It would be better to have regional electricity prices, to better align the costs - and benefits - of production with the prices people pay. ‘Excess’ energy in places like Wales and Scotland is having to be blocked and paid not to produce, and there’s no benefit to energy-dependent businesses to set up in these areas where electricity is cheap rather than where energy is expensive - and therefore more likely to trigger the higher (and carbon-based) tariff. Unsurprisingly, I’m a pro-renewables YIMBY, but it’s pretty difficult to make the case for more giant pylons and turbines across Wales if all the benefits go across the border. If we had a more regionalised system, it would operate as a market better, meaning more green energy, and more data-centres at lower cost and fewer local opposition.
All that extra infrastructure also need to be maintained and there are transmission losses, so we all end up paying more for electricity, even when it does get connected up.
It would be better to have regional electricity prices, to better align the costs - and benefits - of production with the prices people pay. ‘Excess’ energy in places like Wales and Scotland is having to be blocked and paid not to produce, and there’s no benefit to energy-dependent businesses to set up in these areas where electricity is cheap rather than where energy is expensive - and therefore more likely to trigger the higher (and carbon-based) tariff. Unsurprisingly, I’m a pro-renewables YIMBY, but it’s pretty difficult to make the case for more giant pylons and turbines across Wales if all the benefits go across the border. If we had a more regionalised system, it would operate as a market better, meaning more green energy, and more data-centres at lower cost and fewer local opposition.
All that extra infrastructure also need to be maintained and there are transmission losses, so we all end up paying more for electricity, even when it does get connected up.