Committee publication · Correspondence · 14 May 2026 · HC 459
Correspondence from Energy Minister Michael Shanks following up from 15 April evidence session, dated 13 May 2026
Summary
Energy Minister Michael Shanks responds to follow-up questions from the Scottish Affairs Committee's 15 April evidence session on GB Energy and Net Zero Transition. He provides details on network infrastructure costs, smart metering timelines, and Great British Energy staffing—currently 125 staff (24 permanent, 12 in Aberdeen) with plans to reach 200 by April 2027.
Key findings
- NESO projects thermal constraint costs rising to £7.2bn by 2030 but estimates accelerating three key network projects (Norwich to Tilbury, Sea-Link) could avoid up to £4bn of that peak cost
- Smart meters enable time-of-use tariffs that allow consumers to save money by shifting consumption to low-demand periods and excess renewable generation windows
- Great British Energy currently has 125 staff: 24 permanent (12 based in Aberdeen), 41 temporarily assigned from DESNZ, and 24 on loan from other departments
- GBE workforce pay case agreed; organisation recruiting 21 permanent roles immediately with target of 200 employees by April 2027
- Permanent GBE posts being recruited on 'Scotland-first basis' with Aberdeen designated as long-term organisational headquarters
Tone
ProceduralTopics
net-zero-transitionenergy-infrastructuresmart-meteringscottish-affairspublic-sector-employment
Key actors
Michael Shanks MP, Patricia Ferguson MP, NESO (National Energy System Operator), Great British Energy, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
Notable line
“NESO estimates that up to £4 billion of the 2030 peak could be avoided by accelerating the delivery of three key reinforcement projects in East Anglia and the …”
Key Quotes
“NESO's 2025 Balancing Costs Report projects thermal constraint costs to increase from £1.7bn in 2024/25 up to £7.2bn by 2030 before declining as network build catches up with generation.”
“Smart meters are generally required to access modern 'time of use' tariffs, as it is the half-hourly consumption information recorded by smart meters which unlocks products and services that can offer consumers …”
“At the time of writing, the total number of staff assigned to GBE is 125. There are currently 24 permanently assigned staff, and 12 permanently assigned staff based in Aberdeen.”
“Permanent posts are being recruited on a Scotland - first basis, and Aberdeen will be home to the organisation's long - term workforce as it grows.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