Written questions by Bowie.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential long-term impact of repeated legal challenges to approved oil and gas sector sector projects on that sector; and what steps he is taking to help provide greater regulatory certainty for investors.

The Department has not carried out any sector-specific assessment of this type. However, we recognise the importance of striking the right balance between ensuring ongoing access to justice and protections against genuine issues of propriety. That is why we have worked at speed to consult on updated environmental guidance so we can resume assessments as quickly as possible. We will also publish a consultation on our commitment not to issue new licences to explore new fields in due course. Our aim is a fair, orderly and prosperous transition that provides certainty to industry.

When he plans to issue a decision on the new environmental approvals required for the (a) Rosebank and (b) Jackdaw oil and gas fields.

It would not be appropriate to comment on individual projects as this risks prejudicing future regulatory decision-making by the Government and the independent North Sea Transition Authority. The Government acted quickly to respond to the Finch judgment on scope-3 emissions and consult on updated guidance. The consultation closed on 8 January 2025 and the Government is working to have the guidance in place as soon as possible. Once the updated guidance is in place, the assessment of environmental statements for offshore Oil and Gas projects can be resumed.

With reference to the judgement in the petitions of Greenpeace Ltd and Uplift [2025] CSOH 10, what discussions he has had with the North Sea Transition Authority to ensure that regulatory requirements following that judgement minimise barriers to investment in UK oil and gas production.

etails of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

If he will take steps to ensure that the (a) Jackdaw and (b) Rosebank oil and gas projects can proceed.

It would not be appropriate to comment on individual projects as this risks prejudicing future regulatory decision-making by the Government and the independent North Sea Transition Authority. The Government acted quickly to respond to the Finch judgment on scope-3 emissions and consult on updated guidance. The consultation closed on 8 January 2025 and the Government is working to have the guidance in place as soon as possible. Once the updated guidance is in place, the assessment of environmental statements for offshore Oil and Gas projects can be resumed.

What assessment he has made of the potential economic implications of delay to the (a) Jackdaw and (b) Rosebank oil and gas projects.

It would not be appropriate to comment on individual projects as this risks prejudicing future regulatory decision-making by the Government and the independent North Sea Transition Authority. The Government acted quickly to respond to the Finch judgment on scope-3 emissions and consult on updated guidance. The consultation closed on 8 January 2025 and the Government is working to have the guidance in place as soon as possible.

What plans his Department has for the Bradwell nuclear site.

The Bradwell site is privately owned, and it would be for the owner to set out their plans for the site.

What recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion power plant at West Burton.

On 16 January 2025, the Government announced £410m of investment to accelerate development of fusion energy. This is to fund UK fusion programmes in 2025-2026, including STEP. On the same day, UKIFS – the UKAEA subsidiary that will deliver STEP – announced the shortlist of construction and engineering partners selected for the next stage of the STEP procurement process. Contracts for successful bidders are set to be awarded by early 2026. By involving private industry early, the programme will maximise development of the fusion supply chain and adjacent sectors. Other progress in recent months includes the formal transfer of the programme’s leadership to the delivery body, UKIFS.

When he expects the final investment decision to be taken in relation to Sizewell C.

A final investment decision on whether to proceed with the Sizewell C project will be taken in Phase 2 of the Spending Review.

When the Community Benefits Package will be published.

Through the Clean Power Action Plan, we have made clear that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, we will ensure they benefit from it. There are many options in this area including community funds and direct support for households, which we are exploring. In the interim, the Government intends to publish guidance on community benefits for onshore wind in England and guidance on community funds for electricity transmission network infrastructure by spring 2025. Additionally, Solar Energy UK has committed to publishing a community benefits protocol and guidance in due course.

When he plans to publish plans for the future of the Wylfa nuclear site.

Great British Nuclear (GBN) acquired the sites at Wylfa (in Ynys Mon / Anglesey) and Oldbury-on-Severn (Gloucestershire) in 2024. We will work with GBN to assess options for new nuclear at Wylfa, although decisions have yet to be taken on projects and technologies to be deployed. GBN is pushing forward with its Small Modular Reactor technology selection process ahead of final decisions in the spring, and we will set out our plans in due course.

