Written questions by Davies.

By what date he expects Great British Nuclear to make a decision on awarding contracts for Small Modular Reactor deployment.

Great British Nuclear (GBN) is driving forward its small modular reactor (SMR) competition for UK deployment. Following a period of detailed negotiation, bidders have now submitted final tenders, which GBN is evaluating. Final decisions will be taken this Spring. GBN is working to a timeline that enables a robust process underpinned by fairness and transparency, and which can deliver value for the British taxpayer.

What steps he has taken to help manage work required to meet EPC level C for houses of multiple occupancy.

The Government is now consulting on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The consultation sets out proposals on the maximum spend required from landlords and the exemptions regime to manage the cost burden placed on landlords and the impact on the rental market. We are considering how we can best support landlords to meet the new standards and welcome responses from landlords to the consultation.

What discussions his Department has had with Green Deal companies on (a) minimising potential (i) disruption and (ii) distress to homeowners during environmental energy upgrades and (b) ensuring compliance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

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

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of a landscape and visual impact scheme in relation to energy infrastructure projects in rural areas.

The impacts, including visual, of energy infrastructure projects on the landscape are important considerations in decision-making, and the National Policy Statements (NPS) for energy set stringent requirements and standards on developers. Proposals for projects that are subject to the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 must be accompanied by an Environmental Statement describing the aspects of the environment, including landscape and visual impacts, likely to be significantly affected. The NPSs also set the criteria for good design for energy infrastructure, including consideration of visual appearance and how it relates to the landscape it sits within.

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of using development hydropower on the sites of established historic watermills.

Officials continue to engage with the British Hydropower Association regarding the future role the UK’s remaining small-scale hydropower resource, including sites of historic watermills, can play in the UK energy system.

What funding his Department has provided to (a) support and (b) promote opportunities for domestic hydropower.

The Smart Export Guarantee came into force on 1 January 2020 and requires major electricity suppliers to offer a tariff to buy electricity exported by small low-carbon generators, including small hydro.