Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 1 October 2019 to Question 291002 and to the Answer of 1 October 2019 to Question 290324, if he will introduce the same policy as the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and switch to an electricity provider that supplies electricity solely from renewable resources within the next 12 months; and for what reason his Department has not already ensured its electricity is supplied solely from renewable resources.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to supporting and playing its part in the UK Government intent to tackle climate change by transitioning to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The MOD uses the mandated Crown Commercial Services energy framework to procure the supply of electricity. The framework is designed to achieve the best value for money for the public sector. The current three-year rolling contract is due to expire on 31 March 2022. This contract does not specify a percentage of electricity that should come from renewable sources however, the future contract specification will be reviewed as part of the ongoing planning for delivering net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Procuring and generating renewable and low carbon electricity is part of a suite of measures the Department is pursuing to reduce its emissions. For example, at RAF Marham a new Generating Plant built by Future Biogas now supplies power to the site. Further opportunities to directly source renewable electricity through long term power purchase agreements and on-site generation are also being pursued.