Submission to the Building Our Industrial Strategy Green Paper Consultation Catherine Mitchell, Richard Hoggett and Matthew Lockwood Energy Policy Group, University of Exeter: IGov argues the current GB energy system is not fit for purpose17, as explained above: it is not allowing new ideas and new ways of doing things to come through – because the value in the energy system maintains the old system. Moreover, the activities of the Government maintain this. We categorically disagree that investment in Hinkley Point C or the development of the capacity market has been successful (p.89), or helpful, for affordable energy or for securing industrial opportunities. That the industrial strategy says this shows a fundamental lack of understanding of what is happening within the energy system – both technically and from a business model perspective. With respect to affordable energy for households and businesses, it remains shameful that Britain has the level of fuel poverty that it does – and, again, this is to do with a failure of governance. It would be far better for Britain, for jobs, for appropriate use of public monies or additional costs within the electricity bill – if the 35 year Hinkley Point C costs to be paid for by customer bills – were spent on GB building infrastructure – in particular targeting the fuel poor.
IGov 12th April 2017 read more »