Too much Gas

[Eric Cartman]

Re: Gas Price

Manager at a bar/restaurant. We’ve got 17 members of staff so we’re only a small business.

The frustrating thing is it’s absolutely no one’s fault. I’ve worked at and know of businesses that have ceased to exist in the past and it’s always been due to poor management, bad owners, non viable business plan, etc. But even if we do everything by the book to the best we can, it’s out of our hands.

Another concern is that for places like us, this isn’t just a winter issue. Our energy usage is pretty consistent throughout the year so we can’t just “get through the winter” and enjoy lower expenses in spring/summer.

It's only really dawned on me recently how doubly ****ed hospitality is going to be, significantly lower average household disposable income (if not minus) coupled with absolutely massive energy bills and no way to lower them.

Feel for you and anybody else in this situation.

[goats]

Re: Gas Price

This is the wholesale price - makes no difference who leads any of the countries impacted - they can decide how to try and cushion the blow but thats it.

Putin did have Europe (as a continent) over a barrel all along. Short of the war ending I'm not sure what the solution is here.

Looks like we are all paying for it, can’t really let the madman get away with it though? We need to be self sufficient and not rely so much on other states like Russia. Seems wrong that we don’t actually rely on them but still end up paying such a high price.

[JamesWales]

Re: Gas Price

Manager at a bar/restaurant. We’ve got 17 members of staff so we’re only a small business.

The frustrating thing is it’s absolutely no one’s fault. I’ve worked at and know of businesses that have ceased to exist in the past and it’s always been due to poor management, bad owners, non viable business plan, etc. But even if we do everything by the book to the best we can, it’s out of our hands.

Another concern is that for places like us, this isn’t just a winter issue. Our energy usage is pretty consistent throughout the year so we can’t just “get through the winter” and enjoy lower expenses in spring/summer.

Yes, it must be a really concerning time. Very difficult to keep a place warm and provide food without using a good whack of gas. Hopefully you can reduce use a bit and customers can be understanding. Good luck and all the best

[dandywarhol]

Re: Gas Price

I'm very sorry to hear that - what do you do if you don't mind my asking?

So I'm I.Good luck.I'm sure you'll find something.

[North Cardiff Blue]

Re: Gas Price

It's only really dawned on me recently how doubly ****ed hospitality is going to be, significantly lower average household disposable income (if not minus) coupled with absolutely massive energy bills and no way to lower them.

Feel for you and anybody else in this situation.

Yes it's going to be really difficult in the coming year or two, although it still seems pretty busy at the moment, and the rises don't seem to have filtered through to lower priced second hands cars, ebikes, mountain bikes, I thought people would have started selling items they can do without or that bought during the lockdown but are no longer using?

Maybe that will be during the Winter and the next year or two?

I have heard there are lots of dogs going into pounds as people are finding feeding and vet bills are too expensive, so unfortunately a lot are in need of vet treatments.

[Canton Kev]

Re: Gas Price

Yes, it must be a really concerning time. Very difficult to keep a place warm and provide food without using a good whack of gas. Hopefully you can reduce use a bit and customers can be understanding. Good luck and all the best

Cheers.
The issue is we can't scrimp and save and use out appliances efficiently or only when needed. On shift our ovens, heat lamps, glass wash, washing machines, extractor fans, etc need to be on for the whole time. Likewise chillers, fridges, freezers and CCTV are all on 24/7. We can't intermittently turn off our kit as and when it's needed, so a lot of these money saving tips and tricks that apply to homes don't apply to us.

Now this is only anecdotal so may not be completely accurate but one of our drinks suppliers was saying that a cafe he also supplies is expecting their utilities to jump from £6k to over £20k a year....

Maybe it's time I should be retraining for a career in cyber

[az city]

Re: Gas Price

Closure of profit making coal mines.
Fracking applictions refused
Closure of nuclear power plants due to green levies
Social and environmental obligation costs added to bills

The reason why much of the UK's electricity is generated using gas-fired power stations is because coal-fired stations became much more expensive.

Nuclear plants in the UK closed because they reached the end of their economic life.

If the UK had invested more in its own renewables, it would be much closer to the energy security it now desires.

The position the UK is in with regard to mitigating energy costs lies squarely with its government which has completely failed to plan and investment in a coherent energy strategy.

[William Treseder’s Mam]

Re: Gas Price

Closure of profit making coal mines.
Fracking applictions refused
Closure of nuclear power plants due to green levies
Social and environmental obligation costs added to bills

We are building more nuclear power plants. The only reason any are closing is it would cost too much to bring them up to standard. Sizewell B is going through a lifetime extension as we speak. What green levies affect nuclear power?

Closing coal mines and not allowing fracking seems sensible.

Do makes you think it’s an agenda? Rather than sensible long term thinking ?

[JamesWales]

Re: Gas Price

The reason why much of the UK's electricity is generated using gas-fired power stations is because coal-fired stations became much more expensive.

Nuclear plants in the UK closed because they reached the end of their economic life.

If the UK had invested more in its own renewables, it would be much closer to the energy security it now desires.

The position the UK is in with regard to mitigating energy costs lies squarely with its government which has completely failed to plan and investment in a coherent energy strategy.

I think you are letting the conclusion you desire cloud your judgement.

UK has a greater range of energy mix than many, use more renewables than most and we pretty much lead the world in off-shore wind (I think China just overtook us).

The issue is almost wholly the rise in global gas prices (and most covid bounceback in demand); As of today, wholesale prices 400% higher than a year ago in Britain, what Europe generally buys is 550% (!!) higher than a year ago.

Unfortunately gas still provides 40% of our electricity generation, so there is little we can do in terms of the cost.

https://grid.iamkate.com/

Governments can of course offer varying degrees of support to mitigate the cost but thats a different question I think.

[cityhammer]

Re: Gas Price

Isn't the truly mad thing that the single most likely way out of this, massive investment in green energy, is still being trashed as a cause of the energy crisis rather than the cure.

That will take years to make an impact, not like you can spend money on ne technology and have it up and running by the weekend.

[cityhammer]

Re: Gas Price

If we'd built the Severn barrage that would have had a major effect on renewable sources of energy, but it keeps getting squashed whenever its raised as an idea.

[Taffy Blue in Berkshire]

Re: Gas Price

If we'd built the Severn barrage that would have had a major effect on renewable sources of energy, but it keeps getting squashed whenever its raised as an idea.

tidal power is so obvious it beggars belief that we dither and don't just get on with it. with massive tides in the Severn estuary there's a lot of energy to be had and unlike wind the tide is there constantly unless the moon sods off.

this government needs a boot up the rear and frankly most politicians wouldn't get employment in private industry as they bring nothing but hot air.

[ToTaL ITK]

Re: Gas Price

It's almost like you are trying to sort out our striker problem and the gas energy problem at the same time.

[splott parker]

Re: Gas Price

Imagine if it was like the old days, you’d need a low loader for the bob bits after doing your gas & electric meters.

[Vindec]

Re: Gas Price

If we'd built the Severn barrage that would have had a major effect on renewable sources of energy, but it keeps getting squashed whenever its raised as an idea.

Yep. The environmentalists have a lot to answer for. Birds seem to be their priority. They also scuppered the scheme to deal with the appalling M4 traffic problems around Newport. I had some minor involvement on work relating to the Barrage as far back as 1970 but now the scheme, despite efforts to revive it, seems dead in the water.