seriously… good progress is being made on a range of actions from this plan including looking at how we can develop metal alternatives and more coordinated law enforcement approaches, as well as exploring possible options for a cashless system for scrap metal dealers”.

ENA is working with the Government as part of the cross-departmental Ministerial Group including addressing its second meeting on 1 November and participated in the Deputy Mayor of London’s round table on tacking metal theft on 29 November 2011.

ENA is also helping Graham Jones MP with his Metal Theft (Prevention) Private Members Bill. Details of an e-petition in support of the Bill can be found here.

Details of the Bill are available here.

The group will be Co-Chaired by Chris Kelly MP and Graham Jones MP. The Vice-Chairs are Mark Garnier MP, Robin Walker MP, Stewart Jackson MP, Margot James MP and from the House of Lords, Lord Faulkner.
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... And discuss metal theft with Bulgarian Interior Minister

Two weeks ago ENA met the Bulgarian Interior Minister in Sofia as well as representatives of the Bulgarian scrap metal industry to discuss how Bulgaria is tackling the problem of metal theft. It was clear that they were taking the issue very seriously. On the day that we met the Minister he was introducing legislation to Parliament to regulate the scrap industry in just the way we would like to see in the UK. Key measures such as a strong license regime, a cashless system and stronger safeguards around identification of sellers were all in the Ministers package of proposals.

Across Europe measures are being introduced to tackle the issue. In Belgium they introduced legislation that had an immediate impact on metal thefts, unfortunately their Parliament then suspended it and, yes you guessed it, the thefts went up. Needless to say they then reintroduced it and the thefts are now starting to go down again.
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... As Government accept that legislative change is needed

Meanwhile the Government have made clear this week that change to the scrap metal law is now necessary to combat metal theft. ENA’s campaign to get legislative change looks set to be reaching its endgame. Home Office Minister James Brokenshire said on Monday in the House of Commons that whilst “the Government do not legislate lightly and have undertaken a range of work to tackle metal theft through non-legislative means... we have now reached the stage where the only conclusion is that new legislation is needed to tackle metal theft”.

This came during a big focus by MPs on the issue during questions to the Home Office. The message that action was needed now was made clear by MPs and there were references by them to the newly formed All-Party Group we have set up. In fact it was the main topic at questions in the Commons on Monday with questions from Adam Holloway, Craig Whittaker, Nadine Dorries, Ian Austin, Tom Clarke and Mark Garnier. They had been briefed by ENA in advance and the pressure on the Government to act is now resounding.

Conservative MP Nadine Dorries asked whether the Minister thought it was “time to change the law on the scrap metal industry? The law at the moment pertains to an Act that was designed around the days of Steptoe and Son; is it not time to change the law?” she concluded.

Home Office Minister James Brokenshire acknowledged the impact of the problem saying that “we underline and recognise the seriousness attached to metal theft”.

He went on to say that “we believe that existing regulation of the scrap metal industry through the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 needs to be revised, as the law is no longer fit for purpose.”

To stop the crime of metal theft means stopping the ability to benefit from it. Without a change in the outdated law of Steptoe and Son, long-term change cannot be achieved. We need a robust licensing scheme, supported by stronger police and Magistrate powers to close and keep closed disreputable yards, and the industry must move to a cashless system for transactions.

ENA are keeping up the pressure with BBC Radio 4 and ITV interviews this week alone. We will continue to do all we can to encourage the Government to move swiftly. As part of this we are also briefing the Scottish Government next week.
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ENA members work together to deal with storms

This week the UK has felt the first real onslaught of winter weather and Scotland in particular has braced itself against winds in excess of 165mph causing widespread damage and disruption to electricity supplies and transport networks.

As the Bulletin is sent out engineers from Scottish Power Distribution and SSE continue to work to restore customers and repair the damage caused. With thousands of customers off supply over the period of extreme weather it has been a challenge that has been faced over the weekend in punishing conditions.

