Every parliamentary written question tabled by Blake Stephenson this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 38 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the conflict in Iran on energy prices.
Attacks have targeted energy production and export infrastructure across the Gulf. Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of global oil and LNG is shipped, has declined very significantly. This is putting upward pressure on global prices, which remain volatile. Ensuring the safe transit of tankers through the Strait of Hormuz is the crucial enduring solution.
Whether he has made representations to the Foreign Secretary on the potential for British International Investment to contribute funding to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility.
The Government continues to be supportive of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility and has reviewed a range of options to support an investment, including the potential of BII to contribute to funding the Facility. The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and his officials have been working closely with their counterparts across government, including in the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
If he will impose a duty on the National Energy System Operator to inform hon. Members of connection applications in their constituencies.
Network connection applications are confidential to the parties involved before the point of a contract being signed, but details of generation and storage transmission connection agreements are published in the Transmission Entry Capacity Register TEC Register | National Energy System Operator. The equivalent for Interconnector projects is at Interconnector Register | National Energy System Operator.
How many visas a) his Department, b) the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, c) the National Energy System Operator and d) the Low Carbon Contracts Company have sponsored since 4 July 2024.
The requested data is not held centrally in a reportable format.
With reference to the press release entitled What does the Autumn Budget mean for your energy bills?, published on 27 November 2025, what the cost will be of funding the Renewables Obligation from general taxation.
Details of the cost of this measure are set out in Table 4.1 of the supporting documents for the Autumn Budget: Supporting documents for Budget 2025 - GOV.UK
If he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of (a) consultations and (b) reviews conducted by his Department since 4 July 2024.
There has been no spend by the communications team at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on promoting (a) consultations and (b) reviews since the department formed in 2023. It is not possible to distinguish time and resource spent by other staff on (a) consultations and (b) reviews from the wider routine work of a policy-making department. Further data is therefore not held.
If he will publish a lessons learned review relating to the decision of Newcleo not to pursue its investment in nuclear reactors in the UK.
Newcleo Ltd’s decision to suspend its advanced nuclear activities in the UK was a commercial decision for the company. Government will not be publishing a lessons learned review into this matter. It was announced in the 2025 Spending Review that the Government would provide a pathway for privately-led advanced nuclear projects, with Great British Energy - Nuclear having a role in assessing proposals, the National Wealth Fund exploring potential investable opportunities and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero exploring revenue support for viable projects. This will be published in a framework document shortly.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Plan for wind developers to pay for skilled job training, published on 23 August 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the measures referred to in that press release on energy prices.
The Government recently consulted on proposals under the Clean Industry Bonus which aim to incentivise developers to provide routes to high-quality employment. The Government will analyse responses and set out its proposed next steps in the response due to be released this winter. An impact assessment will also be published before relevant secondary legislation is laid.
Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact for his policies of Newcleo’s decision not to provide funding for clear reactors in the UK.
As set out at the Spending Review, the Government’s policy is to develop a new framework for privately-led advanced nuclear projects to be published shortly. The framework will have a new role for Great British Energy – Nuclear assessing proposals, with the National Wealth Fund exploring potential investment opportunities and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero exploring revenue support for viable projects. Newcleo LTD’s decision to suspend its advanced nuclear activities in the UK was a commercial decision for the company.
Whether he has made an assessment of the causes of Newcleo’s decision not to pursue its investment in nuclear reactors in the UK.
Government is aware that Newcleo Ltd has taken the decision to suspend its activities in the UK. While it is disappointing to see a company scale back UK activities, this is ultimately a commercial decision for the company.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Cash boost for coastal towns hosting clean energy infrastructure, published on 21 May 2025, if he will make it his policy to provide similar benefits to promote the adoption of onshore wind by communities.
In May 2025, the government published a working paper on mandatory community benefits and shared ownership of low carbon energy infrastructure. The proposals would require developers to contribute to community benefit funds to support people and businesses near low carbon energy infrastructure, including onshore wind. The paper also sets out how communities could own a stake in renewable energy infrastructure through shared ownership. The government has also published updated voluntary guidance on community benefits for onshore wind in England, setting out best practice approaches to ensure developments have a lasting positive impact on communities.
