Committee hears from energy generators about connecting to the grid
The Industry and Regulators Committee will continue its inquiry into the energy grid and grid connections by hearing from energy generators about their experience of trying to connect to the grid. The Committee will be examining the barriers to connecting new generation to the energy system, including those posed by the planning system, and considering potential solutions such as providing community benefits. The Committee will also discuss how to reduce the need for additional grid investment by incentivising generators and demand to locate themselves closer to each other, and whether this can be achieved through locational pricing or reforms to network charges.
Meeting details
At 10:30am: Oral evidence
Inquiry
The energy grid and grid connections
Director of Regulation and Economics at Octopus Energy
CEO at Solar Energy UK
Policy Manager at Solar Energy UK
At 11:30am: Oral evidence
Inquiry
The energy grid and grid connections
General Counsel, UK and Ireland at Centrica
Senior Manager, Grid Policy at EDF Energy
Possible questions include:
- What is your view of the National Energy System Operator’s proposals to reform the connections queue? Will those changes be sufficient to ensure that projects necessary to meet the clean power target will be able to connect in a timely way?
- What community incentives and/or obligations might best enable grid expansion, and how should they be decided?
- What incentives need to be introduced to encourage generation and energy demand to locate closer to one another?
- Is there sufficient coordination between Government policy and the regulatory processes and frameworks for energy networks?