Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 37
37
Acknowledged
Intermittent renewable energy sources necessitate new flexible low-carbon technologies for grid reliability.
Recommendation
We noted that renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are determined by the weather, making them intermittent; a view supported by Hydrogen UK. DESNZ recognised that electricity-based heating may change existing patterns in demand for electricity. It said that it therefore needed to make sure the power system can reliably manage peaks and troughs in both supply and demand for electricity throughout the day. DESNZ explained that this was likely to require new low-carbon technologies that provide flexible sources of energy, especially in the winter months, such as gas-fired power stations with carbon capture, hydrogen power or long-duration storage.74
Government Response Summary
Government agrees with the recommendation but defers an implementation date, referencing a Clean Power by 2030 target and the creation of a '2030 Mission Control' to address obstacles, with further details expected later.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
7.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: to be confirmed 7.2 The implementation of recommendations is dependent on further steers from new ministers, and the department will inform the new Committee as soon as an implementation date is agreed. 7.3 This government has announced a target of delivering Clean Power by 2030, as a key pillar of the mission to make the UK a Clean Energy Superpower. To support this effort, the Secretary of State of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has appointed Chris Stark to lead a 2030 Mission Control to spearhead a new approach to accelerate the delivery of critical, clean energy infrastructure. 7.4 Mission Control has the mandate to lead bold action in collaboration with industry, Ofgem, and the Electricity System Operator to remove obstacles and identify and resolve issues as they arise. Further information on the approach will be announced in due course.