Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Martyn Day Excerpts
Wednesday 17th May 2023

(11 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Ian Blackford Portrait Ian Blackford (Ross, Skye and Lochaber) (SNP)
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2. What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on support for renewable energy in Scotland.

Martyn Day Portrait Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP)
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4. What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on support for renewable energy in Scotland.

Tommy Sheppard Portrait Tommy Sheppard (Edinburgh East) (SNP)
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6. What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on support for renewable energy in Scotland.

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John Lamont Portrait John Lamont
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By law, transmission network charging is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. Transmission charges are set to reflect the costs imposed on the grid by generators and demand in different locations. That means that generators in Scotland pay higher charges than counterparts in England and Wales, reflecting the higher levels of transmission investment they drive. Ofgem recognises the importance of transmission charges to the deployment of Scottish renewable generation and the current concerns over the viability and cost reflectivity of charges. That is a key reason why Ofgem announced a programme of transmission charging reforms. I can confirm to the right hon. Gentleman that I recently met the Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, my hon. Friend the Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Andrew Bowie) to discuss what more the UK Government can do to address the concerns he has highlighted.

Martyn Day Portrait Martyn Day
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While the Scottish Government have announced an additional £7 million to support renewable hydrogen projects, Johnson Matthey, a leading producer of catalytic converters, has warned that the UK Government’s failure to invest in green hydrogen technology risks driving companies abroad. What are the Minister and the Secretary of State doing to persuade their Government to follow Scotland’s example and provide support for investment for companies driving green tech?

John Lamont Portrait John Lamont
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This Government fully recognise the opportunity that hydrogen presents as part of our shift in energy focus, and we will continue to work with the sector to deliver that.