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 level of potential risk that current electricity connection processes could delay the delivery of AI Growth Zones.

Government fully recognises that the process for electricity demand connections requires reform and is working closely with Ofgem, NESO and network companies to develop and deliver a coordinated package of measures to ensure the connections process supports efficient and fair connections for all users, release blocked capacity, and accelerate connections for projects that reflect Government’s top strategic priorities, including AI Growth Zones.

Government recently consulted on key elements of this package of reforms and will publish its response in due course.