House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Name	Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Legislature	House of Commons of the United Kingdom
Established	2023
Jurisdiction	United Kingdom
Type	Select Committee
Chair	Sir John Redwood

House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee The committee is a select committee of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom formed to scrutinise energy policy, net zero delivery and industrial strategy across the United Kingdom. It examines departmental administration, expenditure and policy relating to energy security, climate targets and technological deployment, engaging with stakeholders from Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, National Grid plc, Ofgem and international partners such as the International Energy Agency and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Its work intersects with parliamentary scrutiny institutions including the Public Accounts Committee, Environmental Audit Committee, Treasury Select Committee and bodies such as Committee on Climate Change.

Background and establishment

The committee was created following debates in the 2023 United Kingdom general election aftermath and petitions from MPs across the Conservative Party (UK), Labour Party (UK), Scottish National Party and Liberal Democrats (UK) seeking dedicated oversight of energy and decarbonisation. Its formation responded to pressures from events including the 2021 Texas power crisis, the 2022–2023 global energy crisis, and strategic documents such as the Energy White Paper (2020), Net Zero Strategy and commitments under the Glasgow Climate Pact. Parliamentary precedent drew on the structure of committees like the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee and models from bodies such as the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.

Remit and functions

The committee’s remit covers scrutiny of ministers, agencies and executive arms including Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ofgem, National Grid plc and state-owned entities such as Crown Estate. It conducts inquiries into subjects like offshore wind, nuclear power projects exemplified by Hinkley Point C, small modular reactors, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen economy initiatives and electric vehicle infrastructure. The committee issues reports, summons witnesses from organisations such as Shell plc, BP, EDF Energy, Tesla, Inc., Uniper SE and academic institutions like Imperial College London, University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. It liaises with devolved administrations including the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive on inter-jurisdictional energy arrangements.

Membership and leadership

Membership reflects a cross-party composition drawn from MPs representing constituencies such as Blackpool South, Isle of Wight, Edinburgh South and Cardiff South and Penarth, with chairs selected by the House of Commons of the United Kingdom election process used for select committees. Chairs have included parliamentarians with prior roles in departments like the Department for Transport or Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Members draw on expertise from affiliations with organisations such as Energy UK, BusinessEurope, trade unions like Unite the Union and think tanks including Chatham House and the Institute for Government. The committee works with clerks from the House of Commons Library and legal advisers from the Parliamentary Counsel Office.

Inquiries and reports

Notable inquiries examined supply resilience during the 2022–2023 global energy crisis, cost impacts from events like the Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022) and technical readiness of projects such as Sizewell C and Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon. Reports have referenced modelling by the Committee on Climate Change, scenario analyses by the International Renewable Energy Agency, and system studies by National Grid ESO. Witnesses have included ministers such as members of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom, executives from Centrica plc and Siemens Energy, campaign groups like Friends of the Earth and investor groups such as the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change. Its published evidence has influenced parliamentary debate in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom and been cited in briefings to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Influence on policy and government response

The committee has shaped policy discourse on capacity markets, renewables consent regimes and energy efficiency programmes, contributing to revisions of legislation and guidance referenced in the Energy Act 2013 and follow-on secondary legislation. Its recommendations have prompted ministerial statements from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and triggered ministerial appearances before other select committees including the Exiting the European Union Committee legacy scrutiny in relation to retained EU energy law. Internationally, its reports have been noted by partners such as the European Commission and agencies including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Criticisms and controversies

Critics have argued that the committee’s remit overlaps with existing scrutiny bodies like the Environmental Audit Committee and Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee (BEIS), creating duplication and turf disputes cited in correspondence from the Cabinet Office. Accusations of politicisation emerged during inquiries where MPs from Labour Party (UK) and Conservative Party (UK) clashed over recommendations on nuclear power funding and onshore wind planning reform. Industry stakeholders including Oil and Gas UK and environmental NGOs such as Greenpeace have at times contested evidence procedures and witness selections, prompting debate in the House of Lords and calls for greater transparency from the Committee on Standards and Privileges.

Category:Select Committees of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom