Thread by @aDissentient

1⃣Ed Miliband is altering the rules of CfD auctions so that he can throw money at the developers. The Statutory Instrument to enable him to do this is being debated tomorrow. The Impact Assessment alongside it is sickening. (THREAD)

2⃣The SI is designed to enable a vast expansion of the renewables fleet. Since developers are getting cold feet, Miliband needs to stuff their mouths with gold. A vast capacity at high prices means a lot of money is going to be spent. Electricity consumers will foot the bill.

3⃣When looking at the impact on consumers the Impact Assessment says, in essence, "it's complicated". They say that wholesale prices will see downward pressure.

4⃣This is highly disingenuous. Wholesale prices will only see downward pressure at times when it is both very windy and sunny. Average wholesale prices may increase. Subsidies, balancing costs, and network costs definitely will, and dramatically.

5⃣Essentially DESNZ is putting a farrago of disinformation in front of Parliament.

6⃣When the Impact Assessment looks at the effect on businesses, it's just as bad. The document considers only the effect on windfarm developers. All other businesses are simply ignored.

7⃣This is a problem, because the effect on businesses is going to be catastrophic, just as it is for consumers.

8⃣Professor Gordon Hughes' paper for @netzerowatch suggests that the government's Clean Power 2030 plan will add £25 billion to bills each year. That means power at 40p/kWh as opposed to 25p today.

9⃣But those figures are based on an assumption that the prices seen in the AR6 auction will be repeated in subsequent auctions. But Miliband's SI is designed to allow much higher prices to be paid. Heaven knows how high prices might go.

🔟Make no mistake, this will be a catastrophe for UK business and UK consumers.
@TiceRichard @ClaireCoutinho @NJ_Timothy @GMB_union @GMBGarySmith @UniteSharon @RainNewtonSmith @JonGeldart @MMcTagueFSB
Speak out now!

Impact Assessment
legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2025/978…

Gordon Hughes' report
netzerowatch.com/all-papers/hug…