Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to (a) develop the tidal stream ringfence and (b) work with industry on this resource.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is undertaking analysis of the technology pipeline available for Contracts for Difference Auction Round 6 against our legal obligation to ensure the auction round is competitive. We are considering the appropriate parameters for all technologies, including tidal stream.
Final parameters will be published in the Budget Notice in March 2024, ahead of the round opening.
The Department continues to engage with the industry and other stakeholders to maximise opportunities for developing tidal stream in the UK.
Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) setting a 1GW tidal stream target for 2035 and (b) taking steps to support UK companies bidding for tidal stream contracts (i) in the UK and (ii) abroad.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government will continue to review the merits of setting a potential target for tidal stream deployment.
The Department continues to engage with the Department for Business and Trade on maximising private investment opportunities for the tidal stream companies, as well as with the tidal stream industry.
An unprecedented 94MW of tidal stream capacity has been secured through the Contracts for Difference scheme so far, including 11 contracts in the latest round.
Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if her Department will set a £30m tidal stream ringfence for Allocation Round 6.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is undertaking analysis of the technology pipeline available for Contracts for Difference Auction Round 6 against our legal obligation to ensure the auction round is competitive. We are considering the appropriate parameters for all technologies, including tidal stream. Final parameters will be published in the Budget Notice in March 2024, ahead of the round opening.
Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Green Taxonomy will recognise (a) advanced biofuels, (b) renewable fuels of non-biological origin and (c) recycled carbon fuels as compliant.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government recognises that renewable, low carbon fuels have potential to play an important role in decarbonising sectors such as heat.
The UK Green Taxonomy will be an important tool to increase transparency in the market, helping to both mobilise private investment into green activities and tackle greenwashing. Developing a usable and useful taxonomy is a complex and technical exercise. The Government continues to work at pace, and expects to publish the Taxonomy consultation shortly. The Government would welcome stakeholder input on criteria for key Net Zero sectors in the upcoming consultation.
Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to encourage green investment in the production of renewable liquid gases for decarbonising off-grid (a) homes and (b) businesses unsuitable for a heat pump.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
On 5 September 2023, during Parliamentary debates on the Energy Act, the Government committed to exploring the potential of renewable liquid fuels – including renewable liquid gases - for heat by issuing a consultation within 12 months.
The Government has also taken powers in the Energy Act to impose obligations on heating fuel suppliers to increase the supply of renewable liquid heating fuels, should that be necessary.
Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to support those who live off-grid and rely on (a) oil and (b) liquified petroleum gas to heat their homes.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Last winter, the Government provided a £200 support payment to those households who use alternative fuels through the Alternative Fuel Payment. Since then, prices of such fuels have decreased significantly, and consequently the Government does not intend to repeat the scheme this winter.
The Government is continuing to support those who need it the most, with millions of households receiving up to £900 in further cost of living payments. This is in addition to established support for vulnerable and low-income households through the Winter Fuel Payment worth £250 - £600 and the £150 Warm Home Discount, which has been extended to reach around a million more people compared with the previous scheme prior to winter 2022.
Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has had recent discussions with Ofgem on reducing standing charges.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Minsters and Officials have regular meetings with Ofgem to discuss a wide range of issues, including standing charges.
Ofgem is currently seeking views on standing charges as the first stage of engaging in a debate on whether changes are required. Further information is available at https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/standing-charges-call-input.
Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she is taking steps to support the (a) development and (b) use of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK is a world leader in the nuclear fuel cycle, and this is testament to the highly skilled workforce currently employed within the UK supply chain. The Government recognises the importance of establishing a secure, commercial supply of High-Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) to support future reactors and deliver our net zero and energy security ambitions.
As such, we have launched the Nuclear Fuel Fund (NFF) to be used to alongside private sector co-investment, to preserve and develop the UK’s nuclear fuel production capability. Through the NFF, the Government is proud to have invested £10.5m towards the development and use of a supply chain for HALEU in the UK. The Government is considering any further steps that might be necessary to support the development of HALEU fuel.
Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to introduce the Alternative Fuel Payments scheme this winter to support consumers not connected to the gas grid who rely on alternative fuels to heat their homes.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Oil prices have fallen from their 2022 peak and there are currently no plans for the Alternative Fuel Payment scheme to be renewed for Winter 2023/24. However, the Government will continue to monitor the situation and will keep our options under review.
Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to support the development of (a) advanced nuclear technology and (b) routes to market for that technology.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In 2020, the Government committed up to £385m to an Advanced Nuclear Fund to provide funding for a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) design and to progress plans for an Advanced Modular Reactor demonstration by the early 2030s. In July 2023, the Government shortlisted potential grants from the Future Nuclear Enabling Fund, releasing up to £77.1m of targeted support for new nuclear development.
Great British Nuclear, the arms-length body responsible for helping to deliver new nuclear projects, has launched a Technology Selection Process (TSP) to select the SMR technologies best able to deliver projects by the mid-2030s. Six companies have been down-selected for the next stage of the process. The Government is also consulting in the autumn on alternative routes to markets for new nuclear projects, in addition to the TSP.