Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Deferred
Paragraph: 88
Limited visibility of grid connections queue; recent reforms may initially lengthen waiting times.
Conclusion
Overall visibility of the grid connections queue is limited, and it is possible that the immediate effect of the reforms introduced has been to lengthen the connections queue as developers react to the new regime. While we welcome the Ofgem project milestone reforms which took effect in November 2023, the measures entailed in the Connections Action Plan may take longer to have a positive effect on the queue.
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses the definition of green jobs and the role of the Office for Clean Energy Jobs in developing skills and monitoring the clean energy workforce, without addressing the committee's observations on grid connections queue visibility or the impact of recent reforms.
Paragraph Reference:
88
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Government has worked with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to develop a definition and measures of green jobs. ONS now defines green jobs as employment in an activity that contributes to protecting or restoring the environment, including those that mitigate or adapt to climate change. The newly created Office for Clean Energy Jobs will focus on developing skills for the workforce in clean energy sectors, working with the Department for Education and the newly established Skills England to ensure we have the skills we need to meet our targets. The Office will focus on clean energy jobs required in the transition to more sustainable energy systems. These jobs are needed across a variety of sectors including renewables; hydrogen and CCUS; and heat and buildings to deliver the Government’s clean energy mission. The Office will focus on improving the consistency, quality, and availability of data on the UK’s clean energy workforce, to ensure the successful monitoring and evaluation of the impact of its policies. This will include monitoring the labour market, drawing from a wide range of sources including official data, and collaborating with employers, trade unions and relevant sector skills bodies. Planning, community engagement and community benefit Planning (Recommendations 16-18, 20)