Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to reduce the curtailment restriction on new Bio Mass energy installations wishing to connect to the national grid.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is working with Ofgem and the network companies to release network capacity and improve the connection process, which should bring forward unrestricted connections for electricity generators, including for biomass. However, connection agreements with curtailment can provide benefits by allowing generators to connect sooner, while the network is being upgraded to facilitate an unrestricted connection.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps against energy providers that fail to account for levels of customer vulnerability when recovering arrears.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ofgem rules, including the Ability to Pay Principle, obligate suppliers to provide appropriate support for those struggling to pay their bills by setting up repayment plans based on a customer’s ability to pay, and providing additional support credit to customers in vulnerable circumstances.
The Government recently launched a 5-point plan to tackle issues around prepayment meters and support for vulnerable customers. This includes coordination with Ofgem to ensure they take a more robust approach to the protection of vulnerable customers, and they conduct a review to make sure suppliers are complying with rules.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to help ensure energy companies remove prepayment meters that have been installed in households that are classed as vulnerable.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has written to energy suppliers making it clear that providing appropriate remedial action to consumers who have been wrongly forced onto a prepayment meter is critical.
Ofgem has called on all suppliers to proactively check if any prepayment meters have been installed incorrectly and, where rules have been broken, to act now to offer customers a reversal of installations and compensation payments where appropriate. Ofgem also has powers to fine suppliers, if appropriate, to tackle non-compliance.
The Government will continue to engage with Ofgem and suppliers to ensure sufficient action is taken.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
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 secure the UK’s long-term energy needs.
Answered by Graham Stuart
As set out in the British Energy Security Strategy, the Government is increasing energy security by reducing our dependence on imported oil and gas. This means more home-grown energy, including the low carbon technologies required to deliver net zero. My Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer noted in his Autumn Statement that the Government will set out further plans for energy security and delivering greater energy independence in due course.