General Election result and energy policy

Paul Massara and Prof Catherine Mitchell comment on the UK General Election result

By George Smeeton

info@eciu.net

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Commenting on the outcome of the General Election, Paul Massara, CEO of North Star Solar and former CEO of RWE npower, said:

“Despite a limited amount of legislative time for non-Brexit issues, the Government are likely to push forward with an absolute cap as promised in the manifesto. The issue will be how soon it can be put in place and how broad it will be. The Government are also likely to push ahead with means testing winter fuel payments but may need to be more flexible in what groups are included.

The UK General Election has resulted in a hung Parliament. Image: Matt Brown, creative commons licence
The UK General Election has resulted in a hung Parliament. Image: Matt Brown, creative commons licence

“In addition the independent energy price review will be starting which could have a significant impact in the longer term. Whoever is appointed to chair this review should therefore be independent and able to command the confidence of industry. In the medium term, the Government should also be looking to move the sector towards a modern, subsidy free, low-carbon, flexible electricity system that operates like a normal market.”

Catherine Mitchell, Professor of Energy Policy at the University of Exeter, said:

“Britain’s energy sector has endured continual political and regulatory tinkering over recent years, so one must hope that upcoming interventions don’t herald more of the same.

“The planned energy costs review and the clean growth plan must therefore be seized as opportunities to deliver both longed-for stability to the sector but also some real understanding about constituents of price to customers and how an energy efficient, smart energy system is the most cost effective and affordable. The recent price cap showed just how little understanding there is.

“In addition - because it is the low cost, economic option - the Government should recognise that we are in the middle of a transformation to a low-carbon, flexible energy system and do everything possible to make that transformation smooth, and ensure that Britain makes the most of the benefits that it will deliver.

“It’s also worth noting that surveys show that Britons strongly support action on climate change. Nearly 70% of people think that Parliament should retain the UK Climate Change Act – and if this election tells us anything, it’s about the importance of listening to the people.”

Joan MacNaughton, Chair of the Climate Group and Honorary Chair of the World Energy Trilemma of the World Energy Council (WEC):

“Post-election, the new Government must remember that the UK’s energy sector does not sit in isolation. Brexit poses specific challenges to ministers. Unless we ensure the right conditions for Britain’s continued trading with the European energy market, security of supply may diminish and costs rise for business and consumers.

“As the global energy transition gathers pace, the UK should be looking to build on the opportunities presented by being a world-leader in sectors such as offshore wind power, bringing high quality jobs to our country and keeping it competitive.”