Tag: William Cash

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with the European Commission on the application of EU state aid rules related to the provision of (a) Supplementary Balancing Reserve and (b) other Black Start ancillary support contracts provided by the National Grid to Eggborough, Fiddler’s Ferry and Drax power plants; and if she will make a statement.

Amber Rudd

The Supplementary Balancing Reserve and Black Start services are procured directly by the System Operator, National Grid and the Government has no involvement in the tendering, or award of Supplementary Balancing Reserve or Black Start contracts. As such DECC has not discussed these with the European Commission in relation to their application to State Aid.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the financial cost will be to other electricity generators of the proposed supplementary balancing reserve and Black Start payments made to Fiddlers Ferry and Drax power plants.

Jesse Norman

Details of charges and how they are applied are available through National Grid’s website: http://www2.nationalgrid.com/bsuos/. However National Grid does not provide a public breakdown of the costs of individual Black Start and SBR contracts.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the effect on the (a) costs and (b) margins of combined cycle gas turbine plants of (i) Supplementary Balancing Reserve and (ii) other Black Start ancillary support subsidy contracts to coal plants.

Andrea Leadsom

The Supplementary Balancing Reserve and Black Start contracts are two important services developed to support National Grid in managing security of supply. Responsibility for these services rests with OFGEM.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to remove any potential conflict of interest between National Grid and its support for new interconnectors to import electricity.

Jesse Norman

There is a case for greater independence for the system operator to promote more competition and flexibility in our electricity system. We are working alongside National Grid and Ofgem to this end, so that the electricity system continues to be operated in the best interest of consumers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the cost is of (a) the supplementary balancing reserve and (b) other black start ancillary support contracts provided by the National Grid to (i) Eggborough, (ii) Fiddler’s Ferry and (iii) Drax power plant.

Andrea Leadsom

Information on Supplementary Balancing Reserve and ancillary support contracts is confidential. The cost of contracts with individual suppliers is therefore unavailable.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department plans to create a new independent system operator to remove any potential conflict of interest between National Grid and its electricity balancing and management responsibilities.

Jesse Norman

There is a case for greater independence for the system operator to promote more competition and flexibility in our electricity system. We are working alongside National Grid and Ofgem to this end, so that the electricity system continues to be operated in the best interest of consumers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the National Grid’s (a) Supplementary Balancing Reserve and (b) other Black Start ancillary support contracts to coal plants on the capacity market auction price.

Andrea Leadsom

DECC does not have access to all the commercially confidential details of National Grid procurements such as ancillary support and Supplementary Balancing Reserve (SBR) contracts.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to mitigate any advantage which fossil fuel generated electricity imported via interconnector has over domestic electricity generation on which carbon price floor rates are applied.

Jesse Norman

Whatever the source, and wherever it is from, we import electricity when the cost is lower than here in the UK, driving down consumer bills. Ofgem’s analysis of proposed interconnector projects shows that the carbon price floor is not the determinate of whether the projects are in the interests of UK consumers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with (a) Big Six and (b) other electricity generators on the effect on the electricity market of (i) existing and (ii) new combined cycle gas turbine generation.

Andrea Leadsom

DECC officials regularly meet with electricity generators to discuss the electricity market, including the outlook for their existing gas power stations as well as prospects for any planned investment in new gas power stations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what progress has been made on the status of the proposed Trafford combined cycle gas turbine plant.

Jesse Norman

Following representations from the developer, as provided for under the Capacity Market legislation, an extension of 60 working days to 19 December has been granted for them to achieve the requirements of the Capacity Market progress milestone. The Secretary of State’s discretionary powers to extend a compliance period are designed to recognise situations where a little additional time can help a provider achieve a milestone, to the benefit of our security of supply.