UK Refinery Reality: Kathryn Porter and Elizabeth de Jong on Fuel Security

Britain’s refining industry is under growing pressure, with just four oil refineries remaining compared with nine in 2000. At the same time, the UK now imports 55% of its fuel, compared with 20% at the start of the century. Host Alex Wolfe is joined by Kathryn Porter of Watt Logic and Elizabeth de Jong, CEO of Fuels Industry UK, to examine what is happening to Britain’s refining capacity and what it means for fuel security and the wider UK energy system. Kathryn returns to the podcast following her previous episode, which became our most popular and debated episode. This time, the discussion covers carbon costs, overseas competition, carbon leakage, and government policy, and asks whether the UK can maintain a viable refining industry while meeting its wider energy and environmental ambitions. Resources Fuel Industry UK website: https://www.fuelsindustryuk.org/ Kathryn's refinery report: https://watt-logic.com/2026/08/31/refineries-report-says-abolish-the-ets/ Biographies Kathryn Porter is an independent energy consultant, with experience across the energy and finance sectors, who runs the energy consultancy Watt Logic. She advises companies across the energy value chain on new projects, procurement, risk management and regulatory and market changes, with particular expertise in utilities, oil and gas. She holds a Master’s Degree in Physics from the University of Exeter and an MBA from London Business School. Kathryn is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments, a member of the Institute of Directors and an associate member of the Executive Council of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Energy Studies. As CEO of Fuels Industry UK, Elizabeth de Jong is responsible for the overall management and effectiveness of Fuels Industry UK as the UK's principal advocate for the downstream oil sector. An economist by background, Elizabeth has deep experience in public and private sector interface roles including at industry representative bodies and in central government, plus commercial, delivery, and strategy roles for UK plcs. Elizabeth was Director of Policy at Logistics UK prior to joining Fuels Industry UK and has worked for the UK Government's Department for Transport and the Rail Delivery Group. About The Host Alex Wolfe is CEO of the Renewable Transport Fuel Association, podcaster and host of the Wolfe Power Club Podcast, reaching 300,000 listeners weekly. He has over 20 years of experience in the energy industry, including senior roles at Certas Energy, responsibility for 900 fuel HGVs, and leading M&A activity within the UK fuel sector. Alex also chairs The Spectator Energy Summit and brings extensive experience across energy, transport and fuel markets to the Wolfe Power Club Podcast. Season Three is in Partnership with The Spectator Tickets for the upcoming The Spectator Energy Summit, on Monday 30th November 2026, are available on sale. Use code: WPC50 for 50% off your purchase If you would like to partner with The Spectator Energy Summit, please contact Alex on LinkedIn or [email protected] Follow Our Socials Website: https://www.wolfepowerclub.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WolfePowerClub LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolfe-power-club/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Wolfe-Power-Club-61564466454360/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfepowerclub/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wolfe.power.club   Wolfe Power Club Production Team Director of Government Relations: Max Austin Designer: Nick Pelekanos Editor: Adam Woodward Social Media Manager: Bella Carter   This episode was produced at Studio 55