Nov 27, 2016
National Grid to be spared from break-up
Ministers have backed away from threats to break up National Grid, the FTSE 100 power group, which instead will be ordered to put in place stricter Chinese walls to prevent conflicts of interest in its role operating Britain's electricity system. MPs said National Grid could be influenced by its own commercial interests when deciding where to source power or when advising the government on investment in new energy infrastructure. In an interview with the Financial Times, John Pettigrew, National Grid chief executive, declined to comment on the progress of talks with the government over the operator role. National Grid makes most of its UK revenues from charging utilities for access to its high-voltage transmission network; its operations role gives it day-to-day control of the system and an influential voice in government energy policy. The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy said: "British homes and businesses deserve a secure, flexible and affordable independent energy supply. The government works closely with National Grid and Ofgem to continually review and reform our electricity system and protect the interests of customers."
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