Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what body is responsible for (a) coordination and (b) delivery of floating wind farms in the Celtic Sea.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Crown Estate’s Leasing Round 5 will bring forward up to 4.5GW of floating offshore wind capacity in the Celtic Sea in addition to the five Test and Demonstration projects currently in development.
The partnership between Great British Energy and The Crown Estate announced the potential to deploy up to a further 12GW of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, of which 4-10GW could be leased to developers by 2030.
The Government will work closely with developers and The Crown Estate to support the delivery of floating offshore wind projects across the UK, including in the Celtic Sea.
Asked by: Caroline Voaden (Liberal Democrat - South Devon)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the International Council of the Exploration of the Sea's publication entitled Advice on fishing opportunities, catch, and effort, Celtic Seas and Greater North Sea ecoregions, published on 28 June 2024.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner
Defra routinely use the best available scientific advice, including that provided by the International Council of the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), within international fisheries negotiations, where catch limits are agreed on shared stocks, and in wider policy development The best available scientific advice is considered as part of our policy approach which seeks to balance obligations and objectives, as set out in the Fisheries Act 2020 and the Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS).
In line with the JFS, making use of ICES advice, the UK seeks to achieve greater environmental sustainability and provide profitable outcomes for the industry including aiming to increase over the medium term the total number of stocks fished at Maximum Sustainable Yield. As part of the annual negotiation process, Defra officials provide Ministers with an assessment of how the UK negotiating position on fishing opportunities balances these objectives on a stock-by-stock basis.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Welsh Government about devolving the Crown Estate.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The UK Government has had no discussions with the Welsh Government on devolving the Crown Estate.
The Crown Estate has played a significant role in attracting international investment into Wales to support the UK’s net zero target and will continue to do so through future leasing rounds for offshore wind developments, including floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea. They work closely with the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales in support of shared priorities, ensuring that these resources are sustainably managed for the long term.
Introducing a new entity would fragment the market, complicate existing processes, and likely delay further development offshore, undermining investment in Welsh waters.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Welsh Government about devolving the Crown Estate.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The UK Government has had no discussions with the Welsh Government on the devolving the Crown Estate, and has no plans to transfer responsibility of the Crown Estate to the Welsh Government.
The Crown Estate has played a significant role in attracting international investment into Wales to support the UK’s net zero target and will continue to do so through future leasing rounds for offshore wind developments, including floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea. They work closely with the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales in support of shared priorities, ensuring that these resources are sustainably managed for the long term
Introducing a new entity would fragment the market, complicate existing processes, and likely delay further development offshore, undermining investment in Welsh waters.
Asked by: Steve Double (Conservative - St Austell and Newquay)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) economic and (b) social impact of the reduction in total allowable catch for pollock to zero on the (i) Cornish under ten-metre fishing fleet and (ii) port of Mevagissey.
Answered by Mark Spencer
On 30 June 2023 the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas issued zero-catch advice for pollack 6 and 7 for the first time. In the annual UK-EU negotiations on fishing opportunities, our approach to negotiating catch limits is based on the best available scientific advice, balanced with commitments to economic sustainability and providing opportunities for the UK fleet, consistent with the objectives of the Fisheries Act and Joint Fisheries Statement.
We are aware of the significant potential implications of a zero-catch fishery for pollack. In line with our approach to other zero-advice stocks, we negotiated with the EU a bycatch-only TAC of 823 tonnes for pollack in area 7 (925 tonnes for 6 and 7). This should cover unavoidable bycatch needs for Celtic Sea netters and trawlers and enable this large part of the UK fleet to continue participating in other fisheries.
We recognise that this bycatch TAC will not address some critical needs for certain industry sectors that target pollack. This is informed by initial economic assessments of the value of the fishery and the importance of this fishery to different groups such as ports in Cornwall and under ten-metre vessels, including those using handlines. Officials have also met with industry representatives and heard directly from those affected about the potential social and economic impacts of a zero-catch fishery.
We are continuing to explore potential actions that could be taken to mitigate the impact to this sector.
With respect to further detail on what support is available to fishers, we will soon be reopening the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, which is currently closed for applications. The scheme supports a variety of measures, including diversification and new forms of income. We will be providing more information on plans for reopening later this month. We will also continue to work closely with industry on the longer-term management of pollack, to support its recovery.
Asked by: Stephen Kinnock (Labour - Aberafan Maesteg)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps the Government is taking to maximise the opportunity of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government fully supports the Crown Estate's Leasing Round 5, which will make available seabed areas capable of supporting up to 4.5 gigawatts of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. The Crown Estate will set out next steps on the Round later this year.
The Department is currently assessing applications for the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme, worth up to £160 million, which will support investment in port infrastructure to deliver the Government's floating offshore wind ambitions.
The UK and Welsh Governments have also jointly announced two freeports in Wales, each backed by UK Government funding of £26 million.
Asked by: Stephen Kinnock (Labour - Aberafan Maesteg)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to make further announcements on maximising the opportunity of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government supports The Crown Estate's Leasing Round 5 for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea and worked with it to agree the spatial design set out in their market update on 4 July.
My Right Hon. Friend the then Secretary of State and I met with The Crown Estate in July and my officials are in regular contact with The Crown Estate to realise the opportunities from floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. The Crown Estate will set out the next steps on Leasing Round 5 later this year.
Asked by: Stephen Kinnock (Labour - Aberafan Maesteg)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with the Crown Estate on (a) the Celtic Sea floating offshore wind leasing programme and (b) maximising the long term potential of green energy generation in the Celtic Sea.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government supports The Crown Estate's Leasing Round 5 for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea and worked with it to agree the spatial design set out in their market update on 4 July.
My Right Hon. Friend the then Secretary of State and I met with The Crown Estate in July and my officials are in regular contact with The Crown Estate to realise the opportunities from floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. The Crown Estate will set out the next steps on Leasing Round 5 later this year.
Asked by: Stephen Kinnock (Labour - Aberafan Maesteg)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps the Government is taking to address spatial planning issues for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea to maximise the long term potential of green energy generation in the Celtic Sea.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government supports The Crown Estate's Leasing Round 5 for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea and worked with it to agree the spatial design set out in their market update on 4 July.
My Right Hon. Friend the then Secretary of State and I met with The Crown Estate in July and my officials are in regular contact with The Crown Estate to realise the opportunities from floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. The Crown Estate will set out the next steps on Leasing Round 5 later this year.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to transfer responsibility for the Crown Estate in Wales, including the coastline and seabed, to Senedd Cymru.
Answered by Baroness Penn
The Crown Estate has played a significant role in attracting international investment into Wales to support the UK’s net zero target and will continue to do so through future leasing rounds for offshore wind developments, including floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea. They work closely with Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales in support of shared priorities, ensuring that these resources are sustainably managed for the long term.
Introducing a new entity would fragment the market, complicate existing processes, and likely delay further development offshore, undermining investment in Welsh waters.
Therefore, the government is not planning to transfer responsibility of the Crown Estate to Senedd Cymru.