Written question asked by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative) on Monday, 6 June 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 June 2011. It was answered by Charles Hendry (Conservative) on Monday, 13 June 2011 on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Electricity

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to ensure that his proposals for electricity market reform support (a) non-domestic and (b) industrial energy efficiency measures.

Answer: The UK has a range of policies already in place or in development that support energy efficiency measures in the non-domestic and industrial sectors, including the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme, Climate Change Agreements and the Green Deal, which will be available to commercial as well as domestic customers.A new Office for National Energy Efficiency will be established in DECC to drive forward a step change in energy efficiency across domestic and non-domestic sectors. The new office is expected to be operational by the autumn.DECC is currently developing a White Paper which will set out proposals for Electricity Market Reform (EMR). We recognise that demand-side measures have an important contribution to make in supporting the transition to a low-carbon generating mix and ensuring security of supply. We are considering views raised in response to the EMR consultation on demand-side issues in development of the White Paper.

Secondary information