Enabling sustainable electrification of the UK economy
Environmental Audit Committee
Closed
Inquiry
The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) is to launch a new inquiry examining the challenges and opportunities arising from the increasing use of electricity to power the economy of Net Zero Britain. Read the call for evidence for more information about this inquiry.
28
Recommendations
25
Conclusions
1
Report
5
Oral sessions
5
Events
Activity timeline 12 events
31 Dec
2024
2024
24 May
2024
2024
Report published
12 Mar
2024
2024
Oral evidence
12 Mar
2024
2024
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
7 Feb
2024
2024
Oral evidence
7 Feb
2024
2024
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
17 Jan
2024
2024
Oral evidence
17 Jan
2024
2024
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
15 Nov
2023
2023
Oral evidence
15 Nov
2023
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
19 Jun
2023
2023
Oral evidence
19 Jun
2023
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
12 Mar 2024
View on parliament.uk
Eleanor Warburton · Ofgem
Emily Bourne · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
7 Feb 2024
View on parliament.uk
panel one; panel two
Chris Hewett · Solar Energy UK
Ed Porter · Modo Energy
Kate Gilmartin · British Hydropower Association
Olivia Powis · Carbon Capture and Storage Association
Peter McCrory · RenewableUK
Professor Sir Chris Llewellyn Smith · University of Oxford
Susie Elks · E3G
17 Jan 2024
View on parliament.uk
panel one; panel two
Barbara Hammond MBE · Low Carbon Hub IPS Ltd
Councillor Bridget Smith · District Councils Network
Craig Dolan · Heat Pump Association
Dan Stone · Centre for Sustainable Energy
Dr Rebecca Windemer · Regen
Rachel Fletcher · Octopus Energy
Tom Glover · RWE Generation
15 Nov 2023
View on parliament.uk
panel one; panel two
Akshay Kaul · Ofgem
Claire Dykta · National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO)
Craig Dyke · National Grid Electricity System Operator
Eleanor Warburton · Ofgem
Gareth Hislop · Scottish Power Energy Networks
Roisin Quinn · National Grid Electricity Transmission
Susana Neves e Brookes · Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution
19 Jun 2023
View on parliament.uk
panel one
Joanna Campbell · National Infrastructure Commission
Nick Winser CBE · Independent Government Advisor
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sixth Report - Enabling sustainable electrification of the econo… | HC 278 | 24 May 2024 | 53 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
8 results
12
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - Enabling sustainabl…
Support accelerated rollout of flexible energy technologies to homes and businesses by 2025.
We recommend that the Government support an accelerated rollout of flexible energy technologies to homes and businesses, at a minimum through the enhanced policy support envisaged under the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, by the end of 2025 at the latest. …
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Government Response
The Government agrees on the critical need to accelerate flexible energy technologies and outlines ongoing steps to address heat pump deployment barriers, simplify consumer journeys, and provide advice. However, it defers future funding arrangements to a Spending Review and does not commit to the recommended enhanced policy support by the end of 2025.
28
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - Enabling sustainabl…
Onshoring essential energy infrastructure elements can strengthen supply chains and boost the UK economy.
Moving essential elements of the energy infrastructure supply chain into the UK is likely to strengthen the supply chain while creating jobs, improving the UK economy and protecting existing skills.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for collective effort to address supply chain resilience, stating it will review the need for an electrification roadmap and set out its full approach to supporting UK supply chains in a forthcoming Industrial Strategy.
33
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - Enabling sustainabl…
Local authorities lack resources and expertise for effective clean energy planning applications.
Local authorities generally do not have the resources or in-house knowledge to manage the effective determination of the significant number of planning applications required for the rapid growth of clean energy infrastructure.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for sufficient resources in local planning authorities, highlighting past consultations on increasing planning fees and reviewing how to deploy additional support from stamp duty surcharges, in addition to having a dedicated Planning Capacity and Capability.
41
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - Enabling sustainabl…
Poorly executed community engagement and benefits hinder energy infrastructure development and acceptance
Engaging early and fully with local communities to explain why renewable energy infrastructure through their area is necessary and of benefit to them is essential to ensure positive public participation and acceptance. Badly-designed community benefits, or those forced upon communities …
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Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of community benefits to build support for development and is currently reviewing how to effectively deliver them, considering a combination of direct benefits and community funds, with details to be set out shortly.
43
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - Enabling sustainabl…
Community benefits accrue only after commissioning, delaying impact during planning and construction
Community benefits are only likely to become payable after the commissioning into service of infrastructure: so all the uncertainty of the planning process and disruption during construction will be felt before any benefits accrue.
Government Response
The government clarifies that community funds are likely to be released once a project has secured planning and financing approvals, around the start of construction, and emphasizes the importance of early community engagement.
45
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - Enabling sustainabl…
Optimal governance structure for distributed energy system and local authority engagement remains unclear
The electrification of the economy will lead to a more distributed energy system and will require local government engagement. While some efforts are underway to understand the potential for governance reform between national policy making and local policy making, the …
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Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of appropriate governance and regulatory arrangements for NESO, detailing robust systems, Ofgem's oversight, strict board criteria, and a framework document outlining roles. These arrangements will be continually monitored.
46
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - Enabling sustainabl…
National Energy System Operator consolidating significant functions and responsibilities
The National Energy System Operator (NESO), an organisation currently under development, is consolidating a number of existing functions while also taking on a number of new responsibilities, such as giving advice to the Government and working with local authorities through …
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Government Response
The government agrees with the importance of appropriate governance for NESO and outlines the robust systems, processes, and regulatory oversight by Ofgem, as well as the independent board appointments, framework document, and shareholder representation in place for the organisation. These arrangements will be continually monitored.
49
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - Enabling sustainabl…
Ultimate responsibility for energy security and decarbonisation remains unclear within Government
Energy security is vital to the UK’s national interest: responsibility within Government for promoting and ensuring energy security ought to be crystal clear. In a rapidly changing governance structure which includes new responsibilities for Ofgem and the new NESO body, …
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Government Response
The government states its mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower and plans to set out more detail on its approach to Clean Power by 2030, including how progress will be tracked, by the end of the year.