New Clause 30 - Duties of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority towards microgeneration consumers
Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill
5:30 pm
Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith, Labour)
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
This new clause seeks to clarify the duty of one of the regulators, the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, towards microgeneration consumers. Ofgem’s duties include a duty to protect the interests of consumers, which sounds fine as it stands, but the duty has a bearing only on electricity conveyed by distribution systems. Self-produced electricity is by definition not conveyed by distribution systems, yet a plethora of rules and regulations that fall within Ofgem’s sphere of influence affect the electricity produced by consumers. It is therefore important that there is no doubt that Ofgem’s duties should apply not only to general consumers but to those who produce electricity themselves. It has been suggested that the approach that Ofgem is required to take by legislation is designed for large generators and as a result the rules that apply lead on occasions to disproportionately high transaction costs for small consumers.
Again, this is a probing new clause. I hope that the Minister will say something about how it might be possible to ensure that Ofgem’s duties are extended to the consumer who produces electricity, as well as to general consumers.