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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support projects to develop renewable electricity sources; and whether any plans to build electricity networks with other EU countries could be affected in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

As outlined in the Governments Clean Growth Strategy we are investing around £177 million to further reduce the cost of renewables, including innovation in renewables electricity sources, offshore wind turbine blade technology and foundations. In addition, we have made available £557 million to support further deployment of renewable technologies through our Contract for Difference scheme.

The Political Declaration on energy cooperation between the North Seas Countries – focussed on regional coordination in the development of hybrid projects linking offshore windfarms with interconnectors - is a voluntary, intergovernmental initiative outside formal EU structures. Therefore, the UK’s participation is not affected by EU exit. North Seas cooperation is an area with the potential to benefit both UK consumers and business, by facilitating renewable energy and contributing to decarbonisation and security of supply. The UK has brought experience, expertise and leadership to this initiative, and there is no reason that EU exit should change this.