British Energy News
EDF Energy welcomes the publication of the first Annual Energy Statement to Parliament
28th July 2010
EDF Energy welcomes the publication of the first Annual Energy Statement to Parliament and the clarity it gives on the Government’s decision making timetable for Energy Policy.
We agree that the UK must plan for early de-carbonisation of electricity generation and that low carbon electricity can make a significant contribution to decarbonisation of the heat and transport sectors.
We must recognise the scale of the challenge that this represents for the electricity sector and the need to take action now. Although the current markets have served us well up until now, wide ranging change is needed if we are to deliver the challenging energy policy objectives beyond 2020.
There is broad support across the electricity industry on the need for market reform and to provide specific incentives to invest in low carbon generation.
It is important that changes in market frameworks retain the confidence of investors and provide the right conditions to encourage investment in all forms of low carbon generation including new nuclear.
These changes should build on the work that is being taken forward by HM Treasury to underpin carbon price this year and we believe that Government must provide specific proposals to ensure that we get a robust signal on future carbon price.
We also welcome the Government’s proposals on Transmission Access Reform which introduce a connect and manage regime.
On the 2050 pathways, it is important for Government to have a long term vision and a credible path to meet its 2050 emissions reduction commitment. This will help Government focus on the key facilitative actions required to make this vision a reality.
The era of cheap, abundant energy may be over as the Secretary of State says, but industry and policy makers must choose the most affordable pathways to ensure that hard pressed consumers and industries do not pay more than is needed for their secure low carbon energy supplies.
We believe that Nuclear power will be a key component of the energy mix in all credible scenarios for delivering affordable, secure, low carbon electricity and it therefore essential to encourage early investment in new nuclear power stations.
We also believe that renewable heat should play a bigger role in delivering the UK renewable energy targets and we welcome the announcement that Government will set out detailed proposals on how to take action on renewable heat through the Spending Review.
We support the Minister’s desire to accelerate the deployment of smart meters. We must ensure that by accelerating the roll-out we retain the integrity of the design of an optimal market solution, which delivers a quality experience for customers.
EDF Energy is committed to playing its part in the ongoing discussions on energy policy developments in the UK and we look forward to engaging further on this with Government, regulators and industry
