Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support is available to Northern Ireland through Great British Energy.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Great British Energy (GBE) will operate in Northern Ireland (NI) as part of its commitment to deliver in all four nations of the UK. In line with its Strategic Plan, GBE will be taking forward the appropriate opportunities in Northern Ireland across all its activities. This includes onshore, offshore, local and supply chain.

GBE committed £1.62 million for community and public sector renewable projects in Northern Ireland. On 10 December, we announced that this funding will help Further Education Colleges to benefit from clean energy, through installation of Solar PV at a number of sites.

GBE are continuing to work with partners in Northern Ireland to inform the development of products and services, with further details to be processed later in the year as part of their LPP product portfolio.

On 11 December, GBE launched a £300m supply chain fund for offshore wind and networks. All areas of the UK will be eligible for funding, meaning projects may be located anywhere in the UK, including in Northern Ireland, subject to Windsor Framework considerations.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish a breakdown of support for renewable energy in Northern Ireland from the UK Government.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Responsibility for policy and financial support for renewable energy in Northern Ireland is largely devolved. The principal UK‑wide mechanism supporting renewable electricity in Northern Ireland has been the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO), administered by Ofgem as part of the wider Renewables Obligation framework. NIRO support is funded through electricity suppliers rather than direct Exchequer spending, and therefore does not constitute a single, ring‑fenced UK Government funding allocation.

Information on accredited installations, certificates issued and scheme costs is published annually by Ofgem. Decisions on new support schemes for renewable energy in Northern Ireland rest with the Northern Ireland Executive.

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 potential level of contribution that new large-scale nuclear power stations could make to enhancing the UK's energy security.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Large-scale nuclear power stations, including Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, will continue to make a vital contribution to our homegrown clean and secure energy mix, complementing small modular reactors.

To pursue the option of further potential large-scale nuclear, the government has tasked Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) with identifying other suitable sites that could potentially host such a project. GBE-N will report back to Ministers by Autumn 2026 on potential sites to inform future decisions in the next Spending Review and beyond.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether excess domestic energy derived from plug in solar will be able to be exported to the grid.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We expect most households to be able to consume the majority of electricity generated themselves.

However, any excess electricity generated from plug-in solar panels would be automatically exported to the grid.

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 potential impact of the scheduled closure of Torness, Hartlepool and Heysham nuclear power stations on baseload electricity supply.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Currently, nuclear generation provides around 15% of total electricity. The four Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) stations at these locations are operating beyond their original forecasts, with current expected closures being planned well in advance by the operator (EDF). In September 2025, EDF announced Heysham 1 and Hartlepool power stations are now scheduled to generate until March 2028, an extension of 12 months. Heysham 2 and Torness are both scheduled to generate until March 2030. EDF’s ambition is to continue electricity production at its four generating AGR stations for as long as it is safe and commercially viable to do so and will keep station lifetimes under review.

Energy security is a priority for the government, and we work closely with the National Energy System Operator (NESO), Ofgem and key industry stakeholders to constantly monitor electricity supply against forecast demand to ensure electricity operators have the right tools to respond to market signals.

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 suitability of sites across the United Kingdom for new large-scale nuclear power station development.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

To pursue the option of further potential large-scale nuclear beyond Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, the government has tasked Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) with identifying other suitable sites that could potentially host such a project.

GBE-N will report back to Ministers by Autumn 2026 on potential sites to inform future decisions in the next Spending Review and beyond.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Oral Question of 24th March 2026, what steps his Department is taking to introduce a trial for free wind power for people living near energy infrastructure.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In line with statements made to Parliament on 24^th March 2026, the Department is working with UKRI to launch a trial this winter.

The trial will test the removal of final consumption levies from increased consumer demand that responds to instances where there is abundant local renewable energy in grid constrained areas.

This will enable energy suppliers and flexibility service providers to offer periods of discounted power to households and businesses in such areas so that more of this power can be used.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans his Department has to support additional large-scale nuclear power stations beyond Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

To pursue the option of further potential large-scale nuclear beyond Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, the government has tasked Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) with identifying other suitable sites that could potentially host such a project.

GBE-N will report back to Ministers by Autumn 2026 on potential sites to inform future decisions in the next Spending Review and beyond.

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 ensure that hydrogen projects supported by Government policy maximise UK supply chain participation and support domestic manufacturing and jobs.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

As set out in the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, the Government is committed to building UK manufacturing capacity and jobs. This commitment is demonstrated by the £86.5m proposed package to support ITM Power’s 1GW electrolyser manufacturing expansion in Sheffield, expected to support over 400 jobs, alongside wider support available to UK manufacturers from the public finance institutions, including Great British Energy’s £1 billion Supply Chain Fund.

