Asked by: Matt Hancock (Independent - West Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much and what proportion of funding is the Government investing in methane reduction technologies.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As announced in the Government’s Net Zero Strategy 2021, we are bringing forward £295 million of capital funding which will allow local authorities in England to prepare to implement free weekly separate food waste collections for all households in England. This will deliver significant carbon savings over sending food waste to landfill.
Methane reduction technologies are within scope of Defra’s £270 million Farming Innovation Programme and were in scope of its predecessor, Farming Innovation Pathways.
While primarily a safety focussed programme, the Health and Safety Executive-led Iron Mains Risk Reduction Programme (IMRRP) is expected to invest approximately £4 billion in replacing iron gas mains with plastic pipework over the current Ofgem price control period (2021-2026), improving safety and reducing methane emissions. By the conclusion of this programme in 2032, it is estimated that the IMRRP will have achieved a 66% reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions from the gas distribution network since the programme commenced in 2013.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the progress in the implementation of the F-gas regulations, particularly with regard to the greenhouse gas sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and reducing its carbon footprint in electricity transmission, distribution, and hydronic heat pump equipment; what plans they have to amend the F-gas Regulations 2014 ((EU) No 517/2014); and how they intend to ensure that expansion of the electricity grid does not increase carbon emissions through increased use of fluorinated greenhouse gases.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
A review of the F-gas Regulation is underway. Defra published an Assessment Report in December 2022 that assesses the Regulation against its objectives to reduce F-gas use and emissions. Defra are now identifying options for change, with a focus on additional measures to help the UK meet Net Zero. Development of any proposals will account for factors such as the expansion of the power grid as regards SF6 use and the rollout of heat pumps as regards use of hydrofluorocarbons (the main types of F-gas).
In addition to the F-gas Regulation, Ofgem has a framework in place that encourages the reduction of SF6 emissions from existing switchgear equipment on the grid.
The F-gas Regulation reduces emissions primarily through the phasedown of the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the main type of F-gases. The Regulation also sets rules on F-gas use, containment, recovery and destruction and training and certification.
Alternative technologies to the use of SF6 in the power sector are being developed, with some already available and being deployed. Consideration needs to be given as to the ability to use alternatives at some existing sites, particularly where the footprint of a site is restricted such as in built-up areas.
Asked by: Sarah Owen (Labour - Luton North)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an (a) estimate of the cost and (b) assessment of the feasibility of reinforcing the electricity network to achieve the Government's aim to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028; and if he will place a copy of that assessment in the Library of the House.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government and Ofgem jointly published an Electricity Networks Strategic Framework on 4 August 2022, which sets out a vision for the transformation of the electricity network needed to maintain our energy security while reducing emissions and our dependence on imported fossil fuels. Network regulation, including ensuring sufficient investment to deliver the capacity needed to meet demand, is a matter for Ofgem. The Government engages regularly with Ofgem and electricity network operators to discuss their plans to support connections of low carbon technologies, including heat pumps.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures (1) they, and (2) Ofgem, are taking to ensure that homes connected to heat networks are not locked into high fossil fuel heating systems.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
To ensure heat networks do not remain on fossil fuel systems, the Government has introduced the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF). The GHNF is a 3 year £288 million capital grant fund which helps heat networks install cost-effective low-carbon heat sources. The Government is also proposing to regulate heat networks through the Energy Security Bill, which would provide powers to set carbon emissions limits on heat networks as part of the move to net zero. Under the Bill, it is envisaged that Ofgem will be appointed as the regulator for heat networks and enforce carbon limits.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take steps to reform Ofgem’s statutory duty to include oversight of meeting net-zero commitments.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
It is the Government’s plan to publish the Strategy and Policy Statement (SPS) later this year. The SPS will detail the Government’s strategic priorities and policy outcomes for energy policy, including delivering a net zero energy system while ensuring secure supplies at the lowest cost for consumers. The SPS will impose a legal obligation on Ofgem to have regard to those strategic priorities and policy outcomes when exercising its regulatory functions. Ofgem will be required to report at the outset and annually on its progress and plans for implementation.
Asked by: Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrat - Bath)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the IPCC data which shows that the carbon emissions from burning wood are 1.18 times higher than those for burning coal; and what the corresponding change in gross stack emissions has been at Drax per MWh as a result of its switch to wood from coal.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK reports and accounts for biomass use in accordance with internationally agreed rules, follow the guidance from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This guidance avoids double counting of emissions in both the forest and energy sectors. The loss of carbon stock from harvesting operations in the forestry sector are reported in the Land Use, Land Use Change, and Forestry sector of the country of harvest and may lead to an increase in the carbon stock of other carbon pools such as deadwood, litter, soil and harvested wood products. The portion of forestry products that is used for energy is assumed to be instantaneously oxidised in the country in which harvesting happens.
