Talking Energy Affordable Energy

Keeping energy as affordable as possible for our customers is the second challenge we face while at the same time investing in renewables, reducing our emissions and researching new technologies. But for us affordability is about more than the energy bills which we send our customers. It's also about making sure we make the right investments to keep their energy secure and helping them to understand and manage their energy use. We’re also working in partnership with organisations such as Age Concern to make sure we're doing all we can for our vulnerable customers.

Coal
Compared to other energy sources, coal is relatively cheap to buy, tends to be less volatile in price and is also flexible. As part of a balanced energy mix, it could help to keep energy costs down for our customers.

Nuclear
Nuclear plants are economical to run but very capital - and time-intensive to plan and build. However, the fuel - uranium - used in the nuclear plants is relatively cheap, and it is also plentiful and easily available.

Renewables
Wind, biomass and marine power all have an important part to play in lowering emissions but, as many are emerging technologies, have issues in terms of higher cost and lower reliability

Gas
Gas power stations are comparatively cheap and relatively easy to build but gas as a fuel can be very volatile in price, which can have a knock on effect to our customers. And, as North Sea supplies of gas decline, more of our gas has to be imported meaning we’re essentially at the end of a very long pipeline. Gas storage projects will help to protect against this but take time to build.