ENA welcomes BEIS Select Committee recommendations.
Energy Networks Association Chief Executive, David Smith says:
"We welcome today's recommendations from the BEIS Select Committee, with energy network companies backing calls to make energy efficiency a national infrastructure priority matched with stronger action.
"Successful energy efficiency measures are not only required to meet our net zero target and cost-effectively decarbonise heat in homes and commercial buildings, but to deliver wider benefits to low-income, fuel poor and vulnerable customers. Such energy efficiency measures could save up to £4.3bn alone in electricity network investment.
“Our energy network companies are at the heart of this transformation of our energy system and stand ready to take on a bigger role on energy efficiency if required. They continue to work closely with government, local authorities and the wider industry on key issues including energy efficiency."
Notes to editor
- Energy Networks Association represents the companies that are responsible for operating the ‘wires and pipes’ of Britain’s gas and electricity network infrastructure, serving over 30 million customers across the country.
- Britain’s energy networks have played a leading role in helping deliver the country’s record levels of renewable electricity generation, with renewables’ share of total UK electricity generation reaching a new high of 33.3% in 2018 (BEIS, DUKES).
- A smarter, more flexible electricity grid is key to delivering deeper levels of decarbonisation. ENA recently published Our Six Steps for Delivering Flexibility Services which outlines how grid operators will run new flexibility markets across the country (see attached).
- Almost 100 biomethane plants have been connected to gas grids around the country to help provide new sources of green gas to homes (ABDA, ENA).
- Research conducted by KPMG in 2016 found that evolving the role of Britain’s gas networks infrastructure so they play a part in meeting our decarbonisation targets could save £214bn by 2050. This research is attached.
- ENA's Gas Decarbonisation Pathways Project is a major industry initiative to build on the work that Britain’s gas networks have been undertaking to build a low cost, low carbon network and develop new technologies that make the most of biogas, bioSNG, hydrogen and smart hybrid heating systems.
- The BEIS Select Committee Energy Efficiency Inquiry report notes that: “energy efficiency can prevent expensive investments in generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure and reduce reliance on fuel imports—with a present value of avoided electricity network investment of £4.3 billion” (Committee on Climate Change Energy Prices and Bills Report 2017).
About Energy Networks Association
Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body representing the electricity wires, gas pipes and energy system in the UK and Ireland.
ENA helps its members meet the challenge of delivering electricity and gas to communities across the UK and Ireland safely, sustainably and reliably.
Its members include every major electricity and gas network operator in the UK and Ireland, independent operators, National Grid ESO which operates the electricity system in Great Britain and National Gas which operates the gas system in Great Britain. Its affiliate membership also includes companies with an interest in energy, including Heathrow Airport and Network Rail.
What are energy network operators?
Energy network operators manage and maintain the wires, pipes and other infrastructure which delivers electricity and gas to your home, business and community. They are private companies which are regulated by Ofgem and employ around 40,000 people in Great Britain.