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David Davis chairs roundtable to consult leaders of the UK energy sector

The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis has met UK energy leaders to listen to their views on Brexit negotiations.

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government
David Davis Energy Sector

David Davis, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union chaired a roundtable on Monday with the UK’s energy leaders to hear their views on the forthcoming Brexit negotiations and talk about the opportunities Britain’s decision to leave the EU could bring to the sector.

In his statement to the House of Commons last month, Mr Davis emphasised his commitment to hearing the views of business and industry so they can help shape the UK’s negotiating position. This session was part of that process, designed to inform Ministers about their key priorities and concerns.

The Secretary of State was joined at the roundtable by the Minister of State for Energy and Intellectual Property, Baroness Neville Rolfe, DExEU Minister David Jones and senior board-level executives from the following businesses and trade associations:

  • EDF Energy
  • OFGEM
  • EnergyUK
  • Shell
  • The Aldersgate Group
  • Dong
  • Uniper
  • Siemens
  • Centrica
  • National Grid
  • SSE
  • BP
  • Oil and Gas UK
  • Renewable UK
  • Scottish Power

Attendees discussed topics including the electricity and gas markets, the nuclear sector, infrastructure investment and the supply chain.

They were also keen to explore the opportunities that could arise from having greater flexibility to make our own arrangements on pricing, policy, trade and regulatory requirements.

Joint statement from Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, David Davis, Minister of State for Energy and Intellectual Property, Baroness Neville Rolfe, and CEO of Energy UK, Lawrence Slade:

Britain’s energy sector has made great strides over the past decade. We are world leaders in areas like tackling climate change, renewables investment and oil and gas innovation.

Government and industry will work in partnership to identify and address the challenges and seize the new opportunities that arise from Brexit, meet our carbon targets and deliver an energy market that works for all.

This will be an important part of Britain’s negotiation to leave the European Union. We are determined to work together, ensuring Britain’s supply of secure, affordable and clean energy is maintained.

Yesterday’s event was the latest in a series of roundtables and other engagement activities the Government will be having with business leaders and key stakeholders up and down the country. By listening to their concerns and discussing opportunities, we seek to limit uncertainty in the transition and ensure a new relationship with the EU which works for businesses and Britain.

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Published 18 October 2016