Morning, Friday, 22nd November 2024
Online
This conference will examine next steps for electricity market reform (EMR) in the UK.
It is bringing together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss potential changes to electricity market arrangements, including the introduction of a new system of charging for electricity transmission networks, and the development of a new flexibility market asset registration process.
The conference follows the recent Government announcement that it will take control of the National Energy Systems Operator (NESO) to run alongside GB Energy with the aim of removing barriers between the planning of electricity and gas networks, and accelerating decarbonisation. Those attending will look at the impact of Government’s recent decision on the network overall.
We also expect a focus on the balance of benefits and costs of a central dispatch system compared to the ESO’s balancing mechanism, as well as the possible shift away from a single, national electricity price to a system of locational pricing.
Priorities for innovations in demand response technology will be discussed, as well as the way forward for tackling high prices in times of intermittent renewable generation, and potential regulatory reform to support the development of long duration battery storage systems.
Following the Government’s launch of Great British Energy and taking control of NESO, alongside the announcement of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, it will also be a timely opportunity to discuss the way forward for policy and implementation with regard to renewable energy projects, as well as development of the publicly-owned GBE and priorities for the newly established Mission Control for Clean Power at DESNZ.
In assessing the way forward, we expect delegates to draw on themes in DESNZ’s second consultation - conducted under the previous government in March 2024 as part of the ongoing Review of Electricity Market Arrangements - with a focus on approved proposals to support Capacity Market auction liquidity.
Sessions in the agenda also include discussion on the evolution of the Contracts for Difference scheme as the primary means of scaling up low carbon power, reforms to the Capacity Market and CfD schemes, EMR’s role in progress towards UK net zero objectives, and priorities for increasing system flexibility and incentivising new asset generation.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Dr John Bower, Commercial and Corporate Finance Adviser, Review of Electricity Market Arrangements, DESNZ; Andrew Deeley, Director, Strategy and Development, Low Carbon Contracts Company; and Tom Luff, Practice Manager, Electricity Markets, Policy and Regulation, Energy Systems Catapult.
All delegates will be able to contribute, alongside key policy officials, to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. Those due to attend include parliamentary pass holders from the House of Commons and officials from Defra; DBT; DESNZ; DSIT; Ofwat; DEARA, NI; UKIB; DfC, NI; DfE; DfE, NI; DECC, ROI; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
