Hill+Knowlton Strategies

A commitment to deliver an annual energy statement ‘to set strategic energy policy and guide investment’ was a key plank of the coalition government’s energy policy. In a flurry of new consultations, calls for evidence and publications, the first statement was delivered today.

The final day before the start of the summer parliamentary recess would be the perfect occasion to rehash and reannounce old initiatives – so is that what has happened, or am I being over-cynical?

Well, there are certainly some elements that we have heard before – for example a review of the role of Ofgem, and a drive to greater transparency in consumer energy billing have both been hinted at in recent months. That said, the additional level of detail and timelines announced today are both new and very welcome.

Both of the above will certainly generate coverage tomorrow, as will the genuinely new announcements, such as the initiative to identify additional CCS projects worthy of public sector investment.

And of course, all of the detail announced today contributes to creating a more stable environment for investment in the energy sector, stability which is desperately needed in both the newer and more ’traditional’ energy sectors at the moment.  

The mixture of more detail on existing policy, together with some completely new initiatives, seems a good one. Too much of either would not be credible. Here’s hoping that future statements follow the start made today.