Asked by: Carla Denyer (Green Party - Bristol Central)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the existing cap on fines for offshore oil and gas companies for breaches of environmental regulations.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government expects offshore oil and gas operators to meet the highest environmental standards and supports appropriate enforcement action where non-compliance occurs. A range of enforcement powers is already available in respect of breaches of offshore environmental requirements, including civil sanctions and, where appropriate, prosecution. The Government keeps the operation of the regulatory regime under review to ensure that it remains effective, proportionate and capable of protecting the marine environment. The priority is to ensure that the existing regime operates as an effective deterrent and secures compliance with relevant offshore environmental obligations.
Asked by: Carla Denyer (Green Party - Bristol Central)
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 support the adoption of electrification across foundation industries.
Answered by Katie White - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is committed to supporting electrification across industry by addressing key barriers and enabling investment. This is a crucial aspect of delivering clean power by 2030, decarbonising UK industry and securing its long- term competitiveness.
We are continuing to develop policies to bring down electricity costs relative to gas for the industrial sector and intend to consult on options to reduce costs and make low carbon heat the economically rational choice for a wider range of businesses. Stakeholders will have a voice in shaping future electrification policy.
Asked by: Carla Denyer (Green Party - Bristol Central)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the potential emissions reductions achievable by transitioning the Scunthorpe steelworks to electric arc furnace production.
Answered by Katie White - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
No recent assessment has been made of the potential emissions reductions achievable from transitioning the Scunthorpe steelworks to electric arc furnace production. However, British Steel stated in December 2023 that moving to electric arc furnaces could reduce the carbon intensity of its steelmaking operations by around 75 per cent. More broadly, as set out in the Steel Strategy, the Government sees electric arc furnaces as the most viable form of production as traditional blast furnaces reach the end of their operational life, and we continue towards our net zero ambitions.
Asked by: Carla Denyer (Green Party - Bristol Central)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the indexation of feed in tariffs to align with CPI rather than RPI from financial year 2026-27 on community energy schemes.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Changing indexation of the Feed‑in Tariffs scheme from RPI to CPI is estimated to reduce average revenue for a generator remaining on the scheme until 2036/37 by around 4.2%, compared with a scenario where indexation is unchanged. Generators that exit the scheme earlier would experience a smaller average impact. The available data does not allow for analysis on specific groups of generators such as community energy schemes. An analytical annex, including an assessment of the potential impacts of this policy, was published alongside the government response.
Asked by: Carla Denyer (Green Party - Bristol Central)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the the crude oil and diesel spill from the Piper Bravo Platform on 6 January 2026 on the marine environment.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The crude oil and diesel spills on the Piper Bravo Platform on 6th January 2026 were reported to the Health & Safety Executive in accordance with their hydrocarbon release reporting requirements. Both spills were contained on the installation with no spill to the marine environment.
Asked by: Carla Denyer (Green Party - Bristol Central)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what definition his Department uses for new exploration in the context of a Transitional Energy Certificate; and whether that definition includes seismic activity.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The North Sea Transition Authority will publish detailed guidance on the application and assessment process for Transitional Energy Certificates in due course, including plans to ensure that the changes do not adversely impact seismic and other activity which is not for the purposes of oil and gas exploration.
Asked by: Carla Denyer (Green Party - Bristol Central)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether Transitional Energy Certificates will be required to supply environmental statements that (a) include Scope 3 emissions and (b) consider potential environmental impacts in line with what is required from other production.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Transitional Energy Certificates will give the holder exclusivity over a specific area of the seabed. These areas of the seabed must be adjacent to an existing licensed block and will be managed on an ‘out of round’ basis by the North Sea Transition Authority.
Prior to undertaking any development activities within areas covered by Certificates, project developers will need to submit applications for consents or directions in accordance with the requirements of offshore environmental impact assessment legislation and associated guidance.
Asked by: Carla Denyer (Green Party - Bristol Central)
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 North Sea Future Plan published on 26 November 2025, if he will clarify his Department's definition of a (a) managed, (b) prosperous and (c) orderly transition; and how these terms will be applied when deciding whether to approve a Transitional Energy Certificate.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The North Sea Transition Authority will publish detailed guidance on the application and assessment process for Transitional Energy Certificates in due course.
Asked by: Carla Denyer (Green Party - Bristol Central)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department's proposed policy on tiebacks in oil and gas drilling allows for the exploitation of new fields via tiebacks to existing infrastructure in fields that have already been licenced.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
On 26 November, the Government published its North Sea Future Plan.
The plan implements the Government’s manifesto commitments to manage existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan, and to not issue new licences to explore new oil and gas fields. As part of this, the government will introduce new Transitional Energy Certificates which will enable limited oil and gas production on or near to existing fields, so long as this additional production does not require new exploration, is already part of or links back to existing fields and infrastructure, and is necessary for a managed, orderly and prosperous transition.
Asked by: Carla Denyer (Green Party - Bristol Central)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of ending the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme after 2028 on (a) commitments to reach 100% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and (b) public sector (i) emissions and (ii) climate resilience.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
By the time the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme concludes in 2028, it will have delivered approximately £3.5 billion in capital funding to over 1,400 projects across England. These investments have supported heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency upgrades in public sector buildings, contributing to emissions reductions and progress toward net zero as well as climate resilience.
The Government will shortly publish its Carbon Budgets and Growth Delivery Plan, which will outline plans for non-domestic buildings, including the public sector. The Warm Homes Plan will also set out plans to support the decarbonisation of buildings.
No estimate has been made of the impacts on public sector climate resilience resulting from not decarbonising the public sector.