The Government is to set out plans for massive reform of the electricity market on Tuesday, which will lead to further hikes in bills in the coming years. after a long period of consultation, the coalition is unveiling its White Paper on electricity market reform to encourage investment in the industry and tackle carbon emissions. Countries that followed the UK and privatised their utilities are looking on with interest, as they are expected soon to follow suit. The White Paper will propose four key areas of reform: a carbon price floor, an emissions performance standard, contracts for difference and a capacity mechanism. The carbon price floor was introduced in this year's Budget, whereby an amount is charged for every tonne of carbon produced, encouraging companies to switch to lower-emitting technologies. However, costs could be passed on to consumers. The White Paper reiterates that it will come into effect in 2013. The emissions performance standard puts a limit on the amount of carbon any new plants would be allowed to produce. This is likely to be set at 450g per tonne - more than a typical new gas plant emits but less than coal plants produce. a Whitehall source said this and other policies would mean electricity com