Written questions by Timothy.

Whether his Department plans to introduce auditable competency standards for the installation of rooftop solar PV systems to help ensure the (a) structural and (b) waterproofing integrity of roofing is maintained.

For microgeneration technologies under DESNZ schemes, including rooftop solar, a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified (or equivalent) installer is mandatory. The installer must use an MCS-approved product and carry out the installation to the relevant MCS installation standard. The MCS Solar PV Standard (2025) includes provisions for waterproofing, fire safety, and roof warranties and is available online. The Government is currently reviewing the broader consumer protection landscape and will bring forward wider system reforms to ensure consumers can have confidence in the quality of installations and protections when upgrading their homes.

Whether his Department is taking steps to (a) develop and (b) adopt a standardised fire testing methodology for rooftop solar PV systems, in the context of the fire safety of residential buildings.

For microgeneration technologies under DESNZ schemes, including rooftop solar, a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified (or equivalent) installer is mandatory. The installer must use an MCS-approved product and carry out the installation to the relevant MCS installation standard. The MCS Solar PV Standard (2025) includes provisions for waterproofing, fire safety, and roof warranties and is available online. The Government is currently reviewing the broader consumer protection landscape and will bring forward wider system reforms to ensure consumers can have confidence in the quality of installations and protections when upgrading their homes.

What processes his Department plans to put in place to ensure clear (a) accountability and (b) alignment with warranty schemes for long-term roof performance following the installation of rooftop solar panels.

For microgeneration technologies under DESNZ schemes, including rooftop solar, a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified (or equivalent) installer is mandatory. The installer must use an MCS-approved product and carry out the installation to the relevant MCS installation standard. The MCS Solar PV Standard (2025) includes provisions for waterproofing, fire safety, and roof warranties and is available online. The Government is currently reviewing the broader consumer protection landscape and will bring forward wider system reforms to ensure consumers can have confidence in the quality of installations and protections when upgrading their homes.

Whether his plans to introduce independent (a) oversight and (b) accountability mechanisms to monitor solar development supply chains.

Legislation and guidance are already in place to help businesses and contracting authorities to oversee supply chains. Further information on the actions needed to develop sustainable supply chains will be set out in the Solar Roadmap, due to be published shortly.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure all solar developments do not include components linked to forced or slave labour.

The Government is committed to eradicating forced labour in supply chains, and we expect solar developers to do everything in their power to remove any instances of it that they find. Legislation and guidance are already in place to help businesses take action against modern slavery. However, we are working across government to see where we can go further, keeping all potential policy options under review. We are closely monitoring the industry-led supply chain assurance scheme, the Solar Stewardship Initiative. Further information on the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient and free from forced labour will be set out in the Solar Roadmap, to be published shortly.

When his Department plans to provide further information on its long-term plans for the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund.

The Government is making long-term plans to enable UK industry to decarbonize and reach Net Zero. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will update stakeholders as soon as possible on Funds that will be available to industry after the upcoming Spending Review, which will conclude in late spring.

How many large area solar proposals going through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects process have been initiated by foreign investors.

The Government does not hold the information requested.

How many large area solar proposals going through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects process are requesting planning approval to acquire freehold land.

An application for development consent can include a request for the granting of rights to compulsorily acquire or temporarily possess land to facilitate the development of the proposal.Each application for development consent for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIP), including solar NSIPs, has a dedicated webpage on the Planning Inspectorate’s website which sets out its intention to acquire land or not: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/. As part of the application process, a ‘Book of Reference’ is uploaded to the relevant proposal’s webpage listing the Classes of Rights which are being sought over each plot, including acquiring freehold, if applicable.

How many ministerial visits he has made to Suffolk since 4 July 2025; and where those visits took place.

The Secretary of State and the Ministerial team conduct visits across the UK on a regular basis including in Suffolk. A central list of every visit conducted is not publicly available.

What fire prevention policies battery energy storage systems sites are required to follow.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulates battery energy storage systems (BESS) under a framework which requires responsible parties to take measures to ensure health and safety throughout all stages of a BESS’s deployment. Of particular relevance to fire prevention, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) sets minimum requirements for the protection of workers and others from fire and explosion risks.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2025 to Question 37979, whether the decision to plug and abandon Preston New Road shale gas well was taken by (a) the company, (b) his Department and (c) the North Sea Transition Authority.

As stated in the answer to question UIN 37979, decisions on whether to abandon wells are ultimately a matter for the relevant company.”

What assessment his Department has made of (a) the effectiveness of fire prevention policies and (b) potential fire hazards at battery energy storage systems sites following the fire in Liverpool in 2020.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) oversees a robust regulatory framework which covers batteries and requires responsible parties to take measures to ensure health and safety throughout all stages of a battery system’s deployment.

Whether battery energy storage systems sites are required to have fire insurance.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) oversees a robust regulatory framework which covers batteries and requires responsible parties to take measures to ensure health and safety throughout all stages of a battery system’s deployment.

How many graphic designers work in his Department.

The Department employs two graphic designers who sit within the Communications directorate. There are no other graphic designers in the Department.

What the cost was of redesigning GB Energy's (a) branding and (b) logo.

Great British Energy’s branding and logo were developed in-house with government resources.

Whether the design of (a) branding and (b) logos for (i) his Department and (ii) arms-length bodies is outsourced to third parties.

All branding for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is completed in-house by government designers. The departmental logo was designed with the Cabinet Office to align to Her Majesty’s Government Identity Guidelines, as with all government departments. Data for arms-length-bodies is not held centrally. However, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has provided design support for the set-up of Great British Energy. All branding and logo design for Great British Energy was done in-house by government designers.

If he will take steps to ensure that wind turbines manufactured in China are not vulnerable to foreign espionage.

The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously with the UK being one of the most reliable and safest energy systems, and one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. Maintaining a secure energy supply is a key priority for the UK Government. DESNZ works closely with subsea and offshore owners, operators, regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure subsea and offshore energy infrastructure is proportionately protected against a range of threats. The Government will take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests. The Government will co-operate where it can, compete where it needs to, and challenge where it must.

How many pages of paperwork businesses must complete on average to receive planning approval from the Office for Nuclear Regulation.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) does not undertake planning approvals. Planning approvals must be sought from the Planning Inspectorate, to whom ONR provides regulatory advice where nuclear sites are involved.

What steps his Department is taking to help protect the security of sensitive data on multi-purpose interconnectors.

Maintaining a secure energy supply is a key priority for the UK Government. DESNZ works closely with subsea and offshore owners, operators, regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure interconnectors are proportionately protected against a range of threats – including cyber threats. This includes working with industry on data security, which is a critical part of a comprehensive approach to security of infrastructure.

What the average waiting time is for businesses to receive planning approval from the Office for Nuclear Regulation by nuclear reactor types since 1997.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) does not undertake planning approvals. Planning approvals must be sought from the Planning Inspectorate, to whom ONR provides regulatory advice where nuclear sites are involved.