What estimate he has made of future heat pump uptake in each year to 2035.

Heat pump uptake is growing rapidly: in the year to September 2024, 38,305 heat pumps installed in the UK were supported by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero schemes, a 46% increase over the preceding 12 months. The Government is taking steps to maintain this growth through delivery of the Warm Homes Plan, including a near doubling of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget to £295 million in 2025/26. Further details of our plan for building uptake over the coming years will be set out in detail in due course as part of the full Warm Homes Plan strategy.

What the estimated cost of energy imports was in each month since July 2024.

The Department does not hold data on monthly energy import costs. Annual energy import costs up to 2023 are published in table G.2 of the Digest of UK Energy Statistics. Monthly import data are published by HMRC in the Overseas Trade Data tables.

What information (a) his Department and (b) the National Energy System Operator holds on the number of number of generation assets that provided (i) spare margin and (ii) reserve for peak electricity demand on any day where a Capacity Market Notice was issued in the last 12 months.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) holds information required to balance the electricity network and are responsible for all operational actions required to maintain their electricity margin. Further information is available on the Elexon and NESO websites. As published in their winter outlook, NESO expect that supply margins will be adequate this winter, meaning that there is expected to be sufficient capacity to meet peak winter demand. The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero has no role in these operational decisions but remains in close contact with NESO during periods of tight margins, like on Wednesday 8 January.

What steps his Department is taking to increase the UK’s gas storage capacity.

The diversity of Great Britain’s sources of gas supply means we are less reliant on natural gas storage than European counterparts. The Government recognises the value in having natural gas storage facilities in place as a source of balancing system flexibility when demand for gas is high and allowing for the future storage of hydrogen. Energy security remains a key priority and the government will continue to work with storage operators to explore options around the role storage can play in supporting future gas system resilience.

If he will make an estimate of the number of gas boilers installed each year by (a) local authority and (b) constituency.

The government does not hold this data. DESNZ publishes yearly data on the number of properties connected to the gas network, including by local authority. This data can be accessed using this link: Subnational estimates of properties not connected to the gas network - GOV.UK. The number of gas boilers installed each year, either in new buildings or to replace existing boilers, will typically be higher in local authorities and constituencies with a higher number of gas network connections.

What the UK’s gas storage levels were in each month since July 2024.

The system operator National Gas monitors gas storage stock levels. They publish storage stock level data on their website, it can be found here: https://data.nationalgas.com/.

What the cost was of operating gas power plants through the Balancing Mechanism in each month since July 2024.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is responsible for managing network constraints, including through the Balancing Mechanism.

What information his Department holds on when the GB Energy board will meet in Aberdeen.

Arrangements for Great British Energy’s first board meeting are currently being made. The meeting will take place at the company’s headquarters in Aberdeen.

Whether AI Growth Zones will allow data centres to be co-located with (a) nuclear and (b) gas power plants.

Future AI Growth Zones will be chosen taking into account the availability of generation and the need for a grid connection. For nuclear, we will be consulting on a new nuclear planning framework shortly. The proposed framework will empower new nuclear developers, including those interested in co-locating with data centres, to identify potential sites against a robust set of siting criteria on safety, environmental and socio-economic impacts.

What information (a) his Department and (b) the National Energy System Operator holds on the number of generation assets that provided (i) spare margin and (ii) reserve for peak electricity demand on Wednesday 8 January.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) holds information required to balance the electricity network and are responsible for all operational actions required to maintain their electricity margin. Further information is available on the Elexon and NESO websites. As published in their winter outlook, NESO expect that supply margins will be adequate this winter, meaning that there is expected to be sufficient capacity to meet peak winter demand. The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero has no role in these operational decisions but remains in close contact with NESO during periods of tight margins, like on Wednesday 8 January.