Written questions by Charters.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of battery energy storage systems.

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) have a key role in cost-effectively decarbonising the power sector by 2030. They help to balance the electricity system at lower cost by maximising the output from intermittent low carbon generation (such as solar and wind) and minimising both network upgrades and the need for new infrastructure. The Department’s analysis indicates that short-duration flexibility offered by technologies including battery storage, could support up to 24,000 jobs (1) and reduce energy system costs by up to £10bn per year by 2050 (2) through minimising the need for new peaking generation and network assets. [1] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5dc589f8e5274a4f497bc49f/energy-innovation-needs-assessment-smart-systems.pdf[2] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/60f57aade90e0764cd98a0a3/smart-systems-appendix-i-electricity-system-flexibility-modelling.pdf

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Future Home Standard on National Grid capacity.

The Government is committed to expanding the electricity network to support the Clean Energy Superpower mission and is working closely with Ofgem and industry to mobilise the required investment at the scale and pace required. Price controls set by Ofgem ensure network companies are investing in infrastructure build, as well as smart management of network assets, to ensure the network has sufficient capacity . This includes accommodating increasing numbers of households adopting electric heating, solar generation and EV charging, both through future standards for new build properties and retrofit of the existing housing stock.

When his Department plans to next update the National Policy Statement for energy infrastructure; and whether that update will include battery storage as significant energy infrastructure.

The Chancellor committed to Government updating relevant National Policy Statements (NPSs) for infrastructure within 12-months and this includes reviewing the energy NPSs.This Government recognises that batteries have a key role to play in decarbonising the power sector by 2030 through balancing the electricity system and facilitating the integration of renewable power. Batteries above 50MW formerly fell under the regime but this was not found to expedite planning decisions. The policy will be kept under review.

What assessment his Department have made of the potential impact of retrofitting new homes on net zero targets.

The Government has dual ambitions of delivering 1.5 million new homes by the end of this Parliament and achieving clean power by 2030. These objectives are not mutually exclusive, and with good planning and smart design we can build the high quality, low carbon homes we need. Future standards next year will set our new homes and buildings on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuels and ensures they are fit for a net zero future. The department will continue to work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on this matter.

What steps his Department is taking to work with local authorities on implementing the warm homes plan.

On 23rd September the Secretary of State announced the Warm Homes: Local Grant which will provide energy performance measures and low carbon heating to low-income households in England. The scheme will allocate funding to local authorities following the outcome of an expression of interest, opening in October. The Government also launched the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, which replaces the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Eligible social housing landlords can apply as of 30th September 2024. Local Authorities within the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) will be receiving an allocation of funding for these national schemes as part of our commitment to the pilots announced in the trailblazer devolution deals. The Retrofit Insight Support and Expertise (RISE) web service provides free support to help local authorities deliver these retrofit programmes.