Written questions by Davies.

What steps he is taking to ensure that any community energy (a) definition and (b) register developed for England does not prevent Distribution Network Operators from prioritising grid connections for Welsh community energy projects that contribute to Welsh Government targets for locally owned energy.

The Department is in the process of creating a definition of ‘Community Energy Group’ to provide clarity for communities seeking to form community energy groups and prevent the misuse of the designation. The Department also recognises that community energy projects may need greater support in the connections process. DESNZ is working alongside Ofgem, Great British Energy, the National Energy System Operator (NESO), network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore grid connection regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers, including community energy projects across the UK.

How reforms to the electricity connections process will take account of the wider social, economic and community value of Welsh community energy projects, particularly in rural areas, when assessing readiness and need.

Reforms to the electricity connections process are designed to connect viable projects that align with our Clean Power mission, including Welsh community energy schemes in rural areas. The reformed process has objective and transparent criteria for assessing projects, approved by Ofgem, with the focus on meeting our decarbonisation goals. The Department does also recognise that community energy projects in Wales may need greater support in the connections process. DESNZ is working alongside Ofgem, GBE, NESO, network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore grid connection regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers, including community energy projects.

Pursuant to answer to the question 118015, what are the timescales for the publication of the government commissioned study on the costs of innovative undergrounding methods for transmission lines over distances of 20km to 50km.

The study on costs of innovative undergrounding methods for transmission lines is being prepared for publication shortly and in line with Cabinet Office May 2026 pre-election guidance.

Whether any definition or register of community energy organisations established under the Local Power Plan will allow Distribution Network Operators to identify eligible Welsh community energy projects and apply proportionate flexibility in the connections pipeline without breaching existing licence obligations.

The Department is in the process of creating a definition of ‘Community Energy Group’ to provide clarity for communities seeking to form community energy groups and prevent the misuse of the designation. The Department also recognises that community energy projects may need greater support in the connections process. DESNZ is working alongside Ofgem, Great British Energy, the National Energy System Operator (NESO), network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore grid connection regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers, including community energy projects across the UK.

Whether he will take steps with the Welsh Government to define the term community energy for the specific purpose of enabling Distribution Network Operators to apply differentiated treatment in the grid connections process for genuinely community-owned projects in Wales.

DESNZ is working with Ofgem, Great British Energy, NESO, network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers to the grid, including community energy projects. These reforms will support community schemes where they are viable and aligned with our Clean Power 2030 ambitions. While we must ensure fair access for all projects, our focus is on creating a system that delivers the greatest overall contribution to decarbonisation. For now, defining community energy aims to give communities clarity and prevent misuse of the designation rather than prioritisation.

What assessment he has made of the extent to which the current requirement for Distribution Network Operators to treat all connection applicants identically limits their ability to support Welsh community energy projects; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of a defined community energy status on creating a lawful basis for different treatment.

DESNZ is working with Ofgem, Great British Energy, NESO, network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers to the grid, including community energy projects. These reforms will support community schemes where they are viable and aligned with our Clean Power 2030 ambitions. While we must ensure fair access for all projects, our focus is on creating a system that delivers the greatest overall contribution to decarbonisation. For now, defining community energy aims to give communities clarity and prevent misuse of the designation rather than prioritisation.

With reference to the National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (EN-5), on what evidential basis his Department has determined that overhead lines should be the strong starting presumption for electricity network developments in general.

The starting presumption for electricity network developments set out in EN-5 is based on several factors including cost, environmental and technical points. Overhead lines are quicker and easier to construct, cause less environmental disturbance during construction, are easier to maintain and repair, and are simpler to connect to existing circuits. Evidence indicates that overhead lines are significantly cheaper than undergrounding, with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (April 2025) estimating undergrounding costs around four and a half times more. As these costs are ultimately borne by electricity bill payers, overhead lines remain the Government’s starting presumption.

What estimate he has made of the costs of (a) undergrounding electricity transmission infrastructure and (b) developing overhead transmission lines.

Evidence published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (April 2025) shows that the lifetime cost of underground transmission cables is around four and a half times higher than overhead lines. As costs are borne by the electricity bill payer, the Government’s starting presumption for new transmission infrastructure is overhead lines. In nationally designated landscapes, undergrounding is the starting presumption. A government commissioned study on the costs of innovative undergrounding methods for transmission lines over distances of 20km to 50km will be published in the near future.

What recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the inclusion of coal tips in the forthcoming coal license ban.

My Rt hon Friend regularly meets with the Welsh Government to discuss a range of issues. Official-level engagement with the Welsh Government has taken place and will continue as this policy develops.

With reference to the Budget Statement on 26 November 2025, whether the full investment reserve amount of £2.3bn will be transferred to BCSSS trustees.

The transfer of the full reserve of £2.3bn to BCSSS Trustees has been implemented and the required amendments to the scheme rules agreed and signed.

