Select Committee · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Keeping the power on: our future energy technology mix

Status: Closed Opened: 7 Jul 2023 Closed: 24 May 2024
Inquiry scope** Following the announcement that a General Election will be held on 4 July, Select Committees will be unable to meet from 24 May and will cease to exist from 30 May until after the General Election. This work has therefore closed.** This inquiry is to look at how the energy mix of the UK needs to change in the near future and what technologies (small fission reactors, hydrogen, geothermal, tidal, wave, solar, batteries storing renewable-derived energy, and biomass) might be applied immediately to deliver a national capability to keep the power on while delivering against net zero targets. The focus would be on what on-demand generation technologies might be deployed when renewables are insufficient to meet demand. This would touch on current options needing investment in both resource and skills development and any regional variations.

Oral evidence sessions

6 sessions

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Date Session and witnesses Source
20 Mar 2024
Oral evidence
Andrew Bowie MP · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Dan Osgood · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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6 Mar 2024
Oral evidence
Craig Dyke · National Grid Electricity System Operator, Dr Doug Parr · Greenpeace UK, Professor Jim Watson · University College London, Professor Keith Bell · Climate Change Committee, Professor Robert Gross · UK Energy Research Centre, Tim Ambler · Adam Smith Institute
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24 Jan 2024
Oral evidence
Alex Campbell · Long Duration Energy Storage Council (LDES Council), Clare Jackson · Hydrogen UK, Kate Gilmartin · British Hydropower Association, Martin Soltau · Space Solar, Richard Arnold · Marine Energy Council, Ross Glover · Star Energy Group Plc
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13 Dec 2023
Oral evidence
Angela Hepworth · Drax, Eddie Wilkinson · Melton Renewable Energy, Philipp Lukas · Future Biogas, Richard Coulson · Wood Recyclers’ Association
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15 Nov 2023
Oral evidence
Alastair Evans · Rolls Royce SMR, Ciara Fox · MoltexFlex, Paul Spence · EDF Energy, Tom Greatrex · Nuclear Industry Association
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25 Oct 2023
Oral evidence
Ana Musat · RenewableUK, Chris Hewett · Solar Taskforce, Duncan Clark · Orsted, Jonathan Selwyn · Bluefield Renewable Development (BRD), Tom Quinn · Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
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Who gave evidence

27 witnesses

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WitnessOrganisationSessions
Alastair Evans · Director of Corporate Affairs Rolls Royce SMR 1
Alex Campbell · Director of Policy and Partnerships Long Duration Energy Storage Council (LDES Council) 1
Ana Musat · Executive Director – Policy & Engagement RenewableUK 1
Andrew Bowie MP · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Nuclear and Renewables) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 1
Angela Hepworth · Commercial Director Drax 1
Chris Hewett · Co-Chair Solar Taskforce 1
Ciara Fox · Senior Metallurgist MoltexFlex 1
Clare Jackson · CEO Hydrogen UK 1
Craig Dyke · Head of Strategy and Regulation National Grid Electricity System Operator 1
Dan Osgood · Director of Energy Markets and Analysis Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 1
Dr Doug Parr · Chief Scientist and Policy Director Greenpeace UK 1
Duncan Clark · Head of Orsted UK and Ireland Orsted 1
Eddie Wilkinson · CEO Melton Renewable Energy 1
Jonathan Selwyn · Managing Director Bluefield Renewable Development (BRD) 1
Kate Gilmartin · CEO British Hydropower Association 1
Martin Soltau · Co-CEO Space Solar 1
Paul Spence · Director of Strategy and Corporate Affairs EDF Energy 1
Philipp Lukas · CEO Future Biogas 1
Professor Jim Watson · Director of the Institute for Sustainable Resources University College London 1
Professor Keith Bell · Member Climate Change Committee 1
Professor Robert Gross · Director UK Energy Research Centre 1
Richard Arnold · Policy Director Marine Energy Council 1
Richard Coulson · Chair Wood Recyclers’ Association 1
Ross Glover · CEO Star Energy Group Plc 1
Tim Ambler · Senior Fellow Adam Smith Institute 1
Tom Greatrex · Chief Executive Nuclear Industry Association 1
Tom Quinn · Head of Analysis & Insights Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult 1