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The UK government’s flagship proposals to reform the energy sector have taken a step closer to becoming law.
The Energy Bill seeks to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, unlock investment in low-carbon energy technologies, increase resilience and produce more energy in the UK, and lower energy bills in the longer term.
As they continued scrutiny of the bill, MPs rejected an attempt by the House of Lords to ensure that community-led energy projects, such as local wind turbines or hydro-electric plants, are given more support.
The Lords amendment would have required ministers to consult on the barriers preventing community energy schemes from being developed within six months of the bill being made law.
The government faced minor dissent from its own benches, with Conservative former minister Chris Skidmore confirming he would support peers’ attempt at reform.
Skidmore told the Commons: ‘As a Conservative that believes in the power of local communities, we as a government should be supporting to the hilt local communities to deliver on energy action.
‘Everything points, when it comes to looking at the future of the grid creating flexibilities on the edge of the grid actually enhances our energy security, to being able to return energy back onto the grid, frees up energy capacity elsewhere, frees up our demand on oil and gas elsewhere.
‘It is a no-brainer, and for that reason, I will be supporting this amendment if pushed to a vote. I won’t push it to a vote myself.’
Parliament’s votes records later showed that Skidmore was the sole Conservative MP whose name appeared among those voting against the government.
Shadow energy minister Alan Whitehead, who was also among those voting against the government, said it was ‘very disappointing’ that the government did not choose to adopt the Lords amendment.
Energy minister Andrew Bowie had urged MPs to reject it and said the government had its own plans to investigate barriers facing community-led energy schemes.
He added: ‘Six months may be too soon frankly to adequately analyse the outcomes of the consultation. It must fully take into consideration wider interdependencies in the energy system.
‘We will always aim to respond in a timely manner, but I would not want to put a strict timeframe in legislation.’
The Commons voted 293 to 181, majority 112 to reject peers’ attempt to amend the bill.
The bill will now return to the House of Lords for further consideration.
source: PA
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