Asked by: Peter Prinsley (Labour - Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to encourage the retrofitting of solar photovoltaic panels on existing commercial and industrial rooftops; what financial incentives are available to businesses to support such installations; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of increased rooftop solar generation to reduce demand for ground-mounted solar developments on agricultural land.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Solar Roadmap published last year set out actions for Government and industry, including for commercial solar.
Since 2022 there has been a business rates exemption for plant and machinery used in connection with onsite renewable generation. The exemption applies from until 31 March 2035.
The Annual Investment Allowance is permanently set at £1 million which gives 100% tax relief to businesses on plant and machinery investments.
The Government does not take a prescriptive approach to the proportion of future rooftop and ground-mounted solar. Both forms of deployment will be needed to meet our clean power ambitions.
Asked by: Peter Prinsley (Labour - Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket)
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 potential impact of increases domestic heating oil prices following developments in the Middle East on households; what steps his Department is taking to monitor pricing practices among heating oil suppliers; and what steps he is taking to support rural households that rely on heating oil where price increases place pressure on household finances.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is closely monitoring heating oil, petrol and diesel prices in light of instability in the Middle East. International kerosene prices are >75% higher than they were before the conflict and this is putting pressure on heating oil prices.
The Secretary of State has written to the industry reminding heating oil distributors of their commitments under the UKIFDA Code of Practice, including the need for fair, transparent and justifiable pricing. Ministers have also spoken with the Competition and Markets Authority, who have announced they are reviewing evidence of potential unfair practices and anti-competitive behaviour.
We are keeping under review whether any further support or action is needed to protect consumers.
Asked by: Peter Prinsley (Labour - Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket)
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 help improve energy interconnection between the UK and the EU.
Answered by Katie White - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
At the recent North Sea Summit we committed to a joint ambition of 100GW of offshore renewable projects with our European neighbours, including through coordinated energy infrastructure planning.