Written questions by Thomas.

What plans he has to introduce additional incentives for non-domestic buildings to use building energy management systems, with consideration to energy costs, carbon emissions and building occupants health.

Building Energy Management Systems can help landlords meet their obligations under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015. The Energy Systems Catapult has guidance on Building Energy Management Systems, available to all public sector organisations at https://es.catapult.org.uk/tools-and-labs/public-sector-decarbonisation-guidance/all-tools-and-tutorials/

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the backlog of grid connection; and what steps he is taking to help reduce connection times for businesses.

Government has worked closely with the National Energy System Operator and network companies on their programme of connections reforms which have already reduced the queue for generation and storage connections by over half. Government is also developing further reforms to the grid connection process for demand, to manage the backlog of speculative data centre applications and enable prioritisation of available capacity for strategically important demand projects.

Whether he plans to issue guidance to planning authorities on the capacity of the grid for battery projects.

The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan outlines an ambition for 23 – 27 GW of grid-scale batteries in Great Britain by 2030 and indicates what proportion of this capacity is required in which part of the country for 2030. It also does the same for 2035. It is a matter for planning authorities whether to grant permission to proposed battery developments in line with existing planning guidance. Government does not plan to issue additional guidance on this matter.

Whether security risks relating to Chinese involvement in the UK’s energy infrastructure was discussed when creating the memorandum of understanding with China signed on 17 March 2025.

The protection and security of the energy sector is an absolute priority of this Government.Security considerations, including risks relating to foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure, are a standing consideration in the development of the UK’s approach to international engagement with any country, including when entering into non‑binding memoranda of understanding.

What estimate his Department has made of carbon emissions produced by Chinese manufacturing of UK energy infrastructure for (a) power grids, (b) battery storage, (c) offshore wind power and (d) green hydrogen; and whether he plans to include those emissions in the UK's overall emissions.

The Department estimates greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon dioxide) on a territorial basis, meaning emissions that occur within UK borders. This is the approach required by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the UK’s Climate Change Act 2008. The latest estimates are published here: UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions statistics - GOV.UK Defra publishes consumption-based emissions statistics, calculated by the University of Leeds, which include emissions associated with imported goods and services. The latest estimates are published here: UK and England's carbon footprint to 2022 - GOV.UK The Government’s industrial strategy and economic growth ambitions are underpinned by large-scale public investment into UK manufacturing and proactive measures to secure demand for UK made products through the deployment of clean energy technology, including through procurement and public finance.

When he intends to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Bromsgrove dated 25 September 2025 representing the concerns of constituents in Bromsgrove and the Villages.

I am grateful to the hon Member for his patience. A response was issued on 24 February.

Whether the memorandum of understanding with China signed on 17 March 2025 includes safeguards to protect the UK against security concerns relating to Chinese involvement in the British infrastructure.

The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a non‑binding framework for policy dialogue and technical cooperation between the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and China’s National Energy Administration. The Department works very closely with industry and OGDs to maintain a detailed picture of all foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure. Foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure undergoes the highest levels of scrutiny, with the department working alongside OGDs to monitor and mitigate the security risks in the energy sector and its supply chain

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the memorandum of understanding with China signed on 17 March 2025 on Ming Yang's wind turbine manufacturing facility in Scotland.

The MoU provides a strong platform for deepening cooperation across the full breadth of our shared energy priorities – from power market reform and system flexibility to carbon capture, utilisation and storage –and creates space for structured exchanges on the UK’s experience transitioning away from coal, enabling both sides to share lessons and support an accelerated, orderly and affordable clean‑energy transition. There is no presumption that Memoranda of Understanding be made publicly available, a decision that varies from agreement to agreement; indeed, the previous government did not publish the first clean‑energy agreement signed with China in 2015.

Whether the memorandum of understanding with China signed on 17 March 2025 includes contingency measures for the impact of Chinese manufactured energy infrastructure on UK household energy bills.

The MoU provides a strong platform for deepening cooperation across the full breadth of our shared energy priorities – from power market reform and system flexibility to carbon capture, utilisation and storage –and creates space for structured exchanges on the UK’s experience transitioning away from coal, enabling both sides to share lessons and support an accelerated, orderly and affordable clean‑energy transition. There is no presumption that Memoranda of Understanding be made publicly available, a decision that varies from agreement to agreement; indeed, the previous government did not publish the first clean‑energy agreement signed with China in 2015.

Whether the memorandum of understanding with China signed on 17 March 2025 included commitments to not publicly disclose the contents of the document.

The MoU provides a strong platform for deepening cooperation across the full breadth of our shared energy priorities – from power market reform and system flexibility to carbon capture, utilisation and storage –and creates space for structured exchanges on the UK’s experience transitioning away from coal, enabling both sides to share lessons and support an accelerated, orderly and affordable clean‑energy transition. There is no presumption that Memoranda of Understanding be made publicly available, a decision that varies from agreement to agreement; indeed, the previous government did not publish the first clean‑energy agreement signed with China in 2015.

Whether the memorandum of understanding with China signed on 17 March 2025 includes commitments on the Chinese embassy.

The MoU provides a strong platform for deepening cooperation across the full breadth of our shared energy priorities – from power market reform and system flexibility to carbon capture, utilisation and storage –and creates space for structured exchanges on the UK’s experience transitioning away from coal, enabling both sides to share lessons and support an accelerated, orderly and affordable clean‑energy transition. There is no presumption that Memoranda of Understanding be made publicly available, a decision that varies from agreement to agreement; indeed, the previous government did not publish the first clean‑energy agreement signed with China in 2015.

