Every parliamentary written question tabled by Al Pinkerton this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 40 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of renewable intermittency on future household electricity bills.
Independent research confirms that renewables can cut electricity prices, having reduced wholesale electricity prices by up to a quarter (around £25/MWh) in 2024. The Department recognises the intermittent nature of renewables which is why we are investin...
What assessment his Department has made of the potential role of hydrogen produced from surplus renewable electricity in improving energy security.
The 2024 Clean Power Action Plan identified the need for low carbon dispatchable generation technologies, such as hydrogen to power, which can replicate the role of unabated gas and provide a secure supply of electricity to support intermittent renewable ...
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of higher levels of renewable generation on seasonal variations in wholesale electricity prices.
Increasing participation of renewables in the wholesale market means that over time, we can take advantage of the cheaper electricity produced by renewable technologies. Any seasonal variation in wholesale prices will be driven by seasonal variation in bo...
What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the role of long duration energy storage in supporting renewable electricity generation.
Long duration electricity storage (LDES) plays a key role in the current and future power system, including by allowing excess renewable generation to be stored for use at times of need. It is complemented by other forms of long duration energy storage te...
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of heat pump deployment on winter peak electricity demand.
The Department assesses that heat pump deployment, as part of the wider electrification of heat, is expected to increase annual and winter peak electricity demand over time. The precise impact depends on factors including the rate of deployment, heat pump...
What estimate his Department has made of the cost of maintaining gas fired generation as backup capacity in a renewables led electricity system.
Clean Power means that by 2030, Great Britain will generate enough clean power to meet our total annual electricity demand, backed up by unabated gas supply to be used only when essential. The Capacity Market remains the government’s primary mechanism for...
What steps he is taking to support the green energy sector in Surrey Heath constituency.
Local power generation is an essential part of the UK’s energy generation and increasing support will ensure local communities to benefit from clean energy projects as the UK supercharges its mission to become a clean energy superpower.This is why backed by up to £1 billion, Great British Energy aims to support more than 1,000 local and community energy projects by 2030. This is not the pinnacle of our ambition but the start.
What assessment he has made of the resilience of the electricity distribution network in Surrey Heath constituency.
Government works closely with industry, including Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, the Distribution Network Operator for Surrey Heath, to continually improve and maintain the resilience of electricity infrastructure, networks and assets. This is to reduce vulnerabilities and ensure an effective response to actual or potentially disruptive incidents.
What steps his Department is taking to help ensure the accuracy of small businesses' energy bills in Surrey Heath constituency.
The Government is overseeing the roll out of smart meters to small businesses in Surrey Heath and across GB, and our latest data shows that almost two thirds of meters in non-domestic premises are smart or advanced meters. These meters enable accurate billing by automatically recording energy use at regular intervals, allowing bills based on actual rather than estimated usage. Ofgem’s licence conditions require all suppliers to take all reasonable steps to reflect accurate meter readings in bills or statements sent to customers where these have been provided by a customer or obtained by the supplier.
What plans his Department has to help improve GP access to decarbonisation schemes in Surrey Heath constituency.
The Government is committed to supporting the decarbonisation of the GP estate. Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, GP facilities can receive £7,500 for heat pumps and £5,000 for biomass boilers. We also help fund the UK Business Climate Hub, an online resource supporting SMEs identify and implement changes to their energy use.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of opportunities for installing solar panels on commercial properties in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
No specific assessment of the adequacy of opportunities for installing solar panels on commercial properties in Surrey or Surrey Heath has been made. However, rooftop solar remains a key part of the Government’s clean power mission and is one of the most popular and easily deployed renewable energy sources. The Government supports commercial rooftop deployment through measures such as permitted development rights, favourable tax treatment, and the Smart Export Guarantee. These policies apply across England, including Surrey, and aim to make it easier for businesses to install solar panels where suitable roof space is available.
