Renewable energy costs debated in the Lords

Debate

Lord Frost (Conservative), trustee and director of the Global Warming Policy Foundation, put forward the debate.  

This was a general debate. During debates, members put their experience to good use to discuss current issues and draw the government's attention to concerns.      

Members speaking

Contributing members included:

• Lord Browne of Madingley (Crossbench), chair of financial and industrial climate change solutions group, BeyondNetZero
• Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative), former president of the British Institute of Energy Economics
• Lord Oates (Liberal Democrats), fellow of commericial, scientific and political climate change association, the Clean Growth Leadership Network
• Lord Whitty (Labour), vice president of National Energy Action and former chair of the National Consumer Council.

Opening the debate, Lord Frost said:

'Whatever this country’s future energy policy may be, we surely all want it to be established on the best possible analysis and the best possible knowledge.'

Baroness Hayman added:

'There is value in the transition to renewables, beyond the savings to consumers, which I believe are there. There is value in terms of energy security, sustainable jobs for the future, this country’s economic performance and our ability to lead in this area in the future.'

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour), Minister of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, responded on behalf of the government:

'It is so important, on an issue that is of such critical importance to our country, that your Lordships are making a real effort, debating some of the difficult challenges that we face.

'There are clearly many different interpretations of the costs, not least, the costs of not taking action.'

Catch up

• Watch the Parliament TV recording.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript .

Explore background information  

• Find out more about the issues the debate covers in the House of Lords Library briefing.  
• Learn more about how the House of Lords checks and challenges government. 

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