ABSTRACT

This chapter argues that beneath these ambitious government targets there has been insufficient progress in policy-making to effect profound system change. As such, the policy response was to provide greater support for domestically based, nuclear and coal, energy industries as well as greater consideration of how to improve energy efficiency. The principal arguments underpinning in the chapter considers different types of transitions and that political and energy institutions have tended to influence energy governance decisions as well as the types of changes that have been taking place in British energy markets. The UK is often held up as an example of 'best practice' in terms of its transition towards a low carbon and secure energy system. Concentrating the benefits of the transition in incumbent rather than new hands, whilst distributing the costs quite broadly via consumer bills, also incurs political risks.