Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to improve the process for procuring (a) transformers, (b) cables and (c) other critical components for electricity network expansion projects.

The Government is committed to working with electricity operators and Ofgem to improve procurement processes for critical electricity network expansion projects. Ofgem recently launched the Advanced Procurement Mechanism to enable Transmission Owners to procure transformers, cables, and other critical components earlier in the project development cycle. This will enable Transmission Owners to secure supplier capacity and bulk procure multiple factory slots across a portfolio of projects. Transmission Owners will use this mechanism to address the current long delivery lead times for this key equipment. Officials are also engaging with further partners to examine wider policy options to address procurement challenges.