We welcome the hydrogen industry’s voluntary commitment to 50% local content and are exploring how future hydrogen allocation rounds can further support UK supply chains, including through a planned call for evidence.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment has he made of the surety of heating oil supply for October 2026 onwards.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government keeps the security of heating oil supply under close and continuous review. The UK benefits from strong and diverse security of fuel supplies, including heating oil. While heating oil markets can experience periods of operational pressure, supply continues to be available through established domestic and international supply routes. The Government works closely with the sector to monitor supply, demand and delivery conditions and will continue to monitor the position closely as the heating season approaches.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2026, to Question 118358, on Clean Energy Mission Board: Membership, which delivery partners were in attendance at its most recent meeting.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The most recent meeting of the Clean Energy Superpower Mission Board was in November 2025. At that time it was still a Cabinet Committee and specific information about attendance and discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its committees is not normally shared publicly.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of their policy to issue no new oil and gas exploration licences on UK energy import dependency.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

North Sea oil and gas production is in natural decline, with a 75 per cent reduction in production occurring between 1999 and 2024.

While we will manage existing oil and gas fields for their lifespan, the government will not issue licences to explore new fields which would only make a marginal difference to overall production.

The UK became a net importer of energy over two decades ago in 2004.

Given the maturity of the basin, further licensing would not reverse its natural decline, nor change the UK’s status as a net importer of oil and gas.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on nuclear power security of (1) the limited domestic production of carbon dioxide, and (2) the disruption to the supply chain of carbon dioxide caused by the Iran conflict.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government works closely with industry to monitor and respond to risks to supply, and they are currently not reporting a risk to electricity generation.

We will continue to closely monitor this, and to strengthen domestic resilience, Government has supported a temporary three-month restart of the Ensus bioethanol plant, bolstering domestic carbon dioxide production, and maintaining access to critical carbon dioxide supplies.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the emissions implications of replacing domestic liquefied natural gas (LNG) production with imported LNG.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

While the UK produces natural gas, it does not produce LNG domestically; LNG is imported and regasified for use in the gas system.

The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) published analysis in September 2025 comparing the emissions intensity of domestically produced gas with imported liquefied natural gas. This analysis is available on the NSTA’s website. In 2024, domestic gas production made up 43% of gross supply, LNG imports accounted for 14%, with the remainder coming from pipeline imports – principally from Norway.

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 support the development of private wire networks for industrial parks to reduce transmission costs.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Network regulation and charging arrangements are a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. The Government’s role is to ensure Ofgem has the appropriate framework to make decisions in the interests of consumers.

While private wire arrangements may reduce reliance on the public network for individual users, they are unlikely to reduce overall transmission system costs, which are largely driven by fixed investment needed to meet peak demand, security and resilience requirements. In practice, such costs remain and would be redistributed across and recovered from remaining users. Ofgem’s Targeted Charging Review reformed network charges to ensure that all users of the electricity network make a fair contribution to its fixed costs and to address inefficiencies in the previous framework.

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 potential impact of the time taken for grid connection on the ability of businesses to lower energy costs through onsite generation.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Following Ofgem’s decision to increase the threshold for generation requiring a transmission impact assessment from 1MW to 5MW in England and Wales[1], it is now quicker and cheaper for businesses customers to install onsite generation. Ofgem’s Connections End‑to‑End Review will also improve customer service and reduce connection times for such projects[2].

1 https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-05/CMP446%20-%20Authority%20decision%20to%20approve%20WACM%201.pdf

2 https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consultation/connections-end-end-review-updated-proposals-and-next-steps

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 potential impact of energy costs on the viability of the data centre industry.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that UK electricity prices and grid connection delays are barriers to investment. The only sustainable way to reduce electricity bills is by reducing the UK’s exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets, which is why industrial energy affordability is aligned with the Clean Power 2030 mission.

For data centres, the Department for Business and Trade will consult on options to support electricity costs for projects in AI Growth Zones that reduce overall system costs, including in Scotland, Cumbria and the North East. For large projects, this could reduce operating costs and help to cut bills for consumers.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to use unallocated surplus in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme to pay members a further bonus pension.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps to ensure the Miners Pension Scheme members’ pensions will be fully index linked.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has plans to abolish standstill provisions in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme; and what steps he is taking to ensure that protections for bonus pensions in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme match the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy that 100% of future surplus in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme be used to increase members’ pensions.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.

