Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps her Department has taken to assist energy-intensive industries in preparing contingency plans for requests to reduce their demand for electricity at times of system stress; and if she will make a statement.

Energy-intensive industries already participate in National Grid’s balancing services reducing their consumption at times of high demand. These contracts are on a voluntary, bilateral, and commercial basis.

Government has committed to two years of ‘Transitional Arrangements’ before the full Capacity Market begins, aimed to support new demand side providers including these industries, to grow and prepare prior to the first year ahead auction in 2017.