Written questions by Stuart.

When he plans to update the UK Hydrogen Strategy.

Awaiting answer.

That the consent based model for determining the location of GDFs for storing nuclear waste remains government policy.

The Government remains committed to delivering a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) as the long-term solution for the safe and secure management of the UK’s most hazardous radioactive waste. The process for identifying a suitable location for a GDF remains consent-based, requiring both suitable geology and a willing host community.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of the Humber supporting industrial decarbonisation through the development of hydrogen infrastructure.

The Humber is the UK’s largest industrial cluster and is home to a number of hydrogen and industrial decarbonisation projects, which aim to supply low-carbon hydrogen to local industrial users, supporting decarbonisation, skilled job creation and regional economic growth across the Humber region. Proposals for hydrogen infrastructure in the Humber will be able to participate in the proposed Regional Hydrogen Network when launched. Three projects in the Humber area were shortlisted in Hydrogen Allocation Round 2. If successful, these projects will produce low-carbon hydrogen to power gas turbines and help decarbonise oil refineries and lime kilns in the Humber area.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of a core hydrogen network on linking hydrogen production in the Humber to other industrial clusters.

In the early hydrogen economy, we expect that most hydrogen demand will be located within our existing industrial clusters. Government is therefore prioritising the development of regional network infrastructure. Government continues to assess the economic and system benefits that could be presented by a core hydrogen network. However, determining the determining the needs case for inter-regional networks, as well as the location, scale and timing for any such networks requires further evidence.

What criteria he will use to decide the location of the UK’s first integrated hydrogen transport and storage network.

Officials are progressing the design of both the business models and the Regional Hydrogen Network competition at pace. Criteria are being developed to select the most strategically beneficial location for the first regional hydrogen network. As part of this, we expect to assess deliverability of the transport and storage projects involved, value for money, potential contribution to decarbonisation of key industrial and power sectors, and wider economic benefits such as contribution to green job creation and economic growth.

When he plans to launch the allocation rounds for the Hydrogen Transport Business Model and Hydrogen Storage Business Model.

We are progressing the design of the business models and the first allocation round at pace. We will award the first contracts for the Hydrogen Transport Business Model and Hydrogen Storage Business Model through the Regional Hydrogen Network competition. Further clarity on publication timings will be provided in due course.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Humber’s hydrogen production capacity on UK hydrogen targets.

Hydrogen has the potential to support decarbonisation and economic growth across the UK. The Government recognises the Humber as one of several regions that could supply, as well as benefit from, low‑carbon hydrogen production.As part of the Hydrogen Allocation Round 2 (HAR2), three projects in the Humber area were shortlisted in April 2025, specifically Aldborough Hydrogen Pathfinder, Humber H2ub, and Singleton Birch Kilns. If successful, these projects will produce low-carbon hydrogen which will power gas turbines and help to decarbonise an oil refinery and lime kiln in the Humber area, as well as generate low carbon power.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of including hydrogenation and dehydrogenation projects within the Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers eligible for funding through the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund.

The Net Zero Hydrogen Fund was designed to bring forward the first UK low carbon hydrogen production projects, and was not intended to support other parts of the hydrogen value chain such as hydrogen carriers. It made its final funding allocations in 2023.

What assessment he has made of the potential risks to national energy security resulting from reduced asset health funding proposed in Ofgem’s RIIO-GT3 Draft Determination.

Ofgem, as the independent regulator, are responsible for agreeing the funding and investment allowances for the gas transmission network and gas distribution network. Final decisions regarding the next price control period (RIIO3 – which covers April 2026 - April 2031) will be confirmed by Ofgem before the end of the year. Through this process, Ofgem has a statutory responsibility to attract investment and maintain security of supply while incentivising efficiency and protecting consumers from excessive costs. The Department will continue engaging with Ofgem to ensure RIIO-3 delivers the investment needed to maintain energy security through this period. DESNZ launched an Energy Security and Resilience Taskforce with CEOs of critical operators, with Ofgem in attendance, as a key forum to discuss risks and standards.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for the gas transmission network’s cyber security capabilities if it does not receive adequate funding under Ofgem’s RIIO-GT3 price control.

Funding for National Gas Transmission is set by Ofgem’s RIIO (Revenue = Incentives + Innovation + Outputs) framework for each five-year regulatory period. Both the current RIIO-2 framework (covering the 2021-2026 regulatory period) and the draft RIIO-3 framework (which will cover 2026-2030) include a Cyber Resilience UIOLI (‘Use it or lose it’) allowance, providing flexible funding capped at up to 20% of total expenditure for network companies to improve cyber resilience. While arrangements for RIIO-3 are still being finalised, the framework is expected to include a re-opener enabling National Gas Transmission to request changes to cyber resilience funding during the 2026-2030 price control period.

What assessment he has made of the gas transmission network’s potential ability to meet rising electricity demand from AI and data centres if it does not receive adequate funding under Ofgem’s RIIO-GT3 price control.

Ofgem, as the independent regulator, are responsible for agreeing the funding and investment allowances for the gas transmission network and gas distribution network. Final decisions regarding the next price control period (RIIO3 – which covers April 2026 - April 2031) will be confirmed by Ofgem before the end of the year. Through this process, Ofgem has a statutory responsibility to attract investment and maintain security of supply while incentivising efficiency and protecting consumers from excessive costs. Ofgem advised in their draft determinations for RIIO-3 that funding for projects supporting rising electricity demand, including those driven by AI and data centres, will be considered where appropriate evidence is submitted, and will be confirmed in their final determinations.