What discussions he has had with Newcleo prior to its decision not to pursue its investment in nuclear reactors in the UK.
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
If he will make an estimate of the cost of the (a) pylons, (b) cables and (c) batteries required for upgrading the power grid to net zero by 2030.
In the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, the Department estimated that the plan would require around £40 billion of investment on average per year between 2025-2030, much of which will be private investment [1]. This included around £30 billion of investment in generation assets per year, together with around £10 billion of investment in electricity transmission network assets per year, estimated by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) [2]. These estimates are in 2024 prices, undiscounted, and rounded to the nearest 10 billion. A substantial proportion of the network costs estimated by NESO would be associated with pylons and cables. In their Clean Power 2030 advice to Government, NESO also estimated that of the £30 billion technology investment required per annum between 2025-30, low carbon flex capacity – which includes batteries and long duration storage – would require approximately ~£5bn per year in investment over the same period [3]. 1. DESNZ, Clean Power 2030 Action Plan: A new era of clean electricity: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-power-2030-action-plan2. DESNZ, Clean Power 2030 Action Plan: A new era of clean electricity – technical annex: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6776727f6a79200ddfa21b81/clean-power-2030-action-plan-technical-annex.pdf3. NESO, Advice on achieving clean power by 2030, Annex 4: Costs and benefit analysis, p. 21: https://www.neso.energy/document/346806/download
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Millions more families to get £150 off energy bills this winter, published on 19 June 2025, what support is available for families in properties that are not on the gas grid.
The Warm Home Discount is available for homes off the gas grid, as it is an electricity bill discount, not tied to gas supply.
What assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of industrial energy prices in (a) France, (b) Germany and (c) the USA.
Our Clean Power 2030 target is the key to long-term sustainable price reductions with homegrown clean energy the best way to protect billpayers and boost Britain's energy independence. We are also already bringing electricity costs for key UK industries closer in line with other major economies through the British Industry Supercharger. This fully exempts eligible firms from certain costs linked to renewable energy policies, particularly those exposed to the high cost of electricity saving businesses £5 billion over the next ten years.
Pursuant to the Answer of 14 May 2025 to Question 50278 on Coking Coal: Imports, if he will encourage businesses to source coal domestically used in (a) steel making, (b) the cement and chemical industries and (c) patent fuel manufacture.
Coal mining in Great Britain has been in long-term decline and there are only a handful of coal mines currently operating – these are unaffected by the Government commitment to not grant new coal licences and can continue in line with their existing consents. This includes a coal mine at Aberpergwm, Wales, that supplies coal suitable for certain domestic industrial processes. The source of coal for use in industry is a private commercial matter for the organisations involved.
If he will confirm when his Department will publish a fully-costed plan to achieve a Net Zero power grid by 2030.
The Clean Power Action Plan published in December 2024 outlines the Government’s approach to reaching clean power by 2030, including the need to deliver an estimated £40 billion a year of investment on average per year between 2025-2030. The vast majority of this investment will come from the private sector.
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Tebworth solar farm on (a) access to countryside for local communities, (b) nature recovery and (c) the protection of wildlife.
It would not be appropriate for DESNZ Ministers to comment on matters related to any specific projects. However, all solar projects are subject to a rigorous planning process, in which the views and interests of local communities are considered. This includes any impact on rights of way, biodiversity, and the natural environment.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, whether he will provide funding to local authorities to install solar panels in car parks.
The Government is assessing the potential to drive the construction of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence, which is open until 18th June. DESNZ is seeking evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the introduction of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks and explore opportunities for deployment on existing car parks. The role of local authorities in any potential policy, including any potential funding mechanisms, has not been determined. The call for evidence aims to understand the potential costs and roles for carpark owners and stakeholders, including local authorities.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, whether he will provide support to retrofit car parks with solar panels.
The Government is assessing the potential to drive the construction of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence, which is open until 18th June. DESNZ is seeking evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the installation of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks and explore opportunities for retrofitting solar canopies on existing car parks. No policy has been determined yet, but Government will use the evidence gathered to shape policy development in this space, including potential opportunities for increasing retrofit installation.