Asked by: Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru - Caerfyrddin)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how reforms to the electricity connections process will take account of the wider social, economic and community value of Welsh community energy projects, particularly in rural areas, when assessing readiness and need.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Reforms to the electricity connections process are designed to connect viable projects that align with our Clean Power mission, including Welsh community energy schemes in rural areas. The reformed process has objective and transparent criteria for assessing projects, approved by Ofgem, with the focus on meeting our decarbonisation goals.
The Department does also recognise that community energy projects in Wales may need greater support in the connections process.
DESNZ is working alongside Ofgem, GBE, NESO, network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore grid connection regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers, including community energy projects.
Asked by: Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru - Caerfyrddin)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that any community energy (a) definition and (b) register developed for England does not prevent Distribution Network Operators from prioritising grid connections for Welsh community energy projects that contribute to Welsh Government targets for locally owned energy.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department is in the process of creating a definition of ‘Community Energy Group’ to provide clarity for communities seeking to form community energy groups and prevent the misuse of the designation.
The Department also recognises that community energy projects may need greater support in the connections process.
DESNZ is working alongside Ofgem, Great British Energy, the National Energy System Operator (NESO), network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore grid connection regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers, including community energy projects across the UK.
Asked by: Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru - Caerfyrddin)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to answer to the question 118015, what are the timescales for the publication of the government commissioned study on the costs of innovative undergrounding methods for transmission lines over distances of 20km to 50km.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The study on costs of innovative undergrounding methods for transmission lines is being prepared for publication shortly and in line with Cabinet Office May 2026 pre-election guidance.
Asked by: Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru - Caerfyrddin)
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 extent to which the current requirement for Distribution Network Operators to treat all connection applicants identically limits their ability to support Welsh community energy projects; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of a defined community energy status on creating a lawful basis for different treatment.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DESNZ is working with Ofgem, Great British Energy, NESO, network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers to the grid, including community energy projects. These reforms will support community schemes where they are viable and aligned with our Clean Power 2030 ambitions.
While we must ensure fair access for all projects, our focus is on creating a system that delivers the greatest overall contribution to decarbonisation. For now, defining community energy aims to give communities clarity and prevent misuse of the designation rather than prioritisation.
Asked by: Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru - Caerfyrddin)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether any definition or register of community energy organisations established under the Local Power Plan will allow Distribution Network Operators to identify eligible Welsh community energy projects and apply proportionate flexibility in the connections pipeline without breaching existing licence obligations.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department is in the process of creating a definition of ‘Community Energy Group’ to provide clarity for communities seeking to form community energy groups and prevent the misuse of the designation.
The Department also recognises that community energy projects may need greater support in the connections process.
DESNZ is working alongside Ofgem, Great British Energy, the National Energy System Operator (NESO), network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore grid connection regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers, including community energy projects across the UK.
Asked by: Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru - Caerfyrddin)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he will take steps with the Welsh Government to define the term community energy for the specific purpose of enabling Distribution Network Operators to apply differentiated treatment in the grid connections process for genuinely community-owned projects in Wales.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DESNZ is working with Ofgem, Great British Energy, NESO, network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers to the grid, including community energy projects. These reforms will support community schemes where they are viable and aligned with our Clean Power 2030 ambitions.
While we must ensure fair access for all projects, our focus is on creating a system that delivers the greatest overall contribution to decarbonisation. For now, defining community energy aims to give communities clarity and prevent misuse of the designation rather than prioritisation.
Asked by: Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru - Caerfyrddin)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (EN-5), on what evidential basis his Department has determined that overhead lines should be the strong starting presumption for electricity network developments in general.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The starting presumption for electricity network developments set out in EN-5 is based on several factors including cost, environmental and technical points.
Overhead lines are quicker and easier to construct, cause less environmental disturbance during construction, are easier to maintain and repair, and are simpler to connect to existing circuits.
Evidence indicates that overhead lines are significantly cheaper than undergrounding, with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (April 2025) estimating undergrounding costs around four and a half times more.
As these costs are ultimately borne by electricity bill payers, overhead lines remain the Government’s starting presumption.
Asked by: Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru - Caerfyrddin)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the costs of (a) undergrounding electricity transmission infrastructure and (b) developing overhead transmission lines.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Evidence published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (April 2025) shows that the lifetime cost of underground transmission cables is around four and a half times higher than overhead lines.
As costs are borne by the electricity bill payer, the Government’s starting presumption for new transmission infrastructure is overhead lines. In nationally designated landscapes, undergrounding is the starting presumption.
A government commissioned study on the costs of innovative undergrounding methods for transmission lines over distances of 20km to 50km will be published in the near future.
Asked by: Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru - Caerfyrddin)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the inclusion of coal tips in the forthcoming coal license ban.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
My Rt hon Friend regularly meets with the Welsh Government to discuss a range of issues. Official-level engagement with the Welsh Government has taken place and will continue as this policy develops.
Asked by: Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru - Caerfyrddin)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Budget Statement on 26 November 2025, whether the full investment reserve amount of £2.3bn will be transferred to BCSSS trustees.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The transfer of the full reserve of £2.3bn to BCSSS Trustees has been implemented and the required amendments to the scheme rules agreed and signed.