Talking Energy The future of energy

• Our Responsibilities
• The Issues
• Cleaner coal
• Renewables
• Affordability
• New nuclear
• Climate change
• Energy efficiency
• Fuel poverty
• The future of energy
• 2010 Performance
• 2009 Performance
• 2008 Performance
• What We're Doing
• How we do business

The Issues

The future of energy

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• The Issue
• What we’re doing
• What you’re saying

The next decade will be crucial for the future of energy in the UK and will be determined by the decisions we make today.

In the next 10 to 15 years we’ll need to replace a third of the UK’s power stations and do it in a way that ensures that the lights stay on, that carbon emissions are reduced and that energy is kept as affordable as possible for our customers.

If we’re to offer a balanced energy mix in the UK, we’ll see cleaner coal in use (including CCS technology), renewables, gas and new nuclear, but the energy industry will also be researching and developing improvements to existing and new technology. Protecting the environment will continue to be a key driver for energy companies and consumers alike.

With energy prices expected to rise we know that energy will become more expensive, so energy saving will figure highly and more people will be looking to insulate their homes too.

Over the next 10 years, we’ll lose around a third of the UK’s generating capacity, as a result of having to close ageing power stations.

We’re determined to ensure reliable supply and we’re aiming to provide secure supplies of energy through a multi-billion pound investment new build programme. We believe the only answer for this race to replace is to have a range of generation options, not just to keep the lights on, but to keep energy affordable and to reduce carbon emissions.

We’re developing renewables projects as well as cleaner coal, gas and new nuclear, and constantly investigating new ways of improving power generation and reducing related emissions.

We’re currently building a gas storage facility at Holford in Cheshire. Gas storage will help to smooth out extreme prices by providing a supply of gas which is secure and which can be used at periods of high demand.

As a group we’re investing £50 million in new technologies and approaches over 10 years, through the Energy Technologies Institute. We’re helping to develop solutions to create a low carbon society and changing the way energy is produced and used.

Read the latest conversations about the future of energy.