Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 (a) primary and (b) secondary schools with high energy costs.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently.
The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy with less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 (a) consult and (b) compensate local communities impacted by new electricity network infrastructure projects.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has announced measures to ensure that communities directly benefit from hosting clean energy infrastructure, to help support the rollout of grid infrastructure which will deliver our new renewable generation to homes and businesses. This includes community funds guidance that sets out the government’s recommendations on how communities can benefit from hosting clean energy infrastructure, which provides a level of funding of £200,000 per km of overhead line and £530,000 per substation, and an electricity bill discount scheme providing a discount of up to £250 per year over up to 10 years for households within 500m of new or significantly upgraded transmission network infrastructure. Additionally, the Government intends to carry out further stakeholder engagement on the bill discount scheme in due course to gather evidence and feedback from stakeholders, including local communities.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he plans to take to (a) help decrease planning delays for energy infrastructure projects and (b) engage with the public on those projects.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In December 2024, the Government published the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan which sets out an ambitious package of legislative and non-legislative reforms to our planning system to accelerate the development of energy infrastructure. The Government is currently progressing the Planning and Infrastructure Bill through parliament with measures to streamline planning processes for critical infrastructure, including energy projects.
The Government wants communities to continue to participate in the planning system and as a part of the examination process, have their say in decisions which may affect them. The Government has committed to ensuring communities benefit from new energy infrastructure they host.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 improve the process for procuring (a) transformers, (b) cables and (c) other critical components for electricity network expansion projects.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is committed to working with electricity operators and Ofgem to improve procurement processes for critical electricity network expansion projects. Ofgem recently launched the Advanced Procurement Mechanism to enable Transmission Owners to procure transformers, cables, and other critical components earlier in the project development cycle. This will enable Transmission Owners to secure supplier capacity and bulk procure multiple factory slots across a portfolio of projects. Transmission Owners will use this mechanism to address the current long delivery lead times for this key equipment. Officials are also engaging with further partners to examine wider policy options to address procurement challenges.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 long-term sustainability of the solar panels being installed under the Great British Energy scheme in relation to their (a) lifespan, (b) efficiency degradation and (c) recyclability.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We expect panels delivered under this scheme to have an estimated lifespan of 30 years [with a 0.5% yearly attrition rate] which is based on our published assumptions.
Recyclability is a critical factor in the sustainability of solar panels and the schools and NHS trusts receiving solar panels under this scheme will be responsible for ensuring appropriate end-of-life management of panels under this scheme.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what proportion of the solar projects under the Great British Energy scheme will include battery storage solutions.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Complementary technologies including battery power are in scope for use in the scheme where they would be beneficial. Whilst parts of the programme are still in development, 16 out of the initial list of 132 NHS projects published last week currently intend to fund battery storage through the scheme.
The process to finalise the selection of schools is still underway; feasibility studies will then be undertaken to determine what interventions are most suited for each site.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 had recent discussions with head teachers on the rising cost of energy for schools.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary 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: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 ensure that the prioritisation of overhead pylons in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill does not adversely impact (a) local communities and (b) the natural environment.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government’s position on overhead lines is set out in the National Policy Statement for electricity networks, NPS EN-5. In England and Wales, the Planning Act 2008 requires developers to demonstrate that they have consulted adequately with local communities, ensuring their feedback is considered and incorporated into the project proposal, before submitting their application for consent. Developers will also assess the environmental impacts of their projects through the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA), which will include the natural environment. These assessments are then considered as part of the consenting process by the Secretary of State.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the criteria for eligibility are for proposed energy bill compensation for people living near new pylons; and whether (a) type of infrastructure and (b) other factors will impact qualification for that scheme.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The bill discount scheme will apply to eligible domestic households. We are currently proposing the scheme applies to new onshore, above ground transmission cables and associated infrastructure such as substations and certain significantly upgraded existing projects in Great Britain. Our aim is that major new transmission projects needed for 2030 will be eligible. Both infrastructure and resident household eligibility criteria will be set out in regulations.
The bill discount scheme is not a compensation scheme. It aims to ensure those closest to eligible new transmission infrastructure can directly benefit from supporting the nationally critical mission of achieving clean power by 2030.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 alternative energy transmission methods.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The National Energy System Operator considers a range of different technologies when conducting strategic network planning to make the most optimal recommendations for electricity transmission infrastructure.
It is the responsibility of the developers of electricity network projects to propose the detailed route design, including technology choice, and obtain planning permission. The Government sets the rules for a robust and independent planning process that communities can participate in.