Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
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 oil and gas companies on projected price changes in the next six months.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Energy policy in Northern Ireland is devolved. However, Ministers meet regularly with energy suppliers and we expect them to do everything they can to support their consumers, especially the most vulnerable.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
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 to energy companies of (a) installing and (b) maintaining smart meters in domestic properties in (i) 2023 and (ii) 2024.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Smart Metering Implementation Programme collects data from energy suppliers on an annual basis pertaining to the costs and benefits of the smart meter rollout. This includes device and installation costs for smart metering equipment, as well as a range of metrics capturing the cost savings of smart meters compared to traditional meters. We do not provide average supplier costs due to commercial sensitivity.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an estimate of the percentage of the UK's total energy requirement that will be delivered through the Advanced Nuclear Fund in each of the next ten years.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Advanced Nuclear Fund (ANF) is a £385m fund that supports innovation in nuclear energy. It was announced in 2020 and is due to conclude in March 2025. It includes a grant of up to £210m to Rolls Royce SMR Ltd to develop their Small Modular Reactor (SMR) design, as well as other funding for Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) research and development.
The Government has set out a commitment for SMRs to be operational in the UK by the mid-2030s, and to build an AMR demonstrator by the early 2030s, as part of the wider ambition for nuclear power to provide up to 25% of the UK’s electricity by 2050. The ANF promotes innovations that will help to meet these goals, and therefore its contribution to the UK’s total energy requirement will be from the mid-2030s.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many and what proportion of householders declined the installation of a smart meter in 2023.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The Department does not hold information on households declining a smart meter installation.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many calls were made to the contact centre helpline on 0808 175 3943 on appeals relating to Alternative Fuel Payment applications in 2023.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The Department does not hold the information requested.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much funding has been allocated for the Contracts for Difference : Allocation Round 6.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Budget Notice for Allocation Round 6 of the Contracts for Difference Scheme is due to be published by 13 March 2024. The Government seeks to set the budget at a level that supports competition and delivers on the deployment and value for money objectives of the scheme.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when she next plans to hold discussions with Ofgem on estimated trends in the level of energy costs in the next 12 months.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
Ministers and officials regularly meet with Ofgem to discuss a range of issues including trends and forecasts for the energy market. Ofgem monitor the energy market including the traded prices for Forward Delivery Contracts for periods many months in advance. Market information that is publicly available is published by Ofgem on their website:
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-data-and-research/data-portal
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to review the Contracts for Difference scheme.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme is continuously kept under review. The Government, for example, invites views on changes to the scheme before each allocation round to ensure the scheme remains fit-for-purpose as our electricity system evolves. The most recent of such reviews, a consultation on proposed changes to the CfD contract was launched on 19 December 2023. Additionally, on 11 January 2024, the Government published a consultation seeking views on proposed amendments for Allocation Round 7, as well as future rounds.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an estimate of how many existing homes which qualify for (a) home insulation and (b) energy efficiency grants have not requested them.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
We do not hold this information in the Department.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reintroducing social energy tariffs in the context of trends in the level of energy costs.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
Energy prices have fallen significantly since last winter, and the 2024 Q1 price cap of £1,928 has more than halved compared to the previous year when the 2023 Q1 price cap peaked at £4,279. The Government is continuing to support those most in need with millions of households receiving up to £900 in further cost-of-living payments. This is in addition to established support available for vulnerable and low-income through the Winter Fuel Payment, which provided between £250 - £600, and the Warm Homes Discount delivering £150. We are continuing to monitor the situation and keeping options under review.