Energy: Welsh Government

Debate between Lord Callanan and Earl Attlee

Wednesday 24th April 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

We have regular discussions with the Welsh Government. The noble Baroness neglected to say that Port Talbot was one of the two ports in the UK that was taken forward, with one in Scotland as well. She is being slightly unfair in that assertion.

[Earl Attlee (Con)]

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the UK burns about 50,000 tonnes of coal for the heritage steam sector, but due to the closure by the Welsh Government of the Ffos-y-Fran colliery, that coal now has to be imported from Colombia and South Africa, and increases emissions rather than reduces them? Will my noble friend the Minister have a chat with the appropriate Welsh Ministers about that?

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

The noble Earl makes an interesting point, and I am of course aware of the requirements of the heritage steam sector. We would be happy to take it up with the Welsh Government.

Biomass Strategy 2023: Cross Sectoral Sustainability Framework

Debate between Lord Callanan and Earl Attlee

Wednesday 15th November 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

I absolutely agree with the first part of the noble Baroness’s question. She is right that there needs to be a variety of sources of power: renewable sources, biomass linked to carbon capture and storage, and long-term hydrogen production. Of course, in the net zero strategy we look at all these things in the round, linked to a long-term analysis of how the power needs of the UK are best met going forward.

[Earl Attlee (Con)]

My Lords, when wood decomposes, does it release CO₂ naturally?

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

I think it does, but I am not going to get into a scientific debate about it. It certainly does when it is burned, but of course it absorbs CO₂ when it is growing; that is the nature of it being sustainable.