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 space, and can often be cheaper to install in some circumstances. We are currently exploring the role heat batteries could play in the future.

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 to meet its targets for 2050.

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 is vital to support the transition to technologies that will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, including electric vehicles and heat pumps.

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 to be required including flexible technologies such as battery storage. More generally, the Home Energy Model (HEM) is a calculation methodology designed to assess the energy performance of homes and is set to replace the Standard Assessment Procedure. Consultations on the proposed HEM closed in March 2024 and the Government will respond to the consultation in due course.

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 course costs. Contractors installing heat pumps and solar PV within Government schemes are required to be Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified. The overall cost of MCS membership can be over £1,000 a year. Many installers are also members of Competent Person Schemes. The Department will continue to assess the cost of training and certification.

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 necessary. The Government has also introduced a number of policies to encourage businesses to help meet net zero targets. This includes Climate Change Agreements which provides business rates exemptions and tax discounts in exchange for businesses meeting energy and carbon reduction targets, the Business Energy Advice Service for SMEs which is currently being piloted in the West Midlands, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme which provides up to £7,500 off the installation of new heat pumps and the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund providing grants for energy efficiency and deep decarbonisation projects.

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 with free and regular information on their energy use based on their smart meter data, for example via an App, online platform or display. Suppliers must also open up access to data to third parties who are working to provide innovative energy management tools on behalf of businesses of all sizes.

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 property owners understand the requirements and what support is available to them and will be publishing updated guidance to support landlords with compliance where necessary. Non-domestic properties are eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offering up to £7,500 off the installation of a heat pump.

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, transport and industrial processes under the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme, to enable the identification of costed energy saving measures. ESOS participants are required to disclose their total energy use, and submit action plans and progress updates on any energy saving measures they decide to implement following their assessment. Businesses that are also in scope of Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting can also set out in their annual reports the key energy efficiency actions they have taken alongside the required energy and emissions disclosures.

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 help them take action to reduce their emissions. We encourage small and medium-sized businesses to visit the UK Business Climate Hub, which provides advice to reduce their emissions and case studies, highlighting examples of businesses taking action. It is run by the Broadway Initiative, in partnership with government and a coalition of business organisations.

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 policies can evolve to deliver our clean power goal.

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. NESO’s report on achieving clean power by 2030 showed that it is possible for the UK to generate more clean energy than it consumes, creating the scope to export excess clean power to other countries via interconnectors which will enable us to trade energy with some of our closest European allies.

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) bioenergy with CSS, (iii) on-shore wind and (iv) nuclear energy.

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 organisations or individuals in attendance.

If he will reinstate a three-year delivery window for solar (a) in Allocation Round 7 and (b) beyond.

The Government is committed to accelerating solar deployment to meet clean power 2030 and reviews the Contracts for Difference scheme before every round to ensure it continues to deliver this and other objectives. We will confirm details for Allocation Round 7 in due course.

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 work with the private sector to ensure flexible technologies such as hydrogen, long duration electricity storage and power with carbon capture and storage are deployed.Unabated gas will increasingly move to a backup role as low carbon alternatives deploy. We will continue to develop our strategy to enable a transition away from unabated gas whilst maintaining security of supply.

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 territorial emissions estimates, found here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-territorial-greenhouse-gas-emissions-national-statistics. However, international reporting guidelines, established by organisations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), require carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the combustion of biomass to be accounted for in the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector rather than the energy sector. Correspondingly, CO2 emissions from the use of imported biomass are accounted for in the LULUCF sectors across the national inventories in which the biomass was harvested.