Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Chinese-owned companies establishing turbine manufacturing sites in the UK on national security.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure. The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously with the UK being one of the most reliable and safest energy systems, and one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.
I also refer my hon Friend to the replies given on 10 March to Question UIN 34722 and on 11 March to question UIN 34972.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
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 merits of conducting a cross-departmental assessment of the security implications of Chinese investment in UK renewable energy infrastructure.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure. The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously with the UK being one of the most reliable and safest energy systems, and one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.
I also refer my hon Friend to the replies given on 10 March to Question UIN 34722 and on 11 March to question UIN 34972.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Chinese-owned companies producing wind turbines in the UK on national security.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure. The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously with the UK being one of the most reliable and safest energy systems, and one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.
I also refer my hon Friend to the replies given on 10 March to Question UIN 34722 and on 11 March to question UIN 34972.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what guidance he has given to the Mining Remediation Authority on (a) property (i) conveyancing and (ii) valuation in Scotland and (b) their implications for compensation offers to homeowners affected by old mine workings.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The circumstances for purchasing property damaged by old coal mine workings are covered in the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991. This includes gaining agreement with individual property owners on the full market value of the property in its undamaged condition based on independent local valuations. In addition, there is also a payment for all reasonable moving expenses, professional fees and home loss compensation capped at £15,000. Where required, payment for temporary accommodation is also covered. Buying properties in Scotland is covered by the missives process which differs to the process of buying properties in England and Wales.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Mining Remediation Authority on the potential impact of differences in property conveyancing in Scotland on compensation offers to homeowners affected by old mine workings.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The circumstances for purchasing property damaged by old coal mine workings are covered in the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991. This includes gaining agreement with individual property owners on the full market value of the property in its undamaged condition based on independent local valuations. In addition, there is also a payment for all reasonable moving expenses, professional fees and home loss compensation capped at £15,000. Where required, payment for temporary accommodation is also covered. Buying properties in Scotland is covered by the missives process which differs to the process of buying properties in England and Wales.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
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 the former Generating Station at Longannet on future UK energy production.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government’s Clean Energy Superpower Mission is supporting economic growth and job creation across the UK, including in Scotland which is the powerhouse for much of this. Great British Energy headquartered in Aberdeen will drive energy development across the UK and alongside other investment, the energy transition is creating thousands of jobs across Scotland. Economic Development is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, and we are working closely with the Scottish Government on delivering the Mission.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with ScottishPower on the potential use of the site of the former Longannet power station for energy production.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister 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: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he last met with ScottishPower; and whether he discussed the future role of the Longannet Generating Station.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister 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: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will conduct an audit of energy Critical National infrastructure to identify whether they contain Chinese-made components.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As an open economy the UK welcomes foreign trade and investment where it supports growth, meets our regulatory requirements, and does not compromise our national security. This Government will take a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing relations with China. We will co-operate where we can, compete where we have different interests, and challenge where we must. Large market shares can extend across the supply chain; alongside efforts to de-risk our supply chains, we will therefore also continue to work with our international partners to manage the continued implications of overreliance on any one actor.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the security risks posed by the use of Chinese-manufactured technology in (a) smart grids, (b) renewable energy systems and (c) the UK’s energy infrastructure.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department collaborates with other government departments, agencies and industry partners to understand and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure, setting robust regulatory standards for cyber through the Network and Information Systems Regulations. This includes working with regulators to ensure these regulations cover critical operators as the sector evolves.
Recognising the importance of renewable and smart energy systems for flexibility and decarbonisation, the department is working to ensure the system is developed in a way that is secure by design, and protects energy supply, infrastructure and consumers. As part of this work, Government has published two consultation packages which sets out proposals for minimum security and grid stability requirements, including for organisations remotely controlling electrical load.