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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to put into domestic law protection for the new rights for community energy groups introduced in the EU's Renewable Energy Directive and Electricity Directive once the UK has left the EU.

Formal negotiations on the Commission’s proposals for a revision of the Directive on renewable energy and the Directive on common rules for the internal market in electricity have not yet started. While we remain in the EU, the UK will play a full role in the negotiations, considering all implications for UK, including for community energy groups.

As the formal negotiations have not begun, it would be premature to consider the extent to which any additional rights might be introduced in the UK.

The Department is separately engaging with stakeholders to explore next steps for community and local energy in the context of the forthcoming Emissions Reduction Plan.