Oral Answers to Questions

Mike Wood Excerpts

Tuesday 30th April 2019 Commons Chamber

[Anna McMorrin (Cardiff North) (Lab)]

12. What plans the Government have to expand the use of renewable energy sources.

[Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con)]

16. What progress he has made on promoting renewable energy generation.

[Kirstene Hair (Angus) (Con)]

18. What progress he has made on promoting renewable energy generation.

--- Later in debate ---

[Chris Skidmore]

I am sure that the Minister for Energy and Climate Change will be happy to meet the hon. Lady, but as I have stated, photovoltaics is a UK success story. We have seen 830,000 installations, and I have mentioned the smart export guarantee tariff that is being designed. We want to ensure that this will be able to generate profit for those companies, and that we continue to be able to lead Europe on this.

[Mike Wood]

Eliminating net carbon emissions by 2050 is both ambitious and achievable. Does my hon. Friend agree that the progress made over the past decade demonstrates that, where there is the political will, it is possible to reduce emissions while supporting economic prosperity?

[Chris Skidmore]

Absolutely. We need to deliver ambitious reductions in emissions, considering our long-term targets in the light of the latest science. That is why we have asked the Committee on Climate Change for advice on our long-term targets, including that net zero target. The committee’s advice will be published this Thursday, and we will consider it carefully.