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 adequacy of level of consumer information via (a) television and (b) other media outlets by (i) Ofgem and (ii) energy companies of the Radio Teleswitch (RTS) switch off; and whether he has considered the potential merits of instructing Ofgem to increase their media campaign to ensure consumers are aware of the importance of updating obsolete RTS meters.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department agrees that extensive public communications on RTS must be sustained. I continue to meet with Ofgem on a fortnightly basis where the progress of the phase out is discussed, including assessment of communications to consumers.
Suppliers should have already contacted all RTS customers. In advance of any phase out activity in their area, they will contact affected households and businesses, through multiple methods, including door-knocking where necessary, to inform them well ahead of time to arrange a replacement. We expect suppliers to take sufficient action to have confidence that consumers are aware of the consequences of not replacing their RTS meter.
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 assessment he has made of the deliverability of the X-Links project with Morocco.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is considering – without commitment – the viability and merits of the Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project, a private sector-led proposal for a large-scale renewable energy project between the UK and Morocco.
As part of this consideration, we are actively assessing a range of issues including the project’s deliverability and technical viability, value for money, legal issues and the project’s alignment to wider government policy. This work continues at pace, and we will provide an update on our considerations 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 many full-time equivalent roles are being recruited at Great British Energy.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy (GBE) is currently developing its operating model and the capabilities it will need. Ultimately this will be a matter for GBE to determine, within their agreed budget.
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 he has made of when the Aberdeen headquarters of Great British Energy will be operational.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy is initially headquartered in DESNZ’s second headquarters in Aberdeen, Crimon Place, to ensure the organisation can get to work as quickly as possible. As a Government Property Agency (GPA) onboarded department, DESNZ is pursuing property options through the GPA. Due to the commercial sensitivity of any lease negotiations, specific details or timescales cannot be provided at this time.
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 many vacant posts there are at Great British Energy.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
I can confirm that seventeen vacant posts have been advertised by Great British Energy either on or after 1st April 2025. The Great British Energy Bill received Royal Assent on 15th May 2025 which allows the company to now move forward with the set-up in Aberdeen including workforce planning.
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 make (a) an estimate of the number of radio teleswitch service meters in use in Scotland in the latest period for which data is available and (b) it his policy to delay the RTS signal switch off to avoid loss of service for customers who have not yet transitioned from RTS meters.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Data on the number of remaining RTS meters is collected by Ofgem. The latest data as of 18 April indicates that there are c.125,000 RTS meters remaining in Scotland.
The industry-led RTS is reaching the end of its operational life and can no longer be adequately maintained. The switch-off will start from the end of June, and the Government and Ofgem have called on suppliers to rapidly increase the pace of RTS replacements, so that there is a smooth transition and consumers are protected. We continue to closely monitor progress.
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 contract for difference projects that have recently been cancelled due to increasing cost pressures; and whether he plans to reform the contract for difference scheme given increased volatility in global inflation.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We recognise the effect that globally high inflation and supply chain constraints are having on industry and we will work with Orsted to get Hornsea 4 back on track.
We have a strong pipeline of projects, and our mission-led approach ensures we can steer our way through global pressures and individual commercial decisions to reach our targets. The Government has consulted on reforms to the CfD scheme, with the aim of moving towards energy independence and protecting against volatile global fossil fuel prices. A full response to the consultation will be published before AR7 opens in the summer.
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 Drax Group plc on the postponement of the Cruachan II pumped hydro storage project.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
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 make an estimate of the number of Radio Teleswitch meters remaining in Scotland.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Latest figures from Ofgem state that as of 4 April 2025, there were 129,814 Radio Teleswitch meters remaining 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, on what date GB Energy's annual report and accounts will be published.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Clause 7 of the Great British Energy Bill requires Great British Energy to report its accounts to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. It also requires the Secretary of State to lay a copy of these before Parliament.
As The Bill has not yet received Royal Assent, we are unable to confirm a specific date on which the first annual reports and accounts will be laid before Parliament.