Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department plans to (a) incorporate the potential for industrial electrification into its industrial strategy to (i) protect jobs and (ii) support economic growth, and (b) ensure that the grid connection process does not act as a barrier to these goals.

This government is committed to supporting UK industry, including to take advantage of new opportunities that can promote competitiveness, economic growth and resilience. Clean energy is at the heart of this transition, and decarbonising via electrification will unlock investment, reduce industry’s reliance on volatile fossil fuels and protect thousands of jobs in regions across the UK.

The Government recognises that addressing key barriers to electrification is critical to ensuring it is commercially viable and investable at scale. This includes grid constraints and connection delays, which can weaken the investment case for electrification

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is the independent, publicly owned body responsible for planning and operating Great Britain's electricity and gas transmission systems. We are working closely with Ofgem, the Electricity System Operator and network companies to accelerate network connections.