Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to publish the (a) nature and (b) content of concerns raised by the Ministry of Defence once they have been raised formally through appropriate channels.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The Ministry of Defence has indicated its concerns relate to national security. It is therefore unlikely the content of the concerns will be published.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2024 to Question 12098 on Aquind: Electricity Interconnectors, whether she has received the representations required for the re-determination of the application.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The relevant representations have not yet been finalised or submitted.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment she has made of the compatibility of the AQUIND Interconnector Project with Ofgem’s expanded assessment criteria frameworks, Initial Project Assessment, for projects applying to the upcoming Window 3 cap and floor round.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The regulatory approval process for interconnectors in Great Britain is run by Ofgem. Details of Ofgem's consideration of the AQUIND project can be found in Ofgem's Initial Project Assessment for this application round, which was published on 1 March 2024. The Ofgem regulatory process is independent from Government and therefore the Secretary of State has not assessed the compatibility of Aquind with Ofgem’s Initial Project Assessment criteria.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether recommendations made by Ofgem in its upcoming Window 3 cap and floor round for interconnector projects will be taken into account by her Department when making a decision on the AQUIND Interconnector Project.
Answered by Graham Stuart
In taking the decision on any application for development consent for a nationally significant infrastructure project, the Secretary of State will consider all relevant planning matters.
Given the Secretary of State’s quasi-judicial role in the re-determination of this application, it would not be appropriate to comment on any specific matters regarding the application.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate she has made of constraint costs associated with the AQUIND Interconnector Project.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The regulatory approval process for interconnectors in Great Britain is run by Ofgem. Details of Ofgem's consideration of the AQUIND project can be found in Ofgem's Initial Project Assessment for this application round, which was published on 1 March 2024. The Ofgem regulatory process is independent from Government and therefore the Secretary of State has not assessed constraint costs associated with the project.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her latest estimate is of when a decision will be made on the AQUIND Interconnector project.
Answered by Graham Stuart
At this point It would not be appropriate to estimate how much more time is required for the re-determination of the application, given that it is dependent on representations that have not yet been made.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Ministers in her Department (a) met and (b) spoke to (i) directors and (ii) other representatives of Aquind Energy in the last year.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Details of meetings held by Ministers in the Department are recorded in our transparency data, which is published at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/desnz-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings,
Data covering the 1 October 2023 until 31 December 2023 is due to be published shortly in line with Cabinet Office Guidance organisations are listed instead of individuals.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce energy bills.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
Energy prices have fallen significantly in the last year with the Q1 2024 price cap of £1,928 being significantly less than the Q1 2023 price cap which peaked at £4,279. Despite this, the Government is continuing to support those who need it the most, with over £104 billion in support, or £3,700 per household on average, being delivered between 2022 – 2025.
Millions of households are receiving up to £900 in further cost-of-living payments, in addition to established support for vulnerable households such as the Winter Fuel Payment worth between £250 - £600 and the £150 Warm Home Discount.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when she last had discussions with her French counterpart on (a) national security and (b) other matters relating to the AQUIND Interconnector Project.
Answered by Graham Stuart
My Rt Hon Friend, the Secretary of State, has not had any conversations with her French counterparts in relation to the Aquind interconnector project.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the potential national security risks of the AQUIND Interconnector Project.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence about this project. However, the Ministry of Defence can make representations to the Department via the planning process which will be handled in accordance with their security classification.