Committee asks for Members’ views on EVs and energy systems
T
he Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee is seeking the views of SELECT Members to contribute to a new energy inquiry. As part of a wider focus on
electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, the committee wants written input from as many people as possible on the following themes: ●●The impact of increasing numbers of EVs on electricity generation, transmission and distribution. ●●The role of EVs in balancing electricity transmission and distribution networks. Are new battery and grid technologies being adequately supported and rolled out? ●●Are enough and the right type of EV charging points delivering
accessible charging, and keeping up with consumer demand? ●●Given the declaration of a climate emergency, what more needs to be done to promote a change in culture where EVs are the preferred alternative to fossil-fuelled vehicles? The committee is also seeking views on local energy systems, namely: ●●The appropriateness and achievability of the 2020 and the 2030 community and locally owned energy targets. What are the key issues impacting the viability of schemes? ●●Whether it is appropriate to incorporate community and locally owned schemes in the same target and policy area. What more could be done to encourage community- owned schemes? ●●Do CARES grants and loans adequately support relevant projects? ● ● The role of District Network Operators (DNOs) in connecting community
and locally owned projects. What more could be done by DNOs to encourage and support projects? ●●What role can smart, decentralised local energy systems play in ensuring security of supply and supporting a just transition to net-zero by 2045? ●●The role of local authorities in delivering community and locally owned projects. How can these be integrated into local energy systems? ●●What systemic and behavioural changes are needed to increase the use of smart local energy systems? ● ●Has public engagement to date been successful and what more could be done?
Submissions for both of the topics should extend to no more than two sides of A4 and be sent by email to economyenergyandfairwork@
parliament.scot by Friday 10 January 2020. You don’t need to answer all of these questions and can focus just on those most relevant to you. Your submission will be published on the Scottish Parliament’s website and may be quoted in the Committee’s report or in Committee meetings.
Further details are available on 0131 348 5403 or by emailing economyenergyandfairwork@
parliament.scot
CONSULTATION ON RETENTIONS IS WELCOMED BY SELECT
SELECT has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of an industry-wide consultation on the use of cash retentions in construction. Te move follows a massive
ongoing campaign by SELECT, working in partnership with the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group. SELECT and SEC Group
Scotland have been carrying out extensive lobbying among members of the Scottish Parliament to encourage them to support legislation to ring-
fence the monies. SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson said all firms in Scotland’s construction industry would now be
encouraged to participate in the consultation, which closes on 25 March 2020. Alan, who is also National
Executive Officer of SEC Group
Scotland, said: “Our message is clear: Cash retentions must be put in a ring-fenced account or scheme. “In this way we are more
likely to see the end of a 200-year-old practice which has been abused to the detriment of small firms who often wait years to get their retentions released.” Te new Holyrood
consultation comes after a review of the system of cash retentions carried out for the Scottish Government by consultants Pye Tait.
CABLEtalk DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 9
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