Member Article

Red Tape Challenge open for consultation

Businesses wishing to express their views on UK energy legislation are being urged to act now by npower to ensure their voice is heard.

Today the government formally opened the Energy Red Tape Challenge initiative, which aims to scrap burdensome energy regulations impacting on businesses in the UK.

npower research shows that the legislation businesses are most concerned about includes the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in-Tariffs, the Climate Change Levy and the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Schemes.

Over half of all businesses believe that the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme should be scrapped, while a further 43% believe that the Renewables Obligation and Feed-in-Tariffs need to be simplify.

Others are concerned that current energy regulations could prevent the government from raising the funds needed to create a low carbon economy, and believe that by scrapping some legislation, the government would have a better chance of meeting its targets.

Interim industrial and commercial markets director at npower Wayne Mitchell welcomed the government’s commitment to reducing the legislative burden on businesses.

He commented: “Our consultation with major energy users shows very clearly that businesses want simplification on certain energy policy, not only to help them manage their own obligations, but to also help the UK meet its carbon reduction targets and help raise the investment needed for low carbon generation.

“It’s important that today’s event is a welcome opportunity to feedback these views to Government and start the conversation about how we work to alleviate businesses’ concerns.”

npower has also consulted with major energy uses on the Governments Electricity Market Reform, to ensure the government listens to users over the coming months and years. Many businesses are concerned that they will be ignored in the future.

Wayne added: Businesses need clarification on the future energy policy to help ensure certainty around future investment decisions.

“Some businesses we spoke to also voiced concern that if companies don’t have to be in the UK, then in the future they may seriously consider moving their operations to more regulation-light climes, if they haven’t already.

“This is a scenario no one wants to reach and hopefully one that can be avoided through greater communication between government and businesses on energy legislation – businesses want to be heard.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .