Buchanan’s call to tap demand reduction could save consumers £16bn

For immediate release – Tuesday 19 February 2013

In his article in The Daily Telegraph today (Tuesday 19 February) Ofgem Chief Executive Alistair Buchanan focused on the role of gas for generation, but one line at the end of his article provides another key solution to addressing our challenging energy future, “tapping energy demand reduction”.

Two independent reports commission by the voice of the networks, Energy Networks Association (ENA) have shown that an integrated smart grid could save between £11-16bn out to 2030. The reports commissioned on behalf of Department of Energy and Climate Change and carried out by Imperial College and EA Technology Ltd looked at how the deployment of smart technologies would save money for consumers

ENA Chief Executive David Smith said,

"Buchanan is right to highlight the concern of energy security and the role of demand reduction efforts to help that. Reports have clearly shown that delivering technologies to support a smarter network would benefit consumers and save money.

“When talking about a focus on energy efficiency, an integrated smart grid is vital. It would go a long way to reducing the investment needed in infrastructure, supporting the growth of intermittent renewables and improving the use of small scale generation from our homes.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the voice of the networks, representing the ‘wires and pipes’ transmission and distribution network operators for gas and electricity in the UK and Ireland.

The reports can be downloaded here – http://www.energynetworks.org/news/publications/reports.html

Details of the Imperial College report are here – http://www.energynetworks.org/news/press-releases/2011/october/a-smarter-network-could-save-the-consumer-16-billion.html

Details of the EA Technology Ltd report are here –  http://www.energynetworks.org/news/press-releases/2012/november/smarter-networks-could-save-electricity-customers-£11bn.html

For further information please contact:

Tim Field MCIPR,
Head of Press and Public Affairs
Energy Networks Association
E: [email protected]
T: +44 (0)207 706 5157
M: +44 (0)7725 372 758
W: www.energynetworks.org
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