MSPs consider viability of not-for-profit energy company

Views on the feasibility of a not-for-profit, publicly owned energy company are being sought by a Holyrood committee.

In October 2017, the Scottish Government made a commitment to establish a not-for-profit, publicly owned energy company (POEC) to supply energy to consumers at as close to cost price as possible, and has indicated it will consult later in the year. Ahead of that, the Parliament's Economy, Jobs & Fair Work Committee is inviting the public and stakeholders to give their views on options for a POEC and what role it could take, so it can submit its findings following the call for views and an evidence session in October.

Issues being considered include what role a POCE will fulfil and whether it will reduce costs for consumers, how it can promote green issues and energy efficiency and how it can support local and community projects, while working to combat fuel poverty – where a household needs to spend more than 10% of household income to maintain an adequate heating regime. The MSPs will also look at how a POEC can be best designed to align with wider Scottish energy policy objectives, and avoid potential policy conflicts, and whether it should have a direct role in electricity generation as well as being a licensed energy supply company.

Committee convener Gordon Lindhurst MSP commented: “There are a number of not-for-profit energy companies in existence in the UK and further afield, and we will be looking at how they operate and deliver on the core objective of providing competitively priced energy, and how this fits in with the needs of the country.”

Click here to view the call for evidence. The deadline for responses is 13 September 2018.