Mutterings: a personal blog.

  • Carbon Capture – surely a “no-brainer”

    Myles Allen on the BBC program “Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg” said if we can’t get off carbon producing fossil fuels we need to Capture the Carbon they produce, apparently this can be done for 4p per kwh, if correct it seems a no-brainer to me……

  • Quantitative easing vs tightening

    Quantitative easing (QE) and quantitative tightening (QT) are two monetary policy tools used by central banks to influence the economy. Quantitative easing refers to the process where a central bank buys financial assets from commercial banks to increase the money supply and stimulate economic growth. This results in an increase in bank reserves and lower…

  • The UK (and wider) energy crisis

    We need to step up our thinking on the energy crisis, here’s my starter Solar gives a 10 year payback at the moment with typically at least a 25 year lifespan, where else do you get an almost guaranteed low risk 10% ROI (ex repairs which are typically minimal and EOL replacement) the govt can…

  • Solar and UK strategy

    Reading this article in The Guardian, why on earth would the government of a country that is going through an energy crisis suggest stopping what is the acknowledged cheapest way to produce electricity?

  • Assessing the Potential for a New Telco in Ghana

    The telecommunications industry in Ghana has experienced significant growth and development over the past decade, with several established players dominating the market. However, given the increasing demand for telecom services and the evolving technological landscape, the question arises: Is there room for a new telco in Ghana? This article will explore the potential opportunities and…

  • Europe’s energy crisis

    The big six energy companies (Centrica, EON, EDF, Iberdola & SSE) have about 75% of the UK market between them. Today, their combined Market Cap is around £140bn, and their profits last year totalled £15bn (probably more this year). In 2021 UK households spent around £13bn on Gas and £18bn on Electricity to give a…

  • The Uncharted Waters of a Downgraded U.S. Credit Rating: Navigating Potential Consequences

    In the realm of global economics, few markers are as revered and closely monitored as a country’s credit rating. The United States, historically holding the coveted triple-A credit rating, has long enjoyed the benefits of low borrowing costs and unwavering investor confidence. However, the hypothetical scenario of losing this prestigious status raises crucial questions about…

  • There’s still good profit in energy

    One example below of who’s making the profit on energy (oil in this case, proffit – $48.4bn in Q2 – up 90% on the same period a year earlier) and unsurprisingly it’s in the upstream producers which typically aren’t the companies we as consumers buy from. IMHO regulation (but how do you regulate a foreign…

  • The energy crisis – foreseeable?

    Great Telegraph article – No, the energy crisis is not some unforeseeable consequence of the Ukrainian war. It is the result of years of wishful thinking, preening and short-termism. We sit on 300 years’ supply of coal. We have rich pockets of gas trapped in rocks beneath Central Scotland, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Sussex. We have…