Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June 2025 to Question 61226 on Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Public Expenditure, how many lines of activity in his Department were considered as part of the zero based review.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Zero Based Review covered all of RDEL spending which encompassed 75 lines of activity.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much solar power generating capacity is (a) operational, (b) under construction and (c) awaiting a planning decision.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As of the end of September 2025, there is 20.0GW of solar generating capacity in the UK. Deployment statistics are published monthly, here: Solar photovoltaics deployment - GOV.UK.
According to the July edition of the Renewable Energy Planning Database, there is 2.4GW of solar capacity under construction and 12.0GW of solar awaiting the result of either an application for planning permission or a planning appeal. These figures exclude installations smaller than 150kW. The REPD is available here: Renewable Energy Planning Database: quarterly extract - GOV.UK.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
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 assessment of the potential merits of adding energy nationally significant infrastructure projects to the renewable energy planning database.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Energy nationally significant infrastructure projects are already included in the Renewable Energy Planning Database, which can be seen by filtering by planning authority for The Planning Inspectorate.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewable-energy-planning-database-monthly-extract
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with Island Green Power on the proposed plans for The Droves Solar Farm; and if he will publish (a) the minutes and (b) the agenda of any such meetings.
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: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 59412 on Government Departments: Reviews, if his Department will publish the line by line review of its spending conducted for the Spending Review 2025.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DESNZ is committed to meeting the 5% savings and efficiency target, with SR funding allocations agreed on this basis.
These funding allocations – informed by the findings of the ZBR – are the first step in a wider plan to finalise budgets for different projects and programmes, with any necessary savings decided through that process. The savings taken forward will be subject to the normal rigorous business planning processes, and in-year financial management.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he expects decisions to be made on applications to the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund Phase 3 Spring 2024 competition.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) Phase 3 spring 2024 window (3.1) is currently awaiting outcomes from the autumn fiscal event before decisions on applications can be made.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
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 assessment of the potential merits of decoupling electricity from wholesale gas prices.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Our mission is for clean power by 2030 because this is the best way to achieve energy independence and protect billpayers. New, clean renewable energy will reduce our exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. As part of the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) programme, the Government is considering what further steps can be taken to shield consumers from the impacts of potential price spikes and to ensure they benefit from lower cost renewable energy.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department has taken on the role of the Energy Efficiency Taskforce.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The Secretary of State, after careful deliberation, concluded that the draft work of the Energy Efficiency Taskforce could be streamlined into ongoing government activity. The numerous ideas, discussions and draft recommendations will be instrumental in driving forward energy efficiency.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, by what date local authorities are required to start processing applications under the Home Upgrade Grant 2 scheme.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Local Authorities applied for funding under Phase 2 of the Home Upgrade Grant within the bid window of September 2022 to January 2023, and were able to begin delivering installs of energy efficiency measures from April 2023. The timeframe for the assessment of homes and installation of energy efficiency measures will depend on the relevant local authority, but all projects should be completed by March 2025.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
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 respond to the Climate Change Committee’s 2023 Progress Report to Parliament.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government will respond to the Committee’s report by 31st October 2023.