The future direction
There are four key areas for the future of energy supply:
The environment
A key environmental concern is to reduce the emission of the greenhouse gases which cause global warming, specifically carbon dioxide (CO2). Also of concern is emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NO2), which cause acid rain.
Security of energy supply
Historically the UK has been largely self-sufficient for its electricity needs. Power stations producing a constant supply of reliable electricity have enabled the risk of significant supply interruptions to be kept to a minimum. In the future, increased reliance on foreign gas and intermittent renewables (such as wind generation) could increase our vulnerability to supply interruptions and gas price volatility.
Affordable energy
Future energy supply must consider the impact of energy costs for the poorest and most vulnerable households.
Competitive markets
In 2001 the New Electricity Trading Arrangements (NETA) for England and Wales were introduced. In April 2005 the system was expanded to include Scotland and is now known as BETTA (British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements).
