Written questions by Hayes.

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on proposals for a Dorset Clean Energy Supercluster.

Regional growth is one of the three sub-objectives of our Industrial Strategy. The growth potential of clean energy innovation, supply chain scale-up, and deployment mean that there are opportunities across the whole UK. The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, published as part of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy on 23rd June, introduces policies that will support industries such as offshore wind and nuclear to capitalise on growth opportunities across the country, including in the Southwest. Additionally, ministers have also engaged in discussions regarding strategic regional investment sites, including in the Southwest of England. The Sector Plan outlines several national initiatives, including a £1 billion Clean Energy Supply Chains Fund, of which £300 million is dedicated to strengthening offshore wind supply chains; a £544 million Clean Industry Bonus for offshore wind, and the Heat Pump Investment Accelerator, offering grants to manufacturers. Furthermore, over £2.5 billion has been allocated to support Small Modular Reactors, with a further £2.5 billion committed to fusion energy over the next five years.

What assessment he has made of the potential suitability of locations in Dorset for a new Small Modular Nuclear Reactor.

Earlier this year we published the draft of a refreshed planning framework for new nuclear, EN-7, that enables developers to identify their own sites for nuclear development, including accommodating small and advanced modular reactors. Developers are encouraged to identify potentially suitable sites and technologies using the framework as EN-7 moves towards designation. Great British Energy - Nuclear owns sites at Wylfa (Ynys Mon/ Anglesey) and Oldbury-on-Severn (Gloucestershire), although no decisions have yet been taken on any projects to be deployed at sites. We will set out our plans in due course

What discussions he has had with the Crown Estate on Offshore Wind Leasing Round 6 including sites off the Dorset coast.

The Crown Estate aims to bring to market an additional 20-30GW of offshore wind leasing opportunity by 2030, to support the UK’s net zero and energy security ambitions. In September 2024, The Crown Estate published its Future of Offshore Wind report which identified regional areas of opportunity including the North East and the Celtic Sea. The Crown Estate has not yet identified which individual project sites will be bought to market in its next leasing round.

When he plans to publish the Flexibility Roadmap.

The Government will publish the Clean Flexibility Roadmap in 2025, as stated in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.

With reference to page 3 of the report by The Association for Decentralised Energy entitled Consumer-Led Clean Power: How to Unlock Consumer-Led Flexibility for Clean Power by 2030, published in June 2025, whether he has considered introducing a consumer-led flexibility delivery board.

This Government supports significant growth in consumer-led flexibility, as set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. We are grateful to the Association for Decentralised Energy for its work in this area. In our Action Plan, Government committed to publishing a Flexibility Roadmap in 2025, which will set out further detail on how the benefits of such flexibility will be unlocked for the consumer. The Roadmap will include our reforms to flexibility coordination and governance.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential role of heat batteries in decarbonising domestic heating.

Through our Warm Homes Plan we are focused on rolling out home upgrades across the country, with a focus on heat pump installation and fabric solutions. In many cases heat batteries are less efficient than heat pumps, however they do not require outside s...

What assessment he has made of the the use of energy monitoring systems by businesses to accelerate their progress towards net zero.

The use of energy monitoring systems can support all types and sizes of business to better understand their energy consumption. It can assist large businesses and their corporate groups to carry out mandatory energy assessments of their buildings, transpo...

What steps he is taking to promote the adoption of energy monitoring technologies to help businesses identify energy savings.

Smart meter-enabled energy monitoring technologies are key to helping businesses understand their energy use in an accessible way to identify savings. Since 1st October 2024, the Government has required energy suppliers to provide all small businesses wit...

What steps he is taking to encourage businesses to (a) engage with knowledge-sharing platforms and (b) share case studies on (i) improving energy efficiency and (ii) using renewable energy.

The Government is committed to engaging and supporting business small and large through the transition to net zero. We know that SMEs can face particular decarbonisation challenges and it is important they have access to reliable information and advice to...

What steps his Department is taking to provide (a) financial and (b) advisory support to help commercial property owners meet the new EPC rating guidelines for 2030.

The Government has consulted on raising non-domestic Private Rented Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and will publish the Government response early next year. The Government continues to engage with trade bodies and other key stakeholders to help prope...

If he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of integration of AI-enabled battery storage technologies in increasing the energy efficiency of homes and businesses.

Decarbonising heating is one of the biggest challenges facing the UK. Reducing energy demand and powering homes with green energy is a key priority within the Clean Energy by 2030 Mission. A range of technologies to heat the home of the future are likely ...

What steps he is taking to encourage businesses to (a) prepare for changes to the minimum EPC rating for commercial properties in 2030 and (b) help the UK meet its net zero targets.

The Government has consulted on raising non-domestic Private Rented Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and we are aiming to publish the Government response early next year. We will publish updated guidance to support landlords with compliance where neces...

What steps he is taking to help ensure that the Government meets its targets for (a) clean power, (b) net zero and (c) energy security by 2030 in a way that complements the steps it is taking

In November the Government received advice from the NESO on how to achieve our clean power 2030 target. We will review this advice and outline our approach to clean power by 2030 in our action plan later this year. The move to a clean power system by 2030...

What assessment has he made of the of the costs faced by (a) electricians and (b) installers in obtaining necessary certifications for renewable energy solutions.

Short courses for electricians training to install EV chargers and solar PV are estimated to cost £300 and £650 (+ VAT) respectively. For heat pump and heat network courses, the Heat Training Grant offers trainees a £500 discount, which covers most of the...

What steps he is taking to reduce the UK's dependence on imported electricity.

The Government’s upcoming Clean Power 2030 action plan will detail the Government's strategy protect people from increased energy bills caused by volatile global gas markets and accelerate our pathway towards greater energy independence through the deploy...

How much biomass electricity generation contributes to the UK's carbon footprint.

Government considers the use of sustainable biomass for electricity generation to be low carbon. This assessment takes into account emissions attributed to biomass from across the supply chain.The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes terr...

What estimate he has made of the quantity of natural gas reserves required to (a) maintain variable electricity generation and (b) meet electricity demand.

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...

What discussions he has had with the National Energy Security Operator on the potential (a) marginal and (b) lifecycle carbon emissions from (i) gas with carbon capture and storage (CSS), (ii

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 organisa...

If he will take steps to make the UK a net exporter of power by 2030.

The Government will shortly publish the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan which will outline our approach to delivering a clean electricity system which will ensure our energy security, help tackle the climate crisis, create good jobs and protect billpayers. N...

What assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness of the Contracts for Difference scheme and (b) potential scope for reforming investment mechanisms in renewable energy capacity.

The Government is committed to accelerating renewables deployment to meet clean power 2030 and the Contracts for Difference scheme will continue to be an important element of this. We are working with industry to consider ways this scheme and other energy...