Written questions by Anderson.

What steps his Department is taking to provide up-to-date guidance on cumulative impact assessment for solar infrastructure to Buckinghamshire Council.

Planning guidance already sets out how decision-makers should consider cumulative impacts where a number of solar projects are deployed in close proximity, and is clear that projects are designed to avoid, mitigate and where necessary compensate for this. Solar farms can usually be easily screened by hedges and other vegetation, and visual impact is carefully considered during the planning process.

What recent estimate his Department has made of the economic contribution of the solar supply chain including (a) manufacturers and (b) installers in Buckinghamshire.

No such estimate has been made by the Department. We recognise that manufacturers and installers will contribute significantly to our clean power ambitions. The Solar Roadmap sets out actions for Government and industry aimed at maximising the opportunities arising from further commercialisation of solar technologies and components and delivering a resilient, highly skilled, well-paid solar workforce throughout the UK.

What discussions he has had with local authorities on supporting the development of green innovation investment zones.

As set out in the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, part of the Industrial Strategy, the department is launching a new Industrial Strategy Zones Net Zero Network, which will support collaboration between partners in Industrial Strategy Zones such as Investment Zones and Freeports, including local authorities.

With reference to the press release by EDF entitled EDF announces the principle of investment in Sizewell C project with a view to the final investment decision, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) additional investment from EDF in the UK nuclear sector and (b) the agreements on civil nuclear co-operation on (i) industrial policy relating to the nuclear sector, (ii) domestic supply chains and (iii) export opportunities.

EDF has announced it will in principle invest into Sizewell C such that its stake in the project would be 12.5% following a final investment decision (FID). Details of the commercial structure of Sizewell C are commercially sensitive as we conclude the capital raise process – further details will be published at the point of FID. Sizewell C is expected to support around 10,000 jobs at peak construction and thousands more in the wider supply chain, as well as creating 1,500 apprenticeships. Sizewell C has 3500 UK suppliers and plans to award 70% of construction value to UK businesses. This Government is committed to attracting the investment required to deliver future nuclear projects. The UK has long established relationships with international partners considering civil nuclear deployment.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of EDF increasing its equity stake in Sizewell C to on the adequacy of the project's (a) commercial financing model and (b) risk allocation among public and private stakeholders.

EDF has announced it will in principle invest into Sizewell C such that its stake in the project would be 12.5% following a final investment decision (FID). Details of the commercial structure of Sizewell C are commercially sensitive as we conclude the capital raise process – further details will be published at the point of FID. Sizewell C is expected to support around 10,000 jobs at peak construction and thousands more in the wider supply chain, as well as creating 1,500 apprenticeships. Sizewell C has 3500 UK suppliers and plans to award 70% of construction value to UK businesses. This Government is committed to attracting the investment required to deliver future nuclear projects. The UK has long established relationships with international partners considering civil nuclear deployment.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the revised national policy statements for energy infrastructure on energy infrastructure development in Buckinghamshire.

Energy National Policy Statements are not spatial and therefore do not include reference to specific geographical impacts. National Policy Statements provide the framework for decision-making on development consent orders and include clear guidance for developers on stringent requirements to assess and address project-level impacts within their applications. Strategic environmental assessments (Appraisal of Sustainability and Habitats Regulations Assessment) of the draft National Policy Statements have been published on gov.uk for public consultation, alongside the revised draft National Policy Statements.

What estimate he has made of how many jobs carbon capture and storage network initiatives will create in (a) Buckinghamshire and (b) Milton Keynes over the next five years.

A strong UK CCUS sector will support well paid, highly skilled jobs across the UK, supporting 50,000 jobs in the 2030s across the CCUS industry. Whilst there are no projects that are currently being negotiated with HMG through the cluster sequencing process, in the mentioned areas, the CCUS sector is expected to have a positive impact with DESNZ analysis showing that CCUS has the potential to generate £4-5bn GVA per year by 2050.

What the current capacity is of renewable energy generation in Buckinghamshire.

Renewable electricity generation statistics for each local authority are published in Regional Renewable Statistics. At the end of 2023, Buckinghamshire’s recorded electricity generation capacity was 223 MW.

What estimate he has made of the potential change in renewable energy capacity in (a) Milton Keynes and (b) Buckinghamshire over the next five years.

The Department does not forecast changes in renewable electricity capacity at this level. The progress of UK renewable electricity projects over 150 kW through the planning system are published in the Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD).

What estimate he has made of the contribution to the UK's 2030 net zero target of (a) Milton Keynes and (b) Buckinghamshire.

Central Government does not set net zero targets for local government, however, Government recognises the important role of local places, including Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire, to help realise our national 2050 net zero target. Great British Energy, our new publicly-owned energy company, will support local energy generation by partnering with Mayoral Strategic Authorities, Devolved Governments and local and community energy groups to increase the roll-out of renewable energy projects. Government also funds the Local Net Zero Hubs which support local authorities across England to develop net zero projects and attract commercial investment, including through information and knowledge-sharing.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the capacity to support increased renewable energy generation of the electricity grid in (i) Buckinghamshire and (ii) Milton Keynes.

Electricity network capacity information is available at the website of each Distribution Network Operator that serves Buckinghamshire. For National Grid Electricity Distribution (which covers Milton Keynes) this can be found at: https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk/our-network/network-capacity-map/. For UK Power Networks https://ukpowernetworks.opendatasoft.com/pages/network-infrastructure-usage-map/?grid=true. For Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks https://network-maps.ssen.co.uk/. The National Energy System Operator also has information on transmission network capacity at: https://www.neso.energy/industry-information/connections/connections-360.

What steps his Department is taking to support businesses to transition to clean energy sources in (a) Buckinghamshire and (b) Milton Keynes.

In the 2024 Autumn Budget, the Government committed £163 million to continue delivery for all existing projects in Phases 1 and 2 and the first Phase 3 competition window of the IETF (Spring 2024) through to completion. Businesses are eligible to claim up to £7,500 towards the cost of a heat pump up to 45 kWth under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. We encourage SMEs to visit the UK Business Climate Hub, which provides information and advice to SMEs on how to reduce energy use and carbon emissions. Ministers are considering opportunities to support UK businesses to decarbonize and reach Net Zero as part of the Spending Review. Further announcements will be made in due course.

What estimate he has made of the number and proportion of small businesses that will benefit from the Energy Bill Discount Scheme in (a) Buckinghamshire and (b) Milton Keynes, between 28 Octo

The Energy Bills Discount Scheme closed on 31 March 2024, and so no businesses will benefit from the scheme during this time.