Marine Energy Council gives evidence to the Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Select Committee
Written by UK Marine Energy Council on .
The BEIS Select Committee invited the Marine Energy Council (MEC) to give evidence to its inquiry into the Government’s plans to decarbonise the UK’s power supply sector.
The UK Government is targeting a full decarbonised power system by 2035 and has undertaken a number of interventions detailed in its Energy Security Strategy, Energy White Paper and the Net Zero Strategy. The BEIS Select Committee launched an inquiry to assess whether the UK is on track to meet its net zero ambitions, and what other interventions may be required.
Richard Arnold, the Marine Energy Council’s (MEC) Policy Director, joined a panel including the Chief Executives from Renewable UK, Solar Energy UK and the UK Country Chair at RWE Generation, to set out what is required to enable the marine energy sector to play a key role in the UK’s net zero energy system.
He welcomed the UK Government's leadership in setting a tidal stream ringfence in the last renewable auction and called for clarity on future support. The Energy Security Strategy includes a commitment to aggressively exploring the potential of tidal in the UK and Richard highlighted that the industry is clear on what is required to realise that potential. Namely ongoing ringfenced support, setting a 1GW target for 2035, and speeding up the consenting process.
Richard highlighted the potential for innovative deployment of wind and wave together to optimise the energy system and welcomed the Government's commitment to maintaining investor confidence in the UK energy system as it considers reforms via the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements consultation process.
The MEC submitted a written response to the BEIS Select Committee to assist in its inquiry. The written response highlighted the importance of policy frameworks accurately valuing the benefits of different renewable technologies. The response argued that delivering a diverse energy generation portfolio as key to energy security and a cost-effective energy system.
The written response can be found on the publications page on this website. Further information, the select committee transcript and progress on the inquiry can be found on the Committee’s inquiry page.
