An anti-fossil fuel protest took place at Queen Elizabeth II centre earlier this week during the International Energy Week conference.
Fossil Free London (FFL) carried out planned disruption on the same day that Ofgem’s energy price cap increase was announced, meaning households will face a £111 payment rise.
The conference, which according to its host, the Energy Institute, centres around ‘navigating the world’s energy transitions’ and pushes net zero goals.
A FFL spokesperson said: “The oil giants attending this conference are lobbying our governments to push for more oil and gas instead of protecting our futures.”
With oil companies such as Equinor were in attendance, FFL argued energy solutions are being advocated in the interest of Big Oil profit as opposed to environmental safety and economic stability.
Equinor, the Norwegian-owned energy organisation, plans to develop the Rosebank oil field, located west of Shetland.
The FFL spokesperson added: “If developed, the Rosebank oil and gas field would release an amount of emissions equal to those produced by all 28 low-income countries in the world.
“Equinor is majority-owned (68%) by the Norwegian government, which has a sovereign wealth fund worth in the region of $1.3 trillion.
“Despite this, the UK public will cover the vast majority (up to 90%) of the costs of developing Rosebank, with profits flowing to the Norwegian oil company.”
Robin Wells, an FFL spokesperson argued: “Whilst Equinor’s profits soar, UK households pay the price.
“The Rosebank oil field takes money from people today and is the ticking time bomb of tomorrow — its impact would be catastrophic. As our bills balloon, Equinor and Norway reap the rewards.”
In a press release, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero cited geopolitical reasons as a justification for Ofgem’s price increase.
The press release said: “Due to global gas price spikes this winter and the continued impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the energy regulator Ofgem has announced on Tuesday an increase in the energy price cap for April to June 2025.
“This price is set independently of the government, reflecting changes in wholesale prices and global markets.”
The press release also emphasised government steps to combat the effect of the cost hike in lower income households.
It added: “Nearly three million more families would be eligible to receive the £150 Warm Home Discount next winter under new proposals to help people with their energy bills.”
Nick Turton, External Affairs Director from the Energy Institute issued a statement regarding the conference, its ensuing protest action and mounting frustration with international energy spending.
He said: “There’s a lot of strong feeling around climate change, because it’s so serious and tackling it so urgent.
“Our conference this week brings together experts across industry, investors, government, academia alongside green NGOs.
“Every session is focused on the global energy transition – the technologies, policies, finance and people needed to get to net zero fast, while also meeting the growing energy needs of the world’s populations.”
Dissatisfied with governmental responses to renewable energy demands, FFL has staged a range of disruptions at conferences and public events and political speeches.
To find out more about their project, visit their site here.
Equinor were contacted for comment.
Picture credit: Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London by Robert Rimell
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