What discussions he has had with energy suppliers on the adequacy of support for consumers with power outages in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
Ahead of winter, the Department received assurance from the National Energy System Operator (NESO), on behalf of all electricity network operators that comprehensive plans remain in place to minimise disruption and to provide support to customers in the event of power outages arising from severe weather or other faults. These arrangements apply across the country, including Surrey and Surrey Heath.
What recent assessment his Department has made of recent trends in levels of (a) petrol and (b) diesel prices in (i) Surrey and (ii) Surrey Heath constituency.
Fuel price trends are monitored nationally and published in the Department’s weekly statistics on GOV.UK. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) oversee market transparency and compliance and publish quarterly and yearly reports on GOV.UK.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of negotiating an emissions trading scheme linkage with the European Union to reduce the costs of achieving net zero.
Linking the UK and EU Emission Trading Schemes (ETSs) is expected to reduce costs for UK businesses by providing a cheaper path to net zero. Access to a larger, more liquid and stable carbon market will provide UK business with greater price certainty which will support investment. Linking will also deliver a reduction in costs for UK businesses and lower barriers to trade through providing the conditions for an exemption from the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
What steps he is taking to help ensure the resilience of electricity during severe weather events in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
Great Britain has a highly resilient energy network. The Government works closely with the energy industry, regulators and other stakeholders to continually improve and maintain the resilience of energy infrastructure against risks including severe weather events, such as storms. This includes working with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, the Distribution Network Operator for Surrey and Surrey Heath Constituency. Ahead of this winter period, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) have assessed industry resilience and preparedness for winter risks, including severe weather, and have provided assurance to my department that the electricity network operators are prepared for these risks.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of strengthening safety requirements for diesel generators located near residential buildings in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are the regulator responsible for health and safety, including relevant safety requirements relating to electrical equipment. Government will continue to work closely with HSE to ensure that the highest safety standards are maintained.
Whether his Department plans to review their guidance on electricity usage assumptions for households with higher reliance on electric heating.
The Department does not provide guidance on electricity usage assumptions for households with higher reliance on electric heating. However, the Quarterly Energy Prices bills estimates are presented for average domestic gas and electricity consumption levels including assumptions for average consumption for standard electricity and Economy 7. These are reviewed regularly and updated at least every five years. Further detail of the methodology used is available Average Annual Domestic Consumption Levels Review: methodology note. These differ from Ofgem’s Typical Domestic Consumption Values which provide the annual gas and electricity usage of a ‘typical’ domestic consumer, expressed as the median consumption value.
What assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of electricity costs for residents living in retirement housing in Surrey Heath constituency.
The Department closely follows electricity price trends on a regular basis. You can find the most reliable sources for these trends and further information on energy cost statistics here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/quarterly-energy-prices No such assessment exists for specific sectors such as retirement homes. The specific costs for consumers, including retirement homes, will depend on the terms of their energy contracts with their energy supplier or the arrangements that their retirement homes have made The Government is aware that energy bills are too high, particularly for vulnerable consumers, and we are wholly focused on bringing these costs down.
What steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of (a) emissions and (b) environmental impacts associated with supply chains in Surrey Heath constituency.
(a) Defra publishes statistics each year on the UK’s carbon footprint, including greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chains of goods and services used by UK residents. These data are also available for England only. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uks-carbon-footprint (b) In June the government consulted on a framework of policies to build the market for low-carbon industrial products, alongside the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan. The policies aim to deliver the guidance, tools, and levers to enable buyers to make informed choices through better information on the carbon content of industrial goods, with an initial focus on the steel, cement, and concrete sectors.
What assessment his Department has made of potential economic merits of linking UK and the EU Emissions Trading Schemes.
Linking is expected to bring significant economic benefits. It would create a larger, stable carbon market, support British businesses through removing trade barriers, support UK renewable rollout and lower electricity costs. Linking is expected to facilitate a mutual UK-EU CBAM exemption, removing a major barrier to trade and lowering costs for UK firms. Linking is also expected to support new green industries in the UK and enable cross-border CO2 storage. UK Government analysis was published on 19th May 2025 and is available at Gov.uk