Kyla's energy dispatch

A summary of the weekend's news...

UK

Fracking is part of British technological tradition David Cameron writes in Telegraph article
Prime Minister David Cameron continues to voice his support for fracking in a Telegraph article, saying the country cannot afford to miss out on shale gas. He writes he is determined to win the debate on fracking, an opportunity he believes will lower energy bills and create jobs.

Report warns of fracking backlash
In the event of a shale gas boom, a shortage of rigs, fracking equipment, and qualified staff is likely to lead to a backfire a new report warns. A survey by Oilandgaspeople.com, any fracking activity would also put extra pressure on wages and equipment in the UK's traditional hydrocarbon sector.]

Further delays to fracking could come as energy companies are warned they may have a six-month wait for fracking permits.

Centrica says green energy plan inefficient and expensive
Sam Laidlaw, Centrica chief, says government policy aimed at making houses more energy efficient will be more costly than anticipated and is calling for an overhaul of the initiative.

Frack the north first says chief exec of Alkane Energy
Neil O'Brien, chief executive of Alkane Energy says the “traditional heartlands” of the Midlands and the North should be fracked before the South East, to avoid delays by protests in areas like Balcombe.

Watchdog urged to investigate green taxes
Britain’s biggest consumer body Which? has called on the National Audit Office to carry out annual reviews on green taxes, arguing that "the levies are taxes in all but name and should therefore, be subject to the same level of scrutiny as taxpayer-funded spending."

Balcombe fracking benefits not guaranteed
Fracking may not automatically trigger the £100,000 up-front payment promised to Balcombe residents near fracking sites by energy companies, including Cuadrilla.

Chris Huhne joins US energy firm
Former energy secretary Chris Huhne has been appointed as chairman of Texas-based Zilkha Biomass Energy's European business, raising concerns about the 'revolving door' between business and government.

Lord Stephen's support for wind questioned
Liberal Democrate peer Lord Stephen's consistent push for wind power investment has been called into question in the House of Lords after it was revealed her is a director of 10 renewable energy companies.

WORLD

South Korean warns of blackouts
With a rise in summer temperatures and strained energy resources as six nuclear plants have gone off-line, the South Korean government warns of serious power shortages.

Wind almost as cost-competitive as fossil fuels
The US Department of Energy says that US wind farms are supplying power at prices close to the States' cheapest gas-fired generation.

Big oil spends more to find less
According to last week's quartly results, costs were up and returns down across the board for major oil companies – even with oil prices at more than $100 a barrel.