Written questions by Morrissey.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of solar procurement decisions on UK-based manufacturing capacity and employment within the domestic solar supply chain.

Accelerating solar deployment presents valuable opportunities for employment and growth in the domestic supply chain. Our Solar Roadmap estimated that solar could support up to 35,000 UK jobs by 2030. Key areas for growth include developing cutting-edge solar technologies, including perovskite and thin film panels. The Roadmap includes actions for government and industry to further support companies to increase production of these parts. . The UK also has a strong electrical manufacturing sector, which could provide vital balance of system components. These are included in our Industrial Strategy, which has identified advanced manufacturing and clean energy industries as priority growth sectors.

If he will ensure that UK‑based firms offering comparable pricing and British-backed warranties are prioritised in procurement processes over Chinese manufacturers.

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. Flagship investments include a £1bn allocation to Great British Energy ‘Engineered in the UK’ supply chain fund that will increase UK manufacturing capacity, drive down technology costs, and create and support jobs across the UK. Government is taking strong steps to leverage supply and demand-side policies in its review of public procurement and across all public finance; such that long-standing industrial sectors, such as the steel sector and the port sector can remain globally competitive. The UK’s Contracts for Difference scheme includes a £544m Clean Industry Bonus in support of UK domestic manufacturers and suppliers for offshore wind sector. Investment in the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny – 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.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of public procurement guidance in supporting SME participation and the domestic economy; and what steps he is taking to help mitigate market concentration by Chinese companies and associated national security risks.

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. Flagship investments include a £1bn allocation to Great British Energy ‘Engineered in the UK’ supply chain fund that will increase UK manufacturing capacity, drive down technology costs, and create and support jobs across the UK. Government is taking strong steps to leverage supply and demand-side policies in its review of public procurement and across all public finance; such that long-standing industrial sectors, such as the steel sector and the port sector can remain globally competitive. The UK’s Contracts for Difference scheme includes a £544m Clean Industry Bonus in support of UK domestic manufacturers and suppliers for offshore wind sector. Investment in the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny – 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.

What steps he is taking to support the development of domestic energy manufacturing capability, particularly where companies are willing to invest in UK production subject to demand visibility.

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. Flagship investments include a £1bn allocation to Great British Energy ‘Engineered in the UK’ supply chain fund that will increase UK manufacturing capacity, drive down technology costs, and create and support jobs across the UK. Government is taking strong steps to leverage supply and demand-side policies in its review of public procurement and across all public finance; such that long-standing industrial sectors, such as the steel sector and the port sector can remain globally competitive. The UK’s Contracts for Difference scheme includes a £544m Clean Industry Bonus in support of UK domestic manufacturers and suppliers for offshore wind sector. Investment in the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny – 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.

Whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have met (i) Dale Vince and (ii) representatives of Ecotricity since 5 July 2024.

Details of Ministers’ and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisat...

Whether he consulted (a) Unite the Union, (b) GMB and (c) other trade unions on the potential closure of oil and gas refineries in the North Sea.

Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. This Government will ensure a phased and responsible North Sea transition. We will manage the North Sea in a way that does not jeopard...

What his policy is on the potential creation of new unabated gas power plants.

To ensure security of supply, the electricity system requires generating capacity that can dispatch power in the event of high peak demand, unexpected outage or during periods of low renewable output. As we transition to clean power the government will wo...

Whether he plans to provide trade unions with a role on the board of GB Energy.

As stated in Great British Energy’s Founding Statement, trade unions will have a voice and representation within Great British Energy. When deciding upon the composition of the board, GBE will follow best practice in its governance and structures, includi...

Whether the new chair of Great British Energy was appointed through open competition; what his remuneration is; and what provisions have been put in place to prevent potential conflicts of interest.

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 2492.

What plans his Department has to consult local residents prior to the approval of (a) solar farms and (b) onshore wind farms.

There are established routes in the planning system which enable communities to raise concerns about solar and onshore wind developments in their area. The level and quality of community engagement, amongst other factors, will be taken into account by decision-makers. We want both solar and onshore wind developers to continue to engage with local communities as we increase renewable deployment to meet net zero. That is why we are retaining important checks and balances in relation to community engagement and consultation.

If he will commission the ESO to make an estimate of the additional number of kilometres of transmission network that will be added to the electricity grid.

The Secretary of State and Head of Mission Control wrote to the ESO on 23rd August to formally commission advice regarding the key requirements for the Government to meet its clean power commitment by 2030. This includes the transmission network https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66cda5c1e39a8536eac0532e/sos-chris-stark-letter-clean-power-2030.pdf More detail will be provided in the autumn.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Chris Stark to lead Mission Control to deliver clean power by 2030, published on 9 July 2024, what resources his Department has allocated to Mission Control for (a) administration, (b) personnel and (c) communications.

The Department is in the process of establishing the Clean Power 2030 Unit, which will play a crucial role in supporting Chris Stark. Currently, the unit comprises of individuals with a mix of roles and skills ranging from policy and subject matter expertise to project delivery, analysis and other roles. As with all teams within the Department, the team is supported by corporate functions including communications, finance and human resources, which operate across the organisation.

Whether (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have met with the owners of the Grangemouth oil refinery.

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

Whether new unabated gas power stations will be required to maintain energy security.

To ensure security of supply, the electricity system requires generating capacity that can dispatch power in the event of high peak demand, unexpected outage or during periods of low renewable output. As we transition to clean power the government will work with the private sector to ensure flexible technologies such as hydrogen, long duration electricity storage and power with carbon capture and storage are deployed. We will continue to utilise unabated gas generating capacity, which will increasingly move to a backup role as low carbon alternatives deploy. TheGovernment is considering the policies required to maintain security of supply.

Whether he plans to extend the lifetime of existing unabated gas power stations.

To ensure security of supply, the electricity system requires generating capacity that can dispatch power in the event of high peak demand, unexpected outage or during periods of low renewable output. As we transition to clean power the government will work with the private sector to ensure flexible technologies such as hydrogen, long duration electricity storage and power with carbon capture and storage are deployed. We will continue to utilise unabated gas generating capacity, which will increasingly move to a backup role as low carbon alternatives deploy. TheGovernment is considering the policies required to maintain security of supply.

Whether the Chair of Great British Energy was appointed through open competition; what his remuneration is; and whether he has registered his business interests and shareholdings.

The Secretary of State considered a range of candidates for the role of Start Up Chair for Great British Energy and directly appointed Juergen Maier as the strongest candidate. DESNZ intends to run an open, fair and transparent competition to recruit the permanent Great British Energy Chair in due course. The Chair's salary is £114,400 per annum. Salaries for public appointments made by the department are usually published as part of the annual report and accounts for the relevant body. As the process for the annual report and accounts for Great British Energy is still being finalised, the department has released this information in the interests of transparency to Parliament. Juergen Maier has declared his interests as part of the appointment process.