Grid capacity in Wales

Welsh Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 1 Feb 2022 Closed: 16 Oct 2023 Parliament page
The Committee has launched an inquiry which will explore the implications of grid capacity issues for the energy sector in Wales, particularly in relation to Wales meeting its net zero targets. Read inquiry launch and terms of reference
15 Recommendations
18 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
4 Events
Activity timeline 6 events
24 Jan
2023
Report published
21 Oct
2022
Report published
8 Jun
2022
Oral evidence
18 May
2022
Oral evidence
27 Apr
2022
Oral evidence
16 Mar
2022
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
8 Jun 2022
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Oral evidence
Paul Van Heyningen · Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Rt Hon Greg Hands MP · Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
18 May 2022
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Oral evidence
Julie James MS · Welsh Government
27 Apr 2022
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Oral evidence
Ben Godfrey · Western Power Distribution Huub den Rooijen · The Crown Estate Julian Leslie · National Grid ESO Malcolm Bebbington · Scottish Power Peter Bingham · Ofgem Roisin Quinn · National Grid Electricity Transmission
16 Mar 2022
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Oral evidence
Chris Williams · Industry Wales Jon O'Sullivan · EDF Renewables Rhys Wyn Jones · RenewableUK Robert Procter · Community Energy Wales Tom Glover · RWE Generation
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Grid Capacity in Wales HC 218 21 Oct 2022 33 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
Clear
11 Conclusion Rejected
First Report - Grid Capacity in Wa…
Larger companies have a financial advantage linked to scale, whereas smaller energy projects are often...
Larger companies have a financial advantage linked to scale, whereas smaller energy projects are often reliant on the development of larger projects and the availability of spare capacity once these have been completed.
Government Response
The government rejects bringing forward legislative proposals to address the financial advantage of larger energy companies, stating there are no legislative barriers for community energy, but is considering wider retail market reforms.
Wales Office
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19 Conclusion Rejected
First Report - Grid Capacity in Wa…
Ofgem, as the market regulator, must ensure that the regulatory environment enables the decarbonisation of...
Ofgem, as the market regulator, must ensure that the regulatory environment enables the decarbonisation of energy markets. Whilst ensuring the best value for consumers is important and should remain one of Ofgem’s primary considerations, this should be balanced against achieving … Read more
Government Response
The government does not consider an amendment to Ofgem’s primary duty necessary, as they believe the existing duty to protect consumers' interests already includes the reduction of greenhouse gases.
Wales Office
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20 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Grid Capacity in Wa…
We recommend that the UK Government amend Ofgem’s primary duty to include both ensuring the...
We recommend that the UK Government amend Ofgem’s primary duty to include both ensuring the best value for consumers and achieving net zero targets, by bringing forward government amendments to the Energy Bill. This would provide strong signals to developers … Read more
Government Response
The government does not consider an amendment to Ofgem’s primary duty necessary, as they believe the existing duty to protect consumers' interests already includes the reduction of greenhouse gases.
Wales Office
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24 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Grid Capacity in Wa…
We recommend that the Government engage directly with community energy projects in Wales to understand...
We recommend that the Government engage directly with community energy projects in Wales to understand the difficulties they face connecting to the grid. The UK Government should lead a working group made up of the Welsh Government, grid infrastructure owners, … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the Welsh Government has responsibility for renewable energy projects under 350 MW and community energy schemes, and that the Community Energy Contact Group (CECG) has been re-established with a representative from Community Energy Wales. They decline to establish a separate working group at this time.
Wales Office
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25 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Grid Capacity in Wa…
We recommend that the UK Government strengthens the legislative framework to support the growth of...
We recommend that the UK Government strengthens the legislative framework to support the growth of community energy schemes. The Energy Bill provides a potential opportunity to do this.
Government Response
The government states there are no legislative barriers to community energy groups, and so has no plans to bring forward legislative proposals at this time.
Wales Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 33 of 15 classified
Accepted 15
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 11
Deferred 1
Rejected 5
Total 15 recs + 18 conclusions