Scottish state energy firm must be at ‘heart of policy-making’. A publicly owned energy company must be positioned at the heart of policy making, according to a Holyrood committee. Proposals are under consideration by MSPs on whether to establish a state-owned company that would supply household power.
Energy Voice 17th Dec 2018 read more »
THE publicly owned energy company promised by the Scottish Government must be placed at the “heart of decision-making”, according to an MSP. The SNP aims to establish a provider by the end of the current parliament in 2021 as part of moves to tackle fuel poverty. Setting out the plan in October last year, Nicola Sturgeon said energy would either be bought wholesale or generated in Scotland and then sold to householders at “as close to cost price as possible”. But as the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee delivers its recommendations, Gordon Lindhurst, its chair, has called on the Scottish Government to set out how it will deliver on its aims amidst high expectations on cost, impact and the environment. The Scottish Conservative MSP, who represents the Lothian region, said: “If a publicly owned energy company (POEC ) is to provide cheaper energy and tackle fuel poverty, it must sit at the heart of decision- making and market transition. “However, in an already crowded market place, we would like to see a clear mission statement on how the company plans to build a sustainable customer base, how it will operate, how it will align with existing initiatives, and what extra value it will add.” In a letter sent on Friday, the committee says a POEC must be positioned at the heart of policy making and be “sufficiently independent” from the Scottish Government to avoid breaking anti-competition rules. The advice, which follows evidence sessions and draws on research commissioned by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre on behalf of the committee, also said the company “would have to compete on equal terms with others” for any public sector contracts. It cites the example of Bristol Council, which struck a deal with an outside supplier rather than its own Bristol Energy initiative.
The National 17th Dec 2018 read more »
The Centre for Energy Policy suggested four overarching objectives that a Scottish POEC could have – creating new energy infrastructure platforms, accelerating wider energy system transformation, increasing engagement and participation in the energy system and reducing costs to consumers.
ITV 17th Dec 2018 read more »