Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
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 impact of decarbonisation policy costs on (a) industrial energy prices and (b) the international competitiveness of UK industry.
Answered by Katie White - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The only sustainable way to cut energy bills is to reduce the UK’s exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. Clean Power by 2030 will help do that. In the nearer term, through the British Industry Supercharger (BIS), we are reducing electricity costs for energy‑intensive industries. Since April 2026, the discount on electricity network charges for these firms has increased from 60% to 90%.
The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) will also reduce electricity costs by up to £40/MWh for over 10,000 businesses across the Industrial Strategy’s growth sectors and key manufacturing supply chains.
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
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 contribution of net zero-related costs to the retail price per litre of (a) petrol and (b) diesel.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
There are no dedicated Net Zero levies on petrol or diesel in the UK.
The cost of fuel is influenced by a range of factors. As oil is a globally traded commodity, disruptions or uncertainty in any region can influence prices in the UK until global markets stabilise.
Nonetheless, we have taken several measures to protect drivers. The Chancellor has frozen fuel duty since this Government came to office, extending the 5p fuel duty cut until September. We have also implemented Fuel Finder, which my Department’s analysis suggests could save households that own a car around £40 per year on average.
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
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 cost of balancing payments, constraint payments and grid reinforcement associated with intermittent renewable generation.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Historical data on constraint and balancing costs is held and published by the National Energy System Operator (NESO). This data is disseminated primarily through NESO’s Annual Balancing Cost Report (with supporting data), which also includes projections of these costs out to 2035 under a range of scenarios.
Ofgem anticipates that over £70bn of investment in GB's electricity transmission networks may be required between 2026-2031 as part of their RIIO-ET3 price control (the third electricity transmission price control under their Revenues, Incentives, Innovation and Outputs framework). This investment is not only required to achieve the government's clean power target but is also essential to maintain a reliable electricity system and to deliver economic growth. This investment pays for itself over the period by enabling more low carbon energy onto the system and by reducing system constraints.
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
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 cost to households of environmental and social obligation policy costs included in (a) electricity and (b) gas bills in each of the last 10 years.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Policy costs on bills over the last 10 years have been published on Ofgem’s website: Ofgem’s Default Tariff Cap data (‘Final levelized cap rates model (Annex 9)’, tab: 1c Consumption adjusted levels, row 42). A key priority of the Government is to tackle Britain’s affordability crisis: the Government is acting to bring bills down now and over the long term through the transition to clean, home-grown power, and will continue to explore ways to both lower energy bills for consumers and reduce barriers for consumers to adopt clean technologies.
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what comparative assessment he has made of the opportunity cost of (a) public expenditure on net zero policies and (b) alternative uses, including tax reduction and energy bill relief.
Answered by Katie White - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The case for clean energy and climate action is stronger than ever. If we do not take action now, we will miss out on all the opportunities of the transition – including reducing our exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets, protecting bill payers, warmer homes, cleaner air, good jobs and increased access to nature.
This is an investment in our infrastructure, our economy and our future. The OBR has been clear that the economic costs of delayed or insufficient action are far larger than the investment requirements of a managed transition, and estimates that under a 3°C global warming scenario, UK GDP could be around 8% lower by the early 2070’s, compared to a no climate change baseline.
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish a comprehensive balance sheet of direct, indirect and contingent costs associated with meeting net zero targets.
Answered by Katie White - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The case for clean energy and climate action is stronger than ever. If we do not take action now, we will miss out on all the opportunities of the transition – including reducing our exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets, protecting bill payers, warmer homes, cleaner air, good jobs and increased access to nature.
This is an investment in our infrastructure, our economy and our future. The OBR has been clear that the economic costs of delayed or insufficient action are far larger than the investment requirements of a managed transition, and estimates that under a 3°C global warming scenario, UK GDP could be around 8% lower by the early 2070’s, compared to a no climate change baseline.
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what (a) subsidies, (b) grants, (c) contracts for difference payments, and (d) other support mechanisms have been provided for renewable generation since 2010; and what the cumulative cost to taxpayers has been.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
For a breakdown of billpayer funding see:
To note: These billpayer funded levy figures are not equivalent to net impacts on bill payers, as renewable deployment has also suppressed wholesale prices over this period.
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the resilience of the UK electricity grid in extreme weather conditions.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero works extensively with the energy sector to continually improve and maintain the resilience and security of energy infrastructure against risks including severe weather events, such as storms.
The Energy Resilience Strategy, due for publication later this year, will seize the unique opportunity presented by the energy transition to embed resilience into the design of our future energy system.
This Strategy will set out our priorities for building a secure and resilient energy system and explain how we will work with industry, infrastructure partners, and the public to strengthen prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Energy policy and electricity system resilience are transferred matters in Northern Ireland, falling within the legislative competence of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive The UK Government maintains a close working relationship with the Department for the Economy, supporting them in managing energy security and resilience, and stands ready to help Northern Ireland during significant disruptions, as demonstrated during Storm Eowyn.
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
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 condition of the Moyle Interconnector; and whether he has plans for additional interconnectors between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Moyle is a point-to-point interconnector that has been in operation since 2002. It is a commercially developed interconnector and operates without government conducting ongoing assessments of its condition.
On future interconnection between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ofgem gave in-principle approval in November 2024 for the proposed LirIC electricity interconnector. This project is being taken forward under the Ofgem cap and floor regulatory regime.
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
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 potential impact of Great British Energy’s activities on small and medium-sized enterprises in Northern Ireland since its establishment; what steps his Department is taking with Great British Energy to ensure that opportunities in the clean energy supply chain and project investment are accessible to SMEs in Northern Ireland; and how his Department is monitoring SME engagement and participation in Great British Energy-related projects in the devolved regions.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy (GBE) will operate in Northern Ireland as part of its commitment to deliver in all four nations of the UK. Recognising Northern Ireland’s distinct energy landscape and regulatory framework, GBE will continue to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to explore ways it can best support the delivery of clean power, community energy and drive inclusive economic growth. The contribution of SMEs to the development of clean power including supply chains will be part of this consideration.
Earlier this year GBE committed £1.62 million for community and public sector renewable projects in Northern Ireland. On 10 December, we announced that this funding will help Further Education Colleges to benefit from clean energy, through installation of Solar PV at a number of sites.
Additionally, on 11 December, GBE also launched a £300m supply chain fund for offshore wind and networks. All areas of the UK will be eligible for funding, meaning projects may be located anywhere in the UK, including in Northern Ireland, subject to Windsor Framework considerations.