NIC ‘disappointed’ with government progress on smart power and storage

The chief executive of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has expressed the body's disappointment over the delay in the government’s response to the NIC’s Smart Power report and its recommendations for electricity storage systems.

The NIC published the report in March which included a recommendation for the UK to become “a world leader in electricity storage systems”, suggesting the government work with Ofgem to review the regulatory and legal status of storage and remove outdated barriers.

In response, the government said it would implement the suggestion and publish a call for evidence on a smart systems route map and set out proposals for reform by spring 2017.

However, both the NIC and wider storage industry are still waiting for the document to be published and Philip Graham, CEO of the NIC, has said the independent body is disappointed with the lack of progress.

Speaking yesterday at an event in London organised by Policy-UK, he said: “We are disappointed that it has taken this long. The consultation hasn't been launched yet. I think to some degree that's understandable, there has been a certain amount of turmoil, a different set of ministers.

“But they can't carry on and delay it much further if they are going to hit the timescales that they have set for themselves.

“We hope to see that consultation come out very soon and we will continue to urge the government to get it out from behind the scenes.”

However, speaking at the same event – Modernising the UK’s Energy Network – Beth Chaudhary, head of smart energy at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), gave the clearest indication yet from government about when the document will be released.

“The consultation will be out in the next couple of weeks, I know you've heard that before but I will put a 95% chance on that,” she said.

She also revealed that the document had been ready to publish as far back as May however due to referendum vote followed by the change in government, the release had been delayed. Due to this, Chaudhary added that the government no longer expected to meet its spring 2017 deadline and is now aiming for “the first half of next year”.

While it was originally trailed as a call for evidence, Chaudhary explained that the upcoming document would be a “light green paper”, as it will constitute a mix between a green paper, asking for views on a range of areas, and a white paper, setting out a series of proposals already decided by BEIS.

She also revealed that the document had been ready to publish as far back as May however due to referendum vote followed by the change in government, the release had been delayed. Due to this, Chaudhary added that the government no longer expected to meet its spring 2017 deadline and is now aiming for “the first half of next year”.

While it was originally trailed as a call for evidence, Chaudhary explained that the upcoming document would be a “light green paper”, as it will constitute a mix between a green paper, asking for views on a range of areas, and a white paper, setting out a series of proposals already decided by BEIS.