Call for evidence: Implementation of Electricity Market Reform
16 September 2014
The Government’s Electricity Market Reform (EMR) aims to decarbonise electricity generation and keep the lights on, while minimising the cost of electricity to consumers. Initiated in 2010, it puts in place measures to help attract the £110 billion investment which is needed to replace current generating capacity and upgrade the grid by 2020, as well as cope with a rising demand for electricity.
EMR was designed to transform the UK electricity sector to one in which low-carbon generation can compete with conventional, fossil-fuel generation, paving the way towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy mix.
Purpose of inquiry
The successful implementation of EMR will play a critical role in the UK’s success in meeting its decarbonisation and energy security targets. This inquiry will assess the Government’s progress towards implementing the different strands of the EMR reforms and achieving its overall goals.
Terms of reference
The Committee invites responses addressing some or all of the following issues:
- The current implementation plan: is the timetable and level of ambition correct and is it adequately resourced?
- How effectively are contracts being awarded during the transition from Renewables Obligation (RO) to Contracts for Difference (CfDs)?
- Will the forthcoming CfDs enable companies to access the finance needed to support their project?
- What impact has freezing the Carbon Price Floor had on investment in low carbon generation?
- What are the main concerns regarding the upcoming Capacity Market auctions and what impact will the auctions have on EMR ambitions to offer value for money to consumers?
- How are the roles and accountability of the National Grid and the counterparty bodies developing?
- How much new low-carbon capacity is the Levy Control Framework likely to support? Is there a risk that most of the budget will be spent in the first half of this decade?
Deadline
The deadline for the submission of written evidence is 21 October 2014.
Notes on submission of written evidence
Written submissions for this inquiry should be submitted via the inquiry page on the Energy and Climate Change Committee website.
The deadline is Tuesday 21 October 2014. As a guideline submissions should state clearly who the submission is from e.g. ‘Written evidence submitted by xxxx’ and be no longer than 3000 words; please contact the Committee staff if you wish to discuss this. If you need to send hard copy please send it to: The Clerk, Energy and Climate Change Committee, 14 Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9NB.
Submissions must be a self-contained memorandum in Word or Rich Text Format (not PDFs). Paragraphs should be numbered for ease of reference and the document should, if possible, include an executive summary.
Submissions should be original work, not previously published or circulated elsewhere. Once submitted, your submission becomes the property of the Committee and no public use should be made of it unless you have first obtained permission from the Clerk of the Committee. Please bear in mind that Committees are not able to investigate individual cases.
Publication of evidence
The Committee normally, though not always, chooses to publish the written evidence it receives, either by printing the evidence, publishing it on the internet or by making it publicly available through the Parliamentary Archives. If there is any information you believe to be sensitive you should highlight it and explain what harm you believe would result from its disclosure; the Committee will take this into account in deciding whether to publish or further disclose the evidence.
The personal information you supply will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 for the purposes of attributing the evidence you submit and contacting you as necessary in connection with its processing. The Clerk of the House of Commons is the data controller for the purposes of the Act.