Plans to create a new renewable energy company have been opened to public consultation, with officials asking members of the public to submit their views on the proposals. Backers of the plan say the company is intended to help reduce the long-term cost of energy by supporting the deployment of renewable generation and related investments.
Organisers stress that the proposed entity would not have the authority to set household energy bills. Responsibility for prices would remain with existing market mechanisms and regulatory arrangements, and any changes to tariff-setting powers would require separate legal measures.
Proponents argue that a dedicated renewable energy company could lower costs over time by improving coordination of investment, scaling up low-carbon generation and capturing efficiencies across projects. Critics and stakeholders are likely to scrutinise whether the model delivers savings to consumers, how it would be financed, and how it would interact with current suppliers and regulators.
The consultation invites members of the public to register their views on the design and objectives of the proposal. Responses will be used to inform the next stage of consideration and any decision on whether to proceed with establishing the company.
Officials say the exercise is intended to gather a wide range of perspectives from consumers, industry and other interested parties before firm proposals are finalised. Further details on how to respond to the consultation have been published alongside the consultation documents.