Chris Stark will lead Mission Control to deliver clean energy by 2030

Chris Stark will lead a new control center that delivers on the Government’s mission to deliver cheaper and cleaner energy to Britain by 2030, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced today (Tuesday 9 July).

This new Mission Control will be the first of its kind in government, with a relentless focus on accelerating the transition from volatile fossil fuel markets to clean, domestic energy, with the aim of strengthening Britain’s energy independence and reducing bills for the British people.

Mission Control will be the single point of contact to bring together a top team of industry experts and officials to troubleshoot, negotiate and clear the way for energy projects.

It will work with key energy companies and organizations including the regulator Ofgem, the National Grid and the Electricity System Operator to remove bottlenecks and identify and address problems as they arise. This will accelerate the connection of new energy infrastructure to the grid and cleaner and cheaper energy to homes and businesses.

As a former Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee and former Director of Energy and Climate Change at the Scottish Government, Chris Stark will bring extensive experience working with the energy sector to remove barriers and achieve the clean energy mission on the country’s journey to net zero. .

Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband said:

Years of underinvestment have left our country suffering from energy insecurity, with working people paying the price through their energy bills and a cost of living crisis.

This cannot happen again. Benefiting from the expertise and experience of Chris Stark’s leadership – and bringing together the brightest and best in the national interest – this new mission control center will have a laser focus on delivering on our clean energy mission by 2030.

Making Britain a clean energy powerhouse will not only reduce bills, but also create hundreds of thousands of good jobs while protecting national security by keeping dictators out of our energy markets. And, of course, it will allow us to play a leading role in addressing the climate crisis.

Chris Stark, head of the new Mission Control for clean power 2030, said:

Solving the climate crisis and accelerating the transition to clean energy is the country’s greatest challenge and its greatest opportunity.

By taking action now, we can put the UK at the forefront of the global race to net zero – reducing carbon emissions but also reducing household bills.

I am honored to spearhead this work alongside the country’s top energy experts who will make this mission a reality.

In order to achieve clean energy by 2030 – and with it increase energy independence and reduce bills – the energy minister has also asked electricity grid operators to provide advice on the path to the 2030 ambition, with expert analysis of the location and type of new investment. and the infrastructure needed to deliver it.

Fintan Slye, Chief Executive Officer The electricity system operator stated:

I am excited to work with the Secretary of State on a plan for the future of our energy system.

I also look forward to working with industry and stakeholders in the UK to carry out this critical analysis.

The launch of Mission Control comes alongside the work of Great British Energy – a new company that will be owned by the British people, with a new infrastructure owned by the British people to deliver energy back to the British people.

It will help the UK take back control of its energy system to reduce bills and protect consumers, create good jobs across the country and tackle the climate crisis.

Notes for editors

Chris Stark Biography

Chris Stark has been CEO of the Climate Change Committee for 6 years since April 2018. Under his leadership, the committee recommended a net zero greenhouse gas emissions target for the UK by 2050 – a target that is now in law. He was Director of Energy and Climate Change at the Scottish Government from May 2016 to April 2018.

He has served as Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust and is currently Honorary Professor at the University of Glasgow’s Center for Public Policy, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and on the board of the climate charity Murmer.

Clean Energy Mission Control

Mission Control for Clean Power, led by Chris Stark, will focus on 4 areas of activity, including:

• setting and monitoring the overall approach to achieving 2030 in the entire energy system
• monitoring progress on the UK’s critical 2030 infrastructure projects in real time
• acts as an innovation center by stimulating discussion among experts
• serving as the convener for access to mission control across government and industry

National energy system operator

We work closely with Ofgemas well as with National Grid, the operator of the electricity system and the National Gas Transport, to implement DON’T and ensure a smooth transition. We’re still heading DON’T to be established in 2024, subject to a number of factors, including the agreement of a timetable with key parties.

Legal framework for DON’Tincluding its duties and functions, remain within the Energy Act 2023. We intend to continue the policy and organizational design DON’Tincluding:

• DON’T takes over all existing functions ACEin addition to strategic roles in the field of gas and other new roles of the entire system
• DON’T was established as a public corporation with operational independence from the government
• DON’T is licensed and regulated Ofgemand funded by consumers through price regulation arrangements