Asked by: Nick Timothy (Conservative - West Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the (a) value and (b) volume of solar PV and energy storage equipment imported into the UK from China is.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department does not hold this information. HMRC publishes the value and mass of solar panels and batteries imported, by country, on its data portal at www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/ots-custom-table/.
Asked by: Nick Timothy (Conservative - West Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the (a) value, and (b) volume of solar PV and energy storage equipment imported into the UK by Huawei is.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department does not hold this information. HMRC publishes the value and mass of solar panels and batteries imported, by country, on its data portal at www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/ots-custom-table/.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the number of homes in Lincolnshire that are below EPC band C.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The information requested is not held by the Department.
Asked by: John Lamont (Conservative - Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk)
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 allocating levels of funding to support the increased use of (a) heat pumps and (b) wood pellets based on levels of CO2 reduction.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government will publish its carbon budget plan by October. This will set out the policy package to the end of Carbon Budget 6 in 2037 for all sectors of the economy, including the role of heat pumps and biomass (including wood pellets).
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides £7,500 grants to households to partially cover the cost of installing a heat pump in their home. Further detail on the Warm Homes Plan, including further funding for the Scheme, will be set out by October.
Biomass for electricity generation receives funding via the government’s Renewables Obligation and Contracts for Difference schemes.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of consumer protections under the ECO 4 scheme.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
ECO4 insulation measures must be installed by TrustMark registered businesses, who are required to adhere to relevant industry standards. Installations of low carbon measures must be carried out in accordance with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) requirements.
Improvements to consumer protection are underway and we will set out plans for root and branch reform as part of the Warm Homes Plan.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
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 audit spending under the ECO 4 scheme.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ofgem is the scheme administrator and audits progress on the ECO4 scheme. It publishes regular updates on its website https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/energy-company-obligation-eco/contacts-guidance-and-resources/eco-public-reports-and-data.
Asked by: Peter Bedford (Conservative - Mid Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of green levies on business competitiveness.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect businesses permanently. Policy costs on energy bills are essential for funding key environmental policies which enable the UK to transition to a secure, low-carbon energy future. This shift to renewables is making energy cleaner, more stable, and cheaper in the long run.
The clean energy transition is the economic opportunity of the 21st century. It is our chance to build up the industries of the future right here at home. That is why we have announced that from 2027 a new Industrial Strategy Energy Support Scheme will help over 8,000 businesses see their electricity costs drop by around 20-25%.
Asked by: Michelle Welsh (Labour - Sherwood Forest)
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 merits of increasing training opportunities for manufacturers (a) installing and (b) maintaining biomass heating products.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government takes a proactive role in developing the skills base needed for the transition to low carbon heating, through the provision of targeted support in line with workforce requirements.
Commercially available training opportunities exist for those involved in the installation and/or maintenance of biomass heating products and the government continues to work with industry stakeholders to monitor the efficacy of these provisions.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
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 support homeowners to meet the costs of remedial work caused by foam roof insulation installed using a government grant.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
There is no government financial assistance available to have insulation removed. Any measures fitted under government schemes must be fitted to the highest standards with issues promptly and properly rectified. In any instance where insulation is installed improperly under a government-backed scheme, consumers are entitled to remediation by their installer or, failing that, the guarantee at no cost to the consumer.
Installations of any insulation under current Government schemes must be installed in accordance with the PAS 2030 and PAS 2035 standards. The TrustMark website contains further guidance on how consumers can complain if things go wrong and the dispute resolution process: https://www.trustmark.org.uk/homeowners/if-things-go-wrong.
Asked by: Nick Timothy (Conservative - West Suffolk)
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 cellular internet modules on (a) wind turbines, and (b) solar panels imported from China.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Recognising the importance of renewable and smart energy systems for flexibility and decarbonisation, the Department is working to ensure the system is developed in a way that is secure by design, and protects energy supply, infrastructure and consumers. As part of this work, Government has published two consultation packages which sets out proposals for minimum security and grid stability requirements, including for organisations remotely controlling electrical load.
The Department collaborates with other government departments, agencies and industry partners to understand and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure, setting robust regulatory standards for cyber security through the Network and Information Systems Regulations. This includes working with regulators to ensure these regulations cover critical operators as the sector evolves.