Asked by: Alan Gemmell (Labour - Central Ayrshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate she has made of the number of jobs expected to be created in Ayrshire or the West of Scotland through GB Energy investments.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has not made a specific estimate of the number of jobs expected in Ayrshire or the West of Scotland. Great British Energy (GBE) invests on a UK-wide basis, and its investment decisions and job impacts cannot be predicted by region at this early stage. GBE's Strategic Plan commits it to supporting at least 10,000 jobs by 2030 nationwide.
Asked by: Alan Gemmell (Labour - Central Ayrshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions she has had with National Grid and Scottish network operators on bringing forward grid connections for renewable projects in Ayrshire.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ministers and officials engage regularly with National Grid and Scottish network operators, as well as the National Energy System Operator and Ofgem, on a range of issues relating to electricity network capacity, the delivery of network infrastructure and grid connections for clean energy projects. These discussions include how to accelerate network development, implement connections reform and ensure that viable renewable energy projects can connect to the electricity system as quickly as possible. This includes helping to deliver connections for renewable energy projects across Great Britain, including in Ayrshire.
Asked by: Alan Gemmell (Labour - Central Ayrshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to improve nuclear investment in Ayrshire.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As we enter the new golden age of nuclear, the UK Government has allocated almost £17 billion across the Spending Review period to enable the biggest nuclear new build programme in a generation. Ministers want to see this investment create economic opportunities for communities across the UK, with domestic supply chains developing to be internationally competitive.
While the Scottish Government currently opposes new nuclear power stations, UK Ministers remain open to discussions regarding opportunities for new nuclear in Scotland.
Asked by: Alan Gemmell (Labour - Central Ayrshire)
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 role of new nuclear in supporting a clean energy transition.
Answered by Ed Miliband - Foreign Secretary
Nuclear power will play a central role in our future clean power system, providing clean, homegrown baseload power to the grid. I am delighted that today we have announced £14.2bn of support for Sizewell C and that Rolls Royce are the winners of the SMR competition, and I look forward to laying this out in full to the House shortly.