Sir,
Shaping a sustainable, fair and competitive energy market for the future is a major challenge for both Scottish and UK Governments, which is why we welcome the First Minister’s plans to create a new, publicly-owned energy company that will deliver utilities to Scottish households for ‘as close to cost price as possible’.
Community energy will be a major player in shaping this landscape, so by following in the footsteps of Aberdeen, Gateshead and Nottingham, and the many other areas that have launched publicly-owned community energy schemes, the new company can become a challenger in its own right, transforming the dynamics of the Scottish energy system.
Creating a challenger is cheaper than nationalisation – and more likely to have the desired effect of forcing the Big Six to improve their game – but more can be done than simply selling energy.
“Sturgeon Power’ presents a genuine opportunity to transform the way energy is generated and delivered in Scotland.
We’d like to see it supporting a decentralised network of community energy assets including district heating schemes and local renewable resources, underpinned by full use of smart grid technology to ensure these assets are used to maximum efficiency.
Providing an alternative energy supplier for vulnerable people is a very worthwhile goal, but stopping there would mean missing an opportunity to make a bigger long-term impact on energy security, the environment, and bills.”
Dr Alastair Martin
Founder and CSO
Flexitricity, Edinburgh
13 Oct 2017
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