Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 ensure that the installation of Battery Energy Storage Systems at the Bramford Substation does not increase the chance of i) fire or ii) environmental risk.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Details of individual Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects are for developers and local authorities, however their decisions are made within context of the Health and Safety Executive’s regulatory framework. This requires BESS dutyholders to ensure safety throughout the asset’s lifespan.
BESS poses no greater chance of fire than other infrastructure; the latest 5-year annual average BESS fire incidence rate is 0.7%, lower than for non-domestic buildings in England at 0.8% (measured from 20/21 to 24/25).
On environmental risks, Defra recently published a consultation response on including BESS within Environmental Permitting, committing to undertake detailed policy design work on this.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 impact of the expansion of Bramford Substation on (a) the probability of a fire and (b) the local environment.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The expansion of Bramford Substation forms part of the Norwich to Tilbury project, a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) for which a Development Consent Order application is currently being examined by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State.
Given his quasi-judicial role in determining the application, the Secretary of State cannot opine on the project to avoid prejudicing the decision-making process.
As with all NSIPs, the project developer is required to comprehensively assess the environmental impact of their proposals. They are also legally required to take all reasonable precautions to minimise the risk of fire.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 outline the potential impact that the proposed Norwich to Tilbury pylon line will have on i) the Bramford Substation, and ii) energy security for South Suffolk.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Norwich to Tilbury is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) for which a Development Consent Order application is currently being examined by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State. Given his quasi-judicial role in determining the application, the Secretary of State cannot opine on the project to avoid prejudicing the decision-making process.
As with all NSIPs, the project developer is required to comprehensively assess the potential impacts of their proposals in line with the relevant legal and policy frameworks, and these will be considered by the Secretary of State as part of his final planning decision.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 introducing new consumer protections for heating oil customers.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We welcome the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) commitment to urgently investigate reports from consumers about their experiences in the heating oil market. The CMA is working to publish the findings of its market study later in June.
Ministers continue to meet regularly with the CMA and will work jointly to understand the finding of the market study and develop options to increase consumer protections if required.
The CMA will not hesitate to take action if companies are found to have breached consumer protection law.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 changes in the level of aviation fuel demand on the availability and pricing of kerosene for domestic heating consumers in South Suffolk constituency.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK benefits from strong, diverse fuel supply chains, with secure domestic and international routes. The Government is working with industry to monitor supply and maintain stability. We recognise that heating oil users are exposed to short-term global price volatility, which is a significant concern. The Competition and Markets Authority is currently undertaking an accelerated heating oil market study, and the Government will act on its findings to support improved consumer outcomes. In response to rising prices, the Chancellor has announced £53 million to support low‑income households reliant on oil heating.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with the downstream oil sector on ensure the supply of kerosene to off-grid households in South Suffolk constituency.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government keeps the security of heating oil supplies, including kerosene, under close and continuous review. The UK benefits from strong and diverse fuel supply chains, with supply available through established domestic and international routes.
The Government works closely with industry to monitor supply, demand and delivery conditions, including through regular engagement with the downstream oil sector and ahead of periods of higher seasonal demand. Government preparedness arrangements are kept under regular review to ensure appropriate contingency planning is in place.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 conducted contingency planning relating to potential disruption of kerosene supplies used for domestic heating in South Suffolk constituency.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government keeps the security of heating oil supplies, including kerosene, under close and continuous review. The UK benefits from strong and diverse fuel supply chains, with supply available through established domestic and international routes.
The Government works closely with industry to monitor supply, demand and delivery conditions, including through regular engagement with the downstream oil sector and ahead of periods of higher seasonal demand. Government preparedness arrangements are kept under regular review to ensure appropriate contingency planning is in place.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 resilience of domestic kerosene supply chains for those in South Suffolk who heat their homes with heating oil.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government keeps the security of heating oil supplies, including kerosene, under close and continuous review. The UK benefits from strong and diverse fuel supply chains, with supply available through established domestic and international routes.
The Government works closely with industry to monitor supply, demand and delivery conditions, including through regular engagement with the downstream oil sector and ahead of periods of higher seasonal demand. Government preparedness arrangements are kept under regular review to ensure appropriate contingency planning is in place.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 fuel suppliers regarding the availability of kerosene for domestic heating oil users in South Suffolk.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government keeps the security of heating oil supplies, including kerosene, under close and continuous review. The UK benefits from strong and diverse fuel supply chains, with supply available through established domestic and international routes.
The Government works closely with industry to monitor supply, demand and delivery conditions, including through regular engagement with the downstream oil sector and ahead of periods of higher seasonal demand. Government preparedness arrangements are kept under regular review to ensure appropriate contingency planning is in place.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 monitor heating oil supply levels ahead of winter demand periods.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government keeps the security of heating oil supplies, including kerosene, under close and continuous review. The UK benefits from strong and diverse fuel supply chains, with supply available through established domestic and international routes.
The Government works closely with industry to monitor supply, demand and delivery conditions, including through regular engagement with the downstream oil sector and ahead of periods of higher seasonal demand. Government preparedness arrangements are kept under regular review to ensure appropriate contingency planning is in place.