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 potential impact of the time taken to publish the UK Hydrogen Strategy on the delivery timelines of Hydrogen Allocation Round 2 projects, including those in Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend constituency.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Delays to the renewed Hydrogen Strategy, to Hydrogen Allocation Round 2, and to other decisions have been frustrating. We understand that many projects are at critical stages, and that certainty is very important to help businesses plan and manage resourcing and expectations of third parties.

We are working hard across government to start the Invite to Offer stage of HAR2 as soon as possible and will be in touch with projects when this commences. We are committed to announcing successful HAR2 projects in 2026.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many a) FTE roles there are at GB Energy b) GB Energy roles are permanently located in Aberdeen c) roles are solely GB Energy employees rather than seconded or equivalent from another Government or public sector departments and d) GB Energy employees previously worked in the oil and gas sector.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

There are currently over 120 people working for Great British Energy (GBE), including permanent, temporary and contingent labour staff. GBE is expected to recruit significantly more permanent roles in Aberdeen over the next financial year.

GBE’s Aberdeen HQ will host GBE's main corporate functions, supply chain activities, and major development projects including ambitions in deep-water offshore wind.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish Great British Energy-Nuclear’s assessment of Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Ministers have asked GBE-N to assess Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power, including around areas that have previously hosted nuclear stations, such as Torness and Hunterston. Scotland has made a significant contribution to British nuclear power and, having previously hosted nuclear power stations, we expect that areas of Scotland will have positive attributes for new nuclear.

Whilst the government is not in a position to share outcomes of GBE-N’s assessment, it remains open to discussions with the Scottish Government on deploying new nuclear technologies in Scotland.

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 potential impact of the time taken for hydrogen policy decisions on levels of private sector investment in UK hydrogen projects being redirected to international competitors.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We have established a world leading funding, policy and regulatory environment for investment into the hydrogen sector. Through funding for policies like the Hydrogen Production Business Model (HPBM), the government continues to support the rollout of hydrogen production to meet demand across sectors requiring hydrogen to decarbonise.

We plan to publish a renewed Hydrogen Strategy, alongside a package of other policy documents, as soon as possible this year. We are actively exploring all options for how we can provide the clarity that industry needs to make progress on delivering hydrogen projects in the UK.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of progressing Hydrogen Allocation Round 2 ahead of the publication of the forthcoming refreshed UK Hydrogen Strategy.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are working hard across government to start the Invite to Offer stage of HAR2 as soon as possible and will be in touch with projects when this commences. We are committed to announcing successful HAR2 projects in 2026.

Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 (HAR1) projects are now moving through to the final investment decision, construction and operation phases, with the first project expected to begin commercial operations soon.

HAR1 is expected to unlock around £400 million of private investment and create over 600 direct jobs.

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 role low-carbon hydrogen could play in supporting (a) energy security and (b) industrial competitiveness in the next decade.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Hydrogen presents significant growth and economic opportunities across the UK, with the potential to enhance our energy security and provide significant value to the power system by providing a secure supply of home grown electricity during extended periods of low renewables output.

Low-carbon hydrogen can strengthen UK industrial competitiveness, attract investment and help safeguard and create skilled jobs, while also accelerating industrial decarbonisation in the long-term. In particular, it will play a focused but important role in decarbonising hard-to-electrify industries, like being used as a feedstock in chemicals and refining, and as a fuel for processes that require high-temperature heat and a direct-flame such as in glass and ceramics manufacturing.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether UK continental shelf domestic gas production has a lower lifecycle emissions intensity than that of imported liquefied natural gas from the United States of America and Qatar.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) published analysis in September 2025 comparing the emissions intensity of domestically produced gas with imported liquefied natural gas (LNG). This analysis is available on the NSTA’s website. In 2024, domestic gas production made up 43% of gross supply, LNG imports accounted for 14%, with the remainder coming from pipeline imports – principally from Norway.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Government plans to support international efforts on addressing legal mechanisms that may hinder fossil fuel phase-out policies, in advance of the International Conference on a Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels.

Answered by Katie White - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK is fully committed to the transition away from fossil fuels, both domestically and working with partners internationally. Recent events have underlined once more the risks of being exposed to volatile international fossil fuel markets.

The UK delegation, led by the UK's Special Representative for Climate, will engage in discussions on a variety of barriers and solutions to the transition away from fossil fuels.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits of measuring heat transfer coefficients on (1) improving retrofit advice, (2) improving retrofit outcomes, (3) protecting consumers, and (4) de-risking finance offers.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Warm Homes Plan recognised the potential role of Smart Meter Enabled Thermal Efficiency Ratings (SMETERs) in delivering warmer homes more affordably, including: helping tailor fabric and clean heat retrofit measures to homes; identifying hidden defects for remediation; and driving installation quality. We continue to explore new applications as part of ongoing policy activity.

