BEAMA responds to new energy policies

BEAMA has responded to the recently announced energy policies issued by the Government.

In a statement on the BEAMA website, Dr Howard Porter, BEAMA CEO, said:

"We welcome that the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is actively opening the door to discussions on some of these vital topics and seeking to put measures in place to make progress towards Net Zero, many of which could lead to fundamental changes. There are several positive announcements within these publications, from the Heat Pump Investment Accelerator to implementing the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate in 2024.

"These published documents offer a significant statement of intent that we are moving towards the electrification of heat, transport, buildings, and industry. Critically, Government has understood that it needs to address the rebalancing of gas and electricity pricing, putting the reduction of energy bills and the Net Zero transition finally hand in hand.

"This is one of the largest announcements around energy policy that we have seen and, although the overall direction seems to be positive, there appears to be a lack of understanding that the required technologies for electrification of buildings and transport already exist and that the lack of market readiness and scalability does not apply to the majority of the solutions that we will need to reach our Net Zero target. In addition, there is a requirement for more urgency in rebalancing pricing, facilitating low interest loans, tackling transparency in existing multi-rate tariff structures, and setting a clear path to encourage commercially available flexibility tariffs which will underpin mass market electrification. Unless these are addressed within the coming 12 months, there is a risk that some of the policy intent cannot be delivered.

"We are also concerned about the lack of focus on increasing and speeding up network investment. Investment in the electricity network is key to the realisation of Government’s Net Zero plans. We urge Government to review its energy policy ambition to include tangible short- and long-term support measures to ensure that the electricity grid has the capacity and flexibility to meet the demand of our electrified future."