COVID-19 - Update - 23 April 2020
Staying Safe During COVID-19
As we continue to operate under the lockdown and social distancing imposed due to COVID-19, rest assured everyone at Brockwell Energy is still working hard in the background . . . and aiming towards a safe, smooth and speedy return to a full programme of business.
The health and safety of all of our employees, partners, contractors and wider community remains the number one priority and our strategy fully supports the government’s drive to protect lives while getting ‘back to work’ responsibly and effectively.
By maximising the potential of our work-from-home policy and adhering to the government guidelines – yet staying firmly focused on business – we are ensuring our portfolio of innovative energy projects is secure and future-proofed.
The Scottish Government estimates up to 70% of the workforce is still working, many delivering vital health, care and welfare services, but many others working from home and often combined with childcare and home schooling.
Much has changed in the past few weeks as we’ve all moved to support the containment of the COVID-19 outbreak. However, by staying home we’re all playing our part in tackling the virus and helping protect the health service and save lives.
Despite the challenges, we remain in constant virtual contact with all of our stakeholders and a wide range of industry bodies and will endeavour to update you on all news and developments as we move together – yet apart – to a full return to normality.
Although our offices remain closed for the safety of our employees, we’re still here and very much open for business. You can contact us via the details below.
As always, thank you for your support.
Today’s News
Latest Figures for Scotland as of April 22, 2020
A total of 43,309 people in Scotland have been tested. Of these:
- 34,271 were confirmed negative
- 9,038 were positive
- 1,062 patients who tested positive have died
Management information reported by NHS Boards shows:
- 155 patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 were in intensive care last night, with 147 of those having tested positive
- There were 1,776 people in Scottish hospitals with either confirmed or suspected COVID-19 (including those in intensive care)
EGEC Work Suspension
Brockwell Energy have confirmed construction work has been suspended at Earls Gate Energy Centre, the new energy recovery facility in Earls Gate Park in Grangemouth.
Adhering to Scottish Government guidelines, all activity on the site of the plant – which will replace a gas-fired facility and provide heat and power for CalaChem and adjacent industrial plants, as well as export surplus electricity to the National Grid – ceased on April 9, 2020.
SHREC Gets Virtual Green Light
Despite the event having been postponed until September 24 a video version of the Scottish Highland Renewable Energy Conference (SHREC) on the original date of April 30. A recording will be sent to delegates.
Climate change and the environmental and economic benefits renewable energy brings to the Highlands, Islands & Moray will be a theme of the presentations, which will be led by Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands.
Source: www.harpermacleod.co.uk
Renewable Energy Can Support Recovery
IRENA’s first Global Renewables Outlook shows decarbonisation of the energy system supports short-term recovery while creating resilient and inclusive economies and societies. Advancing the renewables-based energy transformation is an opportunity to meet international climate goals while boosting economic growth, creating millions of jobs and improving human welfare by 2050, finds the first Global Renewables Outlook released by the International Renewable Energy Agency on April 20.
While a pathway to deeper decarbonisation requires total energy investment up to USD 130 trillion, the socio-economic gains of such an investment would be massive, the Outlook reveals. Transforming the energy system could boost cumulative global GDP gains above business-as-usual by USD 98 trillion between now and 2050. It would nearly quadruple renewable energy jobs to 42 million, expand employment in energy efficiency to 21 million and add 15 million in system flexibility.
Source: www.irena.org
The Price Impact of COVID-19
Merchant-exposed wind and solar generators are likely to be significantly impacted by falling power prices resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new study from Aurora Energy Research.
Special Report: The impact of COVID-19 on European power markets found revenues in the 2020-2021 period for these types of renewable energy power plants are expected to fall 30-50% across several markets.
The analysis covers markets including France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Spain and Italy.
Aurora’s study found a “mild” COVID-19 scenario would see power prices recovering by 2022, whilst a worst-case scenario would not see a full recovery until 2025.
Power prices in Great Britain are expected to fall 25-45% and will remain 25% lower by 2025 in a more depressed scenario, said the report. Again, merchant renewables are expected to be the most affected, with profits 20-45% lower.
The study found thermal and energy storage are less affected, with profits 5-29% lower.
Source: enews.biz
Important Links
The Scottish Government has prepared a Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance hub that includes latest guidance for businesses and employers:
https://www.gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/
All regulatory obligations remain in place and renewable energy industry bodies can access the latest official guidance at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Specific questions can also be addressed directly to ofgem by emailing [email protected].