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 capacity of the National Grid to provide (a) timely and (b) adequate connections in the context of estimated trends in the level of adoption of rooftop solar installations on commercial properties.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Ofgem recently made it easier for smaller generation projects (under 5MW in England and Wales) to connect, by removing the requirement for a transmission network impact assessment [1]. For larger projects, the implementation of connections reform will prioritise connections that are ready and aligned with our clean power 2030 ambitions. Furthermore, the next Ofgem price control for electricity distribution (ED3, 2028-2033) will promote strategic network investment ahead of need, including through the introduction of Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs). This will enable the timely connection of rooftop solar and other low carbon electricity generation across Great Britain.

[1] https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/decision/decision-approve-cmp446-increasing-lower-threshold-england-and-wales-evaluation-transmission-impact-assessment

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 feasibility of installing a grid connection corridor along the A1 and A421 to enable commercial warehouses in that area to connect rooftop solar installations to the National Grid.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Distribution Network Operators are upgrading local electricity distribution networks across Great Britain to enable the connection of low carbon generation, including rooftop solar. For the current electricity distribution price control (RIIO-ED2, 2023-2028), Ofgem have allowed £22.2bn of upfront investment, including £3.1bn for network upgrades for low-carbon technologies. For the next electricity distribution price control (RIIO-ED3, 2028-2033), Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) will support strategic network investment ahead of need, on a locational basis. The government will continue to support Ofgem in ensuring that consumer costs are protected while enabling the network transformation required for net zero.

Found: REPORT STAGE Wednesday 18 June 2025 22 _NC41 Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Richard Fuller Sir John Whittingdale

Found: REPORT STAGE Wednesday 18 June 2025 46 _NC41 Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Richard Fuller Sir John Whittingdale

Found: _NC41 Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Richard Fuller Sir John Whittingdale Martin Vickers Greg Smith

Found: _NC41 Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Richard Fuller Sir John Whittingdale Martin Vickers Greg Smith

Found: REPORT STAGE Monday 16 June 2025 134 _NC41 Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Richard Fuller Sir John Whittingdale

Found: REPORT STAGE Friday 13 June 2025 132 _NC41 Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Richard Fuller Sir John Whittingdale

Found: _NC41 Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Richard Fuller Sir John Whittingdale Martin Vickers Greg Smith

Found: Pevensey Bay is a ‘vital’ line of defence Richard Fuller, project lead at the Environment Agency, said