Perspective | Is the design of the electricity market costing consumers money?

This article is from our Energy Spectrum publication which was published on 4 March 2022.

It has become increasingly clear the existing market design is unfit for either a future net zero world or a period of fossil fuel price crisis, but what market design might be best for our immediate and long-term future?

If we accelerate the deployment of renewable resources to reduce the use of gas, would the price of power actually fall? Even though the UK generated 41.9% (wind and solar combined) in February 2022 from renewables resources, the price of electricity has increased in line with the gas price.

To keep reading, please log in to your account or sign up for free

Related thinking

Energy Market Design

REMA: electricity market design choices

Electricity markets will serve as the foundation for the future GB energy system.  This article examines some of the market design decisions that will be considered by the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA). Market design goals At its most simple, a well-functioning market will attract enough potential “buyers” and...

Low carbon generation

Energy System Reform: Ofgem shares plans for Britain’s energy system

Against the backdrop of record high and volatile energy prices, Ofgem set out on 8 July its view on key aspects of the GB energy system where it considers significant reform is required to deliver a resilient, low cost, low carbon energy sector. Recent developments in the energy market, such...

Energy Market Design

Can we fix the wholesale energy market this winter to lower prices and should we want to? 

The Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) is intended to discuss and decide on appropriate market arrangements for 2035 in a Net Zero, low marginal cost, renewables-dominated market. It is unlikely it has the scope or capability to intervene in the market arrangements ahead of this winter. Therefore, some new interventions...

Commercial and market outlook

Capacity, reform, and unlawful strategies: 5 things that happened yesterday

Capacity, reform, and unlawful strategies: yesterday was a busy day for energy geekery. The developments encapsulate the shorter and longer term challenges and uncertainties present in the energy market presently: Read the full article here

Commercial and market outlook

Two thirds of energy industry professionals think the market needs to be drastically reformed

A survey conducted of over one hundred leading energy market professionals from across the investment and advisory community, by Cornwall Insight, from the attendees of its Financing Net Zero forum, has shown nearly two thirds (63%) of people working in the energy industry1 believe the UK market needs to be...

Commercial and market outlook

Reaction to BEIS consultation on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements

Confirming the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) opens the prospect of a complete overhaul of the electricity market in Great Britain for the first time in over 20 years. The scope is very wide and the perceived need for reform clear from BEIS in the consultation document, with much...

Low carbon generation

A collection of resources on net zero – Net Zero Week 2022

For Net Zero Week 2022, we released a range of resources to help you on your journey to net zero. For convenience, we have put them all together in a handy Resource Report. To read the full collection of resources, please log in to your account or sign up for...

E-mobility and low carbon

Another one bites the dust: Plug-in car grant ends

Last week the government announced the plug-in car grant scheme for electric vehicles (EVs) closed, having previously confirmed funding until 2022-23. Why? Well, the government stated it would allow it to concentrate funding towards what it called the main barriers to the EV transition, including public charging and supporting the...