For transparency, the UK reports internationally the emissions of carbon dioxide from bioenergy use as a memo item, outside of national totals, in accordance with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change requirements. It also reports the emissions of nitrous oxide and methane from biomass combustion as part of the national total of GHG emissions. OFGEM also publishes data on company-specific supply chain emissions from biomass, which can be found here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/biomass-sustainability-dataset-2019-20
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what information his Department holds on the purpose of the daily standing charge on energy bills; and if he will make an assessment of the recent increases in those charges by (a) E-ON and (b) other energy suppliers..
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The standing charge is a daily flat rate that E.ON and other suppliers charge their customers to cover the cost of providing a live supply regardless of how much energy they use. It includes charges from network companies for using pipes and power lines to carry gas and electricity supplies, the maintenance and installation of meters, billing and accounting. A small proportion of the standing charge also goes towards Government initiatives that help vulnerable households and reduce carbon emissions. Ofgem requires energy suppliers to separate out the standing charge from a tariff’s energy unit rate so consumers can see what the different charges amount to.
For millions of households the level of standing charge is protected by the energy price cap rate set by Ofgem. While the setting of tariffs is a commercial matter for individual supply companies, the energy unit rate and the standing charge together for a supplier’s default and standard variable tariffs must not exceed the level of the price cap. For consumers looking for a new fixed deal for their energy, suppliers can offer a range of tariffs including some with a low or even a zero standing charge and a higher energy unit rate to attract low energy users.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the impact on energy consumers of the increase in the daily standing charge on bills imposed by (a) E-ON and (b) other energy suppliers.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The standing charge is a daily flat rate that E.ON and other suppliers charge their customers to cover the cost of providing a live supply regardless of how much energy they use. It includes charges from network companies for using pipes and power lines to carry gas and electricity supplies, the maintenance and installation of meters, billing and accounting. A small proportion of the standing charge also goes towards Government initiatives that help vulnerable households and reduce carbon emissions. Ofgem requires energy suppliers to separate out the standing charge from a tariff’s energy unit rate so consumers can see what the different charges amount to.
For millions of households the level of standing charge is protected by the energy price cap rate set by Ofgem. While the setting of tariffs is a commercial matter for individual supply companies, the energy unit rate and the standing charge together for a supplier’s default and standard variable tariffs must not exceed the level of the price cap. For consumers looking for a new fixed deal for their energy, suppliers can offer a range of tariffs including some with a low or even a zero standing charge and a higher energy unit rate to attract low energy users.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Labour - Denton and Reddish)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent estimate his Department has made of the rise in energy standing charges; and what steps he plans to take to prevent further rises.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The standing charge is a daily flat rate that suppliers charge their customers to cover the cost of providing a live supply regardless how much energy they use. It includes charges from network companies for using pipes and power lines to carry gas and electricity supplies, the maintenance and installation of meters and billing and accounting. A small proportion of the standing charge also goes towards Government initiatives that help vulnerable households and reduce carbon emissions. Ofgem requires energy suppliers to separate out the standing charge from a tariff’s energy unit rate so consumers can see what the different charges amount to.
For millions of households the level of standing charge is protected by the energy price cap rate set by Ofgem. While the setting of tariffs is a commercial matter for individual supply companies, the energy unit rate and the standing charge together for a supplier’s default and standard variable tariffs must not exceed the level of the price cap. For consumers looking for a new fixed deal for their energy, suppliers can offer a range of tariffs including some with a low or even a zero standing charge and a higher energy unit rate to attract low energy users.
Asked by: Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to bring forward amendments to the gas management safety regulations to facilitate blending of hydrogen in the gas network by up to 20 per cent.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The Government is committed to reaching Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050 and decarbonising our energy system. Hydrogen blending is a potential mechanism in the pathway towards achieving these ambitions.
The economic assessment and safety evidence for hydrogen blending is not yet complete. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is working with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Ofgem and the industry to ensure that the necessary economic analysis and safety evidence to support any change to the current permitted hydrogen content is obtained. HSE will shortly be consulting on proposals to amend the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations (GSMR), however as the demonstration of hydrogen blending is ongoing, blending will not form part of this suite of proposals.
Exemptions to the permitted hydrogen limit in GSMR can be sought until legislation is changed and HSE has already issued exemptions to enable hydrogen blending demonstrations up to 20 per cent to take place at Keele University and Winlaton in England.
Subject to both the economic and safety case for blending being demonstrated, the Government is aiming to make a final decision on blending by the end of 2023.