Will Trump's Victory Lead to Cheaper Energy?

LONDON, November 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

"Brexit has factored in a 15-18% rise in fuel prices next year due to the fall in a value of Sterling. Could a fall in the value of the dollar after Trump's victory offset that rise with a fall in the value of the dollar against the pound? Immediately after the result, there was a fall in the value of the dollar; this should make energy cheaper, as fuel is priced in dollars, but what will happen in the short to medium term? The scenario that Trump will be a catastrophe to the world markets has led to a short term fall, but the market should calm down after the unexpected shock. The rally will depend on what Trump does rather than what he has said he will do.

The American political system is based on checks and balances. Obama failed to deliver much of his program because he could not get it passed Congress. The Senate and House of Representatives are now both in Republican hands, but the Republican Party itself, is not fully backing Trump. It is likely that the wild promises that he has made will meet a wall (not built by Mexicans), past which he will not be able to progress a lot of his agenda. Short term turbulence will settle down as happened in the case of Brexit, but the underlying risk of a populist President trying to match his unrealistic rhetoric to action, will be a constant destabilising influence on the markets.

This is not scare mongering but based on what has already happened, should households and companies need to factor in a rise in energy costs? Energy prices closely match the ups and downs of Sterling's or dollar's value, really due to an inability of energy companies to absorb the rise of the commodity prices in an already extremely competitive market, which has very little profit margin. To protect themselves, they will need to hedge against the risks, the cost of which will be passed onto the consumer.

Brexit caused the same turbulence with a major drop in the value of Sterling, so why has the fall in the value of sterling, not already been seen in a hike in bills? The answer is wrapped up in the procurement of energy. The majority of the energy we buy is gas. Gas provides two thirds of the energy used in the home and businesses, mostly heating, and it also powers over half of electricity generation. Gas is valued in dollars and so logically, prices should already have gone up with the fall in sterling. The reason this has not happened yet is that most gas is purchased up to a year ahead, so the price of the energy we are consuming now is still based on the value of Sterling before the vote. The price of energy therefore has an inbuilt price increase, based on currency exchange rates, which cannot be avoided, but will start to bite later in the winter.

Back to Trump, his victory may lead to the fall in the value of the dollar so will this not lead to cheaper commodity prices? Well yes and no, the exchange rate will have an effect, but the fall in the Dollar may lead to inflation in the price of oil as commodity, producers, many of whom are dependent on oil revenue, will need to increase prices to offset losses on the exchange rates.

Cheap energy is based on stable markets with clearly understood risks. Nobody is sure where Trump is going, maybe not even him, but arguably the most powerful man in the world, making up policy as he goes along is not going to make energy cheaper", concluded Lord Rupert Redesdale, CEO of the Energy Managers Association

With his team at the Energy Managers Association, he has been working with hundreds of businesses to provide an event, EMEX where energy users can share knowledge, technologies and expertise on how to increase buildings energy efficiency, reduce electricity, water consumption and their associated costs.

EMEX (http://www.emexlondon.com) and its community are returning to the ExCeL Centre in London on 16^th and 17^th November with a packed programme spread across 4 free-to-attend CPD-accredited seminar theatres. This content, curated by the Energy Managers Association and its Board of major energy users, will include the opportunity to meet with top industry experts, peers and numerous leading suppliers that will unveil the latest technology and energy efficiency strategies available right now.

Organisations like Network Rail, Land Securities, Local Councils, Ministry of Defence, National Grid, E.ON, Unite Students, Servest Group, Bourne Leisure, British Sugar, Costa Express, Port of Milford Haven, Water Plus, University College London, Bank of England, Skanska, BIFM, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), House of Commons, The Body Shop International, Pets At Home, Total Gas & Power, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Greater London Authority, Broad gate Estates, Queen Mary University of London, Lloyds Banking Group, and Regent Street Management Direct are confirmed to speak at EMEX 2016.

Notes to editor:

About EMEX 

EMEX is an annual exhibition that takes place on 16 and 17 November 2016 at ExCeL London. The Energy Management Exhibition is for everyone responsible for reducing their organisation's energy consumption. This can be achieved through better energy buying, staff training and innovative technology. Attendees will be able to find and talk to companies and government; both have developed industry-leading solutions for decreasing energy costs.

It is free to register to attend the show. There are over 3,000 visitors, 120 exhibitors, 100 speakers and 80 seminar sessions. More information can be found at http://www.emexlondon.com/emex-show-guide-2016/

About Lord Redesdale 

Lord Redesdale was the Energy Spokesman for the Liberal Democrats for the House of Lords 2000-2008 during which time he introduced a number of private members bills in the area of energy and conservation. As Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group he has worked to spread the message about the carbon costs of energy especially computing. In 2012 he was awarded the accolade of Environmental Parliamentarian of the year by the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management. Lord Redesdale is the CEO of the Energy Managers Association (EMA). The EMA aims to promote the development of energy management and the career structure of Energy Managers in the British economy. The EMA sets up standards for energy management training courses to all companies to reduce their energy and CRC bill. The LEC scheme was launched in October 2013 and aims at driving the energy efficiency agenda by auditing companies by their commitment to energy management. The recognition of energy costs and energy reduction through energy efficient measures is a matter of the utmost importance and overarching key driver for the EMA.

SOURCE Emex London