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Ofgem and National Grid discuss failures in the energy market

22 November 2016

The Economic Affairs Committee questions Ofgem, the gas and electricity market regulator, and National Grid, the UK's electricity and gas infrastructure operator, for its inquiry into the economics of UK Energy Policy.

The Committee is exploring the present mix of policy interventions and subsidies in the energy market. The core question which it is seeking to answer is: “What are the failures, if any, in the energy market and what measures are needed to correct them?”

Witnesses

Tuesday 22 November in Committee Room 1, Palace of Westminster

At 3.35pm

  • Mr Phil Sheppard, Director of Systems Operation, National Grid plc

At 4.15pm

  • Mr Dermot Nolan, Chief Executive, Ofgem

Areas the session covers

Questions the Committee is likely to ask Mr Sheppard include:

  • Does the UK have enough spare capacity? What measures are in place to ensure that the lights stay on?
  • How dependent is the UK on supplies from France and other countries?
  • Is there a limit to the amount of intermittent renewable energy the grid can manage?

For the session with Mr Nolan questions the Committee is likely to ask include:

  • Are you satisfied with the outcome of the Competition and Markets Authority review of the energy market?
  • Should the UK support the development of an interconnector with Norway?
  • Will it be possible for the UK to maintain links with the EU market post Brexit?

Further information

Image: iStockphoto