Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to (a) identify sites for and (b) deliver small modular nuclear reactors in the South West.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Nuclear (GBN) completed its purchase of the site at Oldbury-on-Severn (Gloucestershire) in June 2024.
As a site which has previously hosted a nuclear power station, and is now owned by GBN, Oldbury has the potential to host nuclear projects, though no decisions on projects or sites have yet been taken.
In line with manifesto commitments, this Government is working to get Hinkley Point C over the line and will aim to bring forward further nuclear projects at Sizewell C and those involving Small Modular Reactors. As confirmed at the Autumn Budget, Great British Nuclear is progressing the SMR competition and is negotiating with four companies. These companies will be invited to submit final tenders, which will then be evaluated by GBN. Final decisions are intended to be taken in the Spring.
Asked by: Richard Tice (Reform UK - Boston and Skegness)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department (a) is taking and (b) plans to take to ensure energy security during periods where renewable energy sources do not meet demand.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK’s diverse power mix reduces dependence on one generation source, ensuring security of supply in a range of conditions. Transitioning away from fossil fuels and towards a range of home-grown clean energy technologies will reduce the UK’s vulnerability to unstable energy prices while ensuring energy security. The Government is accelerating the development and deployment of low-carbon flexible energy generation and storage, including batteries and pumped hydro, to manage the intermittency of wind and solar. The Clean Power 2030 action plan, set for release by year-end, will detail the Government's strategy for achieving a secure, clean power system by 2030.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on steps to increase awareness among young people of potential education and training opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department understands that more needs to be done to improve awareness and promote opportunities for young people in the clean energy sector, as these jobs can offer secure, well-paid careers. We are working closely with the Department for Education, Skills England, as well as industry and Trade Unions, to explore what can be done to improve this to encourage the uptake of skills and training provisions on offer for young people.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help increase access to electric car charging infrastructure for people living in (a) flats and (b) houses without driveways.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grants are available for people living in homes without driveways, flat owners, renters, and landlords. These offer up to £350 towards the purchase and installation of a chargepoint. The Government will shortly publish guidance for local authorities on installing cross-pavement solutions for residents without off-street parking.
In addition, the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund supports local authorities in England to work with industry to transform the availability of EV charging for drivers without off-street parking, and will support the installation of tens of thousands of local chargers.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much funding he plans to provide through Great British Energy for small modular reactors over the next 10 years.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As Great British Energy (GBE) will be operationally independent, the exact mix of technologies GBE chooses to invest in will be determined by the company due course.
The Government is considering how GBE and Great British Nuclear (GBN) can work best together to ensure that the UK achieves energy security and clean power whilst securing thousands of skilled jobs. GBN is pushing forward with the SMR competition for UK deployment. GBN is in negotiation with four companies; once negotiations have concluded, they will be invited to submit final tenders, which GBN will then evaluate. Final decisions will be taken in the spring.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps to (a) increase the number of and (b) expand existing community energy schemes.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the role community groups play in our efforts to tackle climate change. Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan will support Local and Combined Authorities and Community Energy Groups to develop up to 8GW of cleaner power by 2030.
The Government also supports the community energy sector through the £10 million Community Energy Fund, which enables communities across England to access grant funding to develop local renewable energy projects for investment.
Asked by: Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrat - Bath)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what proportion of funding from the public purse for Sizewell C has been (a) spent on and (b) committed to companies with headquarters in (i) the UK and (ii) what foreign countries.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The details of contracts agreed by Sizewell C with its suppliers are commercially sensitive. The project has made a commitment to spend 70 per cent of the construction value in the UK.
Asked by: Tracy Gilbert (Labour - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Transmission Network Use of System charges on the viability of potential renewable energy projects in Scotland.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ofgem is legally responsible for network charging arrangements. Government and Ofgem recognise the importance of transmission charges to the development of renewable generation in Scotland. This is why Ofgem established an industry Taskforce to consider near-term improvements to transmission charges and has proposed a temporary cap and floor to alleviate the projected rise, and increasing volatility, in Transmission Network Use of System charges. This is expected to provide generators with greater certainty in time for future Contracts for Difference allocation rounds, including the next - Allocation Round 7.
Asked by: Tracy Gilbert (Labour - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reforming the Transmission Network Use of System charges.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ofgem is legally responsible for network charging arrangements and both Government and Ofgem recognise the importance of transmission network charges in considering wider electricity system reform. There are both near- and long-term proposals being considered for reform of Transmission Network Use of System charges and Government officials will continue to work closely with Ofgem as these proposals develop.
Asked by: Tracy Gilbert (Labour - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to consult with stakeholders ahead of the Contract for Difference Allocation Round 7.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We are currently working with industry to accelerate ways to build upon the successful outcome of the last Contracts for Difference auction, so that we can deliver our goal of clean power by 2030. We will also consult formally with stakeholders on any changes to the scheme ahead of Allocation Round 7.