iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The amount of climate / energy misinformation on this site is of epic proportions. Some of it is mistake. Some of it is not. Proposals for Ofcom to regulate it out are well-intentioned but I think largely unworkable and ethically questionnable. buff.ly/ZUd7FAU

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The next round of auctions for renewable generation are expected to see a small increase in costs due to auction design, cost pressure, financing costs etc. Large amounts of new capacity still needed to deliver Clean Power 2030. Chart by LCP Delta. buff.ly/ely28XK

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The Govt's Warm Homes Plan promised to issue a total of £4.4bn in grants for upgrades to qualifying households over the course of this parliament. To date only £500m has been made available. In response, councils are closing waiting lists (£). buff.ly/Mqop17q

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

One of the interesting things about this chart is that when things briefly sorted themselves out (relatively) in July, very few tankers came into the Strait. It was mostly just stuck tankers leaving the Strait.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I read this as a signal the Chinese government may start picking winners in its domestic EV market soon. Given its scale and growth rate, this could have implications for other markets. buff.ly/WlqbjJp

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Nearly 1 in 3 new vehicles in the EU was fully electric last month - way above forecasts. Multiple factors here, but fuel switching from petrol / diesel given high prices will be one of them. Interestingly no Chinese brands in the top 10 during July... buff.ly/B1fsmRr

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Demand for LNG in Asia is set to shrink between 3-10% this year in response to rising prices as a result of war. Good news for EU where additional supply may help. Less good news for the climate given much of that Asian demand will switch to coal. buff.ly/jEWzo6S

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

GB Energy has opened applications for communities to apply for £30m of support for community-led clean energy projects - a positive step in support for the sector. This is the first tranche of the £1bn community energy commitment announced earlier this year. 🧵

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

There's an incompatibility between UK airport expansion plans and our decarbonisation targets. Right now, my belief is it's more likely the decarbonisation targets will change.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

EDF Energy are forecasting that energy bills may rise by as much as £442/year (!) come January, as Ofgem respond to the ongoing war in the Middle East and it's impact on gas and electricity prices. buff.ly/HP0eIwt

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

At yesterday's StepChange Debt Charity Energy Summit I argued energy debt has become a structural feature of the market, and in need of structural solutions instead of sticking plasters 🧵

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

As we've seen this summer, a warming climate is likely to mean increased air con demand in Europe. Interesting blog from Jan Rosenow suggesting air con demand at close to US / Japan levels could see peak cooling load reach 219GW–329GW. buff.ly/6TYUBeO

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I remember when they used to just be called "dams"

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The sheer scale of electricity transmission buildout planned is quite something when you see it on a map. Around 2,200 miles of upgrades to existing lines. A further 4,200 miles of brand new lines - onshore and offshore. In just 15 years, if it all runs to plan.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Retrofit heat pump installations are falling in the UK - down 22% on this time last year. Run rate is ~10% of what's needed right now. Theory: The capex subsidies help, but it's still tough out there for customers and this is a big purchase.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Nick Butler with a both pessimistic and plausible view of how the ongoing war in the Middle East may affect gas (and electricity) markets in Europe this winter. A warm winter would be good news.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

A taste of what's to come for energy networks, I think. For years the bogeyman of affordability has been energy suppliers, but build out / delays risk the focus shifting to networks. A whole new world for them.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Clean Power 2030 sees the build out of our energy system, but delivery is behind and at risk. Without intervention, the effect is likely to be higher energy bills. 🧵

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Bit worried we must be approaching the bit where AI can click the "I am human" button on website login screens. Not sure what happens then.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Calling for more transparency is understandable, but in a sector with a chronic need to cut regulation, a better answer is stronger Ofgem oversight, not public disclosure. Light-touch milestone reporting gets most of the benefit for far less cost. (£) buff.ly/dI4AaKP

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EDF uneasy that 'little information' is available on transmission project costs - Utility Week

Ofgem should mandate transmission network operators (TOs) to publish a central tracker of projects, including ongoing timelines and costs before the end of this year to make clear the programme…

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

This, from Chris Nelder in his Transition Times newsletter, is a helpful reminder that energy companies are fishing for resources in the same small pond as companies in other sectors. Other sectors with similarly large build out plans and deep pockets.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

The debate around whether we want Clean Power v Cheap Power in 2050 is good to have. We've already had a taster on some of the climate changes coming between now and then. Would also welcome a (more urgent) debate on what's needed to adapt.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Approximately 24% of the EU's fund to modernise energy systems (the Modernisation Fund) went towards natural gas projects - though note the focus was on fuel switching from coal and efficiency improvements. buff.ly/n37W8ps

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Any transition to clean energy should be demand led. Supply led transitions don't usually end well for society. There are a lot of comments in my feed today suggesting the opposite, which feels odd.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Some interesting examples of how countries around the world are managing the risk of wildfires through forestry management, physical environment design. The risk is increasing, but there are ways to mitigate some of it.

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Reposted by David Watson

Henry Mance @henrymance.ft.com · 30/07/2026

the four stages: 1. Allister Heath's columns are not real 2. Allister Heath's columns are not serious 3. OK, they are real and serious but it's too late to do anything about them 4. Our only hope is to find a way of adapting to Allister Heath's columns

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

As someone who has family in Florida, I can attest to how bonkers insurance premiums there sound to someone living in the UK. I pay £300/yr. They pay more like £6500/yr. The gap is only going to widen as climate impacts get worse.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Correlation of solar and cooling demand mean European cities like London could cover ~90% of aircon demand with solar PV - via Thunder Said. Opportunity for some interesting OEM propositions...

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Ofgem announce proposals to charge data centres a fee to connect to the elec network, refundable if the project goes ahead. Aim to weed out speculative bids. Suspect will also drive some demand to gas network.

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Proposed data centre connection reforms

We are consulting on our reforms to demand connections to manage the fast growth of data centres and support a more efficient network.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Pleased to see my adopted home town of Southampton make this LinkedIn list of UK cities on the rise. Like all places it has its problems but on the whole it's a good place to live and work. buff.ly/VrTQhFH

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

The model where ESCOs win heat network contracts based on the size of contribution they make to the developer is a recipe for increased customer costs. It can, and should be, addressed by Ofgem exempting such costs from the calculation of 'fair pricing'.

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Ofgem told to clarify heat network rules and ban ESCO capital contributions - Utility Week

Ofgem has been urged to clarify its recently introduced “fair pricing” rule for heat networks by outright banning Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) from providing capital contributions to…

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

European gas inventories are far lower than they historically have been heading toward the winter heating season. Similar issues being seen in diesel supplies.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

There's a misunderstanding about what the price cap does in the energy market. It doesn't protect consumers from rising prices, it just reduces volatility to 3m and caps supplier profits. utilityweek.co.uk/heat-network...

utilityweek.co.uk

Heat networks’ price protection problem - Utility Week

High prices continue to plague the heat network industry, but with government ruling out a price cap what alternatives does it have for controlling costs?

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Ofgem clear NESO staff can anonymously talk to independent lawyers running the investigation over June system event - plus speak directly to the regulator. Important people are able to speak freely and fairly.

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Review and investigation of energy system operation during extreme heat

Our statement on establishing a review panel to investigate claims made by whistle blowers at NESO.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

We'll have to wait until Monday to see whether this is still the view of an energy Minister, but suggestion heat network development could secure RAB funding is something that could be looked at. utilityweek.co.uk/energy-minis...

utilityweek.co.uk

Energy minister in favour of RAB model for heat networks - Utility Week

Energy minister for consumers Martin McCluskey says he is favour of a regulated asset base (RAB) funding model for heat networks “in principle” although further analysis is needed to “understand…

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Andy Burnham will become PM on Monday. Bloomberg reporting his first acts may be to approve Rosebank and Jackdaw, and bring Thames Water into public ownership (£).

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

I can't help but feel that if Andy Burnham's position on putting the milk in first when making tea was more widely known, we may have had a different result in Makerfield.

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TikTok - Make Your Day

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

More than half of customers would tolerate power cuts if it meant a 40%-60% discount on their bill. Support drops off sharply as discount reduces. Suggests demand flexibility has widespread potential - but rewards may need to be more than today (£)

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Would British consumers really accept blackouts for cheaper energy bills? - Utility Week

Octopus Energy CEO Greg Jackson recently said that Britons would be willing to accept occasional energy blackouts if it meant cheaper bills. Working with polling company Public First, Utility Week…

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Interesting article from WoodMac on the structural drivers that are likely to lead to rising US methane prices... ...not least rising export and domestic data centre demand. buff.ly/IFcQb0x

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

An actual poll in the Daily Telegraph

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

The pace of global warming is increasing - and in line with projections made by scientists.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

The June heatwave was significantly hotter than the usual averages, with records not just being beaten by 0.1C-0.2C. This should be more of a cause for concern than it is.

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David Watson @davidawatson.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

I like the idea of employee ownership over unionisation, but it needs to be meaningful. For this argument to have weight you'd need to know whether the shareholdings are in Octopus Group or Energy (two different companies), and what % employees own.

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