These benefits form part of the rationale behind our recent consultation on introducing an option for recording SMETER Heat Transfer Coefficients as supplementary information alongside EPC ratings, in the ‘Home Energy Model: Energy Performance Certificates’ consultation. We are reviewing responses and will respond in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has used artificial intelligence to assist with drafting (a) legislation and (b) policy in the last 12 months.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) uses artificial intelligence (AI) to support activities including corporate and administrative activities, drafting and analysis. AI is used in accordance with all relevant departmental and government guidelines, to ensure transparency, accountability and responsible and ethical use and data protection. AI tools in DESNZ are not used for decision-making, and civil servants remain fully accountable for decisions based on AI products and outputs. All drafting of policy and legislation is conducted in accordance with government and departmental guidelines and all legislation and policy is finalised and decided upon by an expert in accordance with government and departmental guidelines.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relative merits of heat transfer coefficients measured through smart meter enabled thermal efficiency ratings compared to those produced using the current Energy Performance Certificate methodology.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Smart Meter Enabled Thermal Efficiency Ratings (SMETERs) can provide valuable additional insight on the thermal performance of homes in practice with potential to play an important role in delivering warmer homes more affordably. Work is underway to establish a quality assurance system to support use of SMETERs from end-2026, and we are exploring further applications under the Warm Homes Plan.

In the Home Energy Model: Energy Performance Certificates consultation, available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/home-energy-model-energy-performance-certificates, we sought views on an option for recording SMETER Heat Transfer Coefficients as supplementary information alongside EPC ratings. We are reviewing responses and will respond in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce smart meter enabled thermal efficiency ratings as a voluntary measure within existing warm home schemes and other policies.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Smart Meter Enabled Thermal Efficiency Ratings (SMETERs) can provide valuable additional insight on the thermal performance of homes in practice with potential to play an important role in delivering warmer homes more affordably. Work is underway to establish a quality assurance system to support use of SMETERs from end-2026, and we are exploring further applications under the Warm Homes Plan.

In the Home Energy Model: Energy Performance Certificates consultation, available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/home-energy-model-energy-performance-certificates, we sought views on an option for recording SMETER Heat Transfer Coefficients as supplementary information alongside EPC ratings. We are reviewing responses and will respond in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of a ban on issuing new oil and gas exploration licences on (1) supply chain capacity, and (2) retention of skilled offshore workers in the oil and gas sector.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The natural decline of North Sea oil and gas has seen more than 70,000 jobs lost in the last decade. New exploration licences will not reverse this trend. We published the North Sea Future Plan (November 2026), setting out how we will support supply chains, protect jobs and secure the next generation of good jobs.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they have taken to increase national energy security since the start of the conflict in Iran.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK benefits from a strong and diverse range of energy supplies. We are continuing to focus on efforts to de-escalate the conflict as the principal way to address the impacts of the crisis.

In addition, we are going further and faster to reduce our exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets, rolling out new renewable capacity across our grid, breaking the link between gas and electricity price and encouraging and supporting households and businesses to switch from gas to electricity wherever possible.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support is available for UK-based research and development companies in the solar industry.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government supports UK solar research and development companies in various ways.

There is funding available for innovation companies looking to grow, including through UK Research and Innovation.

Moreover, the Solar Roadmap included several actions to support R&D companies in the UK, including working with the National Physical Laboratory to explore the establishment of a PV innovation and infrastructure platform. We recently worked with Solar Energy UK to produce a practical guide for companies in the solar supply chain, including R&D firms. It is available here: https://solarenergyuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Growing-the-UK-Solar-Supply-Chain-A-practical-guide-for-businesses.pdf.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what mechanisms were in place to ensure that Feed‑in Tariff registrations were correctly assigned to homeowners at commissioning; and what support is available to consumers where feed-in tariffs were not correctly assigned.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Ofgem administers the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme and maintains the Central FIT Register (CFR), which records accredited installations and their recipient, supporting correct assignment of payments. Suppliers must maintain accurate records on the CFR, which is subject to regular audit activity.

In some cases, payments may be assigned to a third party under separate contractual agreements. Such arrangements are commercial in nature and fall outside the FIT framework.

To confirm the recipient, homeowners may request information from Ofgem via an Ownership Register Query. Where appropriate, they may raise the matter with the relevant supplier, with unresolved complaints escalated to the Energy Ombudsman.

