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 us
Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body representing the energy networks. Our members include every major electricity network operator in the UK. The electricity networks are at the heart of the energy transition. They directly employ more than 26,000 people in the UK, including 1,500 apprentices. They are spending and investing £33bn in our electricity grids over the coming years, to ensure safe, reliable and secure energy supplies for the millions of homes and businesses reliant on power every day.
Press contacts
You can contact ENA's press office by emailing press@energynetworks.org. For urgent or out-of-hours enquiries from journalists, please call 0204 599 7691.