Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Sixth Report - Enabling sustainable electrification of the economy
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 278
Published 24 May 2024
Recommendations
22
Accepted in Part
Para 95
Ensure developers can access the fullest range of providers for grid connection facilities.
Recommendation
We recommend that Ofgem work with the NESO, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Energy Networks Association to ensure that developers can call on the fullest possible range of providers when seeking to connect their generation …
Read more
Government Response Summary
Ofgem and DESNZ recognize the value of competition and are working with Ofgem and NESO to begin the first competition for onshore electricity transmission network build. However, for a fuller range of providers at transmission level, they welcome proposals from industry through the code modification process.
31
Accepted in Part
Para 113
Conduct a nationwide electrification skills needs assessment and develop a comprehensive plan addressing gaps.
Recommendation
Ministers must communicate clearly to industry their expectations on the rollout of energy and electrification infrastructure to meet Government policy objectives in a timely fashion. In tandem with this, we recommend that the Government conduct a nationwide electrification skills needs …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government has established the Clean Energy Workforce Office to coordinate skills activity and improve data on the UK's clean energy workforce, which will include monitoring the labor market, but does not explicitly commit to a specific nationwide electrification skills needs assessment or the full range of suggested training and education programmes.
34
Accepted in Part
Para 129
Ensure planning authorities have adequate resources and skills to prevent energy infrastructure bottlenecks.
Recommendation
We urge the Government to ensure that the planning authorities have adequate resources to obtain and develop the skills and capacity necessary to prevent the planning system being a bottleneck to the rollout of energy infrastructure. The increase in planning …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need for sufficient resources for local planning authorities and has consulted on increasing planning fees and allowing LAs to set their own fees. It is also reviewing how to deploy additional support from increased stamp duty, but does not explicitly commit to additional government funding or ring-fencing finances as requested.
48
Accepted in Part
Para 163
Seek regular independent appraisal of NESO’s role in regional energy system planning
Recommendation
The incipient role of the NESO in local energy planning ought to be subject to periodic review to ensure that its engagement is appropriate. We recommend that the NESO seek regular independent appraisal of its role in regional energy system …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states that Ofgem will provide oversight of NESO's delivery and that regional Strategic Boards and the price control process will serve as appraisal mechanisms, but explicitly notes that Ofgem has not set out plans for additional independent assessment of NESO’s role.