Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Government intends to require data centres above a specified capacity to provide a minimum level of demand flexibility as a condition of grid connection.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is considering whether some very large electricity users, including data centres, should provide a defined minimum level of demand flexibility. This could be delivered through measures such as energy storage, low-carbon generation or shifting suitable workloads.
The Government is working with Ofgem, NESO and industry to ensure that any approach supports a secure and efficient electricity system while remaining proportionate and investable.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, on what date Ofgem and NESO will publish final decisions on demand connection reform; and when the list of strategically important demand projects will be published.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We are working with Ofgem and NESO to introduce demand reforms to manage speculation, accelerate viable demand connections and enable strategically important projects to be prioritised.
Government consulted on measures to prioritise strategic demand and will publish its response shortly. Alongside this, Ofgem consulted on measures, including a Data Centre Commitment Fee, and will publish its decision in due course.
We intend to publish the Strategic Framework setting out the scope, criteria and process for identifying projects for prioritisation in due course.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps are being taken by the National Energy Systems Operator to help ensure data centres which support essential services to the public and infrastructure have continual power supplies.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is committed to ensuring electricity networks can meet rising electricity demand, including from data centres, by deploying new renewable and low-carbon generation in line with the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. Alongside this, government will ensure that supply continuously meets demand through the Capacity Market.
Government is also working with Ofgem, NESO and industry to explore how consumer-led flexibility can help to maintain a secure and efficient system as electricity demand increases.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what consideration has been given to the potential merits of requiring new data centres above a threshold capacity to provide on-site dispatchable generation or storage as a condition of connection, as adopted by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in Ireland.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has considered a range of international approaches, including Ireland’s, as part of its work on integrating growing data centre demand securely and efficiently. Officials are working with industry, NESO and Ofgem to explore a range of options for ensuring large electricity users support a secure and efficient electricity system, including the potential role of on-site storage, low carbon generation and demand-side measures.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the estimated annual cost is of the regional electricity discounts available to data centres in AI Growth Zones; and how that cost is funded.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade’s (BIST) proposals for electricity bill support target eligible data centres located in AI Growth Zones where they help to reduce overall electricity system costs.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what criteria will be used to designate strategically important demand projects for prioritised grid connection; and whether all sites within AI Growth Zones will be so designated.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As set out in the Government’s recent consultation on “Accelerating electricity network connections for strategic demand”, the criteria used to designate projects includes national objectives such as growth, jobs, social value and net zero.
Sites within publicly announced AI Growth Zones will be considered for grid connection support on their individual merits, in line with the relevant assessment processes.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the average industrial electricity price in the UK was in the latest year for which figures are available compared with (a) France, (b) Germany, (c) the United States and (d) Sweden; and what assessment has been made of its potential effect on data centre investment decisions.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department publishes data on international comparisons of non-domestic electricity prices on GOV.UK. The Government recognises that electricity prices are an important factor in data centre investment decisions, alongside access to power, grid connection times, planning and wider infrastructure considerations. The Government continues to work with industry, Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator to improve electricity system efficiency, accelerate grid connections and support investment in strategically important digital infrastructure.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many transmission-connected demand projects have received Gate 2 offers under the Gate 2 to Whole Queue process; how many are data centres; and what the earliest and latest connection date is offered to a data centre.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is currently implementing the Gate 2 to Whole Queue process and connection offers continue to be issued.
Data collected in 2025 and published by NESO shows 72.8 GW of capacity allocated to data centres in the GB connection queue across transmission and distribution, with connection dates extending to the late 2030s. It is not currently possible to provide a count of individual projects.
Government recently consulted on measures to manage the current oversubscription of data centre connections and will publish its response in due course.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment has been made of the potential merits of extending industrial energy price relief to data centres.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) is developing proposals for electricity bill support for eligible data centres located in AI Growth Zones where they help to reduce overall electricity system costs. BIST is undertaking further policy development on how to support data centres, and the government remains committed to supporting the UK’s ambitions for AI growth and investment.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
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 resilience of the kerosene supply chain in the UK.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department continues to monitor the UK kerosene supply chain as part of its wider monitoring of the security of supply of fuels. The UK benefits from a diverse supply base, including domestic production and imports which are complimented by well‑established distribution networks.
While global market conditions can affect prices, the Government currently has no concerns with the supply of heating oil, and continues to monitor risks closely and engage with industry to ensure the continuity of supply is maintained. Airports maintain stocks of bunkered aviation fuel to support their resilience. We are continuing to monitor the situation with industry.