Every year as the public are warned to stay indoors it is the networks engineers who brave the conditions in a battle to reconnect customers. The impact of this weather puts huge amounts of pressure on resources and so Scotia Gas Networks have stepped in to assist their electricity network operator colleagues in Scotland, lending 4x4 vehicles to transport equipment and engineers to hard to reach areas and providing call-centre staff to help manage the volume of calls from customers.

There are formal arrangements for this kind of collaboration between the electricity network operators but support like this when such a large area of Scotland has been affected so significantly will certainly have reduced the time taken to reconnect customers’ supplies.
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ENA sets out how networks will deliver bio-methane

ENA’s Chief Executive David Smith addressed the ADBA National Conference today on how the networks are supporting bio-methane injection and how it can play a vital role in the energy mix.

The conference, titled ‘Is the AD momentum building?’ looked at how the potential for anaerobic digestion was being explored and the ways in which it could be enhanced as well as the impact of the Renewable Heat Incentive and development of a market in bio-methane.

Energy Minister Charles Hendry MP gave a strong keynote speech setting out the Government’s support for biomethane and recognising the need for clarity. Repeating his oft quoted paradox, he said:

“In order to have certainty you first need uncertainty and Government will provide the long-term clarity and certainty for AD. We need a renewable energy revolution and AD is part of that.”

He also added that biomethane has a key role as part of delivering clean gas and that where gas can be provided to domestic customers it should.

Speaking alongside the Minister, David set out how innovation was essential in providing the variety of sources needed to meet demand and the critical role the networks play:

“We believe that whether you’re looking at a smarter network, distributed generation or, as we are today, forms of unconventional gas, the networks and ENA are enablers – helping to meet the challenging targets we face.”

Bio-methane has become an increasingly exciting opportunity. As a country we struggle to dispose to the vast quantities of waste and sewage we generate but we can’t seem to find sufficient sustainable energy options and global gas prices have risen over the year. It is not often in this industry a solution is achieved to so many problems at once.

The networks have already facilitated projects at Didcot in Oxfordshire and with Adnams in Suffolk. Learning from these projects has enabled the industry to begin removing obstacles to greater use of bio-methane such as forming common requirements for connections and the best processes for responding to customers.

David concluded his speech with a show of support for the aims of those supporting bio-methane and clear call for action to DECC:

“The networks and ENA share a vision that ADBA has. That with the right approach bio-methane has the potential to deliver a substantial solution to both our energy and waste challenges. That is why we are enthusiastic about our role as facilitators.”

Richard Lowes of Scotia Gas Networks and a member of ENA’s Gas Futures Group, asked the Minister for greater support from Government to deliver the regulatory and operational changes necessary:

“We have over 100 requests for AD connection and the regulation is a significant burden on potential producers. Currently no one at DECC seems to be working directly on the issues of removing licence conditions and the barriers to connection.”

The Minister, whilst explaining that resources are obviously strained in the current situation, committed to ask DECC colleagues to look at this specific issue.

Echoing Lowes’ calls, David Smith added that “to not have a DECC Gas Future Networks Group as we do for electricity is an oversight that I strongly recommend they address.”
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ENA launch tender to look at future of domestic heating

ENA Gas Futures Group is launching a tender process for a service provider to assess the optimal domestic heating pathways that will enable the UK to meet its carbon and renewable targets out to 2050. The findings that will emerge from this work will help inform Government policy and the regulatory framework for gas into the next few decades.

Duncan Rimmer, Chair of the Gas Futures Group said: “this work could not come at a more critical time. It will be vital in helping shape policy. The heat choices we make must be a central consideration when assessing future energy policy.”

The service provider will need to take into account:

Known and emerging heating technologies.
Highlight the impact on consumers, both costs and the impacts of behavioural changes.
The potential load changes on the gas and electricity distribution networks out to 2050.

Key questions ENA would like to address are:

What are the potential low-carbon technologies that can reduce the carbon intensity of domestic heat?
What barriers do these technologies face? e.g. Technical, Consumer, Economic.
The role of gas in the future space and water heating scenarios
The practicality of fully electrified domestic heating?
What potential appliance mixes are suitable up to 2050 in light of policy targets?
What are the impacts on customers regarding potential domestic heat changes?
What are the different heating solutions for different kinds of property?

If you would like any further information, or to express an interest in tendering for this study please contact: Clare Cantle-Jones,
T: + 44 (0) 20 7706 5150, E: clare.cantle-jones@energynetworks.org

Expressions of interest must be received by Monday 19 December.
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ENA meet Shadow Welsh Energy Minister

Following our dinner with the Welsh Opposition Leader and Energy spokesman three weeks ago ENA met with the shadow Welsh Energy Minister again today. Russell George AM dropped by ENA’s offices to discuss further some of the issues raised at the dinner. Russell is here this week along with the entire Opposition Front bench from the Welsh Assembly to meet the Prime Minister as well as other Ministers and officials.

ENA are meeting the Welsh Energy Minister John Griffiths AM early next month.
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ENA launch Safety Health & Environment Conference 2012

Wednesday 2nd May - Friday 4th May 2012

Over many years the Annual SHE conference has become a hugely successful and popular event drawing large numbers from across the energy industry. The 2012 conference promises to deliver thought provoking discussions around worker involvement, occupational health and how we deliver safety in a high hazard industry.

The 23rd ENA Safety, Health and Environment Management Conference (SHE2012) will be held on the 2-4 March 2012 at The Guoman Tower Hotel, London and will be hosted by UK Power Networks.

SHE2012 will bring together health and safety professionals and trade union representatives within the energy industry along with Government policy makers, regulators and experts from outside the sector to discuss and debate best practice in the management of SHE issues.

Keynote speakers confirmed for SHE2012 include Judith Hackitt (Chair, HSE), Basil Scarsella (CEO UK Power Networks), Ed Mitchell (Director of Environment and Business, Environment Agency) and Robert Davis (CE EA Technology Ltd).

SHE2012 Delegate Fees:

* Early Bird Rate (Bookings made before 1st February 2012) *
Members: £699
Non members: £799

Full Price
Members: £749
Non members: £849

To book your place at SHE2012, please click here.

Click here to view the programme.
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Brussels update

EU renewables energy strategy post 2020

This week the Adam Smith Institute published a somewhat pessimistic report, claiming the UK Government’s focus on renewable energy sources is “misguided”. The Renewable Energy: Vision or Mirage? report says the UK’s plans for renewables are “unrealistic”, and “these technologies cannot provide the secure energy supply the country needs”. It claims the intermittent nature of renewables means the new technologies cannot replace gas, coal and nuclear generation, and adds that DECC’s Renewable Energy Road-map for 2020 is “hugely overambitious”.

In contrast, the Energy Directorate in the European Commission has taken a rather more positive view on renewables, seeing their development as a cornerstone of the EU’s energy climate and energy strategies to 2020, contributing to the EU’s agreed climate and environment policies, helping to diversify energy supply, lowering dependence on energy imports, reducing exposure to price volatility, and also contributing to technology development, and employment.

The Commission has been reviewing the National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs) already submitted by EU Member States, including the UK, under the Renewables Directive 2009, and is apparently pleased with the results so far.

DG ENER has just launched a new public consultation to help them identify the right conditions for renewables development going forward to 2030. A new EU renewables communication, with a comprehensive set of policy recommendations is promised for summer 2012. There is a good chance that in the Communication DG ENER will call for new binding national renewables targets for the period 2020–2030. Certainly any formal legislative proposals that flow from the Communication will then be subject to intensive scrutiny and debate within the Member States.

ENA will be responding to the Commission’s consultation, which closes on 7 February 2012. The continuing expansion of renewable energy, in particular wind and solar power have thrown up a number of networks related issues, including the technical challenges of intermittency, and planning and permitting barriers and delays.
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Anyway, that’s all for this year.

The Bulletin will return in January
but in the meantime…

A RESILIENT CHRISTMAS AND AN ENERGETIC NEW YEAR
TO ONE AND ALL FROM EVERYONE AT ENA

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'The Bulletin' is ENA's free fortnightly round-up of key issues affecting the sector.

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