Dan Grey
@dangrey.bsky.social
Energy and transitioning from fossil fuels. Complex issues I try to shine a light on. Ex-UKAEA and Met Office. Occasionally politics
Exeter, UK
Exeter, UK
Pinned
Dan Grey
@dangrey.bsky.social
· Jan 4
There's a global solar energy revolution happening led by China and it should have been one of the biggest stories of 2025.
While the US is committing to a suicide pact with fossil fuels, the rest of the world is leapfrogging into cheap nearly limitless energy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
While the US is committing to a suicide pact with fossil fuels, the rest of the world is leapfrogging into cheap nearly limitless energy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
Cheap Solar Is Transforming Lives and Economies Across Africa
www.nytimes.com
The big difference is that solar+battery is fit and forget. Once it's installed, whether from China or anywhere else, it's yours and you are independent. No more payments to anyone.
With fossil fuels you're an addict, dependent on your dealer who can make you dance to their tune.
With fossil fuels you're an addict, dependent on your dealer who can make you dance to their tune.
Not as far as I know. It's similar to the Chinese embassy farce (there really was no security risk)
February 10, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Not as far as I know. It's similar to the Chinese embassy farce (there really was no security risk)
We should let Mingyang build their turbine factory in Scotland. Demand source code access if that's assessed as being necessary, but I don't think China is trying to bring a Communist hegemony to the world.
If China ever turned off wind turbines or EVs or whatever it would be the end of trade
If China ever turned off wind turbines or EVs or whatever it would be the end of trade
Rejecting Mingyang UK wind turbine factory would be to indulge in a fantasy
The offshore wind supply chain is a locomotive; I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it until someone listens.Ports and infrastructure are the locomotive. Policy is the track. Pipeline momentum i...
www.rechargenews.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:57 PM
We should let Mingyang build their turbine factory in Scotland. Demand source code access if that's assessed as being necessary, but I don't think China is trying to bring a Communist hegemony to the world.
If China ever turned off wind turbines or EVs or whatever it would be the end of trade
If China ever turned off wind turbines or EVs or whatever it would be the end of trade
The old one or the new one?
February 10, 2026 at 3:50 PM
The old one or the new one?
I noticed that too. Some of the DCO parks are likely going the PPA route (one or two <50 MW parks in Devon are doing the same), but it looks like at least a few consented DCO parks didn't bid low enough to make the cut
February 10, 2026 at 9:22 AM
I noticed that too. Some of the DCO parks are likely going the PPA route (one or two <50 MW parks in Devon are doing the same), but it looks like at least a few consented DCO parks didn't bid low enough to make the cut
Essentially yes they can, although if they delay excessively they'll be banned from ARs for two years and run the risk the of LCCC terminating the CfD.
It was Moray East who were particularly naughty and their actions led to some reforms
It was Moray East who were particularly naughty and their actions led to some reforms
February 10, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Essentially yes they can, although if they delay excessively they'll be banned from ARs for two years and run the risk the of LCCC terminating the CfD.
It was Moray East who were particularly naughty and their actions led to some reforms
It was Moray East who were particularly naughty and their actions led to some reforms
I think the Commons Library briefing is really good (download the pdf)
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Support for low carbon power
This briefing covers background to the contract for difference mechanism for supporting low carbon power.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
February 10, 2026 at 8:10 AM
I think the Commons Library briefing is really good (download the pdf)
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
4.9 GW of solar power and 1.3 GW of onshore wind and won CfDs.
Almost all the onshore wind is in Scotland; just 28 MW in England and 185 MW in Wales, reflecting better wind conditions.
The English winners are 20 MW in Cornwall and 8 MW extending an existing farm on the Pennines near Blackburn.
Almost all the onshore wind is in Scotland; just 28 MW in England and 185 MW in Wales, reflecting better wind conditions.
The English winners are 20 MW in Cornwall and 8 MW extending an existing farm on the Pennines near Blackburn.
February 10, 2026 at 8:05 AM
4.9 GW of solar power and 1.3 GW of onshore wind and won CfDs.
Almost all the onshore wind is in Scotland; just 28 MW in England and 185 MW in Wales, reflecting better wind conditions.
The English winners are 20 MW in Cornwall and 8 MW extending an existing farm on the Pennines near Blackburn.
Almost all the onshore wind is in Scotland; just 28 MW in England and 185 MW in Wales, reflecting better wind conditions.
The English winners are 20 MW in Cornwall and 8 MW extending an existing farm on the Pennines near Blackburn.
Full results
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/698a0d...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/698a0d...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
February 10, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Full results
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/698a0d...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/698a0d...
