Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will have discussions with the National Grid on ensuring that the statutory consultation on the Norwich to Tilbury infrastructure project does not take place until the reports by the (a) National Grid's Electricity Systems Operator on The East Anglian Study and (b) Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee following its inquiry entitled A flexible grid for the future are published.
Answered by Graham Stuart
As the statutory consultation process is not led by Government, there have not been discussions between the Secretary of State and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) on the timing and alignment of its consultation on this project. NGET has however publicly stated that it will ensure that the results of the Electricity System Operator East Anglia study will be considered fully.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will have discussions with National Grid on ensuring that the statutory consultation on the Norwich to Tilbury infrastructure project does not take place until the Electricity System Operator offshore coordination study has concluded.
Answered by Graham Stuart
As the statutory consultation process is not led by Government, there have not been discussions between the Secretary of State and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) on the timing and alignment of its consultation on this project. NGET has however publicly stated that it will ensure that the results of the Electricity System Operator East Anglia study will be considered fully.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of Ofgem's role in enforcing the use of the Treasury Green Book guidance in relation to the development of the Norwich to Tilbury proposals by the National Grid.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Green Book provides standard guidance for evaluating benefits and outcomes of projects. Transmission Owners follow a robust assessment process and use national guidance, primarily the National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure. Their proposals are subject to an independent high-level assessment of their ability to meet electricity network needs by the Electricity System Operator. Ofgem expects Transmission Owners to reference the Green Book in their submissions, but its application is not enforced and there is no requirement in the Planning Act 2008 for a Green Book assessment to be included in Development Consent Order applications.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will have discussions with National Grid on ensuring that energy infrastructure projects comply with HM Treasury's publication entitled The Green Book, published in March 2022.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Green Book provides standard guidance for evaluating benefits and outcomes of projects. Transmission Owners follow a robust assessment process and use national guidance, primarily the National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure. Their proposals are subject to an independent high-level assessment of their ability to meet electricity network needs by the Electricity System Operator. Ofgem expects Transmission Owners to reference the Green Book in their submissions, but its application is not enforced and there is no requirement in the Planning Act 2008 for a Green Book assessment to be included in Development Consent Order applications.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the National Grid has had discussions with RAF Wattisham on the Norwich to Tilbury pylon proposals.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Consulting on the Norwich to Tilbury project is a matter for National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) as the Transmission Owner and developer. The Ministry of Defence is a Statutory Consultee under the Planning Act and, as such, NGET is required to engage with RAF Wattisham on potential impacts of the project on Wattisham Air Base. NGET is best placed to comment on any such engagement.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether National Grid has consulted with Wattisham Air Base on the potential operational implications for that air base of East Anglia GREEN proposals and how those implication might be mitigated.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Consulting on East Anglia Green is a matter for National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). The Ministry of Defence is a Statutory Consultee under the Planning Act, and the Government understands that NGET are engaging with RAF Wattisham on any potential impacts of the project on Wattisham Air Base.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether National Grid has consulted his Department on the potential impact of the East Anglia GREEN proposals on operations at Wattisham Air Base.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Consulting on East Anglia Green is a matter for National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). The Ministry of Defence is a Statutory Consultee under the Planning Act, and the Government understands that NGET are engaging with RAF Wattisham on any potential impacts of the project on Wattisham Air Base.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether National Grid has consulted Wattisham Air Base on the East Anglia GREEN project.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Consulting on East Anglia Green is a matter for National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). The Ministry of Defence is a Statutory Consultee under the Planning Act, and the Government understands that NGET are engaging with RAF Wattisham on any potential impacts of the project on Wattisham Air Base.