Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the original estimated completion date was for the new 400kV double circuit Beauly-Blackhillock project; and what the current estimated completion date is.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Transmission Owners (TOs) are licensed and regulated by Ofgem. While TOs are responsible for delivering transmission projects, Ofgem plays a key role in scrutinising delivery plans, setting the regulatory requirements and monitoring performance (including completion dates), against agreed outputs and milestones. Ofgem holds TOs accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades and can investigate potential non-compliance where delivery falls short of regulatory requirements.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the original estimated completion date was for the Loch Buidhe-Spittal 400kV reinforcement project; and what the current estimated completion date is.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Transmission Owners (TOs) are licensed and regulated by Ofgem. While TOs are responsible for delivering transmission projects, Ofgem plays a key role in scrutinising delivery plans, setting the regulatory requirements and monitoring performance (including completion dates), against agreed outputs and milestones. Ofgem holds TOs accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades and can investigate potential non-compliance where delivery falls short of regulatory requirements.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the original estimated completion date was for the Beauly-Loch Buidhe 400kV reinforcement project; and what the current estimated completion date is.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Transmission Owners (TOs) are licensed and regulated by Ofgem. While TOs are responsible for delivering transmission projects, Ofgem plays a key role in scrutinising delivery plans, setting the regulatory requirements and monitoring performance (including completion dates), against agreed outputs and milestones. Ofgem holds TOs accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades and can investigate potential non-compliance where delivery falls short of regulatory requirements.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits and costs to the UK of joining of the EU Internal Electricity Market.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We will negotiate an electricity agreement with the EU to cut the cost of trading electricity with European partners, strengthen our energy security, drive investment in the North Sea, and help to achieve our Clean Power 2030 Mission. The detailed commitments under any such agreement, including an assessment of their benefits and costs, will be developed as part of the negotiations.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what process they intend to follow to resolve cross-border disputes arising from the Hamburg Declaration regarding supply chain protectionism and the financing of shared grid infrastructure in the North Sea.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Hamburg Declaration of Energy Ministers, signed at the Third North Sea Summit on 26 January 2026, together with its annexes, including the Action Plan and the Offshore Financing Framework, is non-binding and does not create rights or obligations under national or international law. It therefore cannot give rise to justiciable disputes between the parties.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of global confidence in the UK energy market; and what steps, if any, they are taking to improve this.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, UK energy transition investment reached a record £65 billion in 2025, with investment in low-carbon sectors accounting for 2% of GDP - the second highest share in the G7. This reflects strong investor confidence in the UK’s clean energy transition and the significant opportunities it presents. The Government is reinforcing this momentum through the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan and the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, which provide long-term policy certainty, alongside targeted public investment and reforms to planning, grid connections and Contracts for Difference that are helping to unlock further private investment in clean energy infrastructure.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to seek a formal link between the UK and EU emissions trading schemes to exempt British manufacturers from the upcoming EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK and EU agreed to work towards linking their respective Emissions Trading Schemes (ETSs) at the May 2025 UK-EU Summit. Negotiations began late last year and are on-going. A significant benefit of a linking agreement would be the creation of the conditions needed for mutual exemptions from our respective CBAM regimes.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to negotiate energy alignment with the EU while maintaining the UK’s autonomy to regulate state aid and set environmental targets.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We will negotiate an electricity agreement with the EU to cut the cost of trading electricity with European partners, strengthen our energy security, drive investment in the North Sea, and help to achieve our Clean Power 2030 Mission.

In line with the outcome of exploratory discussions, the UK and the EU will discuss the relevant rules relating to state aid and environmental protection. Any commitments in these areas remain subject to negotiation and will involve a balance of rights and obligations to ensure a level playing field in the trade of electricity between the Parties.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to consolidate transmission project data currently held separately by the National Energy System Operator and Ofgem.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government works closely with the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and Ofgem to support the timely delivery of transmission infrastructure required for achieving our clean power goal. Whilst systems are in place to ensure consistent and up-to-date project data across organisations, NESO and Ofgem have distinct roles and responsibilities separate to DESNZ and it is necessary for them to maintain commercial information to carry out their respective operational and regulatory functions. We continue to work with NESO and Ofgem to improve where appropriate, effective data sharing to support efficient network planning and project delivery.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the (1) original, and (2) current, estimated cost is of the new 400kV double circuit Beauly-Blackhillock project.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Cost estimates are developed and maintained by the relevant Transmission Owners and are subject to regulatory scrutiny by Ofgem.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the (1) original, and (2) current, estimated cost is of the Loch Buidhe-Spittal 400kV reinforcement project.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Cost estimates are developed and maintained by the relevant Transmission Owners and are subject to regulatory scrutiny by Ofgem.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the (1) original, and (2) current, estimated cost is of the Beauly-Loch Buidhe 400kV reinforcement project.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Cost estimates are developed and maintained by the relevant Transmission Owners and are subject to regulatory scrutiny by Ofgem.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of their commitment to dynamic alignment on rules governing the European Union electricity market set out in UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, what assessment they have made of the penalties the United Kingdom would incur should it not reach the EU Directive 2023/2413 (RED III) mandate by 2030.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are negotiating an electricity agreement with the EU to reduce the cost of trading electricity with our European partners, strengthen the UK's energy security, support investment in the North Sea, and help deliver our Clean Power 2030 mission.

