Electricity Generation

Baroness Worthington Excerpts

Wednesday 7th November 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Verma]

My noble friend is absolutely right. Of course the Government recognise that we need to make sure that we are reducing demand. We are also making sure, through our energy Bill, that our capacity mechanism will be able to bring down prices, which is something that we all want to see.

[Baroness Worthington]

My Lords, a careful reading of the Ofgem report will show that, although we will reach low levels in 2015-16, capacity will pick up again in 2016-17. That is partly because of an increased contribution from renewables, chiefly biomass and wind. Given that, will the Minister reconsider the fact that the renewables obligation is set to close in 2017, because there might be a hiatus as a result?

[Baroness Verma]

My Lords, the noble Baroness raises an important point. She is absolutely right that the report is not all doom and gloom. Our work towards ensuring that renewables account for 30% of the electricity that we generate is part of a big mix. I am sure that, when we come to consider the energy Bill, the noble Baroness and I will have further discussions on how to improve our security of supply.