Asked by: Ranil Jayawardena (Conservative - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will review the Levelised Cost of Electricity to take account of the (a) full cost of energy and (b) energy return on energy invested.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department will soon be publishing updated analysis comparing the cost of electricity generation across renewable and selected non-renewable technologies, reflecting the latest evidence. This will be published by the end of March 2024. The Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) is a widely used metric which provides a simple way to compare costs across technologies. There are alternative metrics, such as the Energy Return on Investment but all metrics have limitations. Some additional factors than for LCOEs, such as timing and location of generation can be considered by enhanced LCOE analysis. Full system costs are evaluated by the Department’s power modelling.
Asked by: Ranil Jayawardena (Conservative - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to develop a strategic vision for the blending of hydrogen as part of a transition to the use of hydrogen alone.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government is building evidence to determine if blending meets the required safety standards and represents value for money, which will be essential for blending to be enabled. The Government is working closely with Ofgem and industry to explore options for a future billing methodology that could fairly incorporate hydrogen blends, protecting consumers in the process.
Asked by: Ranil Jayawardena (Conservative - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to ensure that hydrogen blending into the gas grid does not lead to higher gas bills for households and industry.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government is building evidence to determine if blending meets the required safety standards and represents value for money, which will be essential for blending to be enabled. The Government is working closely with Ofgem and industry to explore options for a future billing methodology that could fairly incorporate hydrogen blends, protecting consumers in the process.
Asked by: Ranil Jayawardena (Conservative - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to mandate the installation of solar panels in car parks over a certain capacity to increase the UK's renewable energy generation.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government is looking to facilitate and promote extensive deployment of rooftop solar on industrial and commercial property in order to make maximum usage of available surfaces for business as well as environmental and climate benefits.
The Government will consider how else to extend deployment further, including with solar car parks.