Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of dependence on imported energy on national security; and what steps he is taking to mitigate that impact.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In an unstable and uncertain world, there can be no national security without energy security.
Delivering clean power by 2030 will boost energy security and protect consumers by reducing dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets and transitioning to a diverse energy system based on renewables and nuclear.
During the transition, we will ensure the UK benefits from a secure and diverse energy system. We will continue to work across Government and with energy owners, operators, and regulators to ensure energy security is protected against hazards and threats.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
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 vulnerability of the UK’s energy infrastructure to attack or sabotage by hostile states or their proxies.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
National Security is a key priority for the Government. The Department is working with the National Protective Security Authority, the energy industry, regulators and other stakeholders to continually improve and maintain the security and resilience of energy infrastructure. We work to reduce the vulnerability of networks and assets and ensure an effective response to actual or potentially disruptive incidents - considering a range of threats and future system changes.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
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 enhance the (a) physical and (b) cyber security of critical energy infrastructure sites that support national defence.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department works with the National Protective Security Authority, National Cyber Security Centre, 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 and ensure an effective response to actual or potentially disruptive incidents - taking into account a range of threats and future system changes.
This includes work to ensure proportionate cyber security standards are in place for the energy sector. The upcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will further strengthen security standards for all sectors, including energy.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
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 large-scale energy grid failure scenarios on the resilience of the UK’s (a) critical infrastructure, (b) public services and (c) defence and emergency response capabilities.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Large-scale energy grid failure has the potential to severely disrupt all other critical systems and cause widespread disruption to public services provisions, businesses and households. However, Great Britain has a highly resilient energy system. The National Electricity Transmission System has never experienced a complete shutdown, and the likelihood of this occurring is assessed as low in the National Risk Register.
Nonetheless, Government prepares for all eventualities and works with a range of stakeholders across the private sector and public sector to prepare for and exercise robust contingency plans, including planning to maintain emergency response and defence capabilities.