Asked by: John Lamont (Conservative - Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk)
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 ensure that (a) homes and (b) businesses in rural areas have adequate energy supplies during the implementation of Great Grid Upgrade infrastructure projects.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The transformation of our electricity network will increase capacity for users across GB. Investment under Ofgem’s next electricity distribution networks price control (2028-2033) will be informed by Regional Energy Strategic Plans, which will consider local area energy requirements and ensure timely reinforcement of networks for rural communities. To bring new electricity transmission infrastructure online, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) allows parts of the network to be temporarily switched off so that work can be conducted safely. NESO undertakes system access planning to ensure this process is efficient and economic, and the transmission system continues to operate within the Security and Quality of Supply Standards through all access windows, minimising impacts on customers.
Asked by: Baroness Coffey (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment he has made of the case for establishing a Select Committee, in line with section 9 of the Planning Act 2008, to consider the national policy statements for (1) energy, (2) renewable energy infrastructure, and (3) electricity networks infrastructure, for which the scrutiny periods expire on 22 July.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The Liaison Committee is responsible for the establishment of select committees and it keeps the number of committees under regular review. No select committees have been established specifically for the purpose of considering National Policy Statements since the Act was passed in 2008. Existing committees can examine National Policy Statements within the scope of their orders of reference set by the House. For example, the Industry and Regulators Committee’s recent report Power struggle: Delivering Great Britain’s electricity grid infrastructure included recommendations on the National Policy Statements for Energy.
Asked by: Richard Fuller (Conservative - North Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the capacity of the National Grid to provide (a) timely and (b) adequate connections in the context of estimated trends in the level of adoption of rooftop solar installations on commercial properties.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ofgem recently made it easier for smaller generation projects (under 5MW in England and Wales) to connect, by removing the requirement for a transmission network impact assessment [1]. For larger projects, the implementation of connections reform will prioritise connections that are ready and aligned with our clean power 2030 ambitions. Furthermore, the next Ofgem price control for electricity distribution (ED3, 2028-2033) will promote strategic network investment ahead of need, including through the introduction of Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs). This will enable the timely connection of rooftop solar and other low carbon electricity generation across Great Britain.
Asked by: Richard Fuller (Conservative - North Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the feasibility of installing a grid connection corridor along the A1 and A421 to enable commercial warehouses in that area to connect rooftop solar installations to the National Grid.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Distribution Network Operators are upgrading local electricity distribution networks across Great Britain to enable the connection of low carbon generation, including rooftop solar. For the current electricity distribution price control (RIIO-ED2, 2023-2028), Ofgem have allowed £22.2bn of upfront investment, including £3.1bn for network upgrades for low-carbon technologies. For the next electricity distribution price control (RIIO-ED3, 2028-2033), Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) will support strategic network investment ahead of need, on a locational basis. The government will continue to support Ofgem in ensuring that consumer costs are protected while enabling the network transformation required for net zero.
Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to (a) manage and (b) accelerate the connection of the renewable energy projects in the transmission queue.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We are working closely with Ofgem and the network companies to develop and deliver fundamental reform of the grid connections process. National Energy System Operator (NESO’s) proposals for connections reform were approved by Ofgem on 15 April.
These reforms will release up to 500GW of capacity from the oversubscribed connections queue, enabling accelerated connections for renewable energy projects that are ready and aligned with our strategic needs, as set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will confirm when his Department will publish a fully-costed plan to achieve a Net Zero power grid by 2030.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Clean Power Action Plan published in December 2024 outlines the Government’s approach to reaching clean power by 2030, including the need to deliver an estimated £40 billion a year of investment on average per year between 2025-2030. The vast majority of this investment will come from the private sector.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
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 ensure the resilience of the electricity grid, in the context of fluctuating levels of power within the grid.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great Britain has a highly resilient energy network with diverse sources of supply and maintaining the security of electricity supply is a key priority for Government.
We are working with the energy industry, regulators and other stakeholders to continually improve and maintain the resilience and security of energy infrastructure. We work to reduce the vulnerability of networks and assets, taking into account a range of threats and future system changes.
The National Energy System Operator has well-established tools to balance the system in a wide range of scenarios, including in the event of voltage and frequency fluctuations.
Asked by: Lord Rooker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to consult on the issue of hydrogen transmission blending in 2025.
Answered by Baroness Curran
In December 2024 we set out an intention to consult on transmission-level blending within GB in early 2025 to gather evidence to inform the case for Transmission-level blending. We confirm that we intend to publish a consultation on blending hydrogen into the National Transmission System in the near future.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards meeting their clean energy targets by 2030, and what assessment they have made of the impact of these targets on in high-energy-use sectors
Answered by Baroness Curran
We are making strong progress towards Clean Power 2030. Last month, the Prime Minister announced £300 million of investment to boost offshore wind supply chains, Ofgem approved major grid reforms to unlock investment and accelerate connections.
We have also introduced the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will speed up the approval process for nationally significant infrastructure projects. These changes will help deliver major infrastructure projects, including wind, solar, and hydrogen, in this Parliament.
The National Energy System Operators independent analysis shows that a clean power system will protect families and business from volatile fossil fuel markets, and can be delivered without increasing costs to consumers and business.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent estimate his Department has made of the cost of decarbonising the electricity grid by 2030.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
NESO's analysis confirmed delivering clean power by 2030 is deliverable, more secure, and could see a lower cost of electricity, and lower bills.
We are committed to working with industry to grow our clean energy system with once-in-a-generation levels of energy investment – an estimated £40 billion, the vast majority of which will come from the private sector.
The Government is leveraging public finance institutions like the National Wealth Fund and Great British Energy to catalyse private investment. By providing early-stage funding, de-risking projects, and supporting the development of critical infrastructure, we aim to attract private capital and accelerate the deployment of clean power technologies.