Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, for what reasons community energy schemes are not permitted to supply to local markets; and if he will make an assessment of the potential effect on such schemes' ability to reduce energy bills of them being permitted to supply to such markets.

Community energy schemes can already supply local markets provided they hold a supply licence (or exemption) or have a partnership with a licensed supplier.

In recognition that existing routes may not meet the needs of every community scheme, the Government has established a Local Supply Working Group to identify key regulatory barriers and suggest solutions. An update on the Local Supply Working Group will be included in the Community Energy Strategy update that will be published in March 2014.