Energy Security Bill will ‘not address the immediate energy crisis’

• REA welcomes Energy Security Bill’s ‘sensible reforms’ supporting critical carbon capture and hydrogen production;
• However, the trade association says that the overall package will not address the immediate energy crisis;
• Lack of focus on delivering energy efficiency, absence of measures which will accelerate renewable deployment and remaining market barriers all cited as disappointments.

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) has responded to the publication of the Energy Security Bill, saying it ‘will not address the immediate energy crisis’, despite some ‘sensible reforms’.

The REA have welcomed some measures, including the development of key markets for critical carbon capture and hydrogen production; new regional powers for developing heat networks; and a dedicated Future System Operator.

However, the Bill is criticised for falling short of what is needed to address the immediate energy crisis, with the lack of focus on delivering energy efficiency; an absence of measures which will accelerate the deployment of renewable and low carbon generation; and ability to address remaining market barriers to the deployment of established renewable power, heat or transport technologies, all cited as disappointments.

The REA have again echoed the Climate Change Committee’s recent Progress Report saying the Government must now deliver firm and ambitious policies to ensure Net Zero can be reached.

Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, Chief Executive of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), said:

“The Energy Security Bill includes some sensible reforms that will provide powers for the introduction of a number of important developments in the energy transition. This includes helping to develop key markets for critical carbon capture and hydrogen production; new regional powers for developing heat networks and seeing a dedicated regulated definition for energy storage.

“However, overall, this package will not address the immediate energy crisis, given the total lack of focus on delivering energy efficiency. Nor will it significantly accelerate the deployment of renewable and low carbon generation given little attention given to existing market barriers to the deployment of established renewable power, heat or transport technologies. As highlighted by the Climate Change Committee last week, these new powers and reforms must also be met with firm and ambitious policies to ensure our Net Zero targets can actually be reached.”