Whether the memorandum of understanding with China signed on 17 March 2025 includes measures to assess the national security impact of UK energy infrastructure manufactured in China.

The MoU provides a strong platform for deepening cooperation across the full breadth of our shared energy priorities – from power market reform and system flexibility to carbon capture, utilisation and storage –and creates space for structured exchanges on the UK’s experience transitioning away from coal, enabling both sides to share lessons and support an accelerated, orderly and affordable clean‑energy transition. There is no presumption that Memoranda of Understanding be made publicly available, a decision that varies from agreement to agreement; indeed, the previous government did not publish the first clean‑energy agreement signed with China in 2015.

Whether the memorandum of understanding with China signed on 17 March 2025 included commitments to share data related to energy supply and demand patterns across the United Kingdom.

The MoU provides a strong platform for deepening cooperation across the full breadth of our shared energy priorities – from power market reform and system flexibility to carbon capture, utilisation and storage –and creates space for structured exchanges on the UK’s experience transitioning away from coal, enabling both sides to share lessons and support an accelerated, orderly and affordable clean‑energy transition. There is no presumption that Memoranda of Understanding be made publicly available, a decision that varies from agreement to agreement; indeed, the previous government did not publish the first clean‑energy agreement signed with China in 2015.

Whether the memorandum of understanding with China signed on 17 March 2025 included commitments by the UK government to maintain and increase current levels of supply of Chinese sourced parts, equipment and finished products throughout our energy supply infrastructure.

The MoU provides a strong platform for deepening cooperation across the full breadth of our shared energy priorities – from power market reform and system flexibility to carbon capture, utilisation and storage –and creates space for structured exchanges on the UK’s experience transitioning away from coal, enabling both sides to share lessons and support an accelerated, orderly and affordable clean‑energy transition. There is no presumption that Memoranda of Understanding be made publicly available, a decision that varies from agreement to agreement; indeed, the previous government did not publish the first clean‑energy agreement signed with China in 2015.

Whether the Clean Energy Partnership Memorandum of Understanding with China, signed on 17 March 2025, included commitments on representations to China on the source of labour in the supply chains of Chinese manufactured solar panels.

The MoU provides a strong platform for deepening cooperation across the full breadth of our shared energy priorities – from power market reform and system flexibility to carbon capture, utilisation and storage –and creates space for structured exchanges on the UK’s experience transitioning away from coal, enabling both sides to share lessons and support an accelerated, orderly and affordable clean‑energy transition. There is no presumption that Memoranda of Understanding be made publicly available, a decision that varies from agreement to agreement; indeed, the previous government did not publish the first clean‑energy agreement signed with China in 2015.

What the annual heat pump installation targets are for each year between 2026 and 2035.

Government does not set annual targets for heat pump installations, however we are working to facilitate the growth of the market, consumer offers available, and the market for green finance. We will continue to support households with the cost of heat pump installations through our support schemes. We will set out more details in the Warm Homes Plan. We support supply chain growth through the reformed Clean Heat Market Mechanism, invest in manufacturing capacity through the Heat Pump Investment Accelerator, and help installers train through the Heat Training Grant. Our expectation is that the vast majority of end-of-life heating system replacements will be with heat pumps and other low-carbon technologies, as these become the natural, affordable choice.

With reference to his oral contribution of 15 July 2025 during Energy Security and Net Zero Questions, when the Clean Energy Skills Plan will be published; and which industry stakeholders his Department has had discussions with on that plan.

Later this year, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero will publish the Clean Energy Workforce Strategy. This will be a first for the UK Government, and will set out how government, industry and trade unions will come together to address skills and workforce challenges to deliver the Clean Energy Superpower Mission, including Clean Power 2030.  The Department has engaged industry and trade unions extensively throughout the development of this Strategy including a number of ministerial-led forums and bilateral meetings between a large range of organisations and the Office for Clean Energy Jobs.

What contingency plans his Department has put in place in the event of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of a closure on energy security in the UK.

Oil and gas markets are well supplied and functioning normally. Though they have responded to events in the Middle East, prices remain within the bounds we have seen over the last year. We have not witnessed any material reduction of traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz. DESNZ will continue monitoring closely for any future impacts. The UK holds oil stocks that can be released onto the global market collectively with releases by other International Energy Agency member countries in the event of a global oil supply disruption. 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.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 February to Question 29155 on Energy Resilience, when the robust plans to mitigate the impacts of a gas or electricity disruption were last updated.

The National Emergency Plan for Downstream Gas and Electricity sets out the arrangements for the safe and effective management of downstream gas or electricity disruption. The National Emergency Plan for Downstream Gas and Electricity was last updated in July 2023 and is expected to be updated again this year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 February to Question 29770 on Chinese manufacturing, whether major energy infrastructure including wind turbines are categorised as critical national infrastructure when they are procured from foreign countries.

The designation of sites, systems and assets that make up the UK energy sector as Critical National Infrastructure is based on the extent that the loss, damage or disruption of that infrastructure has a major detrimental impact on the availability, integrity or delivery of the essential services of the UK energy system. This approach to identifying Critical National Infrastructure means that we assess all infrastructure, regardless of its ownership.