Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to protect consumers from increased energy costs if their electricity meters are not replaced by the 30 June 2025 deadline.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ofgem has announced its intention to introduce RTS specific licence conditions for suppliers to protect consumers from the risk of heating and hot water supply disruption and higher bills. Ofgem has recently consulted on this and will publish a response in the coming weeks.
These new protections are in addition to current conditions put on suppliers to ensure that a suitable alternative metering system is installed in RTS premises and that consumers’ services are not disrupted.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the 30 June 2025 deadline for electricity meter replacements in cases where delays are due to supplier constraints.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The industry-led Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) is reaching the end of its operational life and can no longer be adequately maintained.
There will be a carefully managed phase out of the service starting from 30 June. The Government is working closely with the RTS Taskforce to ensure the phase out process is planned effectively and consumers are appropriately protected.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
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 support households that may not have their electricity meters replaced before the 30 June 2025 deadline through no fault of their own.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has made clear to industry that suppliers must fulfil their obligations to customers and drive up the rate of Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meter replacements.
As part of the RTS Taskforce we are doing all that we can to protect consumers from any negative impacts, and make sure that the carefully managed phase out process of RTS from 30 June is as smooth as possible for consumers.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to extend the Community Energy Fund to support additional eligible projects.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In 2025/26 Community Energy Groups will be able to access a share of £5 million in grant funding through the Great British Energy Community Fund. This extension of the Community Energy Fund will enable both rural and urban communities across England to continue accessing funding to develop local clean energy projects for investment.
Once Great British Energy is fully operational it will develop its longer-term support offer for Community Energy Groups as well as for Local and Mayoral Strategic Authorities.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information his Department holds on the average cost of connecting to the electricity grid in (a) rural and (b) urban areas; and whether he plans to take steps to help reduce differences in the average cost.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department does not hold data on average connection costs for rural and urban areas. Under Ofgem’s regulation through network price controls, network companies are investing to provide new electricity network capacity ahead of need. This should reduce connection costs and timelines in both rural and urban areas.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department provides funding to rural communities for the cost of connecting to the electricity mains.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department does not provide funding for connection costs specific to rural areas. Under Ofgem’s price control framework, network companies are investing in new electricity network capacity ahead of need. This should reduce both connection costs and timelines, including in rural areas.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
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 support the deployment of rooftop and carport solar on commercial buildings through guaranteed minimum export values.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government continues to support solar deployment on commercial rooftops and car parks through the Smart Export Guarantee. This ensures that businesses receive income for excess electricity exported to the grid.
We also intend to support commercial rooftop deployment through other measures, including permitted development rights, and new building standards for newly built commercial buildings. As set out in the Clean Power Action Plan, we have published a call for evidence about solar canopies in car parks.
Solar on car parks and electric vehicle charging - GOV.UK
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to introduce regulatory measures to ensure rooftop solar is financially viable compared to utility-scale solar projects.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Deploying rooftop solar remains a key priority for the Government, and it continues to be one of the most popular and easily deployed renewable energy sources. The Government continues to support the installation of rooftop solar in various ways, including through tax relief, energy efficiency schemes and the Smart Export Guarantee. The Solar Roadmap will shortly be published, setting out actions for the Government and industry to remove barriers to further deployment. Officials are also exploring the potential of various measures to support a range of green retrofit improvements as part of the Warm Homes Plan.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
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 support the growth of UK-based manufacturing capabilities for engineered carbon removal technology.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has been investing £100 million in research and innovation for Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGR) technologies, including the Direct Air Capture and GGR Innovation Competition. Phase 2 of the competition was announced in July 2022, with over £49 million of government funding awarded across 14 of the most promising projects to engineer and manufacture carbon removal pilot plant demonstrators. The Government has also been developing business models to incentivise private investment in large-scale UK GGR projects, and enabled GGR projects to apply for access to the Hynet Carbon Capture Usage and Storage cluster through the Track 1 expansion process.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
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 incentivise investment in UK-based carbon removal (a) manufacturing and (b) engineering capabilities.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has been investing £100 million in research and innovation for Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGR) technologies, including the Direct Air Capture and GGR Innovation Competition. Phase 2 of the competition was announced in July 2022, with over £49 million of government funding awarded across 14 of the most promising projects to engineer and manufacture carbon removal pilot plant demonstrators. The Government has also been developing business models to incentivise private investment in large-scale UK GGR projects, and enabled GGR projects to apply for access to the Hynet Carbon Capture Usage and Storage cluster through the Track 1 expansion process.