Planning our electric future

Book excerpt: This white paper sets the Government's proposals for reform of the UK's electricity system to ensure that the UK electricity supply is secure, low-carbon and affordable. This is especially crucial as we face a number of unprecedented challenges in the coming decades including the threat to security of supply as existing plant closes; the necessity to decarbonise electricity generation; the likelihood for a rise in electricity demand and electricity prices are also expected to rise. Broadly the strategy's approach consists of four parts: long term contracts for both low-carbon energy and capacity; institutional arrangements to support this contracting approach; continued grandfathering, supporting the principle of no retrospective change to low-carbon policy incentives, within a clear and rational planning cycle; and ensuring a liquid market that allows existing energy companies and new entrants to compete on fair terms