Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many Local Enterprise Partnerships' local energy strategies funded by his Department have evaluated the potential for solar power in their areas.

BEIS has offered funding to help all 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in England develop energy strategies. A first phase of funding was offered to thirteen LEPs in March 2017, and funding was offered to the remaining 25 LEPs in September 2017.

BEIS is enabling local areas to develop energy strategies, linked with the forthcoming Local Industrial Strategies, to reflect the needs, opportunities and barriers within the local area. Some LEP areas have chosen to work together on a joint strategy. Strategies are expected to consider the full range of energy opportunities and challenges in the local area, including the potential for renewable heat and power generation, demand side management and transport infrastructure.

No energy strategies have been completed yet. The first phase energy strategies are expected by the end of March 2018, and the second phase are expected in summer 2018.