Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will direct the National Energy System Operator to account for the reduced need for offshore wind and solar capacity resulting from heat network expansion in its future strategic planning scenarios, in light of the findings of the ADE: Heat Networks report Electricity System Benefits of Heat Networks.

I have met ADE to discuss their research. We welcome the research by ADE: Heat Networks, and agree that appropriate deployment of heat networks has the potential to reduce future electricity system costs by billions as we accelerate to net zero. We set out our long-term strategy for heat networks in the Warm Homes Plan in January, and the Department is already working with the National Energy System Operator to ensure its scenarios align with the latest Government policy.