The Government is not telling people to reduce overall energy consumption, a minister has said, but refused to rule out rationing.
Climate minister Graham Stuart said rather than looking at reducing overall use, the Government is supporting the energy regulator to devise solutions to provide incentives for businesses and consumers to potentially cut peak-time energy demand if needed.
Speaking to GB News' Stephen and Anne, he said: “We always encourage people to be more energy efficient, we’ve got a £6billion programme across this Parliament investing in energy efficiency, insulation and the like.
The Government is not telling people to reduce overall energy consumption, a minister has said, but refused to rule out rationing.
GB News
Ms Truss was asked in August during her Tory leadership campaign whether she could rule out energy rationing, and she replied: “I do rule that out.”
Gareth Fuller
“It helps lower bills, it’s good for the climate but in terms of the energy supply challenges for the winter, it’s more about the peak, that’s why we’re working with Ofgem.”
“We’ve supported them in supporting big commercial gas users about a voluntary scheme where they may be paid to reduce their usage and that will then reduce the strain on the system, create the flex and likewise look to make use of the smart meters. Using that kind of technology in homes to voluntarily reduce their energy use at the peak.
"A more general campaign might make people think that not having a bath at two in the afternoon was going to help the country with its energy security.
"Given the nature of our system,that’s not really true. But I would always encourage people to use energy as efficiently as possible."
Elsewhere he added that the UK’s energy security is “pretty strong”, and he noted National Grid said blackouts this winter are an “unlikely” scenario.
On Thursday, the National Grid Electricity System Operator said households and businesses might face planned three-hour outages to ensure the grid does not collapse. But it described such a scenario as “unlikely”.
Ms Truss was asked in August during her Tory leadership campaign whether she could rule out energy rationing, and she replied: “I do rule that out.”