The Contract for Difference Allocation Round 7a results have been published – onshore wind and solar.
The strike price agreed through auction – lowest bids win – is £72/MWh for onshore wind, and just £65/MWh for solar.
With average wholesale prices around £80/MWh these projects will reduce bills
The strike price agreed through auction – lowest bids win – is £72/MWh for onshore wind, and just £65/MWh for solar.
With average wholesale prices around £80/MWh these projects will reduce bills
February 10, 2026 at 8:05 AM
The Contract for Difference Allocation Round 7a results have been published – onshore wind and solar.
The strike price agreed through auction – lowest bids win – is £72/MWh for onshore wind, and just £65/MWh for solar.
With average wholesale prices around £80/MWh these projects will reduce bills
The strike price agreed through auction – lowest bids win – is £72/MWh for onshore wind, and just £65/MWh for solar.
With average wholesale prices around £80/MWh these projects will reduce bills
Also 👇
Shabana Mahmood, Lisa Nandy and Wes Streeting (and dark horse contender Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who's not in cabinet) have now all also Tweeted or voiced support for Starmer.
He's got a full house for the moment. Now to see if they all really mean it...
He's got a full house for the moment. Now to see if they all really mean it...
Only three cabinet ministers have not Tweeted or put out a message of support for Starmer:
Wes Streeting
Shabana Mahmood
Lisa Nandy (who is at the Winter Olympics)
This could of course change, but it's where we're at just before 3:30pm
Wes Streeting
Shabana Mahmood
Lisa Nandy (who is at the Winter Olympics)
This could of course change, but it's where we're at just before 3:30pm
February 9, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Also 👇
Emily Thornberry wasn't appointed attorney general despite shadowing for six years. The job was given to man instead.
Lucy Powell was dropped as Leader of the House of Commons for... Why, a man, of course.
Lucy Powell was dropped as Leader of the House of Commons for... Why, a man, of course.
February 9, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Emily Thornberry wasn't appointed attorney general despite shadowing for six years. The job was given to man instead.
Lucy Powell was dropped as Leader of the House of Commons for... Why, a man, of course.
Lucy Powell was dropped as Leader of the House of Commons for... Why, a man, of course.
Chi Onwurah was shadow science minister (and very good) but then Starmer appointed Patrick Vallance instead.
Definitely a pattern...
Definitely a pattern...
February 9, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Chi Onwurah was shadow science minister (and very good) but then Starmer appointed Patrick Vallance instead.
Definitely a pattern...
Definitely a pattern...
Jim writes the articles (published in September 2025 in this case), he can't make you read them
February 9, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Jim writes the articles (published in September 2025 in this case), he can't make you read them
Out of curiosity, did Mandelson ever buy a flat in Rio?
February 9, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Out of curiosity, did Mandelson ever buy a flat in Rio?
For all his faults time has passed a lot faster with Starmer as PM than with Sunak. The latter was pure torture
February 9, 2026 at 3:52 PM
For all his faults time has passed a lot faster with Starmer as PM than with Sunak. The latter was pure torture
It's up to national regulators how those costs are allocated and recovered, but they're small compared to generation costs
February 9, 2026 at 3:32 PM
It's up to national regulators how those costs are allocated and recovered, but they're small compared to generation costs
This is a bit of a myth; 40% of French homes are heated with gas – more than with electricity
February 9, 2026 at 10:38 AM
This is a bit of a myth; 40% of French homes are heated with gas – more than with electricity
Induction hobs all the way!
February 9, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Induction hobs all the way!
They're building an amount of offshore wind that is very large relative to their consumption
February 9, 2026 at 10:35 AM
They're building an amount of offshore wind that is very large relative to their consumption
I think only Ed Miliband knows 🫤
February 9, 2026 at 10:33 AM
I think only Ed Miliband knows 🫤
It's no-win for EDF: cut prices to move up the merit order and they lose money, cut output and they lose money.
EDF is owned again by the French government so these losses are socialised.
Whether this is good or bad is a different question
EDF is owned again by the French government so these losses are socialised.
Whether this is good or bad is a different question
February 9, 2026 at 10:28 AM
It's no-win for EDF: cut prices to move up the merit order and they lose money, cut output and they lose money.
EDF is owned again by the French government so these losses are socialised.
Whether this is good or bad is a different question
EDF is owned again by the French government so these losses are socialised.
Whether this is good or bad is a different question
Oh yes, but the merit order means nuclear has to leave the generation mix before they do
February 9, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Oh yes, but the merit order means nuclear has to leave the generation mix before they do
Looks like that was due to short-term grid constraints within the French network
February 9, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Looks like that was due to short-term grid constraints within the French network