A key amendment to the Energy Bill, made by the House of Lords, would give the energy regulator Ofgem a statutory duty to assist in the delivery of net zero.
RenewableUK is welcoming this amendment as it would empower Ofgem to ramp up the “pace and scale” of investment in new grid infrastructure, enabling the roll-out of more wind, solar and tidal stream projects.
The trade body’s head of public affairs, Nathan Bennett, said: “Reforming Ofgem’s mandate to consider net zero in every decision it takes is long overdue.
“We’re glad that the House of Lords has listened to calls from across the energy sector to make this vital change and hope that MPs will support it when the Energy Bill goes back to the Commons in the weeks ahead.”
Some wind farms are waiting for more than 10 years to get a connection.
“This reform would allow us to build a grid that’s fit for purpose for the 21st Century,” Bennett said.
Refreshing Ofgem’s mandate so that it better enables the UK’s shift to clean energy is ultimately in the interest of billpayers, as renewable projects are a cheap source of new power, lowering energy bills as well as strengthening Britain’s energy security, he added.