Written questions by Bowie.

What his Department’s planned timeline is for reviewing the electricity licensing regime to address the use of equipment from high-risk foreign vendors.

The protection and security of the energy sector is a priority for this Government, including manging risks from supply chains. DESNZ will continue to work closely with cross-government counterparts alongside industry to explore what further proportionate action can be taken to reduce the risks to energy infrastructure. Ofgem and DESNZ have robust market monitoring schemes to assess electricity generation licence applications. Ofgem’s principal objective is to protect the interests of existing and future consumers, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and security of supply.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of different rules on the eligibility of biomethane to the (a) UK and (b) EU emissions trading scheme on costs to industry.

The Government recognises biomethane as a practical and cost-effective way of contributing to net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) applies a zero emissions factor to combustion of biomethane where supplied directly to ETS installations. Where biomethane is injected into the gas grid, there is not currently a mechanism to ensure biomethane is accounted for separately. The UK Government and the EU commission have committed to work towards establishing a link between carbon markets, with the details of a potential link subject to negotiations.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of Scope 3 emissions reporting on oil and gas exploration in the North Sea.

Guidance on how Scope 3 emissions should be assessed as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process has now been published. This provides clarity for the North Sea oil and gas industry. Developers can now resume the submission of environmental statements and each will be assessed on its own merits. As the projects to which these environmental statements relate will be subject to future regulatory decisions, it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of any individual cases.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of unused North Sea oil and gas on energy security.

The North Sea is a highly mature basin. Production of oil and gas has been declining since a peak in 1999 and around 80% of our oil is exported. The UK benefits from a secure and diverse energy system, which allows us to draw on several sources, reducing our reliance on any single source. The Government's Clean Energy Superpower Mission, supported by the largest investment in home-grown clean energy in British history, will enhance energy security by boosting our energy independence, protecting billpayers, and reducing exposure to global supply shocks.

Whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the proportion of oil imports transported through the Strait of Hormuz in the most recent period for which data is available.

Just under 12 per cent of UK oil imports originated in Kuwait (7.5 per cent), Saudi Arabia (2.5 per cent), and the United Arab Emirates (1.6 per cent) in January to April 2025 (Energy Trends, Table 3.14), similar to 2023 and 2024. The Strait of Hormuz is the primary export route for these countries. Imports were predominantly of jet fuel and white diesel.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of building a gigawatt scale nuclear plant at Wylfa on the (a) Welsh economy and (b) UK energy supply.

No decision has yet been taken on whether to pursue a future large-scale project beyond Sizewell C or where such a project would be located. Therefore, the government has not carried out an assessment of the economic impact of any future project on the Welsh economy. However, by comparison, Hinkley Point C supports about 10,000 jobs during construction and will support approximately 900 permanent jobs during its 60 years of operation.

What estimate he has made of the size of the UK’s gas reserves in each year between 2025 and 2030.

Data on UK gas reserves is published in Energy in Brief; data for 2024 will be published on 31st July 2025. The North Sea Transition Authority publish projected production between 2025 and 2050. The Midstream Gas System: Update to the Market published on 30th June highlights the government's focus on ensuring the resilience of gas supply and infrastructure as domestic production declines.

If he will publish the previous Government’s cost impact assessment for building a gigawatt scale nuclear plant at Wylfa.

Great British Energy–Nuclear acquired the Wylfa site last year and we will set out our plans in due course. No decision has yet been taken on whether to pursue a future large-scale project beyond Sizewell C, but all nuclear projects are subject to a detailed value for money assessment, including cost.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of heat networks on infrastructure-led economic growth.

The deployment of heat networks is predicted to have a positive impact on economic growth in the UK, however a full assessment of the scale of growth has not yet been undertaken. We will set out our long-term plans for heat networks in the Warm Homes Plan later this year, including the important role that they will play in achieving net zero, and in promoting economic growth.

Whether the contribution of heat networks will be included in the 10-year Infrastructure Strategy.

The Government recognises that to achieve net-zero we will need to ensure all technologies including heat networks are able to meet their potential. The 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy will reduce uncertainty by bringing together a long-term plan for the social, economic and housing infrastructure across the UK. This will include clean energy sectors, which include heat networks. We will set out our long-term plans for heat networks in the Warm Homes Plan later this year, including the important role that they will play in achieving net zero, and in promoting local economic growth.

