Asked by: Joy Morrissey (Conservative - Beaconsfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of solar procurement decisions on UK-based manufacturing capacity and employment within the domestic solar supply chain.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Accelerating solar deployment presents valuable opportunities for employment and growth in the domestic supply chain. Our Solar Roadmap estimated that solar could support up to 35,000 UK jobs by 2030.
Key areas for growth include developing cutting-edge solar technologies, including perovskite and thin film panels. The Roadmap includes actions for government and industry to further support companies to increase production of these parts. .
The UK also has a strong electrical manufacturing sector, which could provide vital balance of system components. These are included in our Industrial Strategy, which has identified advanced manufacturing and clean energy industries as priority growth sectors.
Asked by: Joy Morrissey (Conservative - Beaconsfield)
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 adequacy of public procurement guidance in supporting SME participation and the domestic economy; and what steps he is taking to help mitigate market concentration by Chinese companies and associated national security risks.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government’s industrial strategy and economic growth ambitions are underpinned by large-scale public investment into UK manufacturing and proactive measures to secure demand for UK made products through the deployment of clean energy technology. Flagship investments include a £1bn allocation to Great British Energy ‘Engineered in the UK’ supply chain fund that will increase UK manufacturing capacity, drive down technology costs, and create and support jobs across the UK.
Government is taking strong steps to leverage supply and demand-side policies in its review of public procurement and across all public finance; such that long-standing industrial sectors, such as the steel sector and the port sector can remain globally competitive. The UK’s Contracts for Difference scheme includes a £544m Clean Industry Bonus in support of UK domestic manufacturers and suppliers for offshore wind sector.
Investment in the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny – we take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.
Asked by: Joy Morrissey (Conservative - Beaconsfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will ensure that UK‑based firms offering comparable pricing and British-backed warranties are prioritised in procurement processes over Chinese manufacturers.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government’s industrial strategy and economic growth ambitions are underpinned by large-scale public investment into UK manufacturing and proactive measures to secure demand for UK made products through the deployment of clean energy technology. Flagship investments include a £1bn allocation to Great British Energy ‘Engineered in the UK’ supply chain fund that will increase UK manufacturing capacity, drive down technology costs, and create and support jobs across the UK.
Government is taking strong steps to leverage supply and demand-side policies in its review of public procurement and across all public finance; such that long-standing industrial sectors, such as the steel sector and the port sector can remain globally competitive. The UK’s Contracts for Difference scheme includes a £544m Clean Industry Bonus in support of UK domestic manufacturers and suppliers for offshore wind sector.
Investment in the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny – we take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.
Asked by: Joy Morrissey (Conservative - Beaconsfield)
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 support the development of domestic energy manufacturing capability, particularly where companies are willing to invest in UK production subject to demand visibility.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government’s industrial strategy and economic growth ambitions are underpinned by large-scale public investment into UK manufacturing and proactive measures to secure demand for UK made products through the deployment of clean energy technology. Flagship investments include a £1bn allocation to Great British Energy ‘Engineered in the UK’ supply chain fund that will increase UK manufacturing capacity, drive down technology costs, and create and support jobs across the UK.
Government is taking strong steps to leverage supply and demand-side policies in its review of public procurement and across all public finance; such that long-standing industrial sectors, such as the steel sector and the port sector can remain globally competitive. The UK’s Contracts for Difference scheme includes a £544m Clean Industry Bonus in support of UK domestic manufacturers and suppliers for offshore wind sector.
Investment in the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny – we take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.
Asked by: Joy Morrissey (Conservative - Beaconsfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have met (i) Dale Vince and (ii) representatives of Ecotricity since 5 July 2024.
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.
Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.
Asked by: Joy Morrissey (Conservative - Beaconsfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to provide trade unions with a role on the board of GB Energy.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As stated in Great British Energy’s Founding Statement, trade unions will have a voice and representation within Great British Energy. When deciding upon the composition of the board, GBE will follow best practice in its governance and structures, including around its relationships and engagement with trade unions and its workforce.
Asked by: Joy Morrissey (Conservative - Beaconsfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his policy is on the potential creation of new unabated gas power plants.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
To ensure security of supply, the electricity system requires generating capacity that can dispatch power in the event of high peak demand, unexpected outage or during periods of low renewable output. As we transition to clean power the government will work with the private sector to ensure flexible technologies such as hydrogen, long duration electricity storage and power with carbon capture and storage are deployed. Unabated gas will increasingly move to a backup role as low carbon alternatives deploy. We will continue to develop our strategy to enable a transition away from unabated gas whilst maintaining security of supply.
Asked by: Joy Morrissey (Conservative - Beaconsfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have met with the owners of the Grangemouth oil refinery.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Joy Morrissey (Conservative - Beaconsfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to extend the lifetime of existing unabated gas power stations.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
To ensure security of supply, the electricity system requires generating capacity that can dispatch power in the event of high peak demand, unexpected outage or during periods of low renewable output. As we transition to clean power the government will work with the private sector to ensure flexible technologies such as hydrogen, long duration electricity storage and power with carbon capture and storage are deployed. We will continue to utilise unabated gas generating capacity, which will increasingly move to a backup role as low carbon alternatives deploy. TheGovernment is considering the policies required to maintain security of supply.
Asked by: Joy Morrissey (Conservative - Beaconsfield)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether new unabated gas power stations will be required to maintain energy security.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
To ensure security of supply, the electricity system requires generating capacity that can dispatch power in the event of high peak demand, unexpected outage or during periods of low renewable output. As we transition to clean power the government will work with the private sector to ensure flexible technologies such as hydrogen, long duration electricity storage and power with carbon capture and storage are deployed. We will continue to utilise unabated gas generating capacity, which will increasingly move to a backup role as low carbon alternatives deploy. TheGovernment is considering the policies required to maintain security of supply.