UK MPs to examine CMA’s energy proposals

The Energy and Climate Change Committee (ECC) is to examine the competition watchdog’s proposals to reform the energy market. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published its final report today following a two-year investigation. It identified “significant problems” in the market, stating competition is “nowhere near enough”. The UK MPs will hear from various stakeholders […]

Break up National Grid, say UK MPs

National Grid should be broken up to prevent potential conflicts of interests. That’s the view of MPs on the Energy and Climate Change Committee, who recommends transferring the system operation from National Grid to an Independent System Operator (ISO) at a national level and Distribution System Operators (DNOs) at a regional level. National Grid owns […]

MPs: Government must be realistic about smart meter rollout deadline

The government must be clear about whether the 2020 target for the smart meter rollout is “realistic”. The Energy and Climate Change Committee (ECC) said the extension beyond 2020 on smart metering “has raised legitimate questions” about whether it is on track to meet the deadline. Under the draft Energy Bill, the government is seeking […]

MPs urge government to set fifth carbon budget

A group of MPs are calling on the UK Government to set a fifth carbon budget, which includes cutting emissions from international shipping. In a new report launched by the Energy and Climate Change Committee (ECC), they are urging the government to accept the recommendation of 1,765 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e). That […]

MPs call back EDF chiefs for Hinkley questioning

Senior representatives from EDF are being asked to return to Parliament to explain the further delay in making a final investment decision on the Hinkley nuclear project. CEO Vincent de Rivaz initially appeared before the Energy and Climate Change Committee (ECC) last month to provide evidence regarding the status of the plans to build two […]

Views sought on disruptive tech for energy sector

An inquiry exploring what type of disruptive technologies and innovation could transform the future energy industry has been launched. The Energy and Climate Change Committee is seeking views on which innovations have the greatest potential to revolutionise energy markets and why. It aims to look at the ideas and shortlist a few to look at […]

MPs to question EDF boss about Hinkley nuclear project

The head of EDF Energy is to be questioned by MPs about the Hinkley nuclear power plant to be built in Somerset. The Energy and Climate Change Committee has also called other companies, including NuGeneration, Horizon Nuclear Power and China General Nuclear (CGN), which are planning to build reactors in the UK. Vincent de Rivaz, CEO […]

Bring back zero carbon homes policy, MPs urge

The government must reinstate the zero carbon homes policy to help consumers save money on their energy bills. That’s the call from a committee of MPs, who believe the regulation, which the government said would be scrapped last year, was “positive and ambitious”. Alternatively, it suggests a a similar policy should be set out that […]

UK’s climate targets at risk without CCS, MPs warn

Meeting the UK’s climate change commitments could be challenging without investment in carbon capture and storage (CCS). That’s the warning from the Energy and Climate Change Committee (ECC), which comes as the government scrapped the £1 billion CCS competition last year. Its new report suggests CCS technology should be applied to new gas-fired power stations […]

Amber Rudd’s draft energy policies scrutinised

The Energy and Climate Change Committee is conducting pre-legislative scrutiny of the government’s draft legislation on energy. The document sets out the proposals, which Energy Secretary Amber Rudd claims would increase competition and help consumers get a good deal by keeping prices down and ensuring they are protected. They would also enable the government to […]