What assessment he has made of the potential contribution of heat networks in achieving the UK’s net zero targets as part of the 10-year Infrastructure Strategy.

The Government recognises that to achieve net-zero we will need to ensure all technologies including heat networks are able to meet their potential. The 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy will reduce uncertainty by bringing together a long-term plan for the social, economic and housing infrastructure across the UK. This will include clean energy sectors, which include heat networks. We will set out our long-term plans for heat networks in the Warm Homes Plan later this year, including the important role that they will play in achieving net zero, and in promoting local economic growth.

What assessment his Department has made of the sustainability of using US-produced wood pellets for energy generation in the UK.

The government only supports the use of sustainable biomass, and generators only receive subsidies for biomass that meets our robust sustainability criteria. Domestically sourced and imported wood pellets, regardless of the country of origin, are subject to the sustainability requirements in the current subsidy arrangements for biomass generators, which include supply chain emission thresholds and land-use criteria.

What meetings he has had with the US Agriculture Secretary since 4 July 2024.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero engages regularly with international counterparts on a number of issues.

Whether he has held recent discussions with his US counterpart on whether wood pellets exported to the UK meet the UK’s sustainability criteria.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero engages regularly with international counterparts on a number of issues.

What estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of transatlantic shipments of wood pellets on carbon emissions.

The government sets robust supply chain emissions thresholds as part of the sustainability criteria for large-scale biomass generation. Shipping, and all other transport, emissions are included in that requirement. As announced on 10 February, the supply chain emissions threshold for eligible large scale biomass generators is proposed to be tightened further under proposed arrangements with Drax, from 55.6 gCO2e/MJ to 36.6 gCO2e/MJ. It is for individual generators to determine how and where to source sufficient, eligible material to meet the requirements set out by government.

What steps he is taking to ensure that energy generators accurately report sources of wood pellets from the US.

Biomass generators are required to submit monthly sustainability data and annual audit reports from an independent verifier under existing subsidy arrangements. These data returns are scrutinised by Ofgem, and include compliance with land and GHG greenhouse gas (GHG) emission criteria, volume of biomass, fuel name, fuel type and voluntary certification scheme used. This applies to biomass sourced from the UK, US or any other nation. At the announcement of the new Heads of Terms with Drax on 10 February, we made clear that sustainability assurance arrangements for future large-scale generation will be strengthened further. We are working closely with expert bodies including Ofgem, LCCC and SBP to enhance reporting, ensuring best practice in sustainability and land use.

Whether his Department has made a comparative estimate of carbon emissions when using (a) US produced and (b) UK produced wood pellets.

All biomass pellets for UK generation, regardless of country of origin, must meet supply chain emissions thresholds; these have been tightened further to 36.6 gCO2eq/MJ in the Heads of Terms agreed with Drax and announced on 10 February. It is for generators to determine how and where to source compliant sustainable biomass pellets to meet the required volumes of generation.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that wood pellets from the US are not sourced from (a) environmentally important and (b) rare forests.

Existing sustainability requirements for current subsidy arrangements include robust land-use criteria to ensure biomass is sourced from sustainably managed forests. This includes requirements around sustainable harvesting and biodiversity protection. Ofgem, as the independent energy regulator, is responsible for monitoring profiling data on land criteria and enforcing wider sustainability standards. To further reduce the risk of wood pellets being sourced from environmentally significant areas, we will be excluding material sourced from primary and old growth forest from being eligible for subsidy under the proposed Heads of Terms with Drax announced on the 10th February.

What agreements he has made with the US Government on the potential import of wood pellets.

The Government does not enter into agreements with other governments on the supply of biomass for UK power generation. Rather, it sets sustainability criteria which must be met for generation to be eligible for subsidy, and it is for individual generators to determine how and where to source material to meet these requirements.

What steps he is taking to ensure the North Sea Transition Authority maximises the economic recovery of oil and gas in the North Sea.

The Department is responsible for the policy framework within which the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) operates. The OGA Strategy outlines how the NSTA’s principal objective will be met. The NSTA does so in several ways – for example, facilitating collaboration across the basin. The Building the North Sea’s Energy Future consultation, which closed on 30 April 2025, sought views on whether the NSTA’s principal objective of maximising economic recovery adequately reflects the current context in the North Sea and supports the Government’s strategic objectives. The Government will respond in due course.