Govt unveils electricity market reforms - 23/05/2012

The government has published its draft bill for reforming the UK's electricity market, which it claims will help cut carbon emissions and enable more people to get cheap energy.

Measures contained in the bill are designed to encourage investment in renewable sources, nuclear power and carbon capture and storage systems for gas to give the UK a balanced supply of electricity.

Secretary of state for energy and climate change Ed Davey said the proposals will help reduce bills, cut carbon and provide security for the sector.

He added such changes are necessary in order to reduce the UK's vulnerability to rising global energy prices by cutting its dependence on imported gas and oil, while it will also dramatically decarbonise the power sector during the 2030s.

"If we don't secure investment in our energy infrastructure, we could see the lights going out, consumers hit by spiralling energy prices and dangerous climate change," said Mr Davey.

Commenting on the bill, senior energy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Paul Steedman said he was disappointed to see such a large focus on gas and nuclear power, adding it did not offer a "clear purpose" for the future of energy in the UK.

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