Committee discusses grid connections with distribution networks
The Industry and Regulators Committee will continue its inquiry into the energy grid and grid connections by hearing from distribution network companies about their experience of connecting new sources of energy, electric vehicles and heat pumps to local energy networks. The Committee will question UK Power Networks and Northern Powergrid on the barriers they face in trying to expand grid capacity, including those posed by the planning system. The Committee will also discuss how they expect Regional Energy Strategic Plans to work, how network companies are incentivised to connect new sources of energy supply, and the roles and responsibilities of the sector’s various regulators and bodies.
Meeting details
At 10:30am: Oral evidence
Inquiry
The energy grid and grid connections
Head of Energy Systems Policy at Northern Powergrid
Director of Connections at UK Power Networks
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 might best enable grid expansion, and should they be compulsory?
- Are energy networks incentivised to ensure timely connections for new sources of energy generation, or for the volume of generation they have connected to their networks?
- Is there sufficient clarity on the roles of the various bodies driving energy policy and regulation?