Committee publication · Correspondence · 11 March 2026
Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to the Work of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero oral evidence session on 11 February 2026, dated 27 February 2026
From: Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Inquiry: Work of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Summary
Secretary of State Ed Miliband responds to questions raised during the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee's 11 February 2026 oral evidence session. He provides updates on Technical Excellence Colleges for clean energy workforce training (applications closed 16 February, delivery from April), confirms Climate Change Committee projections account for data centre emissions, and reports publication of the UK–China Clean Energy Partnership Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2015 and updated.
Key findings
- Technical Excellence Colleges applications closed 16 February 2026; successful colleges to be announced following assessment period running mid-February to April, with delivery commencing April 2026
- Climate Change Committee's CB7 advice incorporates government projections accounting for data centre emissions through electricity demand growth modelling
- UK–China Clean Energy Partnership MoU has been published in full, including both 2015 original version and updated iteration, to provide complete public record
- Government considers engagement with world's largest emitter necessary for tackling climate crisis; MoU facilitates cooperation on clean energy priorities and technical expertise exchange
- Security considerations regarding foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure are standing consideration in development of UK's international engagement approach
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Ed Miliband, Bill Esterson MP, Melanie Onn MP, Toby Perkins MP, Bradley Thomas MP, Climate Change Committee, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
Notable line
“The Government considers it both responsible and necessary to engage with the world's largest emitter to tackle the climate crisi s.”
Key Quotes
“Applications for the program closed on Monday 16 February, and we have committed to begin delivery from April this year.”
“The Climate Change Committee confirms that its CB7 advice uses the Government's projections in its baseline.”
“The Government considers it both responsible and necessary to engage with the world's largest emitter to tackle the climate crisi s.”
“Security considerations, including risks relating to foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure, are a standing consideration in the development of the UK's approach to international engagement with any country …”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