MPs on the Westminster Energy Committee will take evidence on ‘small’ nuclear power and deep coal-mining in the UK this week.
Matthew Hancock, newly-appointed UK Energy Minister, will give evidence on both topics this Wednesday (10 September) in the Wilson Room at Portcullis House.
MPs are expected to probe Hancock on the UK government’s attitude to the coal mining and to consider various options for supporting the industry.
The Minister is also expected to update MPs on the government’s feasibility study into a small modular nuclear reactor and the government’s role in developing ‘small’ nuclear power in the UK.
Tomorrow (Tuesday 9 September) MPs will also examine electricity industry network costs in evidence-sessions with National Grid, the Energy Intensive Users Group and the Networks Association. The session will explore a range of issues, including:
- How does Ofgem identify and regulate profits for network companies within a regulatory settlement period? What scope is there to adjust profit gains over regulatory periods? Are the current levels of transparency sufficient?
- How can UK network costs be benchmarked against utility sectors or networks in other countries?
- In the absence of competition, does Ofgem provide sufficient incentives to network companies to maintain, invest and innovate in their networks?
- How do losses and leakages in the networks influence network costs and are these reflected in consumer prices?
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