Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Jones and Claire Coutinho

Tuesday 27th February 2024 Commons Chamber

[Jack Brereton (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Con)]

16. What steps she is taking to help increase private sector investment in green technologies.

[The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Claire Coutinho)]

The UK has already made tremendous progress in securing investment in green technologies; recent figures indicate that there was £60 billion of investment in the UK in 2023, meaning that since 2010, the UK has had £300 billion of public and private investment in low-carbon sectors. Since I took office in September, we have put in place new policies and signed deals with different countries, and the investment has continued to flow, with plans for around £24 billion of new investment in low-carbon sectors announced by the private sector.

[Andrew Jones]

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Harmony Energy based in Knaresborough opened Europe’s largest battery farm in Yorkshire in 2022. It has raised the issue of connectivity challenges being a blockage to investment, so I welcome the connections action plan, which aims to cut connection times by up to 90%. Battery farms are critical for energy retention and storage, and are particularly helpful for renewables, so may I ask my right hon. Friend for an update on how the plan is being implemented?

[Claire Coutinho]

We have set out the most radical reforms to the grid since the 1950s. As the action plan sets out, we are taking action with Ofgem and network companies to accelerate those really important network connections. Network companies are offering earlier connection to battery storage and generation projects. For example, 10 GW of battery storage projects are already being offered connection dates to the transmission network that are on average four years earlier than was originally agreed.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Jones and Claire Coutinho

Monday 27th February 2023 Commons Chamber

[Claire Coutinho]

I join my hon. Friend in congratulating Springfield School on its outstanding achievement—he has often bent my ear about the head, Lisa Hodgkison, and the tremendous work she is doing there. We are investing £2.6 billion to increase the number of specialist school places across the country.

[Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)]

14. What steps her Department is taking to support upskilling opportunities for adults.