Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
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 merits of low-carbon ammonia as a flexible energy store, including to provide seasonal energy storage and dispatchable power.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government recognises that ammonia could play an important role for the transport, storage and
trade of hydrogen, especially for hydrogen users with limited access to networks.
Ammonia based chemical storage for cracking hydrogen was assessed to have a low technology readiness and is not eligible for the first round of the Hydrogen Storage Business Model (HSBM), which will support large scale geological storage of hydrogen as part of the UK’s first regional hydrogen network, aimed at decarbonising industry and providing flexible power generation.
Government continues to review developments and welcomes evidence from industry on ammonia.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the near-term and long-term i) demand for and ii) supply of ammonia in the UK.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ammonia can serve as an essential feedstock across a wide range of industrial applications and could support decarbonisation in hard-to-electrify transport sectors, such as maritime. Ammonia can also be used as a ‘hydrogen carrier’ to store, transport and trade hydrogen.
However, the scale of future UK demand for ammonia is uncertain, with a key factor being the decarbonisation pathways chosen by sectors such as maritime. We will continue to review emerging evidence on UK supply and demand for ammonia and will consider the development of any further appropriate policy measures as needed.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department intends to develop a standard for low carbon ammonia.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ammonia can serve as an essential feedstock across a wide range of industrial applications and could support decarbonisation in hard-to-electrify transport sectors, such as maritime. Ammonia can also be used as a ‘hydrogen carrier’ to store, transport and trade hydrogen.' We do not have plans currently to create a standard for ammonia, given our primary focus on hydrogen production. However, we will continue to review emerging evidence on UK supply and demand for ammonia and will consider the development of any further appropriate policy measures as needed.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
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 assessment of the potential merits of providing revenue support for ammonia-to-power projects (a) under the Hydrogen to Production Business Model and (b) through a bespoke business model.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Hydrogen Production Business Model provides revenue support to selected low carbon hydrogen producers who may sell that hydrogen for a variety of applications including as a feedstock for the production of ammonia.
The Government’s Hydrogen to Power business model is currently focused on delivery of the first regional network where wider infrastructure is supporting hydrogen. We want to ensure integration into the wider hydrogen value chain to ensure the business model provides dispatchable power to the energy system. We will keep the eligibility of ammonia and other hydrogen derivates under review.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
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 implications of low-carbon ammonia for UK energy security, in the context of rising natural gas prices linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The biggest threat to energy security for families and businesses in the UK is continued reliance on unstable fossil fuel markets. That is why we’re taking back control with clean, homegrown power to ensure our energy security, protect the British people and bring down bills for good.
DESNZ officials are working across government and with industry to understand the role low carbon ammonia could play in the UK’s future energy security.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, which nuclear technologies are being considered by Great British Energy - Nuclear as part of its investigation into Scottish sites for new nuclear development.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Secretary of State has asked Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) to assess Scotland’s capability for new nuclear power. That includes the potential for large-scale and small modular reactor projects.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether Great British Energy - Nuclear’s assessment of potential Scottish sites for new nuclear development includes (a) previously used nuclear sites and (b) new sites.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Secretary of State has asked Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) to assess Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power, including around areas that have previously hosted nuclear stations.
New nuclear can play an important role in helping achieve energy security and clean power, while securing thousands of skilled jobs.
The UK Government remains open to discussions with the Scottish Government regarding the deployment of new nuclear technologies in Scotland.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he expects Great British Energy – Nuclear to (a) complete its study into potential Scottish sites for new nuclear development and (b) make the findings of that study publicly available.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy – Nuclear will complete its study on the potential for new nuclear development in Scotland in the first half of 2026.
We will provide an update once this study has been completed.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the (a) scope and (b) expected timetable for Great British Energy – Nuclear’s assessment of Scotland’s capability for new nuclear power stations.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ministers have asked GBE-N to assess Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power, including around areas that have previously hosted nuclear stations.
New nuclear projects can deliver millions of pounds of investment and thousands of high-quality jobs to a region.
GBE-N will advise UK Ministers on the potential for new nuclear development in Scotland in due course.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with the Scottish Government on the potential impact of its ban on new nuclear projects on future employment opportunities.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
There is considerable potential for hosting new nuclear projects in Scotland, building on decades of experience of existing nuclear power across the country. Given the Scottish Government’s presumption against new nuclear, the UK Government cannot actively consider projects within Scotland at this time
At peak construction, Sizewell C will support 10,000 jobs directly employed in the project, thousands more in the nationwide supply chain, and plans to create 1,500 apprenticeships, whilst the Great British Energy - Nuclear-led small modular reactor project could support up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction.