Asked by: Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice - North Antrim)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much and what proportion of the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund was allocated to projects in Northern Ireland; and whether he plans to provide funding for green hydrogen generation in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Net Zero Hydrogen Fund, launched in 2022, aims to support the commercial deployment of new low carbon hydrogen production projects during the 2020s. Through strands one and two of this scheme, two projects in Northern Ireland have been offered a total of £5.1m in funding following successful applications through a competitive process. Total expenditure for the fund is yet to be finalised.
Further support for hydrogen production is being delivered through Hydrogen Allocation Rounds.
Asked by: Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice - North Antrim)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the planned remit for Great British Energy is in Northern Ireland; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Windsor Framework on the operation of Great British Energy.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We have set out significant detail on Great British Energy (GBE) after only three weeks in office, including that GBE will benefit all four corners of our United Kingdom whilst respecting the devolution settlements. We are resetting our approach to working with the devolved nations, because meaningful cooperation centred on respect will be key to delivering change across our United Kingdom. We are committed to close collaboration with Northern Ireland’s Ministers on GBE. We will work with the Northern Ireland Executive on the scope of GBE’s activities and the opportunities for Northern Ireland. We will set out further detail in due course.