Governments across Europe are telling people and businesses to reduce energy use. Do they know something we don't?

[cakeorwine]

It feels like Covid again. Warning signs of an issue. But no action taken.

I know there are people who will reduce usage because of the increased costs.

But there is still a lot of waste and things where energy usage can be reduced to ensure that we have enough gas and electricity available during a demanding winter.

The media has advice on reducing use. There are schemes to encourage people to use electricity outside of peak time.

But shouldn't the Government be leading on this?

Everyone in Europe who's been paying attention knows that there is a risk of gas shortages (and hence electricity shortages) this winter.

The UK government knows this too but has taken the view that officially encouraging people to restrict energy use or publicising the contingency plans would be a bad political move and perceived as "negative" and "bossy". Hence they haven't done it. Simple.

Even if use is reduced how does this affect availability.

It's not like we are able to save any of the gas or electricity that we dont use for later. We dont have any storage reserves.

My DDs BF is an elite tap dancer and a massive championship due to take place in Germany in November has been cancelled due to energy shortages :-(

But shouldn't the Government be leading on this?

They had a campaign all lined up, signed off by Rees-Mogg but Truss pulled the plug as she thought it was too nanny state.

Jesus, if even JRM thinks we should reduce energy use it must be serious.

What a fool that woman is.

Did anyone hear Steve Baker saying that due to the public debate over Truss pulling the plug on it, they have effectively got a free campaign now? 🙈

Because it will reduce our need to rely on energy / electricity from Europe via connectors as they our rationing theres as well.

We must have some storage, surely?

We can also conserve the gas that is stored at power stations.

I have to say that I am disappointed with how this sentence ended.

I had assumed that he was being conscripted to somehow generate energy through elite tap dancing. You could have had a national hero on your hands!

Covid again....

Was pointed out to me that the government were about to spend millions on a campaign but pulled it.
Then leaked about it/let a leak happen/knew a leak would happen anyway.
Then get the campaign done for free by the press talking about it.

Cynical much? Maybe.

@Juicesausagecake & @VerbenaGirl
Like this?

BBC News - Dancers' moves help to power Glasgow music venue
www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-63161838

@ICouldHaveCheckedFirst sorry I type too slow!

If this Government were on a life raft, they would be worried about the negative PR about telling people to ration supplies just in case supplies run low.

Messages about reducing energy usage would restrict growth and enterprise, and would mean less money churning in the economy.

Same as back in early 2020 when Covid was on the horizon - they didn't want to tell people to be cautious, as it would have slowed the economy down. But eventually it got too bad to keep that tactic.

So with energy usage, expect the same pattern. We will carry on as normal for a few months, with cautious people making a bit more effort to switch off lights and leave the car at home where possible but not much different to usual. Then about 2 months beyond the point when it was too late to keep things under control, there will be a sudden realisation and there will be rationing and restrictions.

Worry is some very vulnerable people will take it too much to heart. Particularly quite elderly persons. Look at how anxious MNers get about public health advice, making up their own ideas of how to take the official advice much further & accusing others of being negligent if they don't do the same (!!). Most winters it's a challenge to get some low income elderly to stay warm enough. Those vulnerable persons could suffer, even die, from not heating their homes, even though they can afford it and truly need a warm home.

All that, I don't understand what harm a "minimum 18 / maximum 21" campaign would do. "18 to 21 to keep the lights on" slogan. 18-21 = Meaning indoor temps. Would 18 be dangerously too cold for some? People who want cooler temps could choose them, or put thermostat on warmer if they decide not to care. You can ignore public health advice (and anxious MNers, too).

This is what France are doing…..bills are capped for the moment, the focus is on avoiding shortages. Cost of wood has increased a lot…..

www.france24.com/en/france/20221006-france-launches-energy-savings-push-to-avoid-winter-power-cuts

Exactly!!! Has nobody thought of this?

Honestly, what is this government doing? Why aren’t they tap dancing us out of this crisis?

If people and businesses reduced their usage, that could reduce demand which could hopefully reduce the cost of gas / electricity which could also reduce the cost of the taxpayer subsidy on energy prices.

We are subsidising the cost of energy without taking steps to reduce the use of energy.

Because we'll have our hand out to Iran quicker than you can say, "What sanctions?"

In France

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63173533

In France, homes and offices will be heated to a maximum of 19C, there will be no hot water in public buildings, and the temperature in swimming pools and gyms will also be reduced.

A ban on doors being left open in heated or air-conditioned shops, which was previously in effect in some areas, has been extended nationwide.

Spain has also previously mandated that heating not rise above 19C, as well as ordering that doors should be closed so as not to waste heat and that lights in shop windows must be turned off after 22:00.

And Germany has stopped lighting up public monuments and buildings for aesthetic reasons, and warned heating may be turned off in the entrances, corridors and foyers of public buildings.

God I thought you were going to say they're going to tap dance all winter to push some energy into storage facilities, because that's how mad it's got.

😂

😂
This really made me laugh

Do you really want to live under those sort of mandates - telling you how hot you can have your own home?

my business my home my bill.

if I can afford it I’ll use it

Seeing as the conservatives are in charge they’d probably get benefit claimants in giant hamster wheels to generate power whilst ‘earning their benefits’