MPs discuss ICE recommendations for UK energy

In a response to a parliamentary question, UK Energy Secretary Ed Milliband has confirmed the government will bring forward a spatial energy plan.

The UK ambitiously aims to become a ‘clean energy superpower’ by 2030. A spatial energy plan will provide the evidence base needed to achieve this.

The question echoed the ICE’s calls for such a plan, which will set out what infrastructure the UK needs to deliver, where, and when.

The question

Each government department has a routine question time for MPs to scrutinise different areas of the government’s plans.

Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, and his ministers fielded questions from MPs on Tuesday 8 October.

Tom Gordon MP, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, asked ministers about the government’s plans for net zero infrastructure planning.

“The Institution of Civil Engineers has called for a spatial energy plan to utilise new and emerging technologies to facilitate net zero,” Gordon said.

“Will the government look to bring forward a spatial energy plan and meet me to discuss that?”

Miliband confirmed that a spatial energy plan is “one of the responsibilities of the National Energy System Operator”.

“The honourable gentleman makes an important point: we need a plan for the system,” Miliband replied.

“We can have a plan done for the 2030 system done by the NESO, and, indeed, a wider strategic spatial energy plan, which will be crucial for the country.”

Thinking for the future must not mean inaction in the present

This relates to an ICE presidential roundtable held in November 2023, looking at how we deliver an electricity grid fit for the net zero transition.

The discussion focused on the need for a systems-thinking approach – but stressed that a strategy for tomorrow must not mean inaction today.

Connection deadlines are fast approaching, meaning existing projects must progress.

What’s next?

The ICE engages with ministers and government officials to inform infrastructure debate at all levels.

This includes briefing MPs and their teams in advance of important ministerial question sessions.

That this question was raised with Ed Miliband directly allows us to engage further with the energy secretary and his department on the issue.

The ICE will ensure that the need for a robust, systems-led energy strategy will be part of ongoing discussions with UK policymakers.