The public and other stakeholders have been invited by Holyrood’s Economy, Jobs and Fair Work committee to give their views on the feasibility of a not-for-profit, publicly owned energy company.
Issues being considered include whether such a company will reduce costs for consumers, how it can promote green issues and energy efficiency and how it can support local and community projects, while working to combat fuel poverty.
Gordon Lindhurst MSP, the committee’s convenor, said: “We are examining the feasibility of a publicly-owned energy company in Scotland, and we want to hear your views on the matter. “There are a number of not-for-profit energy companies in existence in the UK and further afield, and we will be looking at how they operate and deliver on the core objective of providing competitively priced energy, and how this fits in with the needs of the country.”
Members of the public and stakeholders will have the chance to fill in a survey, with questions that will include:
- What are your general views on the idea of a Scottish publicly owned energy company and what role should it fulfil?
- How might a Scottish energy supply company work best to support the growth of local and community projects, and fuel poverty reduction?
- How can it be best designed to align with wider Scottish energy policy objectives, and to avoid potential policy conflicts?
- Should it be more than solely a licensed energy supply company? Should it have a direct role in energy generation?
The survey can be found here, with further information. The consultation closes on 13 September.