Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what criteria will be used to designate strategically important demand projects for prioritised grid connection; and whether all sites within AI Growth Zones will be so designated.

As set out in the Government’s recent consultation on “Accelerating electricity network connections for strategic demand”, the criteria used to designate projects includes national objectives such as growth, jobs, social value and net zero.

Sites within publicly announced AI Growth Zones will be considered for grid connection support on their individual merits, in line with the relevant assessment processes.