Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will consider providing a rural top-slice from the money made available under the Warm Homes Plan to fund a programme of dedicated research and pilot projects to identify and understand the specific barriers to decarbonisation that rural off-grid households face.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the particular challenges that some rural and off-gas-grid households face in decarbonising their homes. Through the Warm Homes Plan, we will put communities at the centre of delivery, devolving funding so regional and local government accelerate home and building upgrades according to their needs.
For off-grid homes in particular, the Government recently increased the grant amount available for heat pump installations through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to £9,000 for homes heated by oil or LPG, in direct response to the situation in the Middle East.
It’s worth noting that heat pumps work well across different property types and there is already strong uptake in rural areas, with 50% of grants awarded to rural properties and 39% to homes off the gas grid.
The Government does however recognise the particular challenges, and we are currently undertaking specific research to improve understanding of the costs and practicalities of decarbonising more complex housing archetypes. Results will be available soon and will help inform future policy decisions.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans her Department has to establish an accounting mechanism for certified grid-injected biomethane.
Answered by Katie White - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS) issues Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin (RGGOs) for biomethane injected into the gas grid and provides a mechanism for tracking certificate ownership and retirement.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
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 implications for South Derbyshire of the expiry of Renewables Obligation support for landfill gas generation, including in respect of the future operation of the Bretby landfill gas site.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
More than 300 landfill gas sites across Great Britain currently receive support through the Renewables Obligation (RO). Government is aware that the commercial viability of some of these sites may be affected when the RO support begins to expire from 2027.
DESNZ is developing proposals for possible transitional support for these assets. In considering the case for any future support, DESNZ will develop an initial impact assessment with consideration for energy security, economic and environmental impacts, as well as value for money to the taxpayer and billpayer.
These proposals will be consulted on shortly. This process welcomes evidence from sites such as Bretby.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
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 the expiry of Renewables Obligation support for landfill gas generation on (a) electricity generation, (b) methane emissions, environmental compliance and public safety, (c) costs to local authorities and landowners and (d) employment and specialist skills in the landfill gas sector.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government is aware that Renewables Obligation (RO) support will begin to end in April 2027. In line with commitments made in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, we are exploring the possibility of a long-term methane capture scheme, with suitable transitional arrangements.
Any future support will be subject to robust cost assessments, including consideration of economic and environmental impacts, and value for money to the taxpayer and billpayer.
We will shortly consult on a possible transitional support scheme for the sector.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
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 ensure there is no gap in financial support for landfill gas electricity generation following the expiry of Renewables Obligation support in April 2027.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government is aware that Renewables Obligation (RO) support for existing landfill gas generators will begin to expire from 2027, and that this could affect their commercial viability. That’s why the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan committed to explore the possibility of a long-term methane capture scheme, with suitable transitional arrangements.
While no final decision has been made, DESNZ will shortly consult on proposals for a possible transitional scheme, including an anticipated delivery timetable.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will consider making community benefits mandatory for all solar and BESS projects currently under consideration.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Last year, the government published a working paper setting out proposals for mandatory community benefits for low carbon energy infrastructure projects.
We are in the process of reviewing responses and intend to publish a response setting out our next steps in due course.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure off grid users of energy (a) are protected by Ofgem and (b) benefit from energy price caps in the same way as grid customers.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has been clear that, depending on the final evidence from the CMA’s market study, regulatory frameworks to protect UK homes reliant on domestic heating oil could be introduced.
In response to rising oil prices, the Government has already implemented a £50m emergency funding package for vulnerable off-grid homes.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
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 use unallocated surplus in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme to pay members a further bonus pension.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps to ensure the Miners Pension Scheme members’ pensions will be fully index linked.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has plans to abolish standstill provisions in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme; and what steps he is taking to ensure that protections for bonus pensions in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme match the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.