]A major state subsidy scheme for the UK's gas-fired power stations is being designed by an employee of a gas company working on secondment to the government, according to a document released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc).
The list of industry secondees, released to Greenpeace under freedom of information (FOI) rules, shows that the head of capacity market design at Decc is an employee seconded for two years from the Irish energy company ESB, which owns three gas-fired power plants in the UK.

A separate industry document names the employee as Fergal McNamara and describes him as the head of capacity market design at the ministry as well as being a "government representative". However, the ESB and Decc declined to confirm his identity when contacted by the Guardian.

The document also reveals that several other employees of big gas companies are working at senior levels within Decc, prompting criticism that there is an unhealthy closeness between the government and the big fossil fuel companies.

Green party MP Caroline Lucas said: "Ed Davey is trying to convince us that he's taking a tough stand against the energy companies. How on earth are bill-payers supposed to take him seriously when they get reminders like this of the cosy relationship between government and the gas industry?
"It's quite incredible that someone employed by a company that builds gas-fired power stations has such an influential role in government. Even more so given that rising gas prices are the main cause of energy bill increases in recent years."

The "capacity market" is a subsidy scheme aimed at encouraging companies to build new generator plants, to ensure that the lights do not go out as old and dirty power stations are closed down. It will pay millions of pounds to energy companies whether the plants are generating or not, in order to ensure that electricity is available when needed. The cost will be added to customer bills via a compulsory levy.

You don't even have to be a conspiracy 'theorist' any more. It's all so blatant.

......... With all this furore I hope that some competition may kick in.....