Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment has his department made of the potential merits of injecting landfill gas biomethane directly into the grid rather than burning it for electricity on site, in the context of the situation in the Gulf.

Answered by Katie White - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Biomethane grid injection would not be suitable for most landfill sites due to the infrastructure required to treat the gas to make it suitable for injection or use as fuel, and to cover the distance from many sites to the gas grid. Most sites are too small to justify the capital investment needed to install this new infrastructure, as gas flows would decline before return on investment. In contrast, the electricity generation infrastructure already exists across these landfill sites.

Although no final decisions have been made, we intend to consult on proposals for transitional support for landfill gas generation shortly, and would welcome responses from those in the biomethane sector.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Government plans to support electricity generation from landfill gas at large landfills where the RO accreditation is due to expire in March 2027.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government recognises that landfill gas generation can help to reduce methane emissions, and that the commercial viability of these generators could be affected by the expiry of RO support.

The sector is highly heterogeneous, with sites varying widely in both their cost profiles and the level of methane abatement they deliver.

Generators at larger landfills contribute a larger proportion of methane abatement in the sector, but may be less dependent on subsidy given their greater gas resource and economies of scale.

No decisions on scheme eligibility or levels of support have been taken. DESNZ intend to consult on proposals shortly, and any final decisions will be subject to robust value for money considerations.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department’s latest estimate is of the completion date of the Norwich to Tilbury transmission upgrade.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Norwich to Tilbury is 31/12/2031. Government is taking actions to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department’s latest estimate is of the total capital cost of the transmission network upgrades required to deliver Clean Power 2030.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Ofgem estimates that transmission owners will invest up to around £70 billion in Great Britain's electricity transmission network between 2025-26 and 2030-31. The majority of this spend remains subject to further in-period approval.

As well as supporting delivery of Clean Power 2030, this will accommodate growing electricity demand and reduce network constraints resulting from generation build having historically outpaced network build. Some expenditure also reflects essential asset replacement and maintenance.

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Cost estimates for individual projects are developed and maintained by the relevant transmission owners and are subject to regulatory scrutiny by Ofgem. Transmission owners are only permitted to recover costs that Ofgem determines are efficiently incurred.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department’s latest estimate is of the completion date of Eastern Green Link 2.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Eastern Green Link 2 is 31/12/2030. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department’s latest estimate is of the completion date of the Yorkshire GREEN project.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Yorkshire Green is 31/12/2028. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

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 the National Energy System Operator on the deliverability of Clean Power 2030 since taking office.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Secretary of State speaks to the National Energy System Operator on a regular basis on a range of topics.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department’s latest estimate is of the completion date of substation works associated with the Beauly to Denny transmission upgrade.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Beauly to Denny including the substation works is 31/12/2031. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic networks planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department’s latest estimate is of the completion date of the Sea Link transmission reinforcement project.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Sea Link is 31/12/2031. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department’s latest estimate is of the completion date of Eastern Green Link 1.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Eastern Green Link 1 is 31/12/2028. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department’s latest estimate is of the completion date of Eastern Green Link 3.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Eastern Green Link 3 is 31/08/2034. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

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 (a) number of transmission projects identified by the National Energy System Operator as essential to Clean Power 2030 that are on track for delivery by end of 2030 and (b) level of grid decarbonisation achievable by that date.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We work closely with the TOs on delivery of network projects, including identifying opportunities to accelerate delivery. As of 31st March, 64 of the 68 wider network projects identified by NESO as essential for CP2030 delivery are forecast to deliver by the end of 2030. We know that a clean power system is achievable, and the best way to protect consumers from fossil fuel price volatility.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what considerations formed part of discussions relating to the timing of an announcement regarding the Jackdaw field.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Jackdaw field decision is currently going through the regulatory process. The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero will make a decision in due course on whether or not to agree to the grant of consent by the North Sea Transition Authority. There is no fixed timeline for an announcement, and it is imperative that all material is properly considered so that a robust decision can be taken. Given the quasi-judicial nature of the regulatory process, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the project.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether a date has been provisionally scheduled for the announcement of the decision on the Jackdaw field.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Jackdaw field decision is currently going through the regulatory process. The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero will make a decision in due course on whether or not to agree to the grant of consent by the North Sea Transition Authority. There is no fixed timeline for an announcement, and it is imperative that all material is properly considered so that a robust decision can be taken. Given the quasi-judicial nature of the regulatory process, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the project.

Found: Mundell MP, Craig Hoy MSP, Finlay Carson MSP, all South Scotland regional MSPs, Dawn Black MSP, Andrew Bowie

Found: Mundell MP, Craig Hoy MSP, Finlay Carson MSP, all South Scotland regional MSPs, Dawn Black MSP, Andrew Bowie