Another week, another announcement our fuel bills are going up - again.
But while customers across Northern Ireland have seen the cost of heating and electricity rise by hundreds of percent in recent months - supplier profits haven’t taken a hit at all.
And while we’re all tied in to supporting fossil fuels through strategic policy, governments still aren’t taking the steps needed to free us from their shackles.
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Earlier this week a Shell executive quit rather publicly over the company’s failure to take real action on the climate crisis.
Meanwhile the UK Government, Stormont and local authorities are still considering scores of projects that continue the grip fossil fuel firms have on how we heat and light our homes.
Two such projects in the pipeline in Northern Ireland include an application for seven gas caverns under Larne Lough and a new oil distribution terminal at Cloghan Point.
Both Co Antrim projects have attracted major opposition because of their impact on both locals and the environment. But they’re still on the table.
And I’m not sure if you know this, but despite NI passing its first Climate Bill, it included no ban on fossil fuel projects.
But how does this impact us?
The Guardian reported last week how the UK has approved several fossil fuel projects since the country hosted COP26 in Glasgow.
That’s despite pledges to cut carbon emissions and the International Energy Agency view that no new fossil fuel developments should go ahead if net zero global targets are to be reached by 2050. And it seems the war on Ukraine and the resulting move away from using Russian gas is being used as an excuse.
I know the onslaught has seen wholesale energy costs rise exponentially worldwide. But here in Northern Ireland, and in the UK and Ireland, customers appear to be the only ones taking the hit.
The Northern Ireland Utility Regulator tells me that those price rises are responsible for “over half of consumers’ bills”.
They added: “The single most important development that will deliver lower electricity and gas bills for Northern Ireland consumers is a fall in these wholesale energy costs.”
Meanwhile, the three companies they ‘price cap’ - Power NI, SSE and Firmus - haven’t had their cap on profits lowered. It doesn’t seem fair does it.
Power NI has a profit cap of 2.2% while SSE and Firmus profits were capped at 2% when a deal was struck almost five years ago.
I think you’ll agree a lot has changed since then. So my question is, why in these unusual times have those price controls not been revisited?
Two per cent may not seem like a lot and I’m told “the impact of reducing these profits below the current level would have an extremely small impact on consumer prices”.
But I’m sure any reduction in customer bills at all would be welcomed by families using their hob to heat their home as they can’t afford to turn the gas on or those choosing between heating and eating.
Even a fiver saving would make a huge difference to some!
It’s great that the Department for Communities provided a £200 one-off payment to help around 280,000 people with their energy bills and that energy companies paid in to a £2 million Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme.
But that’s a drop in the ocean compared to the impact this has had on us all. The only way to really make a difference is to pressure suppliers to lower their prices.
Why should they get to keep the same profits when the rest of us are suffering and the goods they sell are hurting our planet?
Profit review plans
The Utility Regulator says it’s “currently reviewing the profits of gas suppliers as part of a price control review”.
I’m told the outcome of the 2022 consultation is expected in March 2023.
So that’s another winter where we can expect prices to continue as they are unless governments do something or wholesale prices plummet.
The latter isn’t likely, so I’d like to see some real action on government policy to force suppliers to play their part.
While I welcome government measures that will hopefully put £400 in all our pockets in the form of any energy rebate I have concerns.
Isn’t this another case of public money being used to bail out those with plenty?
Shell reported $9.1 billion profits in the first quarter of this year, while BP’s profits more than doubled during the same period to $6.2bn.
It’s time to wind down fossil fuels and provide more economical, climate friendly alternatives to the masses.
Busing in the future
Wrightbus are doing great stuff with their hydrogen buses.
Yesterday the Ballymena firm announced it has clinched a deal to make up to 60 of the machines for Germany.
That’s the second international trade deal they’ve struck in two weeks.
It just goes to show that NI firms can be front and centre with climate friendly solutions that reduce our need for fossil fuels while creating green jobs.
This latest deal with German Bus operator Regionalverkehr Köln GmbH (RVK) will see dozens more clean buses on European streets.
Wrightbus Executive Chairman, Jo Bamford, said: “This deal is a significant one for us in many ways.
“Not only is it our first European order since I took over, but it’s also our second international deal in quick succession and it shows that Wrightbus has a huge part to play on the global stage.
“All of the RVK buses will be built in Ballymena, lending further support to the wider regional economy and allowing us to create green jobs as we continue in our growth.”
The first vehicles will be delivered to RVK in 2023, with the remainder due in 2024.
Walking, wheeling and cycling will save us
Active Travel Challenge month is nearly upon us.
So I’d love, love, love for you all to ditch the car - even if just a few days a week - and take up the mantle.
The joint initiative from Translink, DfI, the Public Health Agency, Sustrans, the Belfast Trust and Council aims to encourage more people to walk, wheel or cycle.
With the rising costs of petrol and just being alive - it could even help us all save a few quid.
I have challenged the team here to do their bit and I hope you’ll join us as we get out and about on our own steam throughout June.
Week 1 is bike week, 2 - public transport, 3 - walking and 4 - wellbeing now and beyond.
Sustrans Director Caroline Bloomfield said: “Instead of sitting in a traffic jam or spending time looking for car parking, why not try walking or cycling as part of your commute, shopping trip or for leisure.
“As many of us return to some form of office working there is a great opportunity to change how we travel to work.
“The Active Travel Challenge is a great way to kick-start being active in your daily routine and make the change to a healthier lifestyle that will also benefit the environment.”
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