The environmental organisation Greenpeace has issued a direct appeal to the UK's energy regulator, urging it to shield households and businesses from avoidable increases in their energy costs.
A Grid "No Longer Fit for Purpose"
In a stark warning, Charlie Kronick, the senior climate advisor for Greenpeace UK, stated that Britain's energy grid is no longer fit for purpose. He drew a parallel with the nation's troubled water network, cautioning that without immediate and vital upgrades, the electricity system risks a similar fate of soaring costs and poor performance in the future.
Call for Robust Safeguards and Smart Investment
Kronick emphasised that while investment is critically needed, it must be spent effectively. He called for robust safeguards and strong regulation to be enforced by Ofgem to protect consumers. The goal is to ensure that any grid upgrades deliver genuine value for money, offering fair but not excessive returns to utility companies.
"We hope Ofgem have, and will continue to, strain every sinew in ensuring that new technologies of storage and flexible demand are adopted to minimise costly upgrades," Kronick said. This highlights a push for smarter, more efficient solutions over simply building more physical infrastructure.
Pressure on Households and the Path Forward
The intervention comes at a time when energy costs remain a major pressure on both domestic and commercial budgets. Greenpeace argues that as the country moves towards a cleaner energy system, the long-term outcome must be a reduction in prices.
Kronick concluded with a message for the government, stating it should be prepared to step in to guarantee that the energy system ultimately works for billpayers, not just for corporate profits. The call to action places significant responsibility on both the regulator and ministers to oversee a fair transition.
