Home / Sources / Select Committees / Welsh Affairs Committee / Grid capacity in Wales
Index live · Last sync 23 May 2026
Select Committee · Welsh Affairs Committee

Grid capacity in Wales

Status: Closed Opened: 1 Feb 2022 Closed: 16 Oct 2023 14 recommendations 19 conclusions 1 report

The Committee has launched an inquiry which will explore the implications of grid capacity issues for the energy sector in Wales, particularly in relation to Wales meeting its net zero targets. Read inquiry launch and terms of reference

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Grid Capacity in Wales HC 218 21 Oct 2022 33 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
19 Conclusion First Report - Grid Capacity in Wales Rejected

Ofgem, as the market regulator, must ensure that the regulatory environment enables the decarbonisation of...

Ofgem, as the market regulator, must ensure that the regulatory environment enables the decarbonisation of energy markets. Whilst ensuring the best value for consumers is important and should remain one of Ofgem’s primary considerations, this should be balanced against achieving net zero targets.

Government response. The government does not consider an amendment to Ofgem’s primary duty necessary, as they believe the existing duty to protect consumers' interests already includes the reduction of greenhouse gases.
Wales Office
20 Recommendation First Report - Grid Capacity in Wales Rejected

We recommend that the UK Government amend Ofgem’s primary duty to include both ensuring the...

We recommend that the UK Government amend Ofgem’s primary duty to include both ensuring the best value for consumers and achieving net zero targets, by bringing forward government amendments to the Energy Bill. This would provide strong signals to developers and grid infrastructure owners.

Government response. The government does not consider an amendment to Ofgem’s primary duty necessary, as they believe the existing duty to protect consumers' interests already includes the reduction of greenhouse gases.
Wales Office
24 Recommendation First Report - Grid Capacity in Wales Rejected

We recommend that the Government engage directly with community energy projects in Wales to understand...

We recommend that the Government engage directly with community energy projects in Wales to understand the difficulties they face connecting to the grid. The UK Government should lead a working group made up of the Welsh Government, grid infrastructure owners, energy companies and communities to explore how access to the …

Government response. The government states that the Welsh Government has responsibility for renewable energy projects under 350 MW and community energy schemes, and that the Community Energy Contact Group (CECG) has been re-established with a representative from Community Energy Wales. They decline …
Wales Office
25 Recommendation First Report - Grid Capacity in Wales Rejected

We recommend that the UK Government strengthens the legislative framework to support the growth of...

We recommend that the UK Government strengthens the legislative framework to support the growth of community energy schemes. The Energy Bill provides a potential opportunity to do this.

Government response. The government states there are no legislative barriers to community energy groups, and so has no plans to bring forward legislative proposals at this time.
Wales Office

Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions
Date Witnesses
8 Jun 2022 Paul Van Heyningen · Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Rt Hon Greg Hands MP · Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy View ↗
18 May 2022 Julie James MS · Welsh Government View ↗
27 Apr 2022 Ben Godfrey · Western Power Distribution, Huub den Rooijen · The Crown Estate, Julian Leslie · National Grid ESO, Malcolm Bebbington · Scottish Power, Peter Bingham · Ofgem, Roisin Quinn · National Grid Electricity Transmission View ↗
16 Mar 2022 Chris Williams · Industry Wales, Jon O'Sullivan · EDF Renewables, Rhys Wyn Jones · RenewableUK, Robert Procter · Community Energy Wales, Tom Glover · RWE Generation View ↗