EU energy: decarbonisation and economic competitiveness, National Grid, Ofgem, Lords Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment and Energy EU Sub-Committee
National Grid and Ofgem face Lords questions on EU energy policy
6 February 2013
The Lords Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment and Energy EU Sub-Committee will question the National Grid and the UK’s energy regulator, Ofgem, on Wednesday 6 February, in the latest evidence session in its inquiry into EU energy policy.
- Parliament TV: EU energy: decarbonisation and economic competitiveness
- Inquiry: EU energy: decarbonisation and economic competitiveness
Witnesses
- Mike Calviou, Director, Transmission Network Service, National Grid
- Martin Crouch, Director,Offshore Transmission, European Strategy, Ofgem
Mr Crouch is also an Observer on the Board of Regulators and Chair of the ACER Electricity Working Group, Agency for the Cooperation of European Regulators (ACER).
The Committee will use the session to explore with the witnesses how the interconnection between the UK and the EU can be improved, so that energy costs across the board can be lowered. It will quiz the witnesses on issues including:
- how better electricity interconnections with other countries contribute towards the security of UK energy supply;
- their views on the UK Government’s idea that, rather than rely on interconnection, power companies should be paid to guarantee an energy supply;
- resistance to interconnection by Transmission System Operators (TSOs), such as National Grid - for example a possible France to UK line through the Channel Tunnel;
- how regulators form a barrier to interconnection and grid development and what can be done to tackle this and other obstacles; and
- improvements that have happened – and those that can be approved – in regulatory cooperation across the EU.