Asked by: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour - Calder Valley)
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 introducing a presumption against building onshore wind developments on deep peat on the UK’s ability to meet its carbon emissions reduction targets.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has considered the impact of planning regulation around wind farm development on peatland, including on deep peat, recognising the importance of England’s peatlands for biodiversity, water, and carbon storage.
There are existing protections for peatland habitats and deep peat within the National Policy Planning Framework. The Government also recently consulted on updated National Policy Statements for renewable energy development, including guidance around peatland and onshore wind.
This will ensure a balanced approach to onshore wind development and peatland protection, where Government can enable nature’s recovery while not impeding our commitments to Net Zero and Clean Power 2030.
Asked by: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour - Calder Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee’s Second Report of Session 2024–25, Gridlock or growth? Avoiding energy planning chaos, published on 7 July 2025, when he plans to publish the Government’s response.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government is grateful to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee for its scrutiny of the draft updated National Policy Statements. The Committee’s conclusions and recommendations have been carefully considered and the Government response will be published once the final updated National Policy Statements are laid in Parliament later this year.
Asked by: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour - Calder Valley)
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) maximise the output of existing wind turbines and (b) avoid payments for curtailment of generation.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Reformed National Pricing package will ensure a more strategic approach to the energy system which improves operational efficiency, including how existing wind turbines are utilised. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is responsible for operating Great Britain’s electricity system and managing curtailment payments. Curtailment payments are part of operating an efficient electricity system. Government is working to reduce these costs by accelerating build of electricity network infrastructure to increase system capacity. The Reformed National Pricing package will also address these costs through improved strategic planning and market reforms. An update on these reforms will be published later this year.
Asked by: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour - Calder Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many social media accounts his Department operates; and how much his Department spent on social media (a) subscriptions and (b) advertisements on each social media platform in each of the last three years.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DESNZ operates seven social media accounts. Since the Department was established on 7th February 2023, we can only provide information for the past two years. The department spends £84 annually on subscriptions and allocated £366,928 in 2023 and £545,576 in 2024 for advertisements on social media platform.