Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Deferred
Paragraph: 94
Scope exists to accelerate grid expansion by authorising experienced third-party connection builders.
Conclusion
We recognise the rationale for the current restrictions on the commissioning and construction of connections to regional substations. The GB electricity network must be constructed to certain minimum standards which ensure coherence, reliability and interoperability, under arrangements which provide long-term certainty over responsibility for maintenance. Nevertheless, we consider that there is in principle scope to accelerate grid expansion by authorising experienced third parties to build connections which meet approved standards.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response focuses on reviewing mechanisms for delivering community benefits and mitigating visual and community impacts from new electricity transmission infrastructure, rather than directly addressing the committee's suggestion of authorising experienced third parties to build connections to accelerate grid expansion.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
94
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
Ofgem and DESNZ recognise the value that effective competition can have for connecting customers, in driving up standards and putting downward pressure on costs charged by connection providers. Connecting customers at distribution level already benefit from competition, where independent Distribution Network Operators (iDNOs) / Independent Connection Providers (ICPs) compete on the provision of contestable works with traditional DNOs. We recognise the potential for competition of this nature at transmission level, however we must ensure the conditions are right. We welcome proposals from industry on how this could be achieved through the code modification process. More generally, Government is working with Ofgem and NESO to begin the first competition for onshore electricity transmission network build as soon as possible.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