Written questions by Downie.

What assessment his Department has made of whether Torness could host (a) Small Modular Reactors and (b) large-scale nuclear development.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the National Energy System Operator has considered the potential for new nuclear development in Scotland as part of its Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.

Awaiting answer.

If he will publish the most recent assessment he has made of the potential of (i) Torness and (ii) Hunterston to host new nuclear power.

In autumn 2025, Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) was commissioned by Department Ministers to assess Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power, including around areas that have previously hosted nuclear stations, such as Torness and Hunterston. GBE-N's study will conclude shortly.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of (i) Torness and (ii) Hunterston hosting new nuclear.

In autumn 2025, Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) was commissioned by Department Ministers to assess Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power, including around areas that have previously hosted nuclear stations, such as Torness and Hunterston. GBE-N's study will conclude shortly.

If he will publish the most recent assessment carried out on the future potential of existing nuclear power sites in Scotland.

In autumn 2025, Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) was commissioned by Department Ministers to assess Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power, including around areas that have previously hosted nuclear stations, such as Torness and Hunterston. GBE-N's study will conclude shortly.

When he last carried out an assessment of the future potential of nuclear power sites in Scotland.

In autumn 2025, Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) was commissioned by Department Ministers to assess Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power, including around areas that have previously hosted nuclear stations, such as Torness and Hunterston.The Government is committed to new nuclear including the potential of sites in Scotland, however we recognise the current Scottish Government's block on this at present.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 101610 on Offshore Industry: Security, what guidance his Department has issued to the operators of offshore oil rigs and installations in the North Sea on steps to take in the event of threat or intimidation from Russian military assets.

Operators follow general security guidance from a range of sources, including the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), and Offshore Energies UK (OEUK). Operators are required to follow risk assessments and contingency planning embedded within approved safety cases under the Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 2005. The Government closely monitors the security of energy infrastructure and regularly assesses potential threats, working with the Ministry of Defence, which keeps Russian military capabilities under continuous review as part of routine defence intelligence and strategic assessments.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of international regulatory harmonisation on the speed of delivery of civil nuclear projects in the UK.

International cooperation and regulatory harmonisation have the potential to streamline deployment for nuclear energy deployment around the world and help achieve economies of scale.The UK continues to explore opportunities for regulatory harmonisation in nuclear to speed up the deployment of new nuclear in the UK, demonstrated by the recent Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy, which builds on existing UK-US collaboration.ONR as the UK’s independent regulator will need to be satisfied that any design to be deployed in the UK meets UK safety standards and complies with UK law.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Chinese-owned companies producing wind turbines in the UK on national security.

The Department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure. The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously with the UK being one of the most reliable and safest energy systems, and one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must. I also refer my hon Friend to the replies given on 10 March to Question UIN 34722 and on 11 March to question UIN 34972.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of conducting a cross-departmental assessment of the security implications of Chinese investment in UK renewable energy infrastructure.

The Department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure. The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously with the UK being one of the most reliable and safest energy systems, and one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must. I also refer my hon Friend to the replies given on 10 March to Question UIN 34722 and on 11 March to question UIN 34972.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Chinese-owned companies establishing turbine manufacturing sites in the UK on national security.

The Department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure. The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously with the UK being one of the most reliable and safest energy systems, and one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must. I also refer my hon Friend to the replies given on 10 March to Question UIN 34722 and on 11 March to question UIN 34972.

What discussions he has had with the Mining Remediation Authority on the potential impact of differences in property conveyancing in Scotland on compensation offers to homeowners affected by old mine workings.

The circumstances for purchasing property damaged by old coal mine workings are covered in the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991. This includes gaining agreement with individual property owners on the full market value of the property in its undamaged condition based on independent local valuations. In addition, there is also a payment for all reasonable moving expenses, professional fees and home loss compensation capped at £15,000. Where required, payment for temporary accommodation is also covered. Buying properties in Scotland is covered by the missives process which differs to the process of buying properties in England and Wales.

What guidance he has given to the Mining Remediation Authority on (a) property (i) conveyancing and (ii) valuation in Scotland and (b) their implications for compensation offers to homeowners affected by old mine workings.

The circumstances for purchasing property damaged by old coal mine workings are covered in the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991. This includes gaining agreement with individual property owners on the full market value of the property in its undamaged condition based on independent local valuations. In addition, there is also a payment for all reasonable moving expenses, professional fees and home loss compensation capped at £15,000. Where required, payment for temporary accommodation is also covered. Buying properties in Scotland is covered by the missives process which differs to the process of buying properties in England and Wales.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the former Generating Station at Longannet on future UK energy production.

The Government’s Clean Energy Superpower Mission is supporting economic growth and job creation across the UK, including in Scotland which is the powerhouse for much of this. Great British Energy headquartered in Aberdeen will drive energy development across the UK and alongside other investment, the energy transition is creating thousands of jobs across Scotland. Economic Development is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, and we are working closely with the Scottish Government on delivering the Mission.

When he last met with ScottishPower; and whether he discussed the future role of the Longannet Generating Station.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

What discussions he has had with ScottishPower on the potential use of the site of the former Longannet power station for energy production.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

If he will conduct an audit of energy Critical National infrastructure to identify whether they contain Chinese-made components.

As an open economy the UK welcomes foreign trade and investment where it supports growth, meets our regulatory requirements, and does not compromise our national security. This Government will take a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing relations with China. We will co-operate where we can, compete where we have different interests, and challenge where we must. Large market shares can extend across the supply chain; alongside efforts to de-risk our supply chains, we will therefore also continue to work with our international partners to manage the continued implications of overreliance on any one actor.

If his Department will restrict Chinese-manufactured components in the UK’s energy infrastructure projects.

We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must. As an open economy, we welcome foreign trade and investment where it supports growth and jobs in the UK and meets our legal and regulatory requirements. We work closely with industry to build secure supply chains and back UK businesses. The government has also established Great British Energy to drive forward greater investment in clean, home-grown energy production and to build supply chains across the UK.

What assessment his Department has made of the security risks posed by the use of Chinese-manufactured technology in (a) smart grids, (b) renewable energy systems and (c) the UK’s energy infrastructure.

The Department collaborates with other government departments, agencies and industry partners to understand and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure, setting robust regulatory standards for cyber through the Network and Information Systems Regulations. This includes working with regulators to ensure these regulations cover critical operators as the sector evolves. Recognising the importance of renewable and smart energy systems for flexibility and decarbonisation, the department is working to ensure the system is developed in a way that is secure by design, and protects energy supply, infrastructure and consumers. As part of this work, Government has published two consultation packages which sets out proposals for minimum security and grid stability requirements, including for organisations remotely controlling electrical load.