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 reform TNUoS charging arrangements ahead of CfD Allocation Round 8.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

By law, transmission charging arrangements are a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. Ofgem are currently reviewing the arrangements and are holding a call for input. Government is supporting Ofgem closely on the review, as part of our wider Reformed National Pricing programme and our delivery of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan. We will ensure that transmission charging is reformed as soon as possible.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to ADE Heat Networks' report "Clean Heat 2040", what plans he has to mandate that industrial plants and data centres make their surplus heat available for district heating networks.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Heat Network zoning equips communities and local government with the tools to accelerate the development of low carbon heat networks and ensure that more homes and businesses can have access to greener, cheaper heat.

Through heat network zoning, certain types of buildings and heat sources can be required to connect to a network within a prescribed timeframe. This will allow for large-scale strategic heat networks to be built in towns and cities across the country.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to ADE: Heat Networks report entitled Clean Heat 2040 report, whether he plans to rebalance energy policy costs for heat networks away from electricity bills.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The government recognises that high electricity prices are a significant pressure on industry and a barrier to investment and growth. We are continuing to develop further policies to bring down electricity costs relative to gas, and intend to consult on options to reduce costs and make electrification an economically rational choice for a wider range of businesses and organisations.

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 potential impact of Renewable Obligations contracts ending on job losses.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Accreditation under the Renewables Obligation (RO) was always intended to be time limited and generators have known, from the date they were accredited, how long their support would last.

The Government will continue to monitor the potential impacts of the closure of the scheme on different technologies.

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 potential impact of domestic oil and gas production policy on the UK fertiliser manufacturing sector.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises the importance of oil and gas for a wide range of industrial and manufacturing purposes, including in the production of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers.

Oil and gas will continue to play an important role in the UK’s energy mix for decades to come. The Government’s North Sea Future Plan sets out our approach to managing existing oil and gas fields for their full lifespan, while not issuing new licences to explore new fields, supporting a fair, orderly and prosperous transition.

There isn’t a single standalone assessment specific to any individual manufacturing sectors.

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 potential impact of declining domestic oil and gas production on UK manufacturing sectors.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises the importance of oil and gas for a wide range of industrial and manufacturing purposes, including in the production of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers.

Oil and gas will continue to play an important role in the UK’s energy mix for decades to come. The Government’s North Sea Future Plan sets out our approach to managing existing oil and gas fields for their full lifespan, while not issuing new licences to explore new fields, supporting a fair, orderly and prosperous transition.

There isn’t a single standalone assessment specific to any individual manufacturing sectors.

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 adequacy of consumer transparency, accountability and protection in complex supply chains involving sales agents, installers, finance companies, insurers and certification bodies in government‑supported energy efficiency schemes.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

As set out in the Warm Homes Plan, our assessment is that the current consumer protection system is too fragmented and lacks sufficient oversight of the various actors involved in the delivery of government‑supported domestic retrofit schemes.

The Department is reforming the consumer protection system to simplify delivery and bring oversight under closer government control, and will consult on options for reform this year. This includes clearer accountability across supply chains, strengthened assurance arrangements, and improved monitoring and escalation processes.

We are working across Government, including MHCLG, and consumer experts from industry to develop and stress test plans.

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 potential merits of the reuse and retrofitting of existing buildings as a lower carbon alternative to demolition and new build construction.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department recognises that the reuse and retrofitting of existing buildings can offer significant carbon benefits compared to demolition and new build, by avoiding emissions associated with new materials and construction. Improving the efficiency of existing homes and buildings, currently responsible for around one-fifth of UK emissions, is key to reducing energy demand, cutting bills and supporting energy security.

Through the Warm Homes Plan the Government is prioritising upgrades to existing buildings including insulation, solar panels, batteries and low-carbon heating, alongside reforms to standards and advice to support high quality retrofit. New development will continue to play a role, and the Government has recently published the Future Homes Standard to ensure that new homes and non-domestic buildings are built with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency.

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 electricity demand of large‑scale data centres, in (1) the UK and (2) those located in the North East; and what plans exist to ensure adequate grid capacity to support future digital growth.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department’s energy and emissions projections include growth in power demand from computing services like data centres. To ensure a comprehensive view of the system, the methodology projects at a broader sector level, not disaggregating specific estimates for data centres.

The Government is committed to ensuring electricity networks can meet rising electricity demand, including from data centres, by deploying new renewable and low-carbon generation in line with the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. The Capacity Market ensures supply continuously meets demand, balancing cost and reliability to maintain adequate electricity security.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to ADE Heat Networks' report "Clean Heat 2040" what assessment his Department has made of the case for extending to heat networks the same long-term revenue support mechanisms that are already provided to nuclear power and carbon capture projects.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The government recognises the conclusion of the report that electricity prices are a significant pressure on the heat network industry and a barrier to investment and growth. We intend to consult on options to reduce costs, provide longer-term certainty and make electrification an economically rational choice for a wider range of businesses including heat networks.

