Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Deferred
Paragraph: 31
Define 'security of supply' and clarify acceptable residual emissions for power decarbonisation target.
Recommendation
The Government has set a target to decarbonise the power system by 2035, subject to security of supply. The Government has not defined ‘security of supply’. After 2035, there may be rare occasions when the UK needs to use unabated gas-fired stations to meet shortfalls in supply. A clear definition of ‘security of supply’ is needed to ensure that the Government can be properly held to account for its performance against the 100 Decarbonisation of the power sector 2035 target. The Government should define the ‘subject to security of supply’ condition in its 2035 target and clarify the amount of residual emissions from unabated gas plants that it is willing to accept from 2035 onwards.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government is undertaking further work and assessing options as part of the wider Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) but does not provide a definition of 'security of supply' or clarify residual emissions from unabated gas plants.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
31
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
7. The electricity system in 2035 will need to include a mix of technologies and system flexibility to meet our carbon budget commitments and ensure security of supply. This could include electricity generated from unabated gas as we develop and deploy the low carbon alternatives that can replicate its role within the electricity system. The indicative pathway set out in the Net Zero Strategy includes annual average emissions of 9–11 MtCO2 from the power sector across carbon budget 6. The actions set out in the Energy Security Plan, building on the Energy White Paper, Net Zero Strategy and British Energy Security Strategy will deliver a system which is consistent with achieving the power sector’s effort share under CB6, whether these emissions are from unabated gas, power CCUS or other technologies. Retaining investment in low-carbon energy
Read the full response on Parliament ↗