Asked by: Lord Moynihan of Chelsea (Conservative - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Moynihan of Chelsea (Conservative - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Moynihan of Chelsea (Conservative - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Moynihan of Chelsea (Conservative - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Moynihan of Chelsea (Conservative - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Moynihan of Chelsea (Conservative - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Moynihan of Chelsea (Conservative - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Moynihan of Chelsea (Conservative - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Moynihan of Chelsea (Conservative - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Moynihan of Chelsea (Conservative - Life peer)
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.