Herald letters
It is encouraging to see that, at last, a meaningful debate has erupted over how to fix Britain’s failing electricity market. For too long, the relentless push for Net Zero at any cost has driven up prices, making life unaffordable and harming the economy. Now, many argue that zonal pricing where electricity costs reflect local supply and demand could provide significant relief consumers and businesses desperately need.
For example, Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, highlights how the current system forces consumers to subsidise inefficiencies, with Scottish wind farms often shut down because the grid cannot handle their output. He estimates that zonal pricing could save households £3.7 billion a year, cutting waste and lowering bills by directing investment to where it’s most effective.
However, Ecotricity’s Dale Vince opposes the idea, warning it could increase costs for poorer households. Yet critics argue that the real financial burden comes from maintaining an outdated, one-size-fits-all pricing system that ignores market forces. Indeed, by keeping prices artificially high, the current system is impoverishing Britain and making the Net Zero transition unaffordable.
In my view it is clear that skyrocketing energy bills are crippling businesses and squeezing households. Clinging to a broken system only deepens financial strain. The UK must decide: stay trapped in economic decline with costly inefficiencies in the rush to Net Zero, or embrace real reform to lower energy prices, attract investment, and revive our struggling manufacturing sector. A competitive energy market (including North Sea oil and gas) would make work pay and help tackle Britain’s growing economic inactivity crisis – a crucial step toward long-term prosperity for the whole of the UK.
Ian Lakin, Aberdeen.
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