Oral Answers to Questions

Helen Morgan Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd May 2023 Commons Chamber

[Amanda Solloway]

I thank my hon. Friend for that question. Of course, I am always delighted to organise those meetings.

[Helen Morgan (North Shropshire) (LD)]

7. Whether he is taking steps to increase grid capacity.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Andrew Bowie)]

The Government are working with Ofgem, network companies and others to increase network capacity. This includes Ofgem accelerating strategic transmission projects worth £20 billion and allowing £3.1 billion over the next five years for upgrades to the local distribution network.

[Helen Morgan]

I have been contacted by a number of businesses, mostly farms, that want to install renewable energy in the form of a solar array or a wind turbine, but have been advised that they will have to pay thousands of pounds to help to upgrade the grid in their area, making those projects unaffordable. Along with the commitment to phase out oil-fired boilers, that means that there will be huge demand on rural grid capacity. Will the Minister reassure me that he is taking steps to ensure rural networks will be able to cope with that surge in demand?