INFRASTRUCTURE ENERGY TRANSMISSION

摘要

As the UK transitions towards a low-carbon economy, the country's energy systems face unprecedented levels of change. Energy transmission networks that have been fit for purpose for the past 40+ years need significant reinvestment and reconfiguration to accommodate new energy sources and greater demands for flexibility. In particular, the growing share of the UK's energy mix provided by renewables will drive big changes in both gas and electricity markets that will drive major changes in the operation of the networks. The cost of transmission as a share of overall energy bills is low - about 2% of the overall cost of grid supplied electricity, and 4% of the cost of a gas bill. However, with total capital investment in transmission assets alone due to exceed at least £22bn over the current control period to 2021, the regulator Ofgem has an important role in ensuring not only that value for money and service reliability are assured but also in creating a stable environment to attract investment. Ofgem introduced the RIIO framework (Revenues = Incentives, Innovation and Outputs) for regulatory periods commencing from 2013 to ensure that network companies focus on the needs of their stakeholders and continue to invest in their networks. RIIO is also designed to encourage innovation focused on cost reduction and enable a low-carbon economy. By extending the control period to eight years, RIIO provides a longer-term planning and delivery perspective for network operators that for many investments will extend into future control periods. RIIO has now been operational in transmission for nearly two years and the effectiveness of totex-based regulation in encouraging investment and incentivising more efficient network operation is becoming clearer.