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 new offshore wind developments deliver long‑term skilled jobs and supply‑chain opportunities for communities in the North East.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government has set out a package of support for offshore wind supply chains and infrastructure of up to £1bn, including £300m from Great British Energy, £400m from The Crown Estate and £300m from industry. Allocation Round 7 secured a record 8.4GW of offshore wind capacity, supporting investment across the UK. This is already translating into local jobs and investment, including the recent offshore foundation fabrication contract at Smulders worth more than £60 million. The Crown Estate recently announced that their next seabed leasing round (Round 6) will be launched in 2027 and will focus on sites off the coast of the North East of England.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the amount of backup generation capacity required to support a) wind and b) solar electricity generation.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Capacity Market is government’s main tool for ensuring continued security of electricity supply in Great Britain. It is technology neutral and provides incentives for all forms of capacity, including generation, storage, consumer-led flexibility and interconnection to be on the system to deliver when needed.

The volume of capacity procured through the Capacity Market is set based on advice from National Energy System Operator (NESO) in their annual Electricity Capacity Report. Through the Capacity Market we have secured a total of 57.4 GW for the coming winter, meaning we can have confidence that we will have sufficient capacity available to deliver electricity when needed.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what proportion of UK electricity demand was met by a) wind and b) solar generation during periods of low wind and low sunlight in the last 12 months.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department does not hold this data. Half-hourly demand figures and estimated wind and solar generation for Great Britain, are published by NESO. Weather data is available from the Met Office.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many domestic Green Deal installations have been identified where MCS certificates were not issued in the name of the homeowner; and what steps his Department is taking to deal with those cases.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department does not have an estimate for the scale of the issue as we do not hold details of all Green Deal loans issued. Lack of an MCS certificate has appeared as an element in some Green Deal complaints the Department has reviewed, though this has been uncommon. Officials are investigating complaints referred to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Green Deal Framework Regulations, and may issue decisions cancelling or reducing a Green Deal loan where they find breaches of said regulations or the Green Deal Code of Practice. This may include issues related to MCS certificates.

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 rural households have access to adequate smart meter network coverage.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Data Communications Company (DCC) is the organisation responsible for the smart metering network in Great Britain, and is obligated to provide smart meter network connectivity to at least 99.25% of premises across GB. The Government is working closely with the DCC to ensure that smart meter connectivity can be extended to the small minority of unserved properties in all regions, including rural areas, as soon as reasonably possible.

One such solution, currently being rolled out, is Virtual WAN (VWAN) which involves using customers’ broadband connection, (with consent), to carry smart metering communications.

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 ensure that there are sufficient heating oil supplies into the UK to meet demand.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are confident in the UK’s security of fuel supply, and there are currently no indications of disruption. The Department is working closely with fuel suppliers, distributors, and trade bodies to monitor heating oil supply, demand, and market conditions, and to ensure sufficient supplies are available across the UK. The UK benefits from a diverse and resilient supply chain.

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 factors of a) wind and b) solar electricity generation in the UK.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The capacity or load factors of wind and solar electricity generation in the UK depend on several factors, including site location and technology choices. The department publishes estimates of capacity factors for generic installations of solar PV, onshore wind, and offshore wind electricity generation in the UK as part of its Generation Costs publications.

The relevant publications can be found here:

• Annex A (Generation Costs Report): annex-a-additional-estimates-and-key-assumptions-2025.xlsx (view the ‘Technical and Cost Assumptions’ section for load factors).
• Generation Costs Report: Electricity Generation Costs 2025

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the a) pharmaceutical, b) chemical and b) agricultural sectors on future availability of oil and gas derived feedstocks.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Oil and gas will continue to play an important role in the UK’s energy mix for decades to come. The Government’s North Sea Future Plan sets out our approach to managing existing oil and gas fields for their full lifespan, while not issuing new licences to explore new fields, supporting a fair, orderly and prosperous transition.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how Green Book appraisal criteria are used to assess investments in energy infrastructure in regions with high industrial and renewable potential, including the North East.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

HM Treasury’s Green Book sets out the framework for assessing value for money for taxpayers across different policy proposals. It is applied consistently across all regions. However, it also uses place-based analysis to account for differences between towns, regions and countries, including areas such as the North East.

When assessing infrastructure proposals, officials consider the full range of societal costs and benefits, including upfront and operating costs, changes in energy use, and impacts on greenhouse gas emissions. These are quantified and monetised using the best available evidence and standardised assumptions, ensuring consistent and robust assessments for ministers.

