Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress he has made on extending the Skills Passport for offshore oil and gas workers to work in (a) renewables, (b) Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage and (c) hydrogen industries; and how many workers are involved in the pilot version of the Skills Passport.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Energy Skills Passport was initially envisaged to enable the transition of workers between offshore oil and gas and offshore wind, but is now planned to be applicable to workers in emerging sectors such as Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage and hydrogen.
The mapping of technical qualifications between the oil and gas and offshore wind sectors has been completed, and work is underway with representatives from emerging energy sectors to explore the mutual recognition of training to support the transition of offshore oil and gas workers.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department will take a one or two-phase approach to Track-2 cluster sequencing for carbon capture.
Answered by Graham Stuart
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 June 2023 to the hon Member for East Lothian to Question UIN 189401.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when his Department plans to issue a final decision on selected Track-2 participants following the conclusion of the expression of interest process.
Answered by Graham Stuart
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 June 2023 to the hon Member for East Lothian to Question UIN 189401.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will issue project-specific feedback to (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful Track-2 expressions of interest.
Answered by Graham Stuart
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 June 2023 to the hon Member for East Lothian to Question UIN 189401.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to name a Track-2 reserve cluster as part of the wider Track-2 cluster selection process.
Answered by Graham Stuart
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 June 2023 to the hon Member for East Lothian to Question UIN 189401.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with (a) EDF Renewables and (b) the Low Carbon Contracts Company on the increase in the strike price for energy produced by the Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm; and when he expects the updated Generator's Expected Start Date to be published.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Neart na Gaoithe’s strike price was increased in April in accordance with the annual strike price adjustment exercise undertaken by the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) in its role as Contracts for Difference (CfD) Counterparty. Strike prices are adjusted annually for all current CfD generators using a formula set out in the contract terms and conditions. The Government does not have a role in this process and has not discussed this case with EDF Renewables or the LCCC. The CfD Register, published on the LCCC’s website, indicates that Neart na Gaoithe expects to start generating on 1st June 2024.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to support more resource efficient, circular business models for (a) the chemicals sector and (b) related downstream products.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government is supporting research that will identify opportunities for the chemicals sector to become more circular, delivering resource efficiency and waste reduction objectives throughout the chemicals supply chain. This includes support for the UKRI-funded National Interdisciplinary Centre for the Circular Chemical Economy. UKRI is also providing grants to support the use of sustainable feedstocks.
The Government has commissioned further research exploring barriers and opportunities around improving resource efficiency across UK industry, including the chemicals sector and related downstream products. This research will be published in due course, and will inform an assessment of policy options to support increased circularity.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
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) explore and (b) capitalise on the potential of (i) industrial heat pumps, (ii) electric boilers and (iii) other industrial electrification to boost efficiency and reduce emissions (A) the chemicals sector and (b) other industries.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government provides grants for fuel switching through the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund and Industrial Fuel Switching Competition, which includes support for industrial heat pumps, electric boilers and other electrification technologies. This year, the Government will publish a Call for Evidence on enabling industrial electrification, looking at the specific barriers and how these may be overcome.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
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 help support the chemicals industry to transition away from fossil fuel feedstocks in their products.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government is supporting research that will identify opportunities for the chemicals sector to become more circular, delivering resource efficiency and waste reduction objectives throughout the chemicals supply chain. This includes support for the UKRI-funded National Interdisciplinary Centre for the Circular Chemical Economy. UKRI is also providing grants to support the use of sustainable feedstocks.
The Government has commissioned further research exploring barriers and opportunities around improving resource efficiency across UK industry, including the chemicals sector and related downstream products. This research will be published in due course, and will inform an assessment of policy options to support increased circularity.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
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 Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on eligible persons not receiving the Warm Home Discount because of delays to documents being sent to energy suppliers by that Department.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Over 90% of households eligible for a Warm Home Discount rebate this year were identified through data matching and received their rebates automatically from their energy supplier.
The Government is aware of delays affecting some households’ rebates. This primarily affects customers who submitted their claim for a rebate via correspondence or where additional information was needed about a customer’s claim. These claims are being processed as quickly as possible.