To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the robustness of the UK MARKAL model on least cost optimisation of energy use, as used by his Department; and whether the MARKAL model is made available to (a) academic institutions, (b) non-governmental organisations and (c) other external bodies. (245614)

In the last five years, the UK MARKAL model has been substantially upgraded allowing improved modelling of macro economic impacts and with particular emphasis on cost data. The work undertaken has been peer reviewed both in the academic community and in workshops and the model is considered state of the art. Model outputs have appeared in peer reviewed journals.

The model is available for use by anyone who is prepared to pay the licence fees and sign the memorandum of understanding which ensures transparency of use and a contribution to the modelling community.