The UK government has pledged to introduce a new Energy Independence Bill to cut costs and boost energy security.
The proposed legislation announced in today’s King’s Speech is intended to give ministers additional powers to reduce consumer bills and accelerate delivery of clean energy technologies and grid infrastructure.
Energy department DESNZ said a full set of measures to be included in the planned Bill will be published when it “soon” goes before parliament.
DESNZ Secretary of State Ed Miliband said: “After the second fossil fuel crisis in half a decade, our clean power mission is the only way to bring down bills for good and take back control of our energy.
“The Energy Independence Bill is the next step in delivering on our mission – giving us the power we need to drive forward with clean power to cut bills, support families out of fuel poverty and deliver well-paid secure jobs for a generation of young people.”
RenewableUK said it would be recommending specific measures including avoiding planning delays, changing the tax treatment of wind projects, legislating for a national hydrogen network and reducing financing costs.
The trade body’s CEO Tara Singh added: “This Bill is a real opportunity to cut electricity bills and strengthen energy security by further lowering the cost of building renewables.
“The prize of getting this right is cheaper, more secure energy built here in Britain, and less exposure to gas price shocks beyond our control.”
Source: reNews
