Written questions by Timothy.

With reference to the oral contribution of Baron Wilson of Sedgefield in the House of Lords on 3 July 2025, Official Report, column 867, what plans he has to take up internationally fuel refining industry margins.

Refining margins differ from site to site and are driven by the prices of the crude oils each refinery buys and of the products that they produce. These prices are largely set by international traded markets. The Government is determined to work with industry, workers and trade unions to ensure our UK refineries can compete in this international context. That is why, in less than 12 months in office, we have invested in carbon capture, usage and storage, which can help key refineries, such as Phillips 66 and Stanlow, through Viking and HyNet; and we are driving forward with the sustainable aviation fuel mandate, to help the refining sector maximise the opportunities created by the clean energy revolution. We are also reviewing the methodology for the energy-intensive industries compensation scheme, to help assess whether sectors such as this should be covered in the future, and whether more can be done to help their competitiveness.

What (a) his Department’s and (b) NESO’s estimate of the magnitude in MWh and the aggregate cost of any constraints of embedded solar generation resulting from instructions at the distribution level by Distribution Network Operators in their emerging role as Distribution System Operators for all years in which such constraints and costs have occurred since 2020.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is responsible for operating Great Britain’s electricity system, which includes managing constraints. NESO publishes total balancing costs, which can be found here: Constraint Breakdown 2025-2026 | National Energy System Operator. Actions taken in the Balancing Mechanism, including bids taken by individual Balancing Mechanism Units, can be accessed here API documentation | Insights Solution. Government is working to reduce constraints and improve energy security and resilience by accelerating the building of new electricity network infrastructure to increase capacity on the system.

What information his Department holds on the timeline for the deployment of synchronous condensers that (a) have been contracted and (b) are planned; and what the scale of each deployment is.

The Department does not hold detailed information on the timeline or scale of synchronous condenser deployments. The responsibility for balancing the electricity system, including the contracting and deployment of synchronous condensers, lies with the National Energy System Operator (NESO). NESO is best placed to provide information on the status of contracted and planned deployments, as well as the associated technical specifications and timelines.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of changes to Contracts for Difference liabilities if wholesale electricity prices remain elevated on levels of fiscal risk.

Scaling up homegrown renewables reduces the UK’s exposure to volatile global fossil fuel prices, which protects consumer energy bills against future price shocks. The CfD two-way payment mechanism protects consumers when electricity prices are high, as if the reference price is above the strike price, the generator must pay back the difference.During the energy bill crisis over Winter 22/23, when wholesale electricity prices were higher, the CfD scheme reduced the amount needed to deliver our energy bill support schemes by around £18 per typical household. [1] [1] This estimate is based on DESNZ analysis of the 2022/23 Ofgem price cap and wholesale cost allowance methodology for Q4 2022 and Q1 2023.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of requiring private rental properties to have a C grade on their Energy Performance Certificate by 2030 on (a) landlords and (b) renters.

Government recently consulted on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The consultation included proposals for rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030, and was accompanied by the Department’s initial consultation-stage impact assessment. The consultation has now closed, and we are currently analysing responses and reviewing evidence on the potential impact of these proposals. Following this, a government response and further impact assessment will be published.

What assessment his Department has made of the combined potential impact of multiple gas-fired plant retirements on (a) grid stability and (b) inertia levels.

Great Britain has a highly stable and resilient energy system with diverse supplies. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) continuously monitors the electricity system and ensures sufficient inertia and negative and positive reserves to manage large generation or demand losses, including through retirements of gas plant. In the transition to clean power, we are deploying the technologies needed to ensure the energy system remains resilient. In Great Britain, for example, NESO procure alternative technologies such as synchronous condensers and flywheels and use sub-second response services to manage frequency changes and maintain system stability.

How he plans to improve the integration of (a) demand-side response and (b) distributed energy resources to help reduce risks of blackouts in the next five years.

