Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether Ofgem has held recent discussions with relevant stakeholders in Northern Ireland on its duties under section 202 of the Energy Act 2023.

Section 202 obliges Ofgem to consider how its decisions may assist the Secretary of State in meeting the UK-wide net zero targets in the Climate Change Act 2008.

Ofgem is established as the gas and electricity markets regulator for Great Britain and it has no regulatory functions exercisable in Northern Ireland. Therefore, our understanding is that Ofgem will not have engaged stakeholders in Northern Ireland regarding this duty, and section 202 does not require Ofgem to consider any different targets legislated for by devolved administrations.