Written questions by Roca.

Whether Peak Cluster Limited has submitted to his Department or to Ofgem any societal risk assessment (FN curve analysis) under BS PD 8010 Parts 1 and 3 comparing the risk profile of the current proposed pipeline route through Gawsworth Parish with any alternative route that avoids the settled Gawsworth valley.

The department is engaging with potential future CCUS projects, including the Peak Cluster, to understand their proposals. The Peak Cluster’s pipeline proposals are still in development. A societal risk assessment is part of the quantitative risk assessment framework for the pipelines under BS PD8010, which will be carried out as part of the FEED design stage. The Peak Cluster project is not yet at this stage. Once complete, the risk assessment will be submitted to the Health and Safety Executive, who will undertake the review.

What energy security assessment has been made of electricity supplied to the UK via international interconnectors.

The Capacity Market is our main tool for ensuring security of electricity supply and has already successfully secured the electricity capacity GB consumers need out to 2028/29. Interconnectors are part of the capacity mix that it secures. Like all technologies that participate in the Capacity Market, they are de-rated to reflect their expected contribution to security of electricity supply under periods of system stress. In the case of interconnectors, de-rating is based on consideration of expected flows and technical availability.

What steps his Department is taking with social housing providers in the Macclesfield Constituency to help reduce energy costs for tenants.

The Warm Homes Plan will deliver £15bn of public investment and help lift up to a million families out of fuel poverty by 2030. This includes support for those on low-incomes and the introduction of minimum energy efficiency standards for the social rented sector, which will slash the cost of heating for families, making homes warmer and more comfortable. Macclesfield-based Peaks and Plains Housing Trust has secured £6.58m as part of the just under £1.15bn Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund. The funding will support energy efficiency and low‑carbon heating upgrades, helping raise properties below EPC Band C up to that standard.

Whether his department has set a benchmark for the proportion of the UK’s electricity supply that should be imported from abroad in the medium to long term; and how electricity imports are factored into energy security planning.

The Capacity Market is our main tool for ensuring security of electricity supply. Each year the National Energy System Operator assesses the capacity required to meet expected peak demand four years ahead. All participating technologies are de-rated to reflect their expected contribution under periods of system stress, with interconnectors de-rated based on expected flows and technical availability. In the longer term, the Government is supportive of additional interconnection where future projects provide system benefits.

What steps his Department is taking with utilities companies to protect consumers from utility account identity fraud.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is the lead department for the energy sector only. Regarding energy utility accounts, Ofgem is the energy regulator for Great Britain. Ofgem works to protect energy consumers and ensure they are treated fairly. Ofgem has a specific counter fraud team who work to detect, prevent, deter, and take firm action where there is evidence of fraud. Ofgem has also issued guidance to energy suppliers regarding identity checking of new customers. Due diligence on verifying the identity of a customer is important for energy suppliers, especially if they are extending credit on an energy account.

Whether he has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of decarbonising the grid by 2030 on job creation in Macclesfield constituency.

Through our clean power mission, including through investments made by Great British Energy, and the National Wealth Fund, we will work with industry to deliver the jobs and investment required to achieve our clean power 2030 ambition. Whilst we are still deciding where investments will be made, we expect that good jobs will be available across the country as we see a rapid expansion in the renewable workforce by 2030.