Offshore Energies Magazine - Issue 55 Spring 2023

Norway's gas output responds to demand (mn m³/day): 2022 vs 2021

2021 2022

12

10

8

6

4

2

Norwegian gas production (bn m³)

0

Sources: Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, OEUK

UK & US energy ministers discuss security of supply in first meeting The UK and US secretaries of state for energy met in London late February for the first time. They pledged support for Ukraine as its battle against Russia entered its second year. Grant Shapps and Jennifer Granholm said the war had reminded countries around the world that, without cheaper, greener, and more secure energy, there is no route to long-term prosperity for any nation. their efforts to end reliance on Russian energy. The two also chaired a dedicated Green Investors Roundtable that offered opportunities for joint investment by British and American companies. In the US, solar power developers plan to install a record 29.1 GW of utility-scale capacity in 2023 alone, almost triple the previous year. States like Georgia are benefiting from new jobs across electric vehicle and battery manufacturing, and California is eyeing new transmission networks to connect floating offshore wind to the West Coast electricity grid.

For the UK, Grant Shapps pledged this would mean ever-greater energy independence – powering Britain from Britain, by switching to home-grown sources including nuclear and renewables. Missing however from this plan was a reference to the advantages of the UK continental shelf and lower imports. The two secretaries of state said they would work together to undermine Putin’s ability to fund his illegal war through Russian oil and petroleum products exports, and to support their European partners in

Shapps said: "The war has shown the UK, the US and countries the world over the need for ever greater energy independence, fuelled by moves away from fossil fuels and towards home grown sources, such as renewables and nuclear. Today I'm pledging to deliver that energy independence – backed by my ambition for lower wholesale electricity prices in the longer term."

UK gas output rises year on year

2021 2022

3.50

3.00

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

UKCS Gas Production (mtoe)

0.50

0.00

Source: OEUK, BEIS

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