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 trends in the level of petrol and diesel prices within regions; and what steps he is taking to ensure consistent pricing for consumers.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Fuel markets are governed by competition and consumer law, overseen by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The Government and the CMA are closely monitoring petrol and diesel prices in light of instability in the Middle East, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer and my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State recently met with fuel retailers to set out a clear message: unfair practices will not be tolerated.

We are also engaging regularly with refiners, importers and distributors to ensure any emerging risks are identified and managed promptly. The government has also introduced the statutory Fuel Finder scheme, which will increase transparency for UK road fuel prices, including providing localised data for prices across the UK, and the CMA have the power to take enforcement action for non-compliance.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the proportion of UK electricity that will pass through the Bramford substation (a) in an average year and (b) at periods of highest demand through Bramford after the Norwich to Tilbury proposals have been commissioned.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

This information is not held centrally.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether Peak Cluster Limited has submitted to his Department or to Ofgem any societal risk assessment (FN curve analysis) under BS PD 8010 Parts 1 and 3 comparing the risk profile of the current proposed pipeline route through Gawsworth Parish with any alternative route that avoids the settled Gawsworth valley.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The department is engaging with potential future CCUS projects, including the Peak Cluster, to understand their proposals.

The Peak Cluster’s pipeline proposals are still in development. A societal risk assessment is part of the quantitative risk assessment framework for the pipelines under BS PD8010, which will be carried out as part of the FEED design stage. The Peak Cluster project is not yet at this stage. Once complete, the risk assessment will be submitted to the Health and Safety Executive, who will undertake the review.

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 potential implications for his Department's policies of differences in business energy costs between the different nations and regions of the UK.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

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 potential effectiveness of long-duration energy storage in providing price stability for industrial users.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

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 support businesses in piloting industrial-scale hydrogen fuel switching.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of AI-related data centre energy demand on energy infrastructure; and what steps they are taking to ensure energy demand from those data centres does not increase costs for consumers.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Lord.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Decisive action to break influence of gas on electricity prices, published on 21 April 2026, which electricity generators plan to participate in voluntary fixed-price schemes.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

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 prevalence of energy suppliers unilaterally changing payment terms for business customers.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Decisive action to break influence of gas on electricity prices, published on 21 April 2026, what discussions he has had with energy generators on transitioning to fixed-price contracts for electricity supply.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Decisive action to break influence of gas on electricity prices, published on 21 April 2026, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed measures on household electricity bills.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Decisive action to break influence of gas on electricity prices, published on 21 April 2026, what estimate he has made of the average annual saving per household from that policy.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Decisive action to break influence of gas on electricity prices, published on 21 April 2026, what timetable he has set for full implementation of those measures.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Decisive action to break influence of gas on electricity prices, published on 21 April 2026, what monitoring arrangements will be put in place to assess the effectiveness of that policy.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

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 effectiveness of the Microbusiness Protection Rules implemented by Ofgem.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Consumer protection rules are a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator. The Department continues to work closely with them to take forward the recommendations from the 2024 Non-Domestic Market Review, such as expanding access to the Energy Ombudsman and the development of a new regulatory regime for Third Party Intermediaries, such as energy brokers.

As part of its Consumer Confidence programme, Ofgem has developed consumer outcomes for all consumers, both domestic and non-domestic. These clarify the consumer outcomes Ofgem wants the sector to deliver and how they will be embedded into its regulatory framework.

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 improve transparency in the wholesale energy costs passed on to commercial tenants.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Energy re-sold to non-domestic tenants is a commercial matter between those two businesses dependent on their contract terms. Landlords in these situations have a legal duty to regularly inform their tenants of how much energy they have used and the price they have been charged for that energy.

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 barriers faced by leaseholders in accessing Government funding for low-carbon heating upgrades.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that leasehold ownership can create additional complexity, as many must secure consent from freeholders before installations can proceed. The Warm Homes Plan committed to working with relevant organisations on how to remove barriers to low carbon heating installations in leasehold properties.

Announced on 21 April, the Government will consult this summer on expanding permitted development rights to make heat pump installation easier, including amending siting restrictions and seeking views on enabling more installations in flats.

The Warm Homes: Local Grant and Boiler Upgrade Scheme provide funding to support property owners, including leaseholders, to transition to low‑carbon heating.

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 help ensure that poor mobile connectivity in rural areas does not disadvantage domestic energy customers in rural areas if they are unable to adopt smart meters.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Data Communications Company (DCC) is the organisation responsible for the smart metering network in Great Britain, and is obligated to provide smart meter network connectivity to at least 99.25% of premises across GB. The Government is working closely with the DCC to ensure that smart meter connectivity can be extended to the small minority of unserved properties in all regions, including rural areas, as soon as reasonably possible.