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on steps to ensure that that fossil fuel companies fund the costs of climate recovery in the UK.

My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministerial Colleagues on a number of issues.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Energy during the Westminster Hall debate on Coal Tip Safety and Prohibition of New Coal Extraction Licences on 22 October 2025, whether the further work which has been done on mapping coal tips since 2020 has produced a new provisional figure for the cost of remediating coal tips in Wales.

Coal tips are a devolved matter and it would be for the Welsh Government to produce any updated estimate of the cost of remediating coal tips in Wales. The Welsh Government has done a considerable amount of work mapping recorded coal tips and they believe that £118m, which they have received from the UK Government and is additional to the funding they have already committed to coal tip safety, is a sufficient amount of funding that can be used to protect and help communities living near coal tips.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 30533 on Coal: Mining, whether his Department has plans to ban licences on remaining coal tips.

The recovery of coal from former coal tips does not require licenses from the Mining Remediation Authority, formerly the Coal Authority. The majority of coal tips are in local authority or private ownership which includes legal responsibilities for their safety. Local authorities are the primary authority for coal recovery schemes from tips through planning permission and enforcement. Previous question for reference Question To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to introduce legislation to ban future coal licensing. Answer The Government announced on 14th November 2024 its intention to introduce new legislation to restrict the future licensing of new coal mines. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-11-14/hcws215

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 30533 on Coal: Mining, what his planned timetable is to introduce legislation to restrict the future licensing of new coal mines.

The Government announced on 14th November 2024 its intention to introduce new legislation to restrict the future licensing of new coal mines. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-11-14/hcws215 This will be taken forward when timing allows. Previous questionUIN 30533, tabled on 10 February 2025Ann Davies Plaid Cymru Caerfyrddin CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to introduce legislation to ban future coal licensing.Answered on 13 February 2025Michael Shanks Labour Rutherglen CommonsThe Government announced on 14th November 2024 its intention to introduce new legislation to restrict the future licensing of new coal mines. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-11-14/hcws215

Whether his Department plans to introduce legislation to ban future coal licensing.

The Government announced on 14th November 2024 its intention to introduce new legislation to restrict the future licensing of new coal mines. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-11-14/hcws215

If he will meet with coal tip safety groups in Wales to discuss his Department's proposals to ban future coal licences.

The responsibility for ensuring the safety of coal tips is a matter for the landowners and/or the Local Authority in most instances and is separate to the coal licensing duties in the 1994 Coal Industry Act. The Government recognises the importance of ensuring coal tip safety and just how much this issue resonates with local communities, particularly in the South Wales valleys, that is why the Government announced funding of £25m in 25/26 to the Welsh Government in the Budget, for making coal tips safe.

If he will make it his policy to replicate the changes announced for the Mineworkers Pension Scheme to the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.

I refer the honourable member to the response from my honourable friend the Minister for Industry on 29 January 2025 (UIN 25410).

What estimate he has made of the number of properties in Wales waiting for remedial work as a result of work undertaken through the (a) ECO4 scheme and (b) Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency.

All insulation under ECO4 must be installed by a TrustMark-registered installer, and covered by a TrustMark approved 25 year guarantee. The Government has previously published guidance for consumers who suspect that they may have faulty cavity wall insulation installed in their home outlining the routes to redress under these circumstances. Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) is a non-profit organisation that provides guarantee certificates for cavity wall insulation measures. The Department has no oversight of CIGA’s business activities, or the number of certificates issued by it, or where these have been called upon for remediation.

What estimate he has made of the cost of remedial work due to be carried out in properties in Wales as a result of work undertaken through the (a) ECO4 scheme and (b) Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency.

Remediation costs can differ significantly from one property to another. All insulation under ECO4 must be installed by a TrustMark-registered installer, and covered by a TrustMark approved 25 year guarantee. The government has previously published guidance for consumers who suspect that they may have faulty cavity wall insulation installed in their home outlining the routes to redress under these circumstances. CIGA is a non-profit organisation that issues guarantee certificates for cavity wall insulation installations. DESNZ does not have oversight of CIGA’s business activities, or the number of certificates issued by it, or where these have been called upon for remediation.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the (a) oversight and (b) remedial mechanisms of the (i) ECO4 scheme and (ii) Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency.

Since 2019, installations under Government backed energy efficiency schemes, including ECO4, have been required to be carried out by TrustMark registered publicly available specification (PAS2030) certified installers alongside an insurance backed guarantee. Consumers have a route to redress, with remedial work arranged through the original installer and oversight from the relevant scheme provider for quality and auditing, or through the guarantee if installers have ceased to trade. Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) is a non-profit organisation that provides guarantee certificates for cavity wall insulation measures. The Department has no oversight of CIGA’s business activities, including the number of certificates issued and/or recalled for remediation.