Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of industrial energy prices in (a) France, (b) Germany and (c) the USA.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Our Clean Power 2030 target is the key to long-term sustainable price reductions with homegrown clean energy the best way to protect billpayers and boost Britain's energy independence. We are also already bringing electricity costs for key UK industries closer in line with other major economies through the British Industry Supercharger. This fully exempts eligible firms from certain costs linked to renewable energy policies, particularly those exposed to the high cost of electricity saving businesses £5 billion over the next ten years.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 14 May 2025 to Question 50278 on Coking Coal: Imports, if he will encourage businesses to source coal domestically used in (a) steel making, (b) the cement and chemical industries and (c) patent fuel manufacture.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Coal mining in Great Britain has been in long-term decline and there are only a handful of coal mines currently operating – these are unaffected by the Government commitment to not grant new coal licences and can continue in line with their existing consents. This includes a coal mine at Aberpergwm, Wales, that supplies coal suitable for certain domestic industrial processes.
The source of coal for use in industry is a private commercial matter for the organisations involved.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will confirm when his Department will publish a fully-costed plan to achieve a Net Zero power grid by 2030.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Clean Power Action Plan published in December 2024 outlines the Government’s approach to reaching clean power by 2030, including the need to deliver an estimated £40 billion a year of investment on average per year between 2025-2030. The vast majority of this investment will come from the private sector.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Tebworth solar farm on (a) access to countryside for local communities, (b) nature recovery and (c) the protection of wildlife.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
It would not be appropriate for DESNZ Ministers to comment on matters related to any specific projects.
However, all solar projects are subject to a rigorous planning process, in which the views and interests of local communities are considered. This includes any impact on rights of way, biodiversity, and the natural environment.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of making solar car parks mandatory for car parks on conservation areas.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DESNZ is seeking evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the installation of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks and explore opportunities for deployment on existing car parks, through a call for evidence which closes on June 18th. This includes evidence about exemptions to the proposal. Thorough assessments on how to take the policy forward, including the impact on conservation areas, will be made once the call for evidence has closed, and suitable evidence has been gathered and analysed.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to incentivise the use of (a) hydrated vegetable oil and (b) other biofuels in compatible boilers by (i) encouraging the availability of biofuels and (ii) (A) reducing and (B) removing taxes on biofuels; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on the (1) cost and (2) use of biofuels as a renewable alternative for heating buildings.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government expects most properties will ultimately switch to heat pumps as these are a proven technology and have been installed in high numbers in other countries.
However, the Government is committed to ensuring that there is the right solution for every household. We have therefore commissioned research to collect data on the costs of different approaches to decarbonising the most complex housing archetypes, including the use of renewable liquid fuels, and we expect to receive results from that research in 2025.
Before taking decisions on whether to support the use of fuels like hydrotreated vegetable oil, in heating, the Government would require stronger evidence on their affordability for consumers, and the availability of sustainable feedstocks.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, whether he will provide support to retrofit car parks with solar panels.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is assessing the potential to drive the construction of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence, which is open until 18th June. DESNZ is seeking evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the installation of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks and explore opportunities for retrofitting solar canopies on existing car parks. No policy has been determined yet, but Government will use the evidence gathered to shape policy development in this space, including potential opportunities for increasing retrofit installation.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, whether he will provide funding to local authorities to install solar panels in car parks.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is assessing the potential to drive the construction of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence, which is open until 18th June. DESNZ is seeking evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the introduction of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks and explore opportunities for deployment on existing car parks. The role of local authorities in any potential policy, including any potential funding mechanisms, has not been determined. The call for evidence aims to understand the potential costs and roles for carpark owners and stakeholders, including local authorities.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on potential reforms to the planning system to deliver solar car parks.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government is assessing the potential for the construction of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence, which is open until 18th June. At this stage, no decision has been made, but as this policy develops of course I will have conversations with other government departments and the Building Safety Regulator about implementation.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure the resilience of the electricity grid, in the context of fluctuating levels of power within the grid.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great Britain has a highly resilient energy network with diverse sources of supply and maintaining the security of electricity supply is a key priority for Government.
We are working with the energy industry, regulators and other stakeholders to continually improve and maintain the resilience and security of energy infrastructure. We work to reduce the vulnerability of networks and assets, taking into account a range of threats and future system changes.
The National Energy System Operator has well-established tools to balance the system in a wide range of scenarios, including in the event of voltage and frequency fluctuations.