Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
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 considered the potential impact of alternative rooftop land uses, including solar panels and energy infrastructure, on the (a) valuation of properties hosting telecommunications equipment and (b) landowners’ willingness to continue hosting mobile network infrastructure.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
No assessment has been made.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
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 assessed the potential impact of the removal, relocation and temporary decommissioning of rooftop telecommunications equipment as part of programmes to install rooftop solar panels, heat pumps and other energy infrastructure on mobile network coverage, including 5G.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
No assessment has been made.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
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 help ensure that investors in the Feed-in Tariff scheme continue to receive payments in line with their original contracts.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Feed-in Tariffs scheme continues to operate within the statutory framework established by the Feed-in Tariffs Order 2012. Recent confirmed changes to inflation indexation of the scheme will apply to existing generators. Generators will continue to receive inflation-indexed payments for the full duration of their support period.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
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 Ofgem on (a) reducing delays in the processing time for payments made under the Feed-in Tariff scheme and (b) improving the confidence of private investors for that scheme.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Under the Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) scheme suppliers are required to make FIT payments no less than quarterly. The Government engages regularly with Ofgem, as administrator of the scheme, to keep its operation under review and ensure it continues to function effectively.
The Government recognises that regulatory stability is essential to maintaining an attractive investment environment. The Government also considers it appropriate to undertake periodic reviews of schemes to ensure they continue to provide value for money for the households and businesses that fund this support.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
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 ensure that high-emission industries contribute fairly to funding climate recovery and adaptation.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK Emissions Trading Scheme ensures that high-emitting sectors like power pay a fair price for the emissions they produce. ETS participants must buy allowances to cover their emissions, with revenues supporting government priorities including climate change mitigation and adaptation. The carbon price faced by businesses covered also drives them to invest in decarbonising their operations – over half say it has prompted them to invest in decarbonisation. We are expanding the scheme to the energy from waste and maritime sectors.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
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 extent to which oil and gas companies operating in the UK contribute to the costs of climate-related damage.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The North Sea Transition Authority enforces compliance with the North Sea Transition Deal to ensure the oil and gas sector halves its emissions by 2030 and achieves net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the UK’s carbon budget. The targets will be achieved through initiatives including the industry’s Methane Action Plan which includes a 50% methane reduction target by 2030.
The Government also published in June supplementary environmental impact assessment guidance. The guidance marks a step forward in ensuring the full environmental impact of oil and gas extraction - including end use emissions - is considered for offshore projects.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
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 support residents of rural 1950s properties to use alternative fuels to heat their homes; and if he will take steps to reduce the VAT rate on fuel for those unable to install heat pumps.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
For most off-grid properties, transitioning to clean heat will involve installing a heat pump as these are cost-effective, proven technologies. The Government expect sustainable biomass to be prioritised where there are limited alternatives for decarbonisation. Renewable liquid heating fuels are also much more expensive to use than other heating solutions.
Before taking decisions on whether to support the use of renewable liquid fuels in heating, the Government would require stronger evidence on their affordability for consumers, and the availability of sustainable feedstock.
The tax treatment of renewable liquid fuels is a matter for Treasury.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
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 zonal electricity pricing on pensioners in the south of England.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is considering reforms through the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) to transition to a secure and decarbonised electricity system at lowest cost and pass through the benefits of cheaper renewables to consumers.
We will provide an update in due course.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
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 on the potential impact of solar radiation modification on the environment.
Answered by Kerry McCarthy
The Government is not in favour of using Solar Radiation Modification. Given the significant uncertainty around the possible risks and impacts of deployment on the climate and environment, the Government is not deploying SRM and has no plans to do so.
The Department works closely with the research community to evaluate the latest research on the potential impact of solar radiation modification on the environment.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
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 potential impact of GB Energy on the cost of energy bills.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy is a key part of the government's mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by achieving clean power by 2030.
This is part of a sustainable, long-term plan to protect all UK billpayers from volatile international gas markets. In an unstable world, the only way to guarantee our energy security and protect billpayers permanently is to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and towards homegrown clean energy.