The Energy Trilemma Facing Boardrooms

Energy policy has a trilemma: It must combine security of supply, affordable energy costs and decarbonisation of the energy system - and these points are often contradictory. Most renewables are intermittent, and so making the energy system more resilient by ensuring that there is sufficient power available when renewables are not generating both increases costs and involves some 'dirty' fuel. Plus, decarbonisation is expensive, and all costs are borne by customers.