fears of surge in U.K. gas prices. A survey by the business group the CBI found that around 95% of British business leaders are worried about the cost of energy.
Japan
will switch off its last nuclear reactor on Monday, amid fears that a
growing dependence on gas imports there could push up electricity bills
in the UK.
Kansai Electric Power's only functioning reactor was
scheduled to be disconnected from the power grid and then shut for
planned maintenance, ending hopes that an industry that until three
years ago provided 30% of the electricity to power the world's third
largest economy would stage a quick recovery.
Continuing problems at the Fukushima plant, where radioactive water
has continued to spill into the sea, and a reluctance by voters to back
what looks like a badly managed industry, have led to more than 50
nuclear plants being closed, sending Japanese imports of liquefied
natural gas (LNG) back to levels last seen after the 2011 tsunami.
Energy analysts said that Japan's shutdown, combined with
Germany's commitment to end
nuclear power production by 2022, was pushing up gas prices on the international markets.
Rising
demand for gas combined with the cost of subsidies for renewable
energy, much of which is added to household and business bills, is
expected to push up energy prices in the west.
According to the CBI, there is a growing unease among UK businesses that energy costs look likely to rise.
A
survey and report published by the business lobby group the CBI found
that around 95% of British business leaders are worried about the cost
of energy and that more than three-quarters of them have little faith
that matters will improve in the next five years. So what did you expect? Energy prices to come down, would`nt that be a novelty. Thanks for reading, A+A. ( AN EXCEPT FROM THE GUARDIAN ) http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian
