David Watson
@davidawatson.bsky.social
I help people work through questions about energy and the energy transition.
Energy Policy | Strategy | Regulation
Energy Policy | Strategy | Regulation
In a Telegraph editorial, the paper makes the argument that stopping renewables needn't expose us to volatile international fossil fuel markets, because we can still rely on North Sea oil and gas.
The facts do not bear this out.
The facts do not bear this out.
November 3, 2025 at 5:55 PM
In a Telegraph editorial, the paper makes the argument that stopping renewables needn't expose us to volatile international fossil fuel markets, because we can still rely on North Sea oil and gas.
The facts do not bear this out.
The facts do not bear this out.
Wind power has saved the UK £104bn since 2010, according to new research from UCL. That's more than the £90bn extra we spent on gas following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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October 29, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Wind power has saved the UK £104bn since 2010, according to new research from UCL. That's more than the £90bn extra we spent on gas following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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Does anyone know if this is correct? That's a huge number.
October 29, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Does anyone know if this is correct? That's a huge number.
Here's something interesting and for me, unexpected:
global investment in climate tech companies is increasing again, already more in 2025 than there was for the whole of last year.
global investment in climate tech companies is increasing again, already more in 2025 than there was for the whole of last year.
October 15, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Here's something interesting and for me, unexpected:
global investment in climate tech companies is increasing again, already more in 2025 than there was for the whole of last year.
global investment in climate tech companies is increasing again, already more in 2025 than there was for the whole of last year.
The Energy UK Conference agenda today is one of the best I can remember. Very much looking forward to a good day discussing the big issues - and there are many.
Come and say hello if you're here. #eukconf25
Come and say hello if you're here. #eukconf25
October 14, 2025 at 8:47 AM
The Energy UK Conference agenda today is one of the best I can remember. Very much looking forward to a good day discussing the big issues - and there are many.
Come and say hello if you're here. #eukconf25
Come and say hello if you're here. #eukconf25
Going for a walk with the kids over the water from Fawley oil refinery, where 22mt of crude oil is processed each year.
It's a huge site.
It's a huge site.
September 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Going for a walk with the kids over the water from Fawley oil refinery, where 22mt of crude oil is processed each year.
It's a huge site.
It's a huge site.
This, on connections reform, is something to watch.
Reform is necessary. But in the shake out there will be complications which are difficult for NESO to predict.
A view of system value should include an assessment of clustering value / risk of connections.
Reform is necessary. But in the shake out there will be complications which are difficult for NESO to predict.
A view of system value should include an assessment of clustering value / risk of connections.
September 20, 2025 at 12:16 PM
This, on connections reform, is something to watch.
Reform is necessary. But in the shake out there will be complications which are difficult for NESO to predict.
A view of system value should include an assessment of clustering value / risk of connections.
Reform is necessary. But in the shake out there will be complications which are difficult for NESO to predict.
A view of system value should include an assessment of clustering value / risk of connections.
I don't fully agree with everything in this piece from Kathyrn Porter on the risk Norway will cut electricity exports - however, as important as interconnectors are, we cannot plan on the assumption they will always be there when we most need them. buff.ly/5a7Dj1k
September 2, 2025 at 8:55 AM
I don't fully agree with everything in this piece from Kathyrn Porter on the risk Norway will cut electricity exports - however, as important as interconnectors are, we cannot plan on the assumption they will always be there when we most need them. buff.ly/5a7Dj1k
Kemi Badenoch set to announce plans to maximise North Sea oil and gas production this week, in yet more evidence net zero will be front and centre on the ballot at the next general election. A defining moment coming in 2029. buff.ly/aJdyqPs
September 2, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Kemi Badenoch set to announce plans to maximise North Sea oil and gas production this week, in yet more evidence net zero will be front and centre on the ballot at the next general election. A defining moment coming in 2029. buff.ly/aJdyqPs
BP's proposed Teesside hydrogen plant reportedly at risk due to apparent conflict with plans for a data centre in the same area. Decision on the development consent now deferred until November. buff.ly/OGP2fqo
September 1, 2025 at 4:55 PM
BP's proposed Teesside hydrogen plant reportedly at risk due to apparent conflict with plans for a data centre in the same area. Decision on the development consent now deferred until November. buff.ly/OGP2fqo
Solar power is eating into France's nuclear generation in the middle of the day.
August 21, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Solar power is eating into France's nuclear generation in the middle of the day.
The idea that the EU will import $250bn of energy from the US is highly unlikely* to happen, regardless of what UvdL and Trump say.
I can only assume neither really mind given the deal will likely outlast the President's term.
*not going
I can only assume neither really mind given the deal will likely outlast the President's term.
*not going
July 29, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The idea that the EU will import $250bn of energy from the US is highly unlikely* to happen, regardless of what UvdL and Trump say.
I can only assume neither really mind given the deal will likely outlast the President's term.
