National Grid

Dr. Desmond Turner
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with which companies his Department has discussed the development of a smart grid in the last six months.

Mr. Kidney
The Department has met with many companies to discuss smart grids over the last six months. This has included all distribution network operators, all transmission operators, ICT companies, a selection of electricity supply companies, equipment suppliers and relevant trade associations.

Dr. Desmond Turner
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which stakeholder groups his Department has (a) created and (b) consulted on the development of a smart grid in the last six months.

Mr. Kidney
The Department has set up and co-chaired with Ofgem a working group of the Electricity Networks Strategy Group to help develop a vision for a smart grid. This vision has informed Government thinking on smart grids.

Dr. Desmond Turner
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he last met (a) Ofcom and (b) Ofgem to discuss the establishment of a smart grid; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kidney
I have not met Ofcom or Ofgem to specifically discuss the establishment of a smart grid.

Dr. Desmond Turner
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what meetings with each stakeholder group he has had on the allocation of the bandwidth spectrum in respect of the development of a smart grid.

Mr. Kidney
I have not had any meetings with any stakeholder group on the allocation of the bandwidth spectrum in respect of the development of a smart grid.