Llinos Medi

I refer the Hon. Member for Ynys Môn to my response to Question 12968 on 12th November 2024.

As part of the Government's responsible approach to policy and decision-making, we have considered the merits of nationalising British Steel and made an estimate of the cost. That estimate is confidential for commercial reasons. However, the Government has no plans to nationalise British Steel.

We are developing a steel strategy, working in partnership with trade unions and industry to grow the steel sector in the UK. This government has identified up to £2.5bn (on top of the £500mn secured for Port Talbot) to support the steel industry.

As part of the Government's responsible approach to policy and decision-making, we have considered the merits of nationalising British Steel and made an estimate of the cost. That estimate is confidential for commercial reasons. However, the Government has no plans to nationalise British Steel.

We are developing a steel strategy, working in partnership with trade unions and industry to grow the steel sector in the UK. This government has identified up to £2.5bn (on top of the £500mn secured for Port Talbot) to support the steel industry.

DESNZ do not produce their own figures on the number of jobs within the civil nuclear sector. The industry-led Nuclear Workforce Assessment (NWA) (produced annually by Cogent Skills) does contain data on the number of civil nuclear jobs across Wales, England and Scotland but not Northern Ireland. New nuclear projects are expected to create thousands of high-quality jobs across the UK, with the 2024 NWA estimating the need for an additional 24,000 employees by the early 2030s.

In the recently published Solar Roadmap, we set out our expectation that the solar industry could support up to 35,000 UK jobs in 2030. No estimates were made for Anglesey or Wales. Our assessment is that solar will not pose a threat to food security, whilst any Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project development will be required to undergo detailed environmental and other statutory impact assessment

A new nuclear project at any location would help create skilled, high-value jobs although no decisions have yet been taken on any nuclear project to be deployed at the Wylfa site.

Yes, in the meantime I am covering nuclear as part of my portfolio. The appointment of Ministers is a matter for my Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister.

Solar power is at the heart of our clean power mission. It is clean, cheap, and reliable.

All projects are subject to a rigorous planning process, in which the views and interests of local communities are considered.

The Hitachi-owned Horizon took the decision to withdraw from the nuclear new build project at Wylfa in September 2020. Any and all discussions undertaken by the previous government with Hitachi concerning the financing of the proposed Horizon project at Wylfa are commercially sensitive and confidential.

Over this Parliament the Government will be working relentlessly to translate the much cheaper wholesale costs of clean power into lower bills for consumers. This will be core to every decision we make.

This is a complex issue and decisions will be made which must be informed by robust research and analysis. We will ensure we keep fairness and affordability at the forefront of our minds throughout this process.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussion with the Devolved Administrations on a wide range of issues.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past

We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we delivered the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households last winter. We have recently consulted on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving more eligible households £150 off their energy bills. These proposals would bring around 2.7 million households on a qualifying means-tested benefit into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million. The consultation closed on 24 March and DESNZ is considering the responses received

I have been clear with suppliers that they should do all that they can to support their customers – including vulnerable consumers – who may be struggling with their bills. I would urge any consumers who are struggling to pay their bills to speak to their supplier, local authority, or Citizens Advice who may be able to provide help and support.

The Government is continuing to work with Ofgem and energy suppliers to ensure energy bills remain fair and affordable while we transition to clean power by 2030.

The Department is considering a range of reforms to unlock renewable investment and pass through the benefits of cheaper renewables to consumers. This includes potential changes to support local and community energy.

The Secretary of State previously commissioned Ofgem to explore policy and regulatory barriers to local supply, including route to market challenges. We are also learning from the responses to the Call for Evidence on barriers to community energy[1], which referenced local supply issues.

The Department continues to work with Ofgem and key stakeholders to enhance our community energy offer. We will set out further detail in due course.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/barriers-to-community-energy-projects

DESNZ do not produce their own figure on the nuclear workforce in Wales.

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to her on 7 January 2025 to Question UIN 21108. No decisions have been taken on any projects and technologies to be deployed at sites owned by Great British Nuclear. We will set out our plans in due course.

HM Government remains committed to the decommissioning of nuclear power stations across the UK. The nuclear decommissioning projects including those at Wylfa and Trawsfynydd are carried out by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). The NDA are publicly funded through the Department (DESNZ) and in the future from the Nuclear Liabilities Fund for the Advanced Gas Reactors (AGR) stations.. Funding for 2026-27 and beyond is currently in discussion with the Department as part of the ongoing Spending Review process.

The government aims to conclude the policy development phase of the REMA Programme by mid-2025.

We intend to announce REMA’s final decisions and the timetable for implementation before the Contracts for Difference, Allocation Round 7 auctions open, giving investors clarity for prospective bids.

On 6 February 2025, we published the draft of a new nuclear National Policy Statement (EN-7) for consultation. EN-7 proposes to employ a criteria-based approach, rather than listing potentially suitable sites, to empower nuclear developers to identify suitable sites for their projects.

The Government wants previously listed sites, such as Wylfa, which was acquired by Great British Nuclear in 2024, to meet their potential and EN-7 acknowledges the advantages they can offer for nuclear infrastructure deployment.

On 6 February 2025, we published the draft of a new nuclear National Policy Statement (EN-7) for consultation. EN-7 proposes to employ a criteria-based approach, rather than listing potentially suitable sites, to empower nuclear developers to identify suitable sites for their projects.

