§ Dr. WhiteheadTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions he has conducted with(a) the Electricity Regulator and (b) the electricity supply industry concerning the practice of requiring separate meters to record the supply and consumption of electricity by domestic premises where photo-voltaic generating capacity has been installed; [84319]
(2) what discussions he has conducted with (a) the Electricity Regulator and (b) the electricity supply industry concerning the current pricing arrangements for purchasing electricity generated by photo-voltaic installations in domestic premises. [84320]
§ Mr. BattleRenewable sources, including photovoltaic (PV) installations, have an important contribution to make to the development of sustainable energy supplies in the UK. It is important that renewables and other forms of embedded generation can compete on a level playing field. My Department's New and Renewable Energy Programme has supported a number of studies, involving both renewable generating companies and the electricity supply industry, with the aim of encouraging the development of commercial and technical frameworks that will assist them to compete on an equal footing.
In addition, "New and Renewable Energy: Prospects for the 21st Century", the consultation paper which I published on 30 March, invited comments on issues surrounding the connection of embedded renewable generators to the electricity system. I will consider what further action may be required in the light of that consultation.
Metering is of course an essential component of a competitive market. It is important however, that metering arrangements do not discriminate between alternative sources or impose excessive costs. I understand that, while all generators are required to measure their exports and imports separately, for the very smallest sources (those below 100kW), such as domestic PV systems, a simpler system of metering is required.
I would encourage those who wish to see changes in the existing arrangements for metering or trade in PV or other types of embedded generation to take this up with the Director General of Electricity Supply at their earliest opportunity, and I will take a close interest in the outcome of those discussions.