Examination of Witnesses (Questions 340
- 342)
WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH 2008
MR PAUL
WHITTAKER, MR
STEVE SMITH,
MR DAVID
SMITH AND
MR DAVE
ROGERS
Q340 Chairman: Would you all share
that?
Mr David Smith: Yes, we would
and we have all as an industry invested heavily in something called
the Power Academy where as an industry we are trying to take the
initiative and working with the Sector Skills Council.
Q341 Chairman: I just want a simple
yes or no from each of you. I know that is not always possible.
We have said that we lack the skills, that the investment at 0.5%
from National Grid seems to be incredibly low considering the
problem of what we are facing. Nine years ago Ofgem flagged up
these problems and nobody listened and took 15 years to build
a new grid capacity just simply in North Yorkshire. Are you confident
that by 2020, given the current direction of travel, the grid
will be sufficiently developed to provide 40% of our electricity
through renewables? Yes, or no, Steve?
Mr Steve Smith: I would say yes,
because that is our job and the collective job of all these people
round this table to deliver that. I think all of your criticisms
are valid but that is what we will be judged on, whether we deliver
that.
Q342 Chairman: You are confident
you can do it. David?
Mr David Smith: Yes.
Mr Rogers: I believe it will be
extremely tough, as a developer trying to bring new developments
on to the system.
Mr Whittaker: I believe it is
going to be tough but, yes, I think we can do it.
Chairman: On that reasonably positive
note, we bring this session to an end. I thank you all very much
indeed for your attendance this morning.
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