Mike Foster, chief executive the Energy & Utilities Alliance (EUA) outlined his expectations of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) when he spoke to the All Party Parliamentary Group on fuel poverty and energy efficiency on 3 February.

Mr Foster made three requests concerning energy efficiency in the home, in public buildings and the long term future of the gas grid.

“Firstly, it is a no-brainer to recognise the value of treating home energy efficiency as a national infrastructure priority. We can lower bills, reduce carbon emissions and improve people’s quality of life by delivering a large scale retrofit programme including new heating systems,” said Mr Foster.

“Secondly, we cannot afford to ignore non domestic energy efficiency, especially in public buildings. Every pound saved on energy costs in schools and hospitals can go straight to improving teaching or health care.

“Thirdly, and most importantly, the NIC need to recognise the role that can be played in the future of our existing infrastructure, namely the gas grid. By concentrating our attention on lowering the carbon content of gas, the grid can continue to be used heating homes and we can avoid the need for new electricity power generation to be built, costing consumers a fortune in unnecessary expenditure.”

Mr Foster’s comments come after a consultation on the governance, structure and operation of the commission was launched in January.

Picture courtesy of Shutterstock/Panimoni.