HOLYROOD politicians sketched out their vision for a “smart and strategic” publicly owned energy provider (POEC) yesterday.

The Scottish Parliament’s economy, energy and fair work committee has outlined the results of their inquiry into what such a company could look like in Scotland.

The cross-party inquiry was established in 2017 as the SNP government wished to understand the potential role of a POEC in Scottish society.

The committee, showing their results, said that any POEC must be “smart” and “strategic” in its thinking, and must be used to “accelerate” the change to renewable energies.

It also emphasised that costs to consumers must be reduced than what is currently on offer, and that citizens must feel “engaged” in the energy system.

Committee convener Gordon Lindhurst MSP said:  “If a POEC is to provide cheaper energy and tackle fuel poverty, it must sit at the heart of decision-making and market transition.

“However, in an already crowded market place, we would like to see a clear mission statement on how the company plans to build a sustainable customer base, how it will operate, how it will align with existing initiatives and what extra value it will add.

“With so many expectations placed upon a POEC, there is a danger it ends up pleasing nobody.

“We hope that will not be the case and, for the sake of affordable fuel bills and decarbonisation, it has to be smart with its aims and strategic in its thinking.”