Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure voltage stability if Torness power station closes as planned in 2028.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In December 2024, EDF announced the extension of the lifetime of Torness by a further 2 years until March 2030. As set out in our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, nuclear will continue to play a key role in the energy system beyond 2030 with the continued operation of Sizewell B and delivery of new build projects such as Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and advanced nuclear projects including GBE-N's SMR programme.
Energy security is a priority for the government. The Capacity Market is the UK Government’s main tool for ensuring continued security of electricity supply.
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is responsible for the secure and efficient operation of the electricity system, including maintaining voltage stability across the network. NESO has the necessary tools, expertise, and statutory powers to fulfil this role and ensure the continued stability of the system.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to extending the number of applicable delivery years to three for solar photovoltaic in future contracts for difference auctions to enable large-scale development projects to bid.
Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Solar projects over 5MW were eligible to apply for Allocation Round 6. The Government is committed to accelerating solar deployment to meet clean power 2030 and reviews the Contracts for Difference scheme before every round to ensure it continues to deliver this and other objectives. We will confirm details for Allocation Round 7, including eligibility and delivery years, in due course.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of a delay of trial trenching requirements for solar farms until after consent is granted upon the protection of archaeological sites from disturbance.
Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Criteria for assessing potential impacts of large-scale solar projects on the historic environment are set out in planning guidance. In most cases, applicants are required to seek expert assessment. Where assessments include investigative work, such as trial trenching, this should be proportionate.
Conducting this work during the pre-application planning phase enables developers to consider findings and, if necessary, mitigate impacts by adapting project design at an early stage.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of large-scale development consent order solar projects being able to bid in contracts for difference auctions on achieving the objectives of Clean Power 2030.
Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Solar projects over 5MW were eligible to apply for Allocation Round 6. The Government is committed to accelerating solar deployment to meet clean power 2030 and reviews the Contracts for Difference scheme before every round to ensure it continues to deliver this and other objectives. We will confirm details for Allocation Round 7 in due course.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have undertaken an impact assessment of trial trenching requirements on ground-mounted solar farm project developers.
Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
No formal impact assessment has been made.
Planning guidance and consents set requirements for archaeological surveys where appropriate, and techniques used may include trial trenching. The most appropriate technique is likely to depend on the specific circumstances in each case.