One such solution, currently being rolled out, is Virtual WAN (VWAN) which involves using customers’ broadband connection (with consent) to carry smart metering communications.

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 encourage more competition in the commercial energy supply market.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are building on the outcomes of Ofgem’s 2024 report into the non-domestic market, and subsequent actions to improve practices: Non-domestic market review: decision | Ofgem

The Government and Ofgem continuously monitor the non-domestic energy market to ensure that there is a competitive market that is able to drive good outcomes for all consumers.

The Government also plans to directly regulate Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs), by appointing Ofgem as the regulator when parliamentary time allows. A regulated TPI market will drive pro-consumer competition between energy brokers and deliver better outcomes for energy consumers.

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 ensure that the adoption of smart meters does not disadvantage domestic energy customers in rural areas that have poor mobile connectivity.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Data Communications Company (DCC) is the organisation responsible for the smart metering network in Great Britain, and is obligated to provide smart meter network connectivity to at least 99.25% of premises across GB. The Government is working closely with the DCC to ensure that smart meter connectivity can be extended to the small minority of unserved properties in all regions, including rural areas, as soon as reasonably possible.

One such solution, currently being rolled out, is Virtual WAN (VWAN) which involves using customers’ broadband connection (with consent) to carry smart metering communications.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the tonnage of (1) steel, (2) copper, and (3) cement, that will be required to decarbonise the supply of electricity by 2030.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Lord.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans his Department has to publish Great British Energy – Nuclear’s assessment of Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

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 reduce fuel poverty.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of current fuel supplies in the UK; and what discussions they have held with forecourt operators about securing supplies of petrol and diesel.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Lord.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the decoupling of the wholesale price of gas and the price of electricity applies to the Northern Ireland electricity market as well as the market in Great Britain.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Baroness.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many people in South Shropshire constituency use Radio Teleswitch Service meters.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has undertaken analysis of the number of jobs that will be created by the Peak Cluster project.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what is the projected cost of the Peak Cluster project.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish an emergency jet fuel plan for the airline industry.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Found: Parliamentary Supply Estimate and is supplied to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ

Found: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Main Estimate 2026-27: Estimates memorandum

Found: MHCLG is contributing 50% (DESNZ the other 50%) of the government’s legal costs to represent them against

Found: are either funded from government (for example, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ

Found: Science & Technology Bridge7.097(Section A) Transfer from Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ

Found: I am the director of the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, which is a joint unit between DFT and DESNZ

Found: able to crowd in knowledge from our development expertise in King Charles Street, but also go to DESNZ

Found: How effectively are FCDO, DESNZ, DSIT and Defra coordinating their efforts to deliver the UK’s ICF commitment

Found: able to crowd in knowledge from our development expertise in King Charles Street, but also go to DESNZ

Found: had relationships with DCMS because of the heritage side; DEFRA because of the environmental side; DESNZ

Found: Department for Culture, Media and Sport DEFRA Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs DESNZ

Found: Letter from DESNZ on Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipping) Regulations

Found: the MMO has not submitted any specific documentation…97 The Fisheries Minister has confirmed that DESNZ

Found: The good thing that is happening at the moment is that we are in a conversation with DESNZ about that

Found: The good thing that is happening at the moment is that we are in a conversation with DESNZ about that

Found: Katie White OBE MP Minister for Climate Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Found: Some of these issues, understandably, relate to objectives from DESNZ, the Department for Business and

Found: gas in comparison with our friends and partners in the United States, how often do you speak to DESNZ

Found: gas in comparison with our friends and partners in the United States, how often do you speak to DESNZ

Found: Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (2026).

Sustainable Plastics APPG
Monday 27th April 2026

Found: The Chair requested a briefing on this topic for the DESNZ backbench scrutiny group.

Found: Technology Bridge 7.097 (Section A) Transfer from Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ

Found: MHCLG is contributing 50% (DESNZ the other 50%) of the government’s legal costs to represent them against

Found: MHCLG is contributing 50% (DESNZ the other 50%) of the government’s legal costs to represent them against

Found: For adjustments applied to emissions covered by the UK ETS, it is recommended to use DESNZ traded carbon

Found: The Referral 1.1 On 18 March 2026, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) requested

Found: The Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) has published its report providing advice to DESNZ concerning the proposed

Found: assessments of each production scenario, development of this report and the presentation of findings to DESNZ

Found: Based on the information provided during this review period, DESNZ has seen no evidence to suggest that

Found: Based on the information provided during this review period, DESNZ has seen no evidence to suggest that

Found: the International Energy Agency data pub- lished by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