Great Britain has a highly resilient energy network. The National Energy System Operator has all the tools it needs to operate the electricity system reliably and can call on a range of technologies to balance electricity supply and demand, including gas-fired generation and flexible technologies such as batteries and demand side response. The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan sets out measures to increase consumer led flexibility (also known as demand-side response). Further details will be set out in the Clean Flexibility Roadmap that Government committed in the Action Plan to publish this year.

If he will publish a risk register outlining potential system stability risks under Clean Power 2030 decarbonisation scenarios.

There are no current plans to publish a risk register. Great Britain has a highly resilient energy network. The National Energy System Operator has all the tools it needs to operate the electricity system reliably and can call on a range of technologies to balance electricity supply and demand, including gas-fired generation and flexible technologies such as batteries and demand side response.

What information his Department holds on (a) what components used in the power grid were manufactured by Chinese companies and (b) whether (i) Chinese companies and (ii) the Chinese state can (A) access data from and (B) control those components remotely.

The protection and security of the energy sector is a priority of this Government. HMRC publishes the value and mass of electrical machinery, equipment and parts imported, by country, on its data portal at www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/ots-custom-table/. Foreign investment in critical national infrastructure undergoes the highest levels of scrutiny, and the government has powers to protect energy infrastructure and critical services through a broad range of mitigations, including legislative and regulatory powers. DESNZ works closely with industry and other government departments to maintain a detailed picture of ownership and foreign involvement in energy infrastructure

If he will make a single Minister responsible for offshore infrastructure.

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to him on 28 January to question UIN (24981)

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of cellular internet modules on (a) wind turbines, and (b) solar panels imported from China.

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. 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 security through the Network and Information Systems Regulations. This includes working with regulators to ensure these regulations cover critical operators as the sector evolves.

What discussions (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) special advisors in his Department have had with Huawei since 5 July 2024.

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

What discussions (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) special advisors in his Department have had with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited since 5 July 2024.

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

How many workers in the (a) wind and (b) solar industry were not British nationals in each year since 2015.

The government is delivering record investment in supply chains to create good, well paid jobs in the construction of renewable energy projects across the country, Through the Office for Clean Energy Jobs we are working to improve terms and conditions for workers. The specific information requested is not held by the Department.

What assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of illegal work in the (a) wind and (b) solar industry.

The government is delivering record investment in supply chains to create good, well paid jobs in the construction of renewable energy projects across the country, Through the Office for Clean Energy Jobs we are working to improve terms and conditions for workers. The specific information requested is not held by the Department.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of the white paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, on overseas recruitment in the (a) wind and (b) solar industry.

My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministerial Colleagues on a number of issues.

If he will bring forward legislative proposals to strengthen the law against acts of sabotage to offshore infrastructure.

DESNZ works closely with subsea and offshore owners, operators, regulators and other stakeholders to ensure offshore infrastructure is proportionately protected against a range of threats, whether from accidental damage or intentional sabotage. This includes working jointly with the Joint Maritime Security Centre to proactively survey against external threats and increase the UK's maritime domain awareness of activity around UK offshore infrastructure. DESNZ will continue to work closely with cross-government counterparts alongside industry to explore what further proportionate action can be taken to reduce the risks to offshore infrastructure, including if there is any need for new legislative powers.

What assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of labour abuse in the (a) wind and (b) solar industry.

The Government is aware of the abhorrent allegations of forced labour in clean energy supply chains and is committed to tackling it. That is why we have amended the Great British Energy Act 2025, making it clear that GBE is committed to adopting measures so it acts on any evidence of forced labour in its supply chains – as we would expect of any responsible company. Legislation and guidance are already in place to help businesses take action against modern slavery. We are further considering how to strengthen Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, including possible penalties for non-compliance.

What the (a) value, and (b) volume of solar PV and energy storage equipment imported into the UK by Huawei is.

The Department does not hold this information. HMRC publishes the value and mass of solar panels and batteries imported, by country, on its data portal at www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/ots-custom-table/.

What the (a) value and (b) volume of solar PV and energy storage equipment imported into the UK from China is.

The Department does not hold this information. HMRC publishes the value and mass of solar panels and batteries imported, by country, on its data portal at www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/ots-custom-table/.