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Nick Butler

Energy Commentator

This blog is on the relationship between energy and power, plus the global trends and influences on the industry. It usually appears on Monday.

Nick Butler is visiting professor and chair of the Kings Policy Institute at Kings College London. He spent 29 years with BP, including five years as Group Vice President for Policy and Strategy Development at BP from 2002 to 2006. He has also served as Senior Policy Adviser at No 10, Chairman of the Centre for European Reform and Treasurer of the Fabian Society.

Nick Butler is an investor in, and an adviser to a number of companies and institutions in the energy business. The views expressed are solely his. This material is not intended to provide and should not be relied upon for investment advice or recommendations. Readers are urged to seek professional advice before making any investment.

@nickb2211 (link opens in a new browser window)
@nickb2211 (link opens in a new browser window)
  • Monday, 28 October, 2019
    Energy sector
    Energy transition needs more than private sector

    There is a tension for big companies over investing in renewables or fossil fuels

  • Monday, 21 October, 2019
    Energy sector
    With Opec powerless, market dictates oil price

    There is no shortage of supply but end of the cartel spells uncertainty for sector

  • Monday, 14 October, 2019
    Energy sector
    Heed the warning of unsustainable climate trends

    Projections to 2050 expose patterns of consumption that signal serious global warming

  • Monday, 7 October, 2019
    Electric vehicles
    Electric vehicles are being outpaced by the growth of SUVs

    Public support for EVs has to be won before carbon reduction targets can be met

  • Monday, 30 September, 2019
    Energy sector
    This energy plan could have a dramatic impact

    Changes outlined by Democrat Elizabeth Warren would shake the industry beyond the US

  • Monday, 23 September, 2019
    Energy sector
    How nuclear can provide an energy bridge

    Extending the operating times of plants can support the shift to a low-carbon economy

  • Sunday, 15 September, 2019
    Saudi Aramco
    Saudis ill-prepared to handle oil attack disruption

    Ousting of former energy minister al-Falih will harm Opec, Aramco and regional stability

  • Tuesday, 10 September, 2019
    Kuwait
    Kuwait’s action on green energy fails to match best intentions

    The country relies on fuel oil and natural gas for the bulk of its electricity supplies

  • Monday, 9 September, 2019
    Nuclear energy
    How can we pay for new nuclear power stations?

    Funding methods that work in the water industry cannot be applied to the sector

  • Promoted Content
  • Monday, 2 September, 2019
    Energy sector
    Germany’s low-carbon future will have its costs

    As the country’s economy shrinks the Energiewende’s impact must be taken into account

  • Monday, 26 August, 2019
    Energy sector
    Climate activists need to convert populists

    Greta Thunberg should not waste time in the US talking to the already convinced elite

  • Monday, 19 August, 2019
    Energy sector
    Falling prices have a silver lining for oil majors

    Global companies have a chance to regain access to once-closed areas

  • Monday, 29 July, 2019
    Energy sector
    Off-grid energy is reaching the remotest homes

    Heralded as the next big technology shift it could also change the developed world

  • Monday, 22 July, 2019
    Energy sector
    An opportunity for Britain’s new prime minister

    Energy policy needs rethinking and COP26 is a chance to lead the world on climate change

  • Monday, 15 July, 2019
    Climate change
    The climate change lobby needs a business strategy

    It is time to replace noise with a move into the marketplace

  • Monday, 8 July, 2019
    Oil & Gas industry
    A ‘coalition of the willing’ is needed on carbon

    Once the economics make sense, even the doubters will catch up with the new reality

  • Monday, 8 July, 2019
    Energy sector
    The weakness of Opec+ is evident

    The oil production deal led by Russia and Saudi Arabia cannot stop the market trend

  • Monday, 1 July, 2019
    Renewable energy
    Chinese technology is crucial to cutting carbon emissions

    Solar and wind power can now compete because of mass production in China

  • Monday, 24 June, 2019
    Energy sector
    A clean Europe in a dirty world

    The environmental lobby is starting to assume a significant role in European politics

  • Monday, 17 June, 2019
    Energy sector
    Iran could destabilise new normal in oil prices

    If Tehran decides to sue for peace, supply could quickly begin to flow again

  • Monday, 10 June, 2019
    Energy sector
    Why a nuclear power fade is almost inevitable

    The high cost of such energy has become far more visible over the past decade

  • Monday, 3 June, 2019
    Energy sector
    Is China about to change the global oil trade?

    Beijing’s reaction to America’s assertion of power could reshape markets

  • Monday, 27 May, 2019
    Energy sector
    Iraq has a tough job in developing its potential

    The country has seen successes, but are they sustainable?

  • Monday, 20 May, 2019
    Energy sector
    How to meet the challenge of plastic waste

    Converting trash to energy could provide a solution to a problem that blights our oceans

  • Monday, 13 May, 2019
    Energy sector
    We need a carbon tax to change consumer behaviour

    There is a very simple measure the UK’s Committee on Climate Change could have flagged

Previous You are on page 1 Next

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