Environment and Climate Change Committee

16 September 2026

Committee House of Lords

00:04 - 01:37
Speaker 4
Good morning and welcome to the Lords Committee on the Environment and Climate Change.  Today we will be holding the first session of our new inquiry into whether the government has a firm handle on how to fill the renewables energy gap when the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine, a weather phenomenon often referred to as Dunkelflaute.  Before we start, may I remind everyone that the session will be webcast live, that a transcript will be made and made public.  Witnesses will have an opportunity to review the transcript and, if necessary, make very minor amendments.  Members are reminded that they should declare any relevant interests the first time they speak, and this of course applies equally to all witnesses. 

Now I will take the opportunity here to say that I am a director of Peers for the Planet.  We are very grateful to our panel of expert witnesses for making the time to be with us today.  Dr Emily Wallace is not quite with us, but we hope that she will be very shortly.  So, may I ask each of our witnesses present to briefly introduce themselves?  Can I start with you, Jon Saltmarsh? 
01:37 - 01:55
Speaker 6
Hello everyone, I'm Jon Saltmarsh.  I'm Chief Technology Officer at the Energy Systems Catapult.  I've been there for about four years and before that I had about 10 years in what's now DESNZ, responsible for innovation, research and engineering.  So that's my, I'm an engineer by background. 
01:55 - 02:07
Speaker 4
Excellent.  And may I ask you to move your chair right in front of the microphone so it is quite sensitive directionally, so that would really be helpful to us.  Thank you very much.  Professor Bell. 

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