Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with Ofgem on steps it is taking to help consumers secure competitive tariffs when Radio Teleswitch Service meters are replaced.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the importance of a smooth transition for consumers away from Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters. The Government is working closely with Ofgem, industry stakeholders, and energy suppliers through the RTS Taskforce which is working to upgrade all RTS meters before the switch off in June 2025. We will continue to work closely with Ofgem and the RTS Taskforce to tackle this issue and to ensure that consumers get a good deal.
Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps with his international counterparts to negotiate a treaty on (a) ending fossil fuel (i) exploration and (ii) expansion, (b) phasing-out existing production of fossil fuels and (c) supporting a just transition to renewable energy.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK will work closely with international partners to deliver our commitments to transition away from fossil fuels, as agreed at COP28, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, while ensuring our energy security. The Government has also just launched a Global Clean Power Alliance to accelerate the transition to clean energy.
The UK’s international engagement is based on strong domestic leadership. One of the Government’s missions is to deliver clean power by 2030, and the Government will consult later this year on implementing the manifesto position not to issue new oil and gas licences to explore new fields.
Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what methodology his Department will use to allocate the £1 billion of funding for community energy to each of the nations in the UK.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
GBE will benefit all four nations, creating jobs and building supply chains across the whole of UK. GBE’s funding envelope provides a total amount for it to operate UK-wide.
We are resetting the Government’s approach to working with the devolved nations. We are working with the Northern Ireland Executive, and Scottish and Welsh Governments on the scope and opportunities for GBE’s work across the UK. The vision statement between the Scottish Government and DESNZ is a key step towards progressing this collaboration, including exploring opportunities for GBE to partner with the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme to support local energy in Scotland.
Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)
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 overhead lines on GPS equipment used by farmers.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Any developer of electricity network infrastructure projects undertakes an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for individual projects and EIAs for projects in rural areas will almost always include assessment of agricultural impacts. These assessments are then considered in the consenting process for projects. In addition, consultation on proposed projects includes engagement with relevant stakeholders, including farmers.
Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether any of Great British Energy's 8.3bn budget will be spent on funding (a) the offshore renewable energy catapult and (b) other existing technology investment initiatives.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy will invest in, own and operate projects which will produce clean, cheap and homegrown energy and make Britain energy secure. It will be backed by a capitalisation of £8.3bn of new money over this Parliament.
Government will clarify the relationship between Great British Energy and existing technology investment schemes and initiatives, such as the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, in due course.
Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how GB Energy will interact with the (a) UK Infrastructure Bank and (b) National Wealth Fund to provide investment for renewable energy; and how renewables investments by GB Energy will differ from investments by the (a) UK Infrastructure Bank and (b) National Wealth Fund.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy will work with institutions such as the National Wealth Fund and UK Infrastructure Bank to deliver the Government’s clean energy mission. The Government is currently developing the details of both Great British Energy and the National Wealth Fund in consultation with industry stakeholders and is committed to providing further detail on these bodies and the interactions between them in due course.
Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether wind farm developments which receive investment from GB Energy will be eligible for contracts via the Contracts for Difference scheme.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The way that Great British Energy interacts with other existing and new government policies influencing the energy system, including the Contracts for Difference Scheme, will be determined in due course. Great British Energy’s activities will be compliant with the Subsidy Control Act and Windsor Framework.
Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he will publish a response to the consultation entitled Review of electricity market arrangements (REMA): second consultation which closed on 7 May 2024.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Electricity market reform work is key to delivering a decarbonised, secure, and affordable system. The new Government is currently assessing timelines, and we will provide more information in due course.
Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans for GB Energy to have a public option retail arm.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
No. The Government does not intend Great British Energy to be an energy retail company or to supply energy directly to households. Great British Energy will invest in, own and operate energy projects which will produce clean, cheap and homegrown power that is sold to retail companies.
Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of changes in the number of jobs in the (a) oil and (b) gas sector in (i) the UK and (ii) Scotland in each of the next 30 years.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department does not hold these estimates.
According to ONS data[1], direct jobs in oil and gas extraction fell by around a third between 2014 and 2022 (from c.42k to c.28k). Of all current direct offshore oil and gas jobs, roughly 80% are in Scotland[2].
As Britain becomes a clean energy superpower, the Government is determined to create new high-quality jobs to ensure a phased and responsible transition in the North Sea.
[1] ONS Business Register and Employment Survey - https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/datasets/industry235digitsicbusinessregisterandemploymentsurveybrestable2
[2] ONS Business Register and Employment data from NOMIS - (https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/query/select/getdatasetbytheme.asp?theme=27&subgrp=Previous+employment+surveys)