Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum

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Next steps for electricity market reform in the UK

priorities for the new Government | REMA | Capacity Market & CfD schemes | locational pricing | flexibility & incentivising new asset generation | regulation & electricity transmission network charging

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 Great British Energy (GBE) with the aim of removing barriers between the planning of electricity and gas networks, and accelerating decarbonisation. Those attending will look at the potential impact of Government’s recent decision on the network overall, as well as implications for reform of electricity markets in light of the new 2030 target for decarbonising the UK Grid, recently brought forward from 2035.


We also expect a focus on the balance of benefits and costs of a central dispatch system compared to the NESO’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 GBE and 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. It also takes place with NESO commissioned to develop a forthcoming Strategic plan for long-term energy infrastructure, expected in 2026.


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, options to address the uncertainty surrounding long-term Transmission Network Use of System charges, 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; Malcolm Keay, Senior Research Fellow, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies; Tom Luff, Practice Manager, Electricity Markets, Policy and Regulation, Energy Systems Catapult; and Lisa Waters, Director, Waters Wye Associates.


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. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include parliamentary pass holders from the House of Commons and officials from Defra; CMA; CCC; CCS; DBT; DESNZ; DSIT; Ofwat; DAERA, NI; UKIB; DfC, NI; NAO; OBR; Planning Inspectorate; GLD; MoD; GBN; HSE; DfE; DfE, NI; DECC, ROI; DETE, ROI; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.



Keynote Speakers

Andrew Deeley

Director, Strategy and Development, Low Carbon Contracts Company

Tom Luff

Practice Manager, Electricity Markets, Policy and Regulation, Energy Systems Catapult

Dr John Bower

Commercial and Corporate Finance Advisor, Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA), Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Malcolm Keay

Senior Research Fellow, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies

Lisa Waters

Director, Waters Wye Associates

Keynote Speakers

Malcolm Keay

Senior Research Fellow, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies

Andrew Deeley

Director, Strategy and Development, Low Carbon Contracts Company

Tom Luff

Practice Manager, Electricity Markets, Policy and Regulation, Energy Systems Catapult

Lisa Waters

Director, Waters Wye Associates

Dr John Bower

Commercial and Corporate Finance Advisor, Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA), Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Chairs

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Lord Howell of Guildford

Speakers

Dr Azad Camyab

Founder, Pearlstone Energy

Gavin Beresford

Flexible Markets Programme Director, Gemserv

Stephen Woodhouse

Director, AFRY Management Consulting

David Acres

Head of Policy, EDF Renewables

Rachel Fletcher

Director, Regulation and Economics, Octopus Energy

Kit Dixon

Head, Policy and Regulation, Good Energy

Tom Palmer

Head of Business Development, Network Infrastructure, Zenobē

Johnny Gowdy

Director, Regen