Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Bowie this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 221–227 of 227 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
When he plans to announce the amount of private investment raised for Sizewell C.
Discussions with potential investors participating in the equity raise process are ongoing. We cannot comment further on the process, as it is commercially sensitive. The Government will continue to update the House as project’s development continues.
With reference to the oral contribution of the then Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero of 23 May 2024, Official Report, column 1122, if he will make it his policy to conduct a review of the presumption for overhead power lines in the context of the comparative merits and costs of (a) undergrounding and (b) offshore energy cabling.
Proposed changes to the energy National Policy Statements (NPSs) were consulted on between 30 March 2023 to 23 June 2023 under the previous government. Following this a revised version of the National Policy Statement for electricity networks infrastructure was designated on 17 January 2024. This sets out that overhead lines should be the strong starting presumption for electricity networks developments in general, except in nationally designated landscapes where undergrounding is the starting presumption. The government does not make assessments for specific projects until they come to the Secretary of State for final planning decision.
What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his polices on applications for large scale solar farms of the Written Ministerial Statement entitled Solar and protecting our Food Security and Best and Most Versatile (BMV) Land, dated 15 May 2024, UIN HCWS466.
The Written Ministerial Statement made in May by the previous government did not change the policy on this matter that is set out in the relevant parts of the National Policy Statement (NPS) for Renewable Energy and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). It quoted extracts from that NPS and the NPPF. Decisions on solar that is Nationally Significant Infrastructure will be guided by the NPS in full, noting there are transitional provisions in place as the NPS was only designated this January. The NPPF will continue to be a material consideration for Local Authority planning decisions on solar.
Whether he plans to expand the Renewable Energy Planning Database to include additional information on the types of agricultural land used by (a) existing solar projects and (b) solar projects in the planning pipeline, in the context of the Written Ministerial Statement entitled Solar and protecting our Food Security and Best and Most Versatile (BMV) Land, dated 15 May 2024, UIN HCWS466.
The Department plans to broaden the scope of the Renewable Energy Planning Database to provide information on the types of agricultural land used by existing solar projects and those in the planning pipeline, as set out in the Written Ministerial Statement, ‘Solar and protecting our Food Security and Best and Most Versatile (BMV) Land dated 15 May.
What his planned timeline is for downselecting small modular reactor technologies for UK deployment.
Great British Nuclear, the Department’s arm’s-length body responsible for helping deliver the government’s nuclear programme. is currently running a small modular reactor technology selection process for UK deployment. This is a live procurement and is on-going. The window for submitting tenders has now closed and Great British Nuclear is currently evaluating bids. We look forward to providing further information in due course.
With reference to sections 8 and 62 of the Electricity Act 1989, what his policy is on ensuring the right to public enquiry for Scottish communities in the event that a relevant planning authority objects to the (a) proposed construction, extension of operation of an onshore electricity generating station or (b) installation of an overhead electricity line.
Under the Electricity Act 1989, if a relevant planning authority objects to a section 36 or 37 application within the relevant time periods, Scottish Ministers must cause a public inquiry to be held and the application will be passed to the Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division to consider. A public inquiry is not required where Scottish Ministers propose to grant the application subject to modifications or conditions that will give effect to the planning authority’s objection. Where the planning authority has not objected but other parties have, Scottish Ministers will consider those objections together with all other material considerations and determine whether a public inquiry should be held. The UK Government is committed to reforming the planning system to meet the needs of a modern economy and provide necessary economic growth. Whilst doing so, it remains committed to giving communities a role in engaging with proposals for developments in their local area.
If he will proceed with the planned GW-scale nuclear power plant at Wylfa, as announced by the previous Government on 22 May 2024.
Nuclear can play an important role in helping to achieve energy security and clean power while securing thousands of skilled jobs. As a site which has previously hosted a nuclear power station, and is now owned by Great British Nuclear, Wylfa can play an important role in new nuclear in the UK, and we will set out our plans for the site in due course.