Remove Red Tape

You can read comments made during the theme spotlight (25 November 2011 – 6 January 2012), by sub-category below.

This theme covers nearly 300 regulations which relate to all aspects of UK energy from extraction to generation, safety, supply and consumption. Energy is the biggest infrastructure sector in the UK, and is essential to driving growth in our economy – through our growing renewables and nuclear sectors, the energy efficiency programmes, and the established energy industries and expertise in the North Sea.

The Energy Red Tape Challenge theme comes at a crucial time. Over the next decade and beyond, the UK’s energy system will need to change significantly as we replace our ageing plants and technology, move to low carbon generation, and make our energy supply more secure and affordable. We need to have smart regulation that supports this, whilst maintaining safety standards and the necessary protections for consumers and the environment. We also need to make sure that our regulation is not standing in the way of business, or acting as a barrier to generating the necessary investment, innovation and skills we need to build the low carbon economy.

We want to hear your views on how the energy regulatory environment can promote growth where possible, and encourage competition and market entry within the energy sector. We also want you to share your thoughts on whether these regulations place administrative burdens on your business or you as an individual, and whether there are more effective ways of achieving their policy aims.

The formal scope of the Red Tape Challenge excludes regulations on tax and spend measures and the activities of the independent Economic Regulators – for example the Renewables Obligation (tax and spend) and license conditions for electricity suppliers (Ofgem). However, we recognise these to be important areas for both business and consumers, and welcome any comments you may have. Ofgem are also keen to hear your suggestions on how they could reduce regulatory burdens while continuing to protect the interests of gas and electricity consumers. You can either comment here, or directly to DECC at energyredtapechallenge@decc.gsi.gov.uk. DECC will consider feedback on the regulations that are outside the formal scope and will take these forward in their work with OGDs and Ofgem as part of the overall ambition to acheive more effective, and less burdensome regulation.