Asked by: Oliver Dowden (Conservative - Hertsmere)
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 help ensure that wood from primary forests will not be used for the generation of energy.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We have strengthened the sustainability criteria for large-scale biomass generation from the previous government to ensure wood from primary forest is not used for energy generation. Under new arrangements as part of the Low Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference this includes increasing the proportion of woody biomass that must come from sustainable sources from 70% to 100% and clarifying explicitly that no subsidy will be paid for electricity generated from material sourced from primary forest and old growth areas. We are also working with Ofgem and the Low Carbon Contracts Company to ensure there is robust appropriate assurance and enforcement activity to support this.
Asked by: Oliver Dowden (Conservative - Hertsmere)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussion his Department has had with Ofgem on companies receiving subsidies for unsuitable biomass.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Oliver Dowden (Conservative - Hertsmere)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions his Department has had with Ofgem on Drax.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Oliver Dowden (Conservative - Hertsmere)
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 with Ofgem to help ensure there is adequate data (a) governance and (b) controls for sustainability arrangements at Ofgem.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ofgem is an independent regulator and HM Treasury has principal oversight over Ofgem’s finances. As an independent regulator and Non-Ministerial Government Department, Ofgem is responsible for setting its own internal policies and controls in-line with its legal functions and duties, and it is directly accountable to Parliament for the performance of its functions and duties.
However, the Department collaborates with Ofgem, in line with the Greening Government Commitments (GGCs), to work towards our mutual net zero 2050 target. This includes reviewing our respective environmental impact and ensuring that Ofgem’s operations and procurement support are delivered in advance of the government’s targets.
Ofgem, with guidance from the Department, use the Greening Government Commitments as the main measure of progress – these commitments span the period from 2021-2025 and set out a sustainability framework for government departments.
Ofgem’s annual report that outlines their data governance and sustainability arrangements: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-04/Ofgem-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-2024.pdf