Business and energy secretary Greg Clark has said that energy and clean technology is central to the government’s future vision of the UK economy.
During a landmark speech given last week coinciding with the launch of the government’s smart power call for evidence, Clark lauded the ability of clean energy technologies to “create opportunities for new businesses and business models”.
“The global challenge to decarbonise, reinforced by the success of the Paris climate talks last year, is also an enormous economic opportunity for our companies, scientists and engineers.
“The upcoming Emissions Reduction Plan will be an important statement of our seriousness to reduce carbon emissions and a crucial plank in our wider Industrial Strategy,” he added.
The smart power call for evidence is effectively a consultation document launched by both the government and industry regulator Ofgem, requesting insight from industry on various facets of upcoming government policy relating to energy generation, storage and consumption.
Of particular interest to businesses and other intensive energy users will be questions related to demand-side response, with government seemingly keen to understand the drivers behind businesses engaging with the technology and any barriers preventing more companies from doing the same.
Questions 36 to 39 in the consultation document seek insight into how non-domestic customers find out about DSR and whether existing initiatives, including the Capacity Market and National Grid-backed schemes such as Demand Turn Up, are the best ways to incentivise engagement.
The call for evidence will remain open until 12 January next year and the results will be used to produce a response expected to be published next spring.