In line with the outcome of exploratory discussions, the UK and the EU will discuss the relevant rules relating to the promotion of renewable energy. Any commitments in this area, including those relating to Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III), remain subject to negotiation.

The terms of any future agreement, including any assessment of its impacts, will be developed through those negotiations.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of their commitment to dynamic alignment on rules governing the European Union electricity market set out in UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, what impact assessment they have made, if any, on the expected costs of implementing the EU Directive 2023/2413 (RED III) in the United Kingdom.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are negotiating an electricity agreement with the EU to reduce the cost of trading electricity with our European partners, strengthen the UK's energy security, support investment in the North Sea, and help deliver our Clean Power 2030 mission.

In line with the outcome of exploratory discussions, the UK and the EU will discuss the relevant rules relating to the promotion of renewable energy. Any commitments in this area, including those relating to Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III), remain subject to negotiation.

The terms of any future agreement, including any assessment of its impacts, will be developed through those negotiations.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of their commitment to dynamic alignment on rules governing the European Union electricity market set out in UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, what assessment they have made of the economic impact of the EU Directive 2023/2413 (RED III) mandate on the United Kingdom.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are negotiating an electricity agreement with the EU to reduce the cost of trading electricity with our European partners, strengthen the UK's energy security, support investment in the North Sea, and help deliver our Clean Power 2030 mission.

In line with the outcome of exploratory discussions, the UK and the EU will discuss the relevant rules relating to the promotion of renewable energy. Any commitments in this area, including those relating to Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III), remain subject to negotiation.

The terms of any future agreement, including any assessment of its impacts, will be developed through those negotiations.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of their commitment to dynamic alignment on rules governing the European Union electricity market set out in UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, what assessment they have made of the United Kingdom's capability to meet the EU Directive 2023/2413 (RED III) mandate by 2030.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are negotiating an electricity agreement with the EU to reduce the cost of trading electricity with our European partners, strengthen the UK's energy security, support investment in the North Sea, and help deliver our Clean Power 2030 mission.

In line with the outcome of exploratory discussions, the UK and the EU will discuss the relevant rules relating to the promotion of renewable energy. Any commitments in this area, including those relating to Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III), remain subject to negotiation.

The terms of any future agreement, including any assessment of its impacts, will be developed through those negotiations.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of their commitment to dynamic alignment on rules governing the European Union electricity market set out in UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, whether they expect to be bound by the mandate in the EU Directive 2023/2413 (RED III).

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are negotiating an electricity agreement with the EU to reduce the cost of trading electricity with our European partners, strengthen the UK's energy security, support investment in the North Sea, and help deliver our Clean Power 2030 mission.

In line with the outcome of exploratory discussions, the UK and the EU will discuss the relevant rules relating to the promotion of renewable energy. Any commitments in this area, including those relating to Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III), remain subject to negotiation.

The terms of any future agreement, including any assessment of its impacts, will be developed through those negotiations.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of their commitment to dynamic alignment on rules governing the European Union electricity market set out in UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, whether they are seeking an exemption from the EU Directive 2023/2413 (RED III).

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are negotiating an electricity agreement with the EU to reduce the cost of trading electricity with our European partners, strengthen the UK's energy security, support investment in the North Sea, and help deliver our Clean Power 2030 mission.

In line with the outcome of exploratory discussions, the UK and the EU will discuss the relevant rules relating to the promotion of renewable energy. Any commitments in this area, including those relating to Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III), remain subject to negotiation.

The terms of any future agreement, including any assessment of its impacts, will be developed through those negotiations.

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