*not going
I can only assume neither really mind given the deal will likely outlast the President's term.
*not going
There was a fire here on the green two weeks ago, in the hot weather. Walking past the site today and there are green shoots appearing everywhere, the grass coming back.
Nature really does find a way.
Nature really does find a way.
July 25, 2025 at 7:49 AM
There was a fire here on the green two weeks ago, in the hot weather. Walking past the site today and there are green shoots appearing everywhere, the grass coming back.
Nature really does find a way.
Nature really does find a way.
This is a topic Centrica felt sufficiently strongly about to reference in their Interim results this morning
July 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
This is a topic Centrica felt sufficiently strongly about to reference in their Interim results this morning
Some of the numbers around the new mega-hydro project announced in China are incredible.
- 60GW
- 300bn kWh of clean electricity p/annum
- USD$170bn
The environmental impact and impact on countries downstream is yet to be quantified but will be similarly incredible no doubt.
- 60GW
- 300bn kWh of clean electricity p/annum
- USD$170bn
The environmental impact and impact on countries downstream is yet to be quantified but will be similarly incredible no doubt.
July 22, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Some of the numbers around the new mega-hydro project announced in China are incredible.
- 60GW
- 300bn kWh of clean electricity p/annum
- USD$170bn
The environmental impact and impact on countries downstream is yet to be quantified but will be similarly incredible no doubt.
- 60GW
- 300bn kWh of clean electricity p/annum
- USD$170bn
The environmental impact and impact on countries downstream is yet to be quantified but will be similarly incredible no doubt.
Meta are set to build a data centre with up to a 5GW connection. That is huge. You'd need x1.5 Hinkley Point C nuclear reactors running constantly to power it. The footprint will be nearly the same size as Manhattan. buff.ly/JfiNGzT.
July 18, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Meta are set to build a data centre with up to a 5GW connection. That is huge. You'd need x1.5 Hinkley Point C nuclear reactors running constantly to power it. The footprint will be nearly the same size as Manhattan. buff.ly/JfiNGzT.
That noise you can hear is the cost of capital increasing for infrastructure projects across the economy.
Regardless of who you vote for, telling investors the contracts they agree with govt aren't worth the paper they're printed on risks making us all worse off.
Regardless of who you vote for, telling investors the contracts they agree with govt aren't worth the paper they're printed on risks making us all worse off.
July 17, 2025 at 1:19 PM
That noise you can hear is the cost of capital increasing for infrastructure projects across the economy.
Regardless of who you vote for, telling investors the contracts they agree with govt aren't worth the paper they're printed on risks making us all worse off.
Regardless of who you vote for, telling investors the contracts they agree with govt aren't worth the paper they're printed on risks making us all worse off.
This, via David Toke, on solar PV additions makes the point well.
July 16, 2025 at 4:55 PM
This, via David Toke, on solar PV additions makes the point well.
Excellent PGES event in Parliament yesterday. In a week full of important developments in the UK energy sector it felt well (fortuitously) timed. A real sense of energy policy now falling into place and enabling investors to get on investing in the infrastructure we need.
July 16, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Excellent PGES event in Parliament yesterday. In a week full of important developments in the UK energy sector it felt well (fortuitously) timed. A real sense of energy policy now falling into place and enabling investors to get on investing in the infrastructure we need.
Octopus Energy have just announced a partnership with Chinese car manufacturer BYD, available later this year, where you can get a BYD Dolphin with bi-directional charging and "free charging" for £299/month.
June 23, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Octopus Energy have just announced a partnership with Chinese car manufacturer BYD, available later this year, where you can get a BYD Dolphin with bi-directional charging and "free charging" for £299/month.
A floating solar farm built on the site of a former coal mine, since filled with water, in Huainan, China
June 19, 2025 at 5:39 PM
A floating solar farm built on the site of a former coal mine, since filled with water, in Huainan, China
Does anyone know the winners and losers at $80 oil? Asking for a friend.
June 16, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Does anyone know the winners and losers at $80 oil? Asking for a friend.
US electricity demand is projected to grow more than 3%/year between now and 2040 - and it isn't just data centres.
Source, McKinsey
Source, McKinsey
June 16, 2025 at 3:55 PM
US electricity demand is projected to grow more than 3%/year between now and 2040 - and it isn't just data centres.
Source, McKinsey
Source, McKinsey
Back at Future of Utilities today. Really interesting talk from Jade Lambert on the challenges market wide half hourly settlement presents for energy suppliers - but also on the huge opportunities it brings.
A very under discussed topic today, worthy of more attention.
A very under discussed topic today, worthy of more attention.
June 12, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Back at Future of Utilities today. Really interesting talk from Jade Lambert on the challenges market wide half hourly settlement presents for energy suppliers - but also on the huge opportunities it brings.
A very under discussed topic today, worthy of more attention.
A very under discussed topic today, worthy of more attention.