The Government wants previously listed sites, such as Wylfa, which was acquired by Great British Nuclear in 2024, to meet their potential and EN-7 acknowledges the advantages they can offer for nuclear infrastructure deployment.

Ministers, and officials within the Department, regularly meet Welsh Government counterparts. As a site which has previously hosted a nuclear power station and is now owned by Great British Nuclear (GBN), we will work with GBN to assess options for new nuclear at the Wylfa site.

Grid connections for individual projects are a matter for the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and the network companies.

The short pause on connection applications for generation customers is a necessary transitional step in delivering fundamental connections reforms that, if approved by Ofgem, could reduce the connections queue by up to half and will enable accelerated connections for many generation and demand projects. The pause does not apply to demand projects or to projects connecting to the distribution network which do not require Transmission Impact Assessment.

Great British Nuclear (GBN) completed its purchase of the sites at Wylfa (in Ynys Mon / Anglesey) and Oldbury-on-Severn (Gloucestershire) in June 2024.

As a site which has previously hosted a nuclear power station, and is now owned by GBN , we want Wylfa to play an important role in new nuclear in the UK. The Government is examining the legacy left to us by the previous government and decisions have yet to be taken on projects and technologies to be deployed at specific sites. As GBN progress the Small Modular Reactor competition toward final decisions in the spring, we will set out our plans in due course.

Batteries have a vital role to play in the energy sector, as set out in the National Energy System Operator’s recent advice on achieving clean power by 2030.

The Government is working closely with the National Energy System Operator, Ofgem and industry to facilitate the deployment of battery storage. The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan will provide details on the steps we are taking to increase battery storage capacity connected to the distribution and transmission networks.

The reinforcement of our electricity network is critical to deliver clean, secure power to homes and businesses across the country. This reinforcement includes both new infrastructure, on and offshore, and upgrades to existing lines which are always considered first. Transmission and distribution companies are carrying out significant upgrades to increase the capacity of existing lines on their networks. However, upgrading will not eliminate the need for new lines as it will not be sufficient to provide the necessary network capacity in all areas.

As the independent regulator, Ofgem assesses network owners’ investment plans with regard to their duties, including to support net zero. Government supports Ofgem’s ambition for acceleration of network build and strategic investment in the next electricity transmission price control, covering the period 2026-31. Ofgem’s current consultation on the framework for the next electricity distribution price control (starting in 2028) identifies the need for significant investment ahead of need, strategic planning, and regulatory changes to prepare the GB distribution networks for net zero.

As the independent regulator, Ofgem assesses network owners’ investment plans with regard to their duties, including to support net zero. Government supports Ofgem’s ambition for acceleration of network build and strategic investment in the next electricity transmission price control, covering the period 2026-31. Ofgem’s current consultation on the framework for the next electricity distribution price control (starting in 2028) identifies the need for significant investment ahead of need, strategic planning, and regulatory changes to prepare the GB distribution networks for net zero.

The Local Power Plan will be delivered through Great British Energy (GBE). GBE will benefit all four nations, creating jobs and building supply chains across the UK, while respecting the devolution settlements.

GBE’s funding envelope provides a total amount to operate across all UK Nations. GBE will be capitalised with £125 million in 2025‑26 to set up the company and begin delivery on its functions.

The Department does not hold data on this. For generation of 3.68kW or less a property owner only has to notify the distribution network operator (DNO) post-installation. For larger installations the DNO will assess the impact of the proposed generation on the network, and either allow it to connect immediately or provide a connection date, and any costs.

The government is committed to expanding the electricity network to support its Clean Energy Superpower mission and is working closely with Ofgem and industry to mobilise the required investment. Under the most recent price control for electricity distribution, covering 2023-2028, Ofgem has allowed £22.2bn for upfront network investment across GB, including Wales, of which £3.1bn is set aside for network upgrades to help the grid ready for low carbon technologies.

Additionally, the National Infrastructure Commission is providing recommendations in early 2025 on the policy decisions required to make the electricity distribution network fit for net zero.

Considerations for a further large-scale project are at an exploratory stage with the Prior Information Notice forming part of this work. The Prior Information Notice has now closed, with 10 responses, and we are continuing to engage with the organisations that responded. The names of these organisations are commercially sensitive. No decision has yet been taken on whether to pursue a future large-scale project, but we want Wylfa to play an important role in new nuclear in the UK and we will set out our plans for the site in due course.

Great British Nuclear agreed to pay £115m for the Wylfa site and up to £45m for the Oldbury site, excluding taxes.

The transaction for Great British Nuclear to purchase land at Wylfa in Ynys Mon/Anglesey from Hitachi was agreed in March 2024 and completed in June 2024.

Great British Nuclear paid £160m excluding taxes for the Wylfa and Oldbury sites.

Funding for the Holyhead Hydrogen Hub was first announced in 2021 to allow the project to proceed subject to affordability and value for money. We have been working closely with the project consortium, alongside Welsh Government and Ambition North Wales, as the project has developed.

The planning system provides important checks and balances when new solar infrastructure is built, including environmental surveying and statutory environmental and habitat impact assessments.

The biggest risk to food security and the natural environment is the climate and nature crisis. That is why the government is committed to 2030 clean power, including rapidly expanding solar power generation in the UK.

As part of our efforts to become a clean energy superpower, we are commissioning a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP), which will be the first ever GB-wide spatial energy plan. DEFRA are the lead department for the Government’s Land Use Framework, and officials from the Department are supporting their work to ensure the two plans are consistent.