Asked by: Jess Brown-Fuller (Liberal Democrat - Chichester)
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 households without signal are able to access the smart meter network.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Data Communications Company (DCC) is obligated under the conditions of its licence to provide Wide Area Network (WAN) coverage to at least 99.25% of premises across Great Britain.
The DCC is also required by licence conditions to seek to provide coverage to all premises where it is practicable and cost proportionate, and to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of coverage. For the minority of premises that currently do not receive WAN coverage, a new solution will be trialled early next year which will involve harnessing, with their consent, customers’ broadband connections to carry smart metering communications.
Asked by: Jess Brown-Fuller (Liberal Democrat - Chichester)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he made of the potential impact of the provision of funding for Sizewell C under the regulated asset base model on businesses.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The impact of Sizewell C RAB levies on consumers of the electricity system was considered as part of the business case process.
To align with the approach taken for other renewable schemes and minimise distortions, eligible GB based Energy Intensive Industries are exempt from the nuclear RAB policy costs.
Analysis shows Sizewell C could create savings of £2 billion a year across the future low-carbon electricity system once operational - leading to cheaper power for consumers https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sizewell-c-value-for-money-assessment
The Government remains committed to supporting businesses with electricity costs. This includes targeted reliefs and broader efforts to ensure prices remain fair, competitive, and reflective of a well-functioning energy market.
Asked by: Jess Brown-Fuller (Liberal Democrat - Chichester)
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 help support businesses affected by the Regulated Asset Base levy for Sizewell C.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The impact of Sizewell C RAB levies on consumers of the electricity system was considered as part of the business case process.
To align with the approach taken for other renewable schemes and minimise distortions, eligible GB based Energy Intensive Industries are exempt from the nuclear RAB policy costs.
Analysis shows Sizewell C could create savings of £2 billion a year across the future low-carbon electricity system once operational - leading to cheaper power for consumers https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sizewell-c-value-for-money-assessment
The Government remains committed to supporting businesses with electricity costs. This includes targeted reliefs and broader efforts to ensure prices remain fair, competitive, and reflective of a well-functioning energy market.
Asked by: Jess Brown-Fuller (Liberal Democrat - Chichester)
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 increased access to electric vehicle transition for residents without off-street parking.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is driving forward the expansion of public charging infrastructure so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, can confidently make the switch to an electric vehicle.
The £381 million Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund is supporting public EV charging for drivers without off-street parking.
The funding, alongside substantial private investment, will support at least 100,000 local chargers, ensuring the rollout continues at pace to support drivers in every part of the country.
In addition, the Government also announced a £25m fund to support the rollout of cross-pavement solutions in July, enabling thousands more drivers to charge from home.