Member

On local and community energy, the amendments tabled by the noble Earl, Lord Russell, and the noble Lord, Lord Ravensdale, would essentially include GBE support for community energy schemes in the Bill. Amendment 20 would add an additional object to Clause 3 specifically related to local area energy planning and the governance of the local energy system. As the noble Earl, Lord Russell, kindly said, I very much share in the support for community energy, and I assure him that it will be an integral part of Great British Energy’s local power plan. We believe that, through Clause 3, the Bill clearly allows GBE to support both community energy projects and local authority energy projects. I see great potential for partnerships here.