What assessment he has made of the potential risk to the UK’s security of energy supply if the gas transmission network does not receive adequate funding under Ofgem’s RIIO-GT3 price control.

Ofgem, as the independent regulator, are responsible for agreeing the funding and investment allowances for the gas transmission network and gas distribution network. Final decisions regarding the next price control period (RIIO3 – which covers April 2026 - April 2031) will be confirmed by Ofgem before the end of the year. Through this process, Ofgem has a statutory responsibility to attract investment and maintain security of supply while incentivising efficiency and protecting consumers from excessive costs. The Department will continue engaging with Ofgem to ensure RIIO-3 delivers the investment needed to maintain energy security through this period. DESNZ launched an Energy Security and Resilience Taskforce with CEOs of critical operators, with Ofgem in attendance, as a key forum to discuss risks and standards.

What recent discussions his Department has had with Ofgem on ensuring that critical national infrastructure is adequately protected against evolving cyber threats.

DESNZ works closely with Ofgem through the Energy Cyber Quad – a strategic partnership comprising DESNZ, Ofgem, the National Energy System Operator and the National Cyber Security Centre. The partnership focuses on strengthening cyber resilience across the energy system, ensuring a coordinated responses to evolving threats. DESNZ recently launched a new Energy Security and Resilience Taskforce with CEOs of critical operators, with Ofgem in attendance, which will be a key forum going forward to discuss threats. DESNZ is also joint Competent Authority with Ofgem under the Network and Information Systems Regulations, driving cyber resilience standards for our most critical operators.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Ofgem’s RIIO-GT3 Draft Determinations on energy security.

DESNZ works closely with the energy sector to maintain energy security and ensure industry has the tools at their disposal to support security of supply. As the risk landscape continues to evolve, ensuring high standards of infrastructure resilience and security across the energy sector is a key priority for the Department and Ofgem. The Department will continue engaging with the regulator to ensure RIIO-GT3 delivers the investment needed to maintain energy security and resilience through the price control period. For example, DESNZ recently launched an Energy Security and Resilience Taskforce with CEOs of critical operators, with Ofgem in attendance, which will be a key forum to discuss risks and standards.

What guidance he has issued to Ofgem during the RIIO-GT3 process to ensure that operators of Critical National Infrastructure can meet the Government's resilience and security standards.

DESNZ works closely with the energy sector to maintain energy security and ensure industry has the tools at their disposal to support security of supply. As the risk landscape continues to evolve, ensuring high standards of infrastructure resilience and security across the energy sector is a key priority for the Department and Ofgem. The Department will continue engaging with the regulator to ensure RIIO-GT3 delivers the investment needed to maintain energy security and resilience through the price control period. For example, DESNZ recently launched an Energy Security and Resilience Taskforce with CEOs of critical operators, with Ofgem in attendance, which will be a key forum to discuss risks and standards.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure Ofgem’s RIIO-GT3 Final Determination adequately reflects the UK’s statutory energy security requirements.

DESNZ works closely with the energy sector to maintain energy security and ensure industry has the tools at their disposal to support security of supply. As the risk landscape continues to evolve, ensuring high standards of infrastructure resilience and security across the energy sector is a key priority for the Department and Ofgem. The Department will continue engaging with the regulator to ensure RIIO-GT3 delivers the investment needed to maintain energy security and resilience through the price control period. For example, DESNZ recently launched an Energy Security and Resilience Taskforce with CEOs of critical operators, with Ofgem in attendance, which will be a key forum to discuss risks and standards.

With reference to the Oral Statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero of 10 February 2025 on Biomass Generation, Official Report, columns 41-43, what steps he is taking to support the continued operation of waste wood biomass sites under the 100MW threshold beyond 2027.

The Government is aware that the expiration of Renewables Obligation accreditation beyond 2027 may affect the commercial viability of generators from a range of technologies, including waste wood biomass generators below the 100 MW threshold. We are continuing to assess the situation to understand the impact of the end of Renewables Obligation support on security of supply, clean power 2030 and environment. No decisions have been made on support for waste wood biomass sites beyond 2027.

Whether it is his policy to continue the Green Industries Growth Accelerator; and how much has been spent on the scheme.

The Government recognises the need for strong, home-grown clean energy supply chains to support sustainable jobs and secure growth as we decarbonise our economy.As part of the Industrial Strategy, the Government is developing plans, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review, for each of the key growth sectors, which include Clean Energy technologies.

When he expects to progress Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage in the Humber through the Track-1 Expansion and Track-2 processes.

The historic investment we recently announced in Carbon Capture and Storage in the North-West and North-East is just the start, representing a vote of confidence in this technology and burgeoning industry. To be ultimately successful, delivering on our climate commitments and protecting jobs, we need to deliver across all four corners of the UK. We have been engaging with the Track-1 and Track-2 clusters, to understand their deployment and expansion plans. We recognise that industry will be hoping for clarity as soon as possible on next steps, and we will have more to say on future projects in the coming months.