Speeches by Bowie.

“Q50 Good afternoon, gentlemen, and thank you for taking the time to be with us today. Clause 3 of the Bill, titled “Objects”, states that GBE’s “objects are restricted to facilitating…the production, distribution, storage and supply of clean energy” and must include “measures for ensuring the security of the supply of …”

“Q Thank you for those clear answers. It says under “Strategic priorities and plans”, which is clause 5 of the Bill: “The Secretary of State must prepare a statement of strategic priorities for Great British Energy.” If you were the Secretary of State and were tasked with drawing up strategic priorities, what would they…”

“Q Ms Powis, do you suggest that if we do not make those changes to the Bill, it might be prohibitive to further investment in CCUS, or do you think that the words from the Secretary of State on announcing the Bill were enough to calm any jitters in your industry? Olivia Powis: No, we would recommend that the wording is…”

“Q This is my very last question, Sir Roger, as you will be pleased to hear. Earlier on, Juergen Maier, the chair of GB Energy, committed the headquarters in Aberdeen to employing in the region of hundreds of people—he did say over 1,000 people—in time. Will you be drawn on any specific numbers of people who will be bas…”

“I agree with you entirely on what you said about Great British Nuclear. Sir Roger, I think we should note that the Minister has just credited the former Government with something. I think it is the first time— Michael Shanks: I think I credited you earlier as well. This is becoming a habit.”

“Q Thank you for joining us this afternoon, Mr Whitehouse. I think it is fair to say that OEUK has been somewhat sceptical, although it obviously wanted to work with the Government, about the overarching policies towards the energy sector, and specifically the sector you represent. Speaking specifically to this Bill and…”

“Q Thank you for giving us your time this afternoon, Mr Labbad. How do you foresee the Bill and the creation of GB Energy impacting on the offices of the Crown Estate? In your answer, could you give some detail on the recent agreement between the Crown Estate and GB Energy, and what that will mean moving forward? Dan La…”

“Q We have spoken with previous guests this afternoon about the necessity for the Secretary of State and the Minister here to have strategic priorities and plans to engage with Scottish and Welsh Ministers and all the devolved Administrations. Obviously, the Crown Estate is an area that is devolved in Scotland. You said…”

“Q Thank you very much for joining us, Mr Buckland. Obviously you come from the perspective of a company that is investing—alongside others that are investing—in the future technologies that will guide us towards net zero and a clean future. One of the objects of Great British Energy, as clause 3 states, is that it shou…”

“Q You are absolutely right in what you say. Some of these companies—EDF, Ørsted, Equinor, Vattenfall—are fantastic companies. It should be noted that while EDF returned for the French taxpayer, it was also bailed out by the French Government to the tune of about €20 billion last year. I hope we do not get into a simila…”

“Q In the context of the Bill—the objects, the financial assistance and the strategic priorities and plans—it is quite clear that you are seeking to develop a company in the mould of an Ørsted or an EDF. I just quoted you on the target of 2030 for the decarbonisation of the grid. Some of the other witnesses have said th…”

“Q You can see why the interpretation of what you said might lend itself to the understanding that what is returned to the taxpayer is a monetary value from every single project being invested in. Are you clarifying that today? You are not standing by that statement. Michael Shanks: I am saying very clearly that the aim…”

“Q Good afternoon, Minister—we have obviously not seen enough of each other today. When you were introducing this Bill on the Floor of the House, you said: “There will be a range of projects, in some of which we will certainly have the controlling stake, and some of which we might help to get over the line, but in every…”

“Absolutely. By the end of the year would be great.”

“Q It was the case once, Sir Roger. Thank you for joining us, Ms Powis. I was going to ask about the concerns that your association has brought to our attention about the definitions in the Bill, particularly in clause 3, concerning the objects that GBE is restricted to facilitating, encouraging or participating in. Ple…”

“Q I could not agree more. There will be 70,000 jobs created by SMRs alone over the next few years if we get it right. Would you like to see clarification in the Bill of the relationship with Great British Nuclear? Andy Prendergast: I am not necessarily saying that it needs to be in the Bill, but it needs to happen quit…”

“Q In the case of the Methil yard in Scotland—I think it is Burntisland we are speaking about—the UK Government and, I think, the Scottish Government did attempt to save that yard and ensure that it works moving forward. I do not know how GB Energy would have been able to do much more, but I take your point that we need…”

“Q Thank you for taking the time to come and join us, Mr Prendergast. For the benefit of the Committee, could you elaborate on the overarching view of GMB members on the establishment of Great British Energy and on Government energy policy overall? Andy Prendergast: We see GB Energy as a long-overdue, desperately needed…”

“Q I have one last question, if I may beg your patience, Sir Roger. Obviously, Mr Whitehouse, a lot of the members that you represent are in Aberdeen. In our very first piece of evidence this morning, we heard from Mr Juergen Maier, who is the new chair of GB Energy. It has been announced that the headquarters of GB Ene…”

“Our record on nuclear speaks for itself. We launched the small modular down-selection process and Great British Nuclear, and invested £200 million in new advanced nuclear fuels. We consulted on a new route to market for advanced modular reactors and new technologies, and granted a development consent order for Sizewell…”