The Government’s energy strategy, like most Government strategies on absolutely everything, is going to fail…
Spad: Slight problem – You remember you agreed to let the EU shut down those 9 smelly old Oil and Coal fired power stations?
Minister: Oh yes. Very Green, wasn’t it?
Spad: Very brave, yes.
Minister: Brave? No! Surely not?
Spad: Possibly the most courageous thing you’ve ever done, Minister.
Minister: Oh no! This is a disaster…. is it a disaster?
Spad: Well obviously electricity rationing will be a bit of a vote loser…
Minister: Rationing?!
Spad: … and you’re going to need to build… (counts fingers) 10,000 wind farms…
Minister: 10,000?! Surely not! You can’t build one of those things without being swarmed by Nimbies. Perhaps we can build some more power stations?
Spad: Ah, yes, I thought you might suggest that, very wise – there is a slight, teeny problemette to deal with though: These power companies, you see, are a bit… reticent … when it comes to building new power stations.
Minister: What on earth for? I thought they liked making money?
Spad: Well, yes they do. But they don’t like EU regulations shutting down power stations because they’re not Green enough. That is the point, Minister, if you remember. No more coal and oil stations.
Minister: Oh, they’ve always been vindictive sods! Okay. So let’s have some more Nuclear then? That’s alright isn’t it? No CO2 and all that?
Spad: Any chance you might want to make it easier for people to build Nuclear power stations? Another burst of courage, perhaps?
Minister: Christ no! Obviously not. Well… what about that clean coal technology? Can’t we use that?
Spad: You mean the “Carbon Capture and Storage” concept? It’s wonderful on paper, Minister.
Minister: Ah. Fusion?
Spad: I’m afraid old age will get to you before Fusion powered energy does.
Minister: Right…. so, let’s see… what’s left? Gas? Is ‘Gas’ Evil too?
Spad: It’s still a fossil fuel and we’re dependent on imports – mostly Russia, actually. Assuming we can build the 10,000 windfarms we’ll need gas for, oh, 50% of our energy? Putin’s rather thrilled. Did you enjoy the hamper he sent?
Minister: Oh dear. That does not sound good. What can we do? Electricity rationing… please no! No! Not again!
Spad: Have you considered banning things that use electricity? For example, did you know that if you banned incandescent bulbs it would be equivalent to 70,000 cars off the road!
Minister: Really? Will it prevent the need for rationing?
Spad: Er no – for that you’re going to need to ban electric ovens, probably most LCD televisions, halogen lights, limit everyone to one television, ban microwaves, ban computers, ban vacuum cleaners and definitely ban electric heaters of any kind. For starters.
Minister: … and the people will prefer that to rationing?
Spad: Yes they will.
Minister: Really?
Spad: Probably.
