Four pillars of electricity reform unveiled

The government has unveiled its proposed reforms of the electricity market. Key to the reforms revealed by Energy Secretary Chris Huhne yesterday were “four pillars” of action. Firstly, greater long-term certainty around the additional cost of running polluting plant through a carbon price floor. Proposals from the Treasury to provide greater support and certainty to […]

REA highlights dangers in electricity reform

The Renewable Energy Association has said the government’s proposed Electricity Reform will remedy the UK’s status as a renewables “laggard”. Chief executive Gaynor Hartnell said: “Confidence in being able to enter long-term, secure contracts for renewable energy will help stimulate a wave of low carbon investment and jobs, encourage innovation and get the best value […]

Reforms offer roadmap to green future says FoE

Friends of the Earth said that today’s electricity market reforms “could provide the route map to a safe, green future”. But the environmental group cautioned that “ministers mustn’t get led astray by lack of ambition or vested interests”. Friends of the Earth’s senior climate change campaigner Tony Bosworth said: “Failing to tackle climate challenge will […]

EDF hails electricity reform as "landmark day"

The chief executive of EDF, Vincent de Rivaz, has called the unveiling of the government’s Electricity Reform Measures “a landmark day”. He said today’s announcement by Energy Secretary Chris Huhne “creates a momentum that triggers the path to implementation in 2011”. Mr de Rivaz said: “Given the progress at last week’s Cancun climate talks, the […]

Electricity reform must deliver investment risk/reward balance

The boss of SSE Scottish and Southern Energy said that today’s Electricity Market Reform must deliver “an appropriate risk/reward balance for investment” in all low-carbon technologies. Chief executive Ian Marchant said: “The first test of EMR [Electricity Market Reform] is that the value of existing investments is protected as the market is reformed and it […]

Salmond slams Electricity Market Reform

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said that today’s Electricity Market Reform proposals published in Westminster could jeopardise Scotland’s ability to fulfil its green energy potential and risk low carbon investment. And he accused energy ministers of a “complete u-turn in its proposals to subsidise the bottomless pit that is new nuclear